News
Diving with… Simone Schaller, Emperor Divers
In this ongoing series, we speak to 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?
Simone Schaller
What is the name of your business?
Emperor Divers
What is your role within the business?
Safari Guide
How long has the business operated for?
25 years
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
7 years; I’m a Master Scuba Diver Trainer
What is your favourite type of diving?
That’s very difficult to answer; definitely warmer than 25 degrees! Mostly blue water diving and walls, like Little Brother in the Red Sea.
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 with Emperor is always very special. We offer various trips for all levels of divers including advanced to professional divers. Sharks, cave systems, amazing reefs, walls, wrecks, you name it, we have it. We always have a good mix of nationalities (both guides and guests) on our boats so you’ll have a great time above and underwater. Oh and don’t forget the food – you definitely won’t lose weight during your trip. 🙂
We love diving; it’s really our passion and we love to share our world with you and show you our favourite spots.
Nitrox is free on all our boats in the Maldives and the Red Sea – if you’re not yet certified, don’t worry you can get certified while on safari.
What is your favourite dive in your location and why?
Easy to answer – Little Brother in the Red Sea. I tell people that Little Brother always has a surprise for them. I’ve had my best dives there; encounters with hammerheads coming incredibly close, swimming past slowly and very often coming back, again and again. It’s not uncommon to get five different kinds of sharks on one dive, but one lucky day, a magnificent juvenile whale shark swam past me and my group so we even got to see six different shark species on one dive – what a feeling!
You get threshers, white tip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, scalloped hammerheads and oceanic white tips and sometimes, if you’re lucky, a whale shark or a manta ray swims past. But that’s not everything, the walls at Little Brother are full of beautiful soft coral and some incredibly huge gorgonian fans. Even though it’s small and there can be strong currents, I could dive it every single day.
What types of diving are available in your location?
Red Sea: incredible visibility, wreck dives, reef dives, hammerhead dives, pinnacle dives, advanced diving, beginner diving, plus, the best value you can find anywhere!
Maldives: channel dives, manta cleaning stations, pinnacle dives, reef dives, manta night dives, whale shark snorkelling, whale sharks and mantas at night behind the boat, hammerhead blue dives, amazing night dives with sharks and rays.
Indonesia: muck diving, manta cleaning stations, hammerhead blue dives, best coral reefs in the world (it’s the centre of the Coral Triangle), whale sharks, reef dives; you name it, Indonesia essentially has it all.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
I love my role as a dive guide. I get to meet people every week who love the same thing as I do and since they are spending a whole week on board I get to hear some of their stories and diving adventures from all over the world. I just love being in the water and showing people “my” world. I try my best to make everybody‘s trip a once in a lifetime experience.
What is your favourite underwater creature?
Well I love the hammerheads in the Red Sea, their behaviour is fascinating. I truly believe that they are interacting with us divers, coming to check us out, being curious and circling around us. Just last week I saw four hammerheads at around 35 metres depth, this was in the second half of the dive so most of my group was at 20 metres on their way up to start their safety stop. Once I made my way up to them I turned around and two of the four hammerheads were swimming up to us to a depth of less than 20 metres! So everybody got to see them in the end. But I must say my true love are whale sharks, at every encounter I’m stunned by their beauty. Everytime I get to see one I have tears in my eyes – no kidding! So far I’ve only seen juveniles; I can’t wait to go and dive with Emperor Maldives to see some bigger ones.
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
We have just got a fourth boat operating in the Red Sea from Hurghada and Port Ghalib, Emperor Echo. We keep trying to find ways to be innovative and provide an even better service for our guests. Also exciting is that we’re working on new routes to offer divers more options, especially divers who have been to the Red Sea a lot of times. We are also planning to offer Dolphin and Dugong focused tours.
As a centre what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
The biggest problem for me is rubbish in the sea; it is incredible that on every dive there is something to be collected. It affects the oceans and the marine life. The other problem is overfishing; there are a lot less fish now than there were years ago, which means fewer big animals, which could mean less divers. We are still lucky to be able to usually have weekly shark, turtle and ray encounters, especially in the south, but we must take better care of our oceans.
Is your centre involved in any environmental work?
We are trying to reduce plastic waste as much as possible; you won’t find straws or single use plastic cups on our boats. Our guests receive a water bottle at the beginning of the week and are encouraged to refill and reuse it.
We also encourage people to collect debris underwater and we of course collect as much as possible ourselves to set a good example. Emperor Red Sea also works closely with HEPCA and supports them in ways to manage the Red Sea.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
I think the diving and snorkelling industry is a great way for people to discover the oceans first hand and therefore care for it more. It is the easiest way to educate people about marine life and the environment. The most important thing is that professionals or tour operators have to respect nature and follow rules. It is the professional, the diving instructor or the snorkel guide, who is a role model for customers and should inform them about the rules e.g. picking starfish up to take pictures with them is not okay, dolphins don’t like to be touched etc. In fact, no marine life should be touched.
What would you say to Scubaverse readers to promote the diving you have to offer?
We operate in some of the best value-for-money and easy-to-access diving destinations in the world. You will not find better locations for the money than the Red Sea, the Maldives and Indonesia with Emperor Divers.
The Red Sea has some of the best visibility and colourful hard corals in the world, the Maldives has some of the best manta action and fish-filled dive sites in the world and Indonesia has a bit of everything, whilst being the most bio-diverse underwater environment on earth at the centre of the Coral Triangle.
Where can our readers find out more about your business?
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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