AMD-B 24th Birthday

Posted on September 20, 2023September 20, 2023 by Annabel Thomas

Diving Into 24 Years of Adventure: AquaMarine's Journey to Excellence

by Mardia, AMD-B’s 2023 Divemaster Internship

On this special day of 18 September 2023, AquaMarine Diving – Bali is filled with immense pride and joy as we celebrate the 24th anniversary. AquaMarine has been dedicated to providing unparalleled diving experiences, discovering stunning underwater worlds, and advocating for marine conservation for over two decades.

Starting as a very small, but passionate, company in 1999, AquaMarine has grown into one of the most reputable diving companies in the industry. Throughout the journey, we have always aimed to exceed expectations by prioritizing safety, professionalism, and adventure for the guests.

AquaMarine is also committed to ocean sustainability through the Blue Project. This initiative aims to connect and appreciate the marine environment by raising awareness about preserving the ocean and its inhabitants. Through beach clean-ups, underwater clean-ups, campaigns, educational initiatives, and collaboration with local communities, we strive to positively impact the marine ecosystems we explore.

The director, Annabel Thomas, expressed her disbelief that it’s already been 24 years since the company opened. However, she also shared her wishes for the future, including the staff’s professional development, continued support for the local dive community, providing excellent service for guests, promoting Bali’s phenomenal diving, and sharing the beauty of the underwater world with as many people as possible.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of AquaMarine’s loyal customers and dedicated team members. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the trust, enthusiasm, and belief in our mission. Together, we have made countless memories and formed lifelong friendships. We are excited to continue exploring and sharing the beauty of the underwater world with everyone. Here’s to 24 years of excellence in diving and many more to come!

2024 Divemaster Internship Programme

Posted on September 8, 2023September 18, 2023 by Annabel Thomas

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PADI Divemaster Internship for Indonesian Citizens

The Indonesian Archipelago – including our beloved Bali – contains a stunningly diverse underwater ecosystem. Fed by the plankton-rich waters of the Indo-Pacific, it creates the world’s richest marine bio-geographic zone, with diving to suit every level of ability and a myriad of interests.

With such amazing diversity, it is unsurprising that new, pristine, diving locations are discovered almost daily. New destinations bring new dive opportunities which drive new dive operators to expand access to these incredible locations. Rapid expansion in the number of dive businesses creates an ever-increasing demand for well-trained professional dive staff.

Recognizing this demand, AMD-B believes there is a very real need to encourage the local community to join and work in this expanding industry. In 2012, the company took its own steps to encourage this participation and pledged to run an annual “11 Month PADI Divemaster Internship Programme for Indonesian Citizens”.

A maximum of four coveted Intern positions are made available each year. This ensures each intern receives individual and personalized training, as well as the 1-on-1 attention required to complete this extensive programme.

AquaMarine Diving – Bali is now seeking applications for the 2024 Internship.

PADI Divemaster Internship Programme

A senior PADI Instructor has assigned as a mentor for the duration of the Internship. The mentor is also part of the team that trains the intern from Open Water Diver, all the way through the courses to PADI Divemaster.

AquaMarine’s Senior PADI Instructors have been working the Indonesian waters for many years and know the local dive industry intimately. They are dedicated to passing on this expertise to the “next generation” of Indonesian scuba diving professionals.

Within 6 months, each intern will have achieved the PADI Divemaster certification. Then the real work begins in starting to operate as Dive Guides for visiting divers under the supervision of AquaMarine’s senior staff. Through a steady process, they gain experience and hands-on knowledge of their responsibilities which builds a solid foundation for their future professional careers in one of the world’s fastest growing industries.

AquaMarine is committed to, and firmly believes that it is vitally important to provide their interns with top quality guidance, and train them to become well-rounded, safety- and customer-oriented Divemasters, ready to be employed here in Bali or elsewhere in the country.

In 2023, AquaMarine’s 12th year of the programme, two interns, Abi (West Java) and Mardia (East Sulawesi) were accepted onto the Internship which they passed with flying colours. These two young people see a new horizon in their lives as diving professionals who have discovered a passion for introducing divers to Indonesia’s underwater world.

If you know any young Indonesians who would be suitable candidates to join AquaMarine’s award-winning dive team by being part of the ‘2024 11 Month PADI DM Internship for Indonesian Citizens Programme’, please ask them to e-mail HRD-Dive@AquaMarineDiving.com for more information.

Application Deadline: 31 October 2023. Programme runs 08 January – 30 November 2024. Must be able to: Speak English, swim, and be available for interview in Bali.

What to Expect on a PADI ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ Day Trip with AMD-B

Posted on August 18, 2023September 18, 2023 by Annabel Thomas

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PADI ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ Day Trip

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater? To feel weightless, surrounded by beautiful corals and marinelife?

The PADI ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ (DSD) programme with AquaMarine is perfect for people who want to try diving but are not sure they want to get certified (yet!) – or don’t have time. Taking the DSD is a safe and enjoyable introduction to scuba diving – and Bali’s amazing underwater world.

AquaMarine conducts the DSD in Tulamben Bay on Bali’s northeast coast. Yes, incredibly, you will actually dive on the world-famous 120 metres USAT Liberty Shipwreck! Divers come from around the planet to dive here! This is the perfect one day experience; what a way to remember your time in Bali!

Trip Arrangement

We’ll pick you up from your south Bali accommodation at around 07:00, bringing the necessary dive gear with us (no need to stop off at our office!).

The journey to Tulamben takes you through beautiful Balinese countryside, past rice terraces, along the coast, via rural villages, with great views of Mount Agung: Bali’s most revered volcano. This journey can be a whole Land Tour with other companies.

Upon arrival in Tulamben, as you settle into our base for the day, the Tulamben porters will unload the dive gear, tanks, etc. You will then review basic dive theory with your AquaMarine PADI Instructor before familiarising yourself with the dive equipment.

Then it’s time to get in the pool to learn some basic scuba diving skills and practise hand signals to use underwater (sssh, no talking!).

AquaMarine has a maximum ratio of 2 DSD participants to one PADI Instructor however it’s usually 1-to-1 so everyone can go at their own speed. There is no pressure to learn anything within a given amount of time.
Our motto is ‘Safety and Enjoyment’ 🙂

Then it’ll probably be time for lunch!

Afterwards you can walk straight off the beach and into the water. Because Tulamben Bay is ‘shore diving’, you can go as slowly or as quickly as you want; and dive for as short, or as long a time, as you want.

The maximum allowance depth for PADI DSD is 12 metres however you can stay shallower if you prefer 🙂

PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Tulamben Bay

So, you’re wondering “What will I see?” – well, the first thing you need to know is the sand in Tulamben Bay is not the ‘white tropical sand’ you might expect, it’s actually black as it’s volcanic sand 🙂

Yes, you will really be diving on Bali’s infamous USAT Liberty Shipwreck – it’s only 30 metres from the shore, lies parallel with the beach and starts at only 5 metres (yes, people snorkel here too). However it’s a lot more than just a boat lying on the sand: It’s actually pretty broken up (but still identifiable as a boat) and covered in both soft and hard corals, anemones, sea fans, and similar. The wreck is home to many different kinds of marinelife including over 400 species of fish.

There’s no better place to fall in love with diving than Bali, and no better company to do it with that AquaMarine Diving – Bali!

‘Discover Scuba Diving’ is the perfect first step if you just want a taste of scuba diving. However maybe, after reading this, you feel you’d like to book your PADI Scuba Diver or PADI Open Water Diver course with us?

Summary:
Full Day Trip
1 Pool Dive
1 Ocean Dive
All gear and lunch included
Everything at your own speed 🙂