News
Diving with… Rolf Schmidt, Sinai Divers – Egyptian Red Sea
In this new ongoing series, we speak with the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer
What is your name?
Rolf Schmidt
What is the name of your business?
Sinai Divers
What is your role within the business ?
Owner and Managing Director
How long has the business operated for?
We have been operating in Sinai since 1975 under the name Aquanaut Red Sea. Since 1987, we have operated as Sinai Divers in Sharm with branches in Dahab, Marsa Alam and Aqaba / Jordan.
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
Since 1973, CMAS 3 * Instructor, 1984 Naui Instructor
What is your favorite type of diving?
Tropical Oceans for sure, but Cenotes / Mexico as well. Walls, drop offs, coral gardens, drift and blue water diving.
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
My wife Petra and I lead the Sinai Divers operation with over 40 years of experience in Red Sea diving. Knowledge, consistency, friendly and experienced multilingual staff and perfect organisation are the main reasons why you should choose Sinai Divers. With diving centres in Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab in South Sinai, in Aqaba /Jordan and our own Dive Resort with 50 rooms ‘The Oasis Dive Resort’ in Marsa Alam in the South of Egypt’s Red Sea Coast we are able to offer the widest variety of Red Sea diving.
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
There are several… Jackson reef in the straits of Tiran is a world class dive with drop offs at one side and the chance to see hammerhead sharks, plus the most amazing coral garden at the southeast. For sure, also Ras Mohamed with its 500m wall and schools of pelagic.
What types of diving are available in your location?
Wall, drift, night, wreck , coral gardens. We offer boat and shore diving.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
The daily direct feedback from your guests after a great day of diving. Also, the bond we share with them with our common love for the oceans and our sport.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
There are many since most of them are special. For sure sightings of manta, a whale shark or any sharks are amazing… but to watch a cleaner wrasse cleaning a grouper is just as rewarding.
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
The travelling ban of several countries including the UK and Russia. There are not enough direct flights from Europe and the general worry of people to visit Egypt.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
Yes, we support Sea Shepherd, Reef check and RSEC (Red Sea Environment Center).
How do you see the Scuba / Free diving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
The Scuba Diving industry is more or less at a standstill for a long time – no real growth and there are many new other, more active and cool activities attracting young people such as rock climbing, kite surfing, surfing, trekking etc. Political unrest in many countries with great diving prevent people to travel there.
I think we need better marketing with a focus on younger travellers. The repeat clients and experienced divers know where and to whom they will travel for diving. They do not need to be convinced .
Free diving is getting more popular.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
We have some of the best diving in the world combined with very professional operations, a huge variety of hotels and resorts for very reasonable prices and a short travel time from Europe.
To find out more about Sinai Divers please visit www.sinaidivers.com, see their Facebook page or email info@sinaidivers.com.
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