Dive Pro Academy

Located at the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, Dive Pro Academy has been operating since 2010. The centre is positioned to serve divers looking for both high-end resort facilities and serious professional development. It functions as a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre (IDC), making it a primary destination for those looking to progress through the professional ranks.

The centre offers a variety of diving styles, ranging from relaxed house reef dives on the Oberoi reef to organised liveaboard expeditions. Whether you are looking for a gentle introduction to the water or planning to dive deep, technical wrecks, the facility is designed to support all stages of a diver's progression.

The team is composed of a permanent staff of highly qualified instructors with extensive experience in the Red Sea. They provide instruction in a wide range of languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Polish, Russian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian.

For recreational divers, the centre maintains a ratio of a maximum of six divers per guide. This ensures attentive supervision during both training courses and guided exploration dives. The professional training side is led by a PADI Course Director, providing a direct pathway for students aiming for instructor-level certifications.

As an Instructor Development Centre, the academy offers the complete PADI training syllabus. This ranges from introductory programmes like PADI Bubblemaker and Discover Scuba Diving to the full Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses.

Professional development is a core focus, with courses available for Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). The centre also provides specialty training in areas such as Nitrox, Deep Diver, Adventure Diver, Boat Diver, and Coral Reef Conservation.

The shore-based facilities are extensive, featuring a large dry room, changing rooms, and showers. Personal lockers are available for divers to secure their belongings. The centre also includes a dedicated air-conditioned classroom for theory sessions and a boutique.

For those requiring equipment, a full range of rental kit is available on-site. Nitrox is provided in 15-litre cylinders. For underwater photography, underwater camera housings can be hired to document your dives.

The surrounding waters are home to a diverse array of pelagic species. You may encounter Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), Tuna (Thunnus), and various species of Shark (Selachimorpha). Eagle rays and Blue-spotted rays are also frequently sighted gliding over the sandy sections of the reefs.

The reef walls and gardens are densely populated with colourful fish. Common sightings include Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Parrotfish (Calotomus), and various species of Jack (Carangidae). Large groups of Lionfish (Pterois volitans) and Grouper (Epinephelus) are often found near the coral structures.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants add significant interest to the sites. Divers can look for Seahorses, Moray eel (Muraenidae), and various species of Nudibranch. The seagrass meadows and sandy patches are also excellent places to spot turtles and different species of rays.

In the afternoons, you may have the opportunity to see Spanish dancers. The reef is also a habitat for many species of coral, including gorgonians and various soft coral formations that provide the structural backbone of the ecosystem.

The region offers year-round diving, though currents can vary significantly depending on the site. While the house reef is generally calm, sites like Banana Reef and Erg Somaia can experience strong currents, making them better suited for experienced divers or those comfortable with drift diving.

Visibility is generally excellent, typically ranging between 20 and 30 metres. Some sites, such as the Abu Ramada area, are known for hosting massive schools of fish, creating a high-energy environment within the water column.