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My First Dive Experience
In 2014, I did my first scuba dive in a remote island in the Maldives with my Dad and my brother by my side. I could not believe the world beneath the surface, from that day my life changed.
Dive Training
I did my open water course in 2019 in South Africa and 6 months later I did my advanced course. That year I had a careers day at school and we had ProDive South Africa, a local IDC center, do a presentation on becoming a PADI instructor. I remember going home and thinking… “This is it! This is what I want to do.” By the time I had finished school at the end of 2019, I had set my sights on becoming an Instructor and was planning on where and when I could do the rest of my training.
When 2020 rolled around it brought a host of new challenges that no one had predicted. My year of travel and training started to fade as lockdowns were looming. I buzzed through my Divemaster training in Dubai with Al Boom Dive Center to complete my training before returning to South Africa.
Studying and Diving
While studying Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University (2021- 2023), I worked part-time as a Divemaster for Maties Underwater Club (MUC). Through my 3 years with this incredible club I worked from Media and Marketing assistant to the Co-Chairperson. This community became my work and social circle, we had socials, regular meetings and many many fun dives. Some of the friends I made there are still some of my closest friends and I was fortunate enough to be able to convince a few of my friends to do their open water course and got to show them the underwater world I was absolutely hooked on.
We managed to find the perfect balance of studying, partying and adventuring, waking up at 5am on Saturday mornings to drive to Kalk Bay and explore the kelp forests of Cape Town.
My degree affirmed my passion for the conservation of the ocean and my encounters diving led me to witness the beauty first hand as well as the damage we are doing to the ocean through pollution and overfishing. With these experiences I pledged to do my best to make a difference to the ocean, and spent the last 6 months of 2023 sending out my CV to eco-dive centers that I could see were eager to make a difference and had a core focus on sustainability and conservation.
IDC
February of 2024, I started my Instructors Development course at Coral Divers situated in the iSimangiliso Wetland Park. iSimangaliso is a Zulu word that translates to “miracle and wonder”, a name that perfectly represents the immaculate and diverse ecosystems of this World Heritage Site. The course was 3 weeks and packed with practical sessions and classroom lessons. Our Course Director, Ray Dean, crafted an unforgettable learning experience and fostered a love for teaching to everyone he taught. I think back on that month with so much joy and gratitude, from the friends made to the support of family.
First Job
It was at the end of my IDC that I got an offer from Ceningan Divers to work as a Conservationist and Instructor. Finally, a dream come true! I spent the next few months planning my solo move, from the comforts of my small hometown of Knysna, across the world, to the remote island of Ceningan, Indonesia. Fear and worry did not enter my mind as I packed my bags, eager and excited to explore the world and meet new people. On Ceningan, I quickly found myself settled into island life. Barefoot and in a bikini riding around on a scooter. This was the life I had imagined.
Working at Ceningan Divers was an unique experience, the diving within the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area was overwhelmingly beautiful. I had never seen so many fish or such pristine coral reefs. Floating effortlessly with Manta rays or gliding along underwater cliffs during drift dives, each day scuba diving was like no other. No matter how tired I was in the morning, knowing I was going to be in the ocean was better than a cup of coffee. The staff at Ceningan Divers soon became like family, from the friendly resort staff, cheerily greeting me every morning to the dive team’s constant banter on the boat, and Matt and Emily (the Boss power couple) always making sure I was happy and not feeling too homesick, I couldn’t had asked for better first bosses.
Life Now
In January 2025, I left Indonesia eager for new experiences and more travel. I am now working in Greece, on the island of Kefalonia for Fiskardo Divers and the Kefalonia Organisation for the Study and Awareness of the Marine Environment (KOSAMARE). My days are spent diving, teaching, surveying for invasive species and (though far less exciting), writing funding proposals and projects reports.
Living a completely different life than Indonesia, each of these islands has such unique beauty it’s a whole different adventure. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to explore these places.
Best Dive Memory
Because I can’t choose one, here are two: On a scuba trip to Coral Divers with the Maties Underwater club, we were fortunate enough to come across a pod of dolphins at the surface. At our skipper’s command we all jumped into the water with our snorkel equipment. I swam with all my might to the breaking waves, trying my best to make it there before the dolphins. As I felt the first wave take me, I dove down and was greeted with clicks and squeaks from a pod of over 50 dolphins swimming all around me. And secondly, to give a bit of context, my favourite thing to do underwater is wave at all the fish and greet them, (even the Titan triggerfish, with whom I do not have a pleasant relationship with). While working at Ceningan Divers, I was guiding a rather macho intimidating man, who at first had a very dull demeanour underwater. Initially confused with my child-like enthusiasm, by the end of his week diving we were both greeting the damselfish and waving at the turtles, his excitement was infectious and our whole group ended up happily waving and blowing kisses to our fishy friends.
My Advice
Take the trip. Go on the adventure. If you feel called to go somewhere, don’t let an opportunity pass you by. Maybe you’ll love it, maybe after a while you will be ready to move on, but you will never know if you don’t give it a shot. And always, ALWAYS make sure to greet the fish.
