SEAOMAN gets prestigious diving honour

MUSCAT: SEAOMAN dive centres have been named as one of just four centres to be selected by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) — the world’s largest recreational diving membership and diver training organisation — as a ‘highly recommended dive destination for groups’ for 2017.

Based at the Millennium Resort Mussanah and at the Al Mouj Muscat marina, SEAOMAN is one of only two PADI Instructor Development Centres in Oman. Huge progress over the last year has seen SEAOMAN become a fully-equipped dive centre, offering the full range of PADI courses for beginner’s right through to instructors and dive masters, as well as equipment hire. SEAOMAN’s dive centres are both conveniently located close to the pristine Damaniyat Islands, a UNESCO marine conservation site. Teeming with live coral, a rich and astonishing variety of marine life is present in the region, including fish migrations and an array of turtle, dolphin, whales and sharks.

SEAOMAN offers daily trips to the islands with PADI-qualified Omani dive masters and instructors, plus a free Nitrox and a video editing suite onsite, which enables divers to capture their underwater experience.

Ahmed Sayed, PADI regional manager for the Middle East and North Africa, said, “SEAOMAN is a remarkable dive centre in an ideal location to experience Oman’s unique marine environment.

Its five-star PADI Instructor Development Centre, professional and knowledgeable staff and wonderful locations within the Millennium Resort Mussanah and Al Mouj, Muscat, is helping to position the Sultanate as one of the world’s most exciting up and coming diving destinations.”

Tony Hurst, Head of Commercial Operations at SEAOMAN said, “We have taken some huge steps forward this year and to be recognised by PADI for our professionalism is a great achievement. Our specialties are day trips to the Damaniyat Islands and Kharabah Island’s ‘Aquarium’, two of the best dive sites in the country, which are delivered with expert local knowledge and offer a truly memorable experience. We firmly believe Oman’s coastline is best explored by sea and the passion to share the Sultanate’s unique natural wonder drives us to continue offering the best service possible on, in or under the water.”

SEAOMAN caters to new and experienced divers, with courses ranging from introductory lessons in the pool offered free of charge, to one day, two day and four day scuba courses to help divers gain PADI certificates, which cover the basics of diving.

More experienced divers can undertake further qualifications, with PADI Open Water Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Search and Recovery Diver and PADI Adventure Diver all on certification.

PADI Divemaster and Assistant Instructor courses are also available for advanced divers. Children can take their first steps in the water, with PADI Junior Scuba Diver and Junior Open Water Diver courses.

Oman is fast-becoming one of the world’s most exciting watersports destinations and SEAOMAN allows visitors from around the offer, which award worldwide globe the chance to experience undiscovered underwater paradise.

Their ‘Dive and Stay’ packages maximise diving opportunities and help visitors make the most of a trip to the Sultanate, by combining stays from one to seven nights at the Millennium Resort Mussanah and a selection of 3-5 star hotels in Muscat. Packages offer daily dive sessions, lessons and courses, with international accreditation. its relatively