04/08/2026
My Journey – 20 Years in Diving, 10 Years of Circle Divers
My name is Abdelsalam Awad, and my diving journey began in Alexandria in 2004.
Between 2005 and 2006, I earned my CMAS Three-Star Diver certification, and in 2007 I moved to Sharm El Sheikh to turn my passion into a profession. It was one of the biggest decisions of my life.
In 2008, I became a PADI Divemaster, followed by my PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification in 2010. Wanting to continue developing myself professionally, I completed my SSI Instructor Crossover in 2013.
By the end of 2015, everything changed.
After the tragic Russian aircraft disaster, tourism in Sharm El Sheikh collapsed. The future of the diving industry became uncertain, and many businesses struggled to survive. With great sadness, the dive centre where I had worked for many years announced that it would close in March 2016.
Like many others, I had a choice.
I could leave Sharm El Sheikh and start a new life somewhere else, or I could stay and fight for the place I loved.
I believed in Sharm El Sheikh.
I believed in the Red Sea.
I believed in diving.
So I decided to take the biggest risk of my life and start my own dive centre.
In the beginning, I loaded scuba tanks into the back of my little VW Beetle, affectionately named Herbie. Despite the flight ban, there were still guests who desperately wanted to dive in Sharm, so I drove them by land to Ras Mohamed National Park.
In November 2016, Circle Divers found its home at the Badawia Hotel, where we are still proudly based today. Herbie is still parked there today as a reminder of where this journey began.
Many friends supported me from the very beginning. They believed in my dream and admired what they saw as a brave decision during one of the most difficult periods the Egyptian diving industry had ever experienced.
Starting a company was exciting—but it was also incredibly challenging.
I had no previous experience owning or managing a business. Every day became a lesson. I had to learn about leadership, finance, marketing, customer service, operations, and how to build a team while keeping our guests safe and happy.
There were many moments when giving up would have been easier.
Instead, we kept moving forward.
In 2018, we reached another important milestone by exhibiting at our first international dive show. It was our first step towards introducing Circle Divers to the international diving community and building our reputation beyond Egypt. That same year, I also completed my IAC Instructor Crossover, continuing my commitment to professional development and providing the highest standards of diver education.
In 2019, we expanded by opening Circle Divers Dahab, bringing our passion for diving to another incredible destination in the Red Sea.
Then came another major challenge.
COVID-19 brought global tourism to a standstill. Once again, our industry faced uncertainty, but we refused to give up. We adapted, stayed positive, and continued believing in our future.
Just as the world began to recover, regional instability created fresh challenges for tourism in 2023. Once again, we chose to move forward rather than look back.
Our belief in the future was rewarded.
We proudly welcomed our first boat, Eagle Ray, followed in 2025 by our second vessel, Dive Runner. These were not just boats—they were symbols of how far we had come and reminders that perseverance creates opportunities.
In 2026, we celebrate two important milestones:
10 years of Circle Divers
20 years as a professional diving instructor and dive industry professional
Looking back, I realise that Circle Divers has never been just a dive centre.
It is a story.
A story about believing when others doubted.
A story about never giving up.
A story about taking risks when success was far from guaranteed.
A story built by incredible people—our staff, our guests, our friends, our partners, and everyone who has been part of this journey.
Every diver who has trusted us, every instructor who has worked with us, every member of our team, and every friend who supported us has helped write this story.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
The first ten years have been an incredible adventure.
But I truly believe the next ten years will be even better.
Our vision remains the same as it was on the first day we opened our doors:
To create unforgettable diving experiences, build lifelong friendships, inspire people to explore the underwater world safely, and become one of the most respected diving companies in the Red Sea.
This is only the beginning.
The sea has taught me that every dive is different, every challenge can be overcome, and every sunrise brings a new opportunity. Those lessons have shaped not only Circle Divers but also the person I have become.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.
See you underwater.
Abdelsalam Awad
Founder & Managing Director
Circle Divers
12/08/2026