Women’s Dive Day

CELEBRATED AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM ABU DHABI

BY KATHLEEN RUSSELL, PADI COURSE DIRECTOR AND OWNER OF AL MAHARA DIVING CENTER PHOTOS BY SHOAIB AHMED JAN

PADI Women’s Dive Day was celebrated across the blue planet this year on the 16th of July. Thousands of female divers took to the waters and hosted beach clean-ups, sunset yoga sessions, local guided dives, shark dives and so much more. Female divers used this day and everyday to promote more inclusivity in diving. In its 7th year, this event has brought many female divers together to engage in environmental activities and promote diversity. The ocean does not discriminate.

“It was an amazing experience! I got to see the sharks so close. The baby stingrays are so friendly and sweet that they will come closer and try to greet you. It’s so at peace too, just looking at them all and how synchronised they are. I will definitely do it again. Thank you for letting me experience it!” – Tathee, female PADI Diver

"I felt really lucky that I got to dive with sharks on shark week and on PADI’s Women’s Dive Day. Not only did I get to enjoy the dive with an awesome support system, but I also got to have a jaw dropping experience by enjoying the dive in the company of these incredible creatures (sharks).” – Meitha, Abu Dhabi Female Diving Group

THE EVENT

Al Mahara Diving Center in Abu Dhabi, invited female divers to a short presentation to learn about the female pioneer divers from the first invention of the aquarium to the current ocean and shark advocates of our time. Additionally, this event was held at The National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi where the ladies got a chance to dive with sharks and rays, the inhabitants of the largest aquarium in the Middle East. Our team of female guides from Al Mahara Diving Center led the divers to the main tank to showcase the graceful hammerhead sharks, bowmouth sharks, leopard sharks and shovelnose ray, eagle rays, and a plethora of other sting rays and tropical reef fish. On the second dive, they went to dive with the sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, black tip reef sharks, tawny nurse sharks, and golden trevallies. We thank all the 16 female participants who joined us to celebrate PADI Women’s Dive Day and build awareness for shark conservation. Everyday for us is PADI Women’s Dive Day.

SHARK & AQUARIUM DIVES:

Al Mahara Diving Center is an authorised PADI dive centre able to conduct the shark dives and the PADI Aquarium Shark Dive Speciality at The National Aquarium of Abu Dhabi.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Email: info@divemahara.com

WhatsApp/Call: +971 50 1118125

*EDA members get a discounted rate from Al Mahara Diving Center for the shark dives and PADI courses.