From weekend warrior to Divemaster: my underwater adventure in Cyprus
I thought I knew what diving was all about. Five years of weekend escapes, hundreds of dives, that satisfying Advanced certification card in my wallet. Then I decided to turn my passion into something more, and discovered there's a whole other world beyond recreational diving.
Spoiler alert: it's even better than I imagined. My name is Yana and this is my journey to becoming a Divemaster.
The lightbulb moment
After 12 years in an office, I made the leap to pursue photography full-time. But diving kept calling to me. It had been my escape from busy workdays into the underwater silence and no-WiFi zone. In Cyprus, it became my weekend ritual.
Then it hit me: why not combine my love for diving with photographing people underwater? And better yet, why not help others discover the magic I'd been experiencing for years? Being a leader in a silent world just makes sense for me, maybe more than anywhere else.
Why Cyprus became my classroom
AquaNaut was the first dive shop I found in Cyprus, and it was love at first dive. From the very beginning, the vibe and atmosphere felt different. You don't just go for a dive; you come back because of the people. I did my Advanced Open Water course with Theo, who was incredibly professional. We became friends. Every time I was in Cyprus, it was just a quick message: "Theo, shall we dive?" The answer was always yes.
Cyprus itself is like diving's greatest hits album. Crystal-clear blue water that's incredible through the eyes of an artist. Calm conditions, beautiful light, and great visibility make it a perfect place to level up your diving skills. When the opportunity came up to do my Divemaster course with AquaNaut, there was no doubt. I knew I'd be learning from the best, in a place I already loved.
Life as a Divemaster-in-Training
Here's what surprised me: I didn't want this to end. My days start at 8:30. The phone goes away, the coffee kicks in, and I prep my own gear for the day. Then, together with the team, we welcome guests and help them gear up. I assist with everything: tanks, weights, wetsuits, fins.
After about two weeks, I was trusted to lead dives myself, which was surreal. That moment when you go in first instead of following behind? Never felt that before. It's like someone handed you the keys to the underwater kingdom.
The training is thorough (let's just say, after having my mask ripped off five times, water in the mask doesn't scare me anymore), but that's what makes you confident. The AquaNaut team teaches real scenarios with real people. This isn't theory; it's hands-on leadership training in the most beautiful classroom on Earth.
The magic moments that make it all worth it
The first moment I got my buoyancy perfect (where I wasn't even thinking about it anymore) was huge. I could finally focus on the divers, and my air consumption proved it: nearly the same as my instructor's. That's when you know you're not just diving anymore; you're truly underwater.
Then there was the wildlife encounter that reminded me why I fell in love with this world. We saw a seal. I still can't believe it. It's super rare here, and we got lucky. Moments like these remind you that you're not just learning a skill; you're becoming part of something magical.
My favorite site is definitely the Cavo Greko Caves. I could take everyone there; it's that good. Beautiful light, marine life (we saw a seal, squid, nudibranchs), and this magical atmosphere. People should get Advanced certified just to dive that site, honestly.
How diving changed my life (again)
I've worked with people for years in communication-heavy roles. But this? This is different. It's quiet leadership. It's being someone people trust underwater, when they're most vulnerable. And the best part? This is the first time in my life I don't want weekends off. I come to the dive shop every day and love it.
You know you're in the right place when you realize you're not just delivering a service; you're giving people a calm and safe experience. Sometimes, when I think I messed up, the diver comes out smiling and says it was the best experience of their life. That moment? That's everything.
Every person is different, and every dive brings something new. It's challenging in the best possible way. The AquaNaut team doesn't make it easy, but they make it real. That's not something you find everywhere.
The perfect base camp
We're lucky. Right next to our dive shop is Bay Bites and Brew. Amazing coffee, smoothies, and healthy snacks. It's perfect after a long dive or before an afternoon shift. Basically, it became part of the routine now. Having your caffeine fix steps away from the boat? That's living the dream.
Should you take the plunge?
For Open Water or Advanced, absolutely. I always encourage people to get certified so they can dive anywhere confidently.
But the Divemaster course? Here's the thing: it's not just about fun dives anymore. You're responsible for other people, and you have to genuinely love diving. But if you're reading this thinking "that sounds amazing," then you're probably the right person for it.
If someone wants to truly integrate diving into their lifestyle or career, then yes, go for it. But choose your school wisely. You need instructors who care, who have experience, who run their shop with passion and purpose. That's why AquaNaut was the right choice for me.
The adventure continues
I'd love to work as a Divemaster, seasonally or on liveaboards. The Maldives and Egypt are top of my list. I'm also a photographer, so combining that with diving is the dream. I want to bring people underwater and show them how beautiful and healing it is.
I've also done volunteer work in coral preservation and marine life projects. Being a certified Divemaster opens more doors for this. There's so much potential with this path: whether it's guiding, teaching, creating content, or working on eco-projects. It's just the beginning.
The Bottom Line: If you're an experienced diver thinking about going professional, ask yourself this: Do you want to turn your passion into your purpose? Because that's exactly what happened to me. And honestly? I've never been happier underwater.
Ready to dive deeper into your diving journey? The water's warm, the visibility is perfect, and the adventure is just beginning. Check out our Divemaster course page.
