Recently in Dive Courses Category

Gareth and Anders have a lot to smile about as they earn their PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor qualifications this week. Not only can they teach the core PADI courses, but having completed their Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Emergency First Response Instructor programs, they can also teach five PADI specialty courses and First Aid. Their two-day exam, conducted by PADI examiners who were flown in especially, was the culmination of a nine-day intensive but enjoyable learning experience.

Emperor Divers' April PADI IDC got off to a relaxed start on the beach at Shark's Bay in Sharm El Sheikh. Gareth booked in for a two-day prep course with PADI Course Director, Steve Prior, to ensure that his in-water skills and diving knowledge were up to scratch. Gareth advised, "You only do a PADI IDC once in your life, so you want to do it right and you want to have fun."

Book now for a unique shore-based underwater photography course with Ocean Visions, Maria Munn.

The proof is in the pudding as one of Maria's past course guests, Mark Harrison, has been voted for having Picture of the Month in Sport Diver magazine with a photograph he took in Kuredu Caves, a Maldivian Island last May. His photography, in his own words, was very hit and miss until he came on an Ocean Visions Photography Course which certainly helped.

Mark Harrison

Don't forget - 15 September for fab beginner's u/w photo course in Nuweiba.

For more information, contact reservations@emperordivers.com


Royal Photographic Society award for photo instructor
Maria Munn of Ocean Visions has been awarded a Licentiateship from the Royal Photographic Society for her own portfolio, which was submitted recently. Interestingly, four of the ten photographs submitted were taken with a compact camera and a variety of Inon Lenses and Strobes. There will be Inon Equipment available for guests to try out at the Nuweiba Photo Workshop to show guests how their photos taken with a compact camera can stand out from the rest.

Reef Conservation International (ReefCI) and Emperor Hurghada have joined forces to help monitor and survey the reefs with the help of local volunteers and visiting divers in order to add to an international database and also to help existing local organisations in protecting and surveying the coral reef ecosystem.

From 1 day right up to 6 days or more, it's possible to complete a number of educational programs including looking at coral bleaching and disease, human impacts on the reef and the identification of key species, which offer an indication of the overall health of the reef ecosystem. Already, a number of 1-day educational programs have been completed at Emperor Divers and some guests have so far completed the full 6-day. One of these guests, Rosemary Winnett, has already booked to come back only 8 months after completing her first course to conduct another 6 days of reef monitoring. Many thanks go to her for her willingness and efforts in helping to monitor and protect Hurghada's marine ecosystem.

For more information, please contact Emperor Divers' in-house marine biologist, Paul Vinten at reefci@emperordivers.com or visit emperordivers.com/hurghada_reefci.php.

Date: 15/05 - 22/05/2008
Cost: Liveaboard 1075 Euro pp + Course 160 Euro pp

Emperor Divers has launched a new liveaboard safari where you can choose to learn about the fundamentals of underwater ecosystems and why marine life behaves the way it does. Why are some fish monogamous and others polygamous and why should that affect their colouring? No prior knowledge is needed.

On the same safari, Peter Bergquist, a well known underwater photographer featured in a number of international magazines and books, will lead a new digital underwater photo course teaching the basics of underwater photography for beginners and intermediates, so no prior knowledge is needed.

So you can take both or one or the other - now that's variety!

The Eco and Photo courses run side by side and take place on Gold Fleet liveaboard Emperor Majesty with air-con ensuite cabins and salons, a large dive deck and sun deck, Jacuzzi/hot tub plus two towels and a bathrobe each!

Email info.safaris@emperordivers.com to book your place today.

Start date: 16 September
Course cost: 120 Euro per person

Learn how to use your compact camera to take your underwater photography to a new level. Emperor Divers and Ocean Visions are continuing their successful Underwater Photography Courses aimed at beginners with digital compact cameras who want to learn and develop their skills from a shore base rather than liveaboard.

Marsa Alam, Nuweiba, Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh (Shark's Bay) are now BSAC Dive Training Centres.

Thirteen instructors from a selection of Emperor's dive centres descended on Sharm to carry out our crossover training to become BSAC Open Water Instructors. The aim of this conversion was for Emperor to become the main BSAC flagship company providing BSAC courses and catering to their members' needs in the Red Sea, and what a success it was.

Emperor Divers has invited a Platinum-rated Course Director to run their Instructor Development Courses at their Sharm El Sheikh dive centre in the Red Sea.

Steve Prior has been a PADI member for over 15 years and for the past seven has been teaching Instructor Development Courses. Steve has now reached the remarkable milestone of over 1700 instructor level certifications.