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April 29, 2005

Hurghada first accredited mainland National Geographic Centre

Emperor Divers' Hurghada, a PADI 5 Star Centre, has become the first National Geographic Diving Centre on the Egyptian mainland.

The award is only given to PADI 5 Star Centre or a PADI Gold Palm centre that meets a higher standard than that normally required by PADI.

All instructors are qualified to teach the National Geographic Diver course, which requires more dives and skills such as peak performance buoyancy skills, navigation, flora and fauna identification and marine awareness.

Ideal for both novice and experienced divers, this course is a fun way to learn about the underwater environment and is designed to promote underwater exploration, marine conservation and underwater photography. In addition to the PADI Open Water training, the course includes advice from National Geographic experts on preserving coral reefs, protecting species and respecting historical sites and aquatic habitat.

The culmination of the course is the Exploration Project. This practical experience will change the way you dive and give a new appreciation of our underwater world and how to preserve it for generations to come.

"Congratulations! Emperor Scuba Schools, Hurghada, has joined an exclusive élite within the Industry, an achievement of which you and your staff can be truly proud," said Simon Chance, Manager, PADI International.

April 04, 2005

Take one 18ft whale shark, a pod of dolphins and mix well with Hurghada

An excited team in Hurghada reported a fantastic experience on 31 March - involving a whale shark AND a pod of dolphins!

On a dive site called El Aruk Gigi, one of the guests with Emperor Hurghada snorkeled with an 18ft whale shark...for 40 minutes!

Luckily, on board was diver and photographer, Peter Rorstad, who captured this immense creature in all its glory.

And it gets better...on another Emperor boat, divers enjoyed a pod of dolphins accompanying them for the whole dive! But they were enjoying them so much, there's no piccie for this one!

Seems like Hurghada is the place to be!