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The Black Sea is unique among the world's seas because below approximately 150 to 200 metres, the water is completely anoxic, meaning it contains no dissolved oxygen. This oxygen-free environment prevents the wood-eating organisms and bacterial decomposition that destroy shipwrecks in other seas, meaning ancient wooden vessels can be preserved for centuries in remarkable condition. The upper oxygenated layer where recreational diving takes place supports a distinct marine ecosystem adapted to the Black Sea's lower salinity and unique chemistry.

Batumi's dive sites include several shipwrecks from various eras, rocky reef areas with Black Sea marine life, and a developing artificial reef programme. Visibility is typically 5 to 15 metres due to river sediment from the nearby Chorokhi River, with the best clarity from July to September. Water temperatures in summer reach 22 to 24 degrees in the shallows but drop sharply below the thermocline at around 15 metres. The diving industry in Batumi is small but growing, with a few PADI-affiliated centres offering guided dives.

Georgia's diving industry is in its early stages but several professional operators in Batumi offer safe, well-organised diving with modern equipment and qualified instructors. The dive sites are generally within 20 minutes by boat from Batumi harbour. Emergency medical facilities are available in Batumi, though the nearest hyperbaric chamber is in Trabzon, Turkey, about three hours away. Divers should carry appropriate insurance and dive conservatively given the remote emergency support.