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Coral Divers

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3 reviews
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Why choose Coral Divers?

Coral Divers resort, career development center and dive center is situated in Sodwana Bay, iSimangaliso National Park, South Africa - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sodwana Bay offers some of the best diving in the world! There is no better location to train in and as SA's largest dive operator, we dive 364 days a year and train more students to become PADI instructors than any other dive school. Whether you join our program as a career move or as a gap year experience, it will be an experience of a lifetime!

Website
coraldivers.co.za
Founded
2005

Community Photos

GoPro pictures on Hotspot
Smiles after dives
IDC

Reviews

Default avatar
Chloe
20
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Scuba Dive & work on the beach in Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Zero to hero gap year program

May 7, 2024

Embarking on my gap year program with a focus on scuba diving was an unparalleled adventure that exceeded all expectations, from open water to becoming a certified scuba instructor was an absolute thrill from start to finish.The program's comprehensive training, expert guidance, and hands-on experience propelled me through each stage of my diving evolution. Not only did I gain invaluable skills and certifications, I was able to explore vibrant coral reefs and encounter majestic marine life, but I also forged unforgettable friendships with fellow divers who shared my passion and enthusiasm. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone seeking adventure, personal growth, and the chance to explore the wonders of the underwater world while forming bonds that last a lifetime. The program not only honed my diving skills but also fostered a deep appreciation for ocean conservation. It was a transformative experience that I'll cherish for a lifetime.
Thank you coral divers

Default avatar
Nicole
29
Female
South Africa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Scuba Dive & work on the beach in Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Unforgettable Scuba Diving Internship

Jan 24, 2024

Embarking on the zero to hero scuba diving internship at Coral Divers in South Africa was an experience that exceeded all expectations. This comprehensive program not only equipped me with the necessary skills to become a certified diver but also transformed me into a confident and knowledgeable underwater explorer and scuba diving Instructor.

The instructors at Coral Divers displayed an exceptional level of expertise and professionalism throughout the internship. Their passion for scuba diving was contagious, and their commitment to safety was truly commendable. Under their guidance, I received top-notch training, ensuring that I developed a strong foundation in dive theory, practical skills, and emergency procedures.

One of the highlights of this internship was the opportunity to explore the mesmerizing underwater world of South Africa. Coral Divers provided access to breathtaking dive sites, including vibrant coral reefs and encounters with an array of marine life. From swimming alongside majestic manta rays to witnessing the awe-inspiring beauty of colorful coral formations, every dive was a unique and unforgettable adventure.

Moreover, the supportive and inclusive community at Coral Divers made the entire experience even more enriching. Fellow interns and staff members created a welcoming environment, fostering friendships and camaraderie that will last a lifetime. The shared passion for scuba diving created a sense of belonging and made every moment spent both in and out of the water truly enjoyable.

In conclusion, my zero to hero scuba diving internship at Coral Divers in South Africa was an extraordinary journey of personal growth and discovery. The comprehensive training, breathtaking dive sites and the incredible community made this experience truly exceptional. I highly recommend Coral Divers to anyone seeking a transformative scuba diving internship that will leave a lasting impact.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Diving with the Raggies! When you've done it once, you realize that they aren't as scary as you thought they'd be.
Pros
  • Great community
  • Clear waters most of the year
  • Memories for a lifetime
Cons
  • Cold winters
Default avatar
Bianca
20
Female
South Africa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Scuba Dive & work on the beach in Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Coral Divers gap year program

Jan 22, 2024

My 7 months that I spent at coral divers was the best time of my life. The experiences and life lessons I learnt are amazing and useful: people skills; professionalism; fun and interesting and how to make learning fun. Coral Divers is a unique, small place which becomes your home and everyone there will become your family. It is a program where you learn and accomplish world recognised courses that can be used as a career or as a backup career or just for a passionate hobby. An unforgettable and life changing experience 🫶🏼

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Explore more of Sodwana and do everything you want well before you leave: hikes; sleep outs; adventures etc.
Pros
  • New friendships
  • Build a family
  • Unforgettable experiences
Cons
  • The beginning of the year heat 🥵
  • Putting a cold wetsuit on in winter 🥶
  • The humidity
IDC
Smiles after dives
GoPro pictures on Hotspot

Programs

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Lee Laubscher

Program
Scuba Dive & work on the beach in Sodwana Bay, South Africa
Job Title
Internship Program Administrator
Lee works as part of the amazing team at Coral Divers. She is the program administrator and handles inquiries and applications.

Having qualified as an Open Water diver in Sodwana Bay when she was a teenager, and her daughter qualifying as a PADI Instructor through the Coral Divers 7-month program, she now handles all internship queries from anyone interested in making the beach and ocean their home & office for an incredible gap year experience or first step towards a career in diving. A love for the ocean and an outdoor lifestyle, coupled with seeing people happy & growing in confidence, is what makes her work so enjoyable and meaningful.
Lee Laubscher

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

Before working at Coral Divers, we would visit my daughter during her internship at Coral Divers. The excitement of seeing her, hearing about her latest sightings on training dives and meeting her new Coral family made the trip through the beautiful Zululand landscape so much more exciting! Snorkeling at Jesser point, swimming in the warm Sodwana Bay water and watching my husband & son surf, was amazing. But seeing how our daughter shared her passion for the underwater world with her new friends, us and guests is my favorite memory of all.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

It is incredibly rewarding to work for a family orientated company whose values align with my own personal values.

One of the most important things in life is to do what you love and for it to be meaningful. I thoroughly enjoy helping people embark on an adventure of a lifetime and seeing them grow in confidence and ability, while becoming part of the Coral family.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

So many of the Coral Divers interns say the same thing when they return to visit or help out during our busy holiday periods. Coral feels like home to them and the friends they made here will be friends for life. There are also numerous stories of interns meeting here during the program and dating. Some end up travelling the world together or getting married and returning to visit with their own children.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose to do the Divemaster phase to gain the kind of insight, knowledge and confidence our interns have after completing their Divemaster training. Although I do not personally aspire to become a diving Instructor, I would like to have the knowledge to answer guests and interns' questions in more depth.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Coral Divers started 30 years ago, and the owner started the dive internship program 20 years ago. Many of the staff working here have been here for over 20 years which is a testament to the environment in which they work in, and the people they work for. The owner has sponsored internship scholarships to Sodwana Bay locals over the years and continues to do so whenever possible.

Past interns have found work at dive centers and on yachts all over the world, including the Bahamas, Maldives, Indonesia, Dubai, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Through the work they have found not only their own lives, but the lives of their families and future generations have been changed.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

If there is a team who are honest, hardworking and passionate about what they do with a united vision for the company, it will inevitably drive it forward and make it successful on so many levels. I believe that if the leader of a company creates a good environment for the managers, they will in turn create a good environment for the people in their care, such as the interns our program, the team of skippers that drive our boats or the ladies that work in the kitchen.