Destination Dive: Beneath the Surface with Kerry Sanders & Mike Zimmer

For more than three decades, Kerry Sanders traveled the world covering hurricanes, breaking news, politics, environmental stories and some of television's biggest headlines for NBC News. Along the way, he reported on sunken treasure, shark research and coral restoration… stories that often sparked his curiosity but, like most news, were told in just a few minutes.

Now, alongside longtime television producer, underwater cinematographer and Destination Dive creator Mike Zimmer, Sanders has the opportunity to dive much deeper.

Kerry Sanders and Mike Zimmer

The new season of Destination Dive premieres August 16 on Discovery Channel, taking viewers beneath the waters of the Florida Keys to explore vibrant reefs, historic shipwrecks, marine conservation and the people dedicating their lives to protecting our oceans.

But don't mistake it for a show that's simply about beautiful underwater scenery.

Photo Credit: Tony Timpano

As Sanders shared during his appearance on The Paige Kornblue Show, "Here's the thing that I think is so encouraging... this is a show that reflects hope. If there is a problem, there are people working on the solution."

That perspective is what sets Destination Dive apart.

Throughout the season, viewers meet citizen scientists planting coral reefs, researchers restoring sponge populations that date back roughly 600 million years, volunteers helping remove invasive lionfish and marine experts using technology to better understand the health of Florida's reefs. The series also uncovers remarkable stories from beneath the surface, including the SS Valbanera (often called the "Poor Man's Titanic") and an underwater cemetery discovered after an island and hospital disappeared in a hurricane nearly a century ago.

Zimmer says the mission has always been about more than diving.

"We want to tell the people that are doing great things... and we want to encourage people to get involved in whatever capacity they can."

For Sanders, the series satisfies something that has always driven him as a journalist.

"I like to learn something. This is totally a learning process... And then for me, it's a creative outlet."

That curiosity shines throughout the series.

"As I'm learning something new, I'm sharing something with other people... All of this is a sense of discovery," added Sanders.

Our conversation also explored one of Zimmer's proudest conservation initiatives, 100 Yards of Hope, the environmental legacy project created during Super Bowl LIV that planted 100 corals off Key Biscayne in honor of the NFL's 100th season.

"We planted them this big, and they're this big now. It's really that legacy that you leave behind," Zimmer said.

Sanders added, "You wonder what kind of role can I make? What little thing could I do that's going to matter?... You can actually do something."

Destination Dive offers viewers not simply an escape beneath the surface, but a reminder that beyond the headlines are remarkable people, fascinating discoveries and countless reasons for hope.

Destination Dive premieres August 16 at 8 a.m. ET on Discovery Channel. If you miss the broadcast, episodes are available on Discovery GO and many other platforms — learn more at DestinationDive.tv.