This is what happens when the diving bug is in the family.

Mum Caroline has almost 500 dives. Dad Gabriel did his 500th dive with us at Dhonfan Thila and daughter Sophie has more than 250 dives. Gabriel is also a PADI Master Scuba Diver and together the family has dived in many great diving destinations around the world and are several times returning guests to the Maldives. Our history together goes back to the Laamu Atoll where we wrote about Sophie the first time. This was in 2016 when she was 13 years of age and had already 93 dives under her belt. We also dived together at our dive center at Brennia Kottefaru in Raa Atoll and now for the 2nd time at Kihaa Maldives in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Her parents went diving every day and did more than 25 dives each. Sophie dedicated this holiday to do her divemaster course. She had a very busy schedule. OK, she took one well deserved break to join us snorkeling with around 20 mantas in Hanifaru Bay. Every other day she spent either in the classroom, studying, practicing skills in the lagoon or accompanying and guiding dives. Putting the hard work in paid off, when during one of those dives at Turtle Reef she encountered a whaleshark. I bet there are not many divemaster students who can say that!

Still, her brain must be in overdrive. She just finished her university entrance exams back home and instead of going diving and relaxing on the beach she concentrated and put hard work into becoming a PADI professional.

Congratulations to the successful completion of your divemaster course with your PADI instructor Gianluca. We are so proud of you!

We are very curious where this diving bug will lead Sophie and her family. Maybe she is coming back to work with us one day – who knows.

Diving Bug