Diving with… Anke Westerlaken, Maldives, Indian Ocean

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?

Anke Westerlaken

What is the name of your business?

I work for blue o two, we specialise in luxury liveaboards. We manage our own award winning fleet in the Egyptian Red Sea and the Maldives. In addition, we offer a wide range of scuba diving holidays, from diving liveaboards to resort-based resort diving holidays across the globe.

What is your role within the business?

My roles within blue o two are Cruise Director, Dive Guide and Dive Instructor.

How long has the business operated for?

blue o two began in 2001 and has expanded greatly within the 16 years of operation. We hope to continue to grow and provide divers with the amazing blue o two experience. Over the period of 16 years, we have gained trust in loyal customers by providing them with amazing luxury liveaboard holidays and diving adventures.

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

I have dived for 18 years. I commenced my diving career in 1999 and have been diving ever since! So far I am a qualified NOB Instructor Trainer (National Governing Body for recreational diving and underwater sports in the Netherlands), PADI OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor) and an SSI Instructor (Scuba Schools International).

What is your favorite type of diving?

I believe all aspects of diving and marine life are incredible, however if I had to say a personal favourite, it would be deep drifts, cave diving and wreck 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?

Diving is adventurous and can be quite challenging at times, however it is a great way to explore the wonders of nature. The oceans contain 99% of the living space on the planet and there’s so much under the sea to explore; diving is one of the best ways to do this! Our liveaboards are carefully placed to cover areas of oceans that are rich with some of the best marine life in the world, all for you to explore at the kick of your fins.

What is your favourite dive in your location and why?

Rasdhoo. This dive site always brings something special. Sometimes a grey reef cleaning station is active, but you always get to see some of them. Next to grey reefs the following animals are commonly seen: manta, mobula, blotched stingray, whitetip sharks, blacktip sharks, 3 species of moray and leaf fish. The reef itself is stunning and provides a couple of ledges to dive upon. In any current, strong or mild, in or outgoing, this dive site is an adventure.

What types of diving are available in your location?

Drifting, night, wreck and cavern.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

The variety of the job because no single day is the same as the next!

What is your favourite underwater creature?

Among the incredible diversity of the Maldives, the porcupine puffer would have to be my favourite underwater creature which has the ability, when threatened or scared, to inflate its body to almost twice its normal size. They usually learn to interact with their human caregivers in odd and engaging ways; some even respond to eye contact by swimming up and begging for food! Their engaging personalities combined with big eyes, chubby cheeks, and silly grins make them adorable pets.

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

We have recently added a few new itineraries onto our Maldives trips. These include Project Shark: Southern Maldives, our New Year Special which showcases the Central Atolls and Best of the Northern Atolls (10 Nights) which explores further north than we have sailed previously. Last but not least we are introducing Huvadhoo and Gan Addu for 14 nights, which provides divers with amazing marine lie, exploring everything from schooling sharks to vivid corals!

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

As we make deep drifts, we get to meet great wildlife. From manta rays and whale sharks, mobula to grey reef sharks, moray eels to nudibranchs and many turtles in between, the marine biodiversity is superb. Diving in the Maldives is challenging and brings great opportunities to meet pelagic life, to enjoy and to take great shots of.

Where can our visitors find out more about your business?

To book any one of our outstanding trips call our Plymouth office on 01752 480808 or visit our website: www.blueotwo.com for further information. Alternatively, please send an email through to divingholidays@blueotwo.com.