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.

‘Best of Bali’ Dive Safari Package

Posted on April 12, 2023April 17, 2023 by Annabel Thomas

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‘Best of Bali’ Dive Safari Package

2023 'Best of Bali' (aka BoB) Dive Safari Package

To meet a growing demand by travelling divers, AquaMarine Diving – Bali offers three fixed-date Dive Safaris that take in Bali’s best dive sites.

AquaMarine’s 2023 Best of Bali Dive Safaris comprise three itineraries of seven, eight, and 12 nights duration. The Safaris include accommodation, diving, all land and boat transport, airport transfers, breakfast every day, lunch on diving days, plus some land tours to experience Bali’s enchanting culture and breathtaking scenery.

The first Safari departs on 07 January 2023 with the final trip being scheduled to leave on 09 December. The Safaris are guaranteed with just two divers booked, and we take no more than 12 divers. However, if you have a larger group, let us know because that’s what we do best – custom-make dive packages to fit our guests wishes.

‘Best of Bali’ Dive Safari Package Detail

On AMD-B’s BoB Dive Safaris, divers will be taken to the USAT Liberty Shipwreck, a 120 metre American cargo ship torpedoed by the Japanese in World War Two, and probably the world’s most accessible wreck dive – as well as encounter some exhilarating drift diving at Nusa Penida, beautiful reef and wall diving around the islands outside Padangbai on the east coast of Bali, the warm and clear waters of Menjangan Island, and phenomenal muck diving in the area surrounding Tulamben Bay.

The waters of the Indo-Pacific are the richest and most diverse on the planet. Divers can find rare critters such as ghost pipefishes, pygmy seahorses, thousands of different species of nudibranchs, and Tiger and Harlequin shrimps, as well as many species of sharks and rays, including Mantas, and the weird and wonderful Mola-Mola (Ocean sunfish), which come up to recreational diving depths between the months of July and November.

Annabel Thomas, founder and owner-operator of AquaMarine Diving – Bali, said:
“There is no wonder our Best of Bali Dive Safaris are extremely popular. We know so many divers enjoy not just the diving around Bali, but also like to spend time taking in some of the other attractions Bali offers. Our Safaris offer a balanced blend of the two, which we hope will encourage even more visitors to come to Bali. Indonesian visa regulations allow tourists to extend their 30 days Visa on Arrival by another month, giving them the opportunity to also explore some other, more off the beaten track parts of Indonesia.”