Future Experts Diving Academy, Mermates Club

Located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Future Experts Diving Academy, also known as Mermates Club, provides access to some of the most significant dive sites in the Red Sea. With over ten years of experience operating in the region, the centre has established itself as a reliable hub for both local explorations and international diving expeditions.

The area is renowned for its pristine coral formations and a high density of maritime history, ranging from shallow reef flats to deep-water wrecks. The centre serves as a gateway to these environments, catering to divers who seek to explore the unique underwater topography of the Saudi coast.

The academy is staffed by a professional team of 12 instructors, including both men and women. This allows for a diverse range of perspectives and expertise during training and guided excursions. Instruction is provided in both English and Arabic, ensuring clear communication for a wide variety of divers.

Beyond standard recreational training, the team is heavily involved in marine conservation. They actively organise eco-dives and reef clean-ups, reflecting a commitment to the long-term health of the local ecosystems. This focus on sustainability is integrated into their approach to diving and education.

As an SSI-affiliated academy, the centre offers a comprehensive curriculum ranging from the initial Open Water Diver course through to Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver certifications. For those looking to progress professionally, the academy provides Divemaster and Instructor Training.

Specialised training is also a core part of the programme, including Deep Diving, Underwater Navigation, Wreck Diving, and Night Diving. The academy also caters to specific interests such as Freediving, Underwater Photography, Marine Life Identification, and Coral Restoration Courses. Essential safety training, including First Aid and CPR, is also available.

The centre operates a fully equipped dive shop on-site, providing a range of professional kit for hire. You can source everything from regulators and BCDs to fins and masks. For those undertaking night dives, torches are available to ensure you can navigate the darker environments effectively.

In addition to rental equipment, the facility serves as a base for training and equipment preparation, ensuring that divers have access to the necessary tools for both recreational and specialised diving activities.

The Red Sea reefs around Jeddah are home to a high diversity of pelagic and reef species. You can regularly encounter schools of barracuda, eagle rays, and blacktip reef sharks. Sea turtles and various colourful reef fish are also common sights across the different dive sites.

Macro life is abundant throughout the area, particularly around the wrecks and reef structures. Divers can find moray eels, octopuses, and a variety of crustaceans hiding in the crevices. The Gubal Barge and other wreck sites serve as hotspots for these creatures, especially during night dives.

Coral health is a defining feature of the local environment, with vibrant coral formations providing the structural foundation for the entire ecosystem. These reefs support a massive variety of life, from the smallest crustaceans to larger predators.

The best period to dive in this region is from October to May, when the water provides a comfortable environment for diving. During these months, the visibility is typically at its best, often reaching 20 metres or more.

Conditions at the wreck sites can be influenced by currents. It is common practice to use descent lines and mooring lines to ensure stability and safety when approaching these structures.