Instagram star, and Friend of Emperor, Kira Hartwigsen was the first to put her name down when we announced our women-only ‘Ladies Dive Cruise’ earlier this year.
This exciting new trip is now only a matter of months away and will see Emperor Superior cover the route around our North & Easy itinerary which showcases famous dive sites including Ras Mohamed, the wreck of Thistlegorm and the stunning reefs in the Straits of Tiran.
Setting off on June 21 next year, it’s wonderful opportunity to get a break from the men and enjoy a bit girls-only time in the water.
And it is an adventure Kira is very much looking to.
She said: “A women-only trip is special because it creates a safe and supportive environment for female solo travellers. One of the women who already booked her spot shared that her partner doesn’t dive, but she loved the opportunity to join a women’s-only trip where she could connect with other like-minded divers (even if it’s just through Instagram at first).
“This trip offers a fantastic opportunity for female solo divers and travellers to explore the beautiful Red Sea, surrounded by a community of adventurous, supportive women.
“I’m super excited to meet new scuba girls. I did a liveaboard in June 2024 with Emperor Divers and three amazing women from my community joined me. We’re still in touch via our WhatsApp group, where we share dive experiences, ask for advice, and send funny updates. We came as strangers and left as friends.”
Kira’s initiation into the world of diving came as the result of looking for something new and exciting after she and her boyfriend split up – and it’s fair to say she hasn’t looked back since. The breakdown of a relationship brought a love affair with diving.
She explained: “My dive career actually began after a breakup. In 2021, I quit my job to rethink what I wanted to do with my life and around the same time my boyfriend and I broke up.
“Needing a change, I decided to take a month-long solo trip for the first time to the Caribbean island of Curaçao. While there, I enrolled in an Open Water Diver course – partly to challenge myself, partly to keep busy, and mostly to learn something new.
“From my very first dive, I was hooked. I realised I wanted to become a dive instructor, to take a break from life in Germany and experience something entirely different. Eleven months later, I certified my first student and launched my Instagram account, @Kira.dives.
“Now, I travel the world as a solo scuba girl, diving in new places and sharing my adventures.”
She also feels far from being alone as a female in the world of diving and says it is a network which is continuing to grow.
“Absolutely, I can see there are more female divers than ever before – and I love it.
“The community has grown stronger and more supportive, making diving more accessible and welcoming for women. It’s fantastic to see more women taking up the sport, whether as beginners or advancing to become dive professionals.”
No matter your level of experience, if you want to spend time with like-minded women who can support, encourage and inspire each other to get the most from their diving (and enjoy a good social) then our Ladies Dive Cruise will be perfect.
To join Kira and others, or to find out more about the trip, contact our team on [email protected].