Diving With… Nico, Ocean Earth Travels, Indonesia
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?
Nicolas Roos
What is the name of your business?
Ocean Earth Travels
What is your role within the business?
Founder and CEO, but also trip leader and photographer / videographer for some of our expeditions.
How long has the business operated for?
We opened the company in 2018 and started operating in 2019.
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
First try dives when I was 12… then started diving seriously in my early 30s, first with CMAS, then decided to move the the recreational world and became PADI and SSI instructor in 2016.
What is your favourite type of diving?
It really depends on my mood and the location I am at. I love wreck diving and am more attracted towards big stuff. But I also enjoy macro and muck diving, especially when in the right place and with the right local guides.
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
We run trips all around Indonesia. The country has more than 17,000 islands and there is still a lot to explore. So any diver can find what they are looking for. We create unique trips for our guests, depending on their wishes, their level of diving and also their personality. Aside from diving, we also invite our guests to discover the wonders that Indonesia has to offer on land and its very rich culture.
What is your favourite dive in your location and why?
Amed, in Bali, has a special place in my heart. It is a fishermen village with chill vibes. The area offers amazing diving all year long and most dive sites are accessible from the shore. So if I feel like it, I can just call a buddy, grab a tank and my equipment and go diving there whenever I want and go explore a wreck, a deep wall, or spend hours looking for critters . For me, the Amed and Tulamben area is the best value for money you can get in the world.
Another special location is the Banda Sea. Banda Sea crossing trips happen twice a yeasr (around April and October) and are always amazing, with sightings hammerhead sharks and many more amazing encounters.
What types of diving are available in your location?
We are in the heart of the coral triangle and the biodiversity here is truly amazing. From Komodo’s ripping currents to muck diving, Indonesia has it all.
We organize dive safaris between different locations and we also work with many liveaboards, which are the best to explore an area.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
I love sharing my passion for the ocean and for the Indonesian culture. The most rewarding thing is the smile on our guests’ faces and when they tell us that they will come back to visit us on another trip.
Just last month, a 71 years old diver from France told me that she most probably did her last dives with us… We just spent an amazing day in Nusa Penida island and saw manta rays and mola molas, so I was wondering why. She told me that coming here and doing these amazing dives with her 2 sons was an achievement for her, and she felt that her job was done… A truly heart-warming exchange.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
If I have to name one, I would say the octopus. Truly amazing creatures, and they come in many shapes and sizes!
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
We are based in Indonesia… we are literally sitting between 2 major tectonic plates and surrounded by volcanos… so we have to be aware of the risks of earthquakes or volcanic eruptions which could put a halt in our operations.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
We are working with NGOs and dive centers doing conservation work. We encourage our guests to learn more about coral reef restoration, and to take part in some actions when possible (coral farming, beach cleanups, survey dives).
Our focus is on education and on supporting operators and NGOs having a positive impact on the environment.
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
Always! After this high season, we will be exploring some lesser known islands around the country and working with our partners to explore new dive sites in order to take our guests there.
Finally, what would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
We design trips for groups and individuals of all levels. Get in touch with us, let’s have a chat and we will create together a diving adventure that suits you and your budget. We will also advise you and organise visits on land to discover Indonesia’s breath-taking nature, wildlife and meet its amazing people.
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
Visit our website www.oceanearthtravels.com, follow us on Instagram @oceanearth.travels and get in touch with us.
My personal Instagram can be found here.
We will be happy to advise you on the best destinations and time to visit depending on your wishes. Talk to you soon!
WhatsApp: +62 819 136 11 770
