Nearly 100 Dives Later… Why Was I Still Nervous?
I’ve been a qualified diver since 2010. On paper that sounds fairly impressive: Advanced qualification, nearly 100 dives logged.
Yet as I sat planning our recent family holiday to Sharm El Sheikh, I found myself questioning whether I was experienced enough to dive with Camel Dive Club.
Ridiculous, really.
Camel Dive Club has long been regarded as one of the most respected dive operators in the Red Sea, known for their professionalism, safety standards and experienced dive teams.
For years I’d convinced myself that Camel was where the “proper divers” went.
You know the ones: the divers with hundreds or thousands of dives, the divers who own all their own kit, the divers who know every fish by its Latin name, the divers who can effortlessly back‑roll into the water without looking like they’re falling off a garden wall.
Meanwhile there was me.
A holiday diver who squeezes diving into family trips whenever possible. Someone who still gets excited when she spots a clownfish. Someone who often has to refresh skills because life gets in the way and there are months between dives.
This year I finally stopped overthinking and booked.
And I’m so glad I did.
Family Holidays Don’t Stop Just Because Mum Wants To Go Diving
This holiday wasn’t originally supposed to involve a toddler. My parents had arranged a break with all of the grandchildren, leaving my husband and me with the rare opportunity to enjoy a child‑free escape.
Then life happened.
My mum unexpectedly needed surgery, the grandparents’ holiday was cancelled and suddenly our energetic two‑year‑old was joining us in Egypt.
As much as I was excited about diving, I also felt guilty. Was it selfish to disappear for three full days? Would I be asking too much of my husband?
As usual, he was amazing. Without a second thought he encouraged me to book the dives. Whilst I spent my days underwater exploring the Red Sea, he spent his days entertaining a wonderfully feral toddler.
On my non‑diving days I made sure he had opportunities for his own downtime. It’s all about the teamwork after all, especially when one person wants to spend part of their holiday swimming with turtles.
Booking with Camel Dive Club
Once I knew which days I could escape to the underwater world, I contacted Camel Dive Club. From the very beginning, everything was effortless. Tatiana was fantastic.
Every email was answered quickly and professionally, and she happily accommodated my endless questions and schedule changes. For someone who can occasionally overthink every detail, this level of service immediately put me at ease.
I booked a refresher session followed by three days of boat diving. Given that I only dive during holidays, a refresher always feels like a sensible idea. Diving is one of those skills that comes back quickly, but I prefer to start each trip knowing I’m comfortable and confident.
Back Underwater
My refresher was with Pipi and within minutes I knew I was in safe hands. Rather than simply running through a checklist, he spent time understanding my concerns and identifying areas where I typically lose confidence after a break from diving. We covered all the essentials:
Equipment assembly
There’s always that moment when you stare at your kit thinking:
“I definitely knew how to do this last year.” Fortunately muscle memory kicked in.
Mask removal
Still horrible. Still hate it. Still completed it.
Buoyancy checks
One of the most important skills in diving. Good buoyancy protects the reef, improves air consumption and makes diving infinitely more enjoyable.
General confidence‑building
Perhaps the most valuable part of the session. By the time we completed our shore dive, all the nerves I’d arrived with had completely disappeared. I was ready.
Day One: Tiran Island
The following morning I joined Tribe Boat for my first full day of diving. The crew were exceptional: friendly, professional, helpful. Somehow they even managed to produce food that completely outperformed my supposedly five‑star hotel.
Our itinerary included Jackson Reef, Ras Nasrani and Gordon Reef. The visibility was superb, the reefs vibrant. Everywhere I looked there seemed to be movement. Clouds of anthias hovered above coral heads. Butterflyfish darted through the reef. Giant schools of fish shimmered in the sunlight.
The coral itself was stunning: healthy hard corals and beautiful soft corals with huge reef structures stretching into the blue.
Then, just to make the day even better, a pod of dolphins appeared alongside the boat on our journey back.
Not a bad start.
Why Divers Are Some Of The Best People In The World
One thing I love about diving is the people. Within hours I’d become friends with divers from the USA, South Africa, Italy, Qatar and the UK. Where else do complete strangers become friends so quickly?
Perhaps it’s because diving requires trust.
Perhaps it’s because we’re all slightly obsessed with fish.
Or perhaps it’s because spending an hour underwater together creates a unique bond.
Whatever the reason, the diving community never disappoints. As someone who always dives solo, I still get nervous joining new groups. Every trip I worry everyone already knows each other. Every trip I discover that divers are among the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
The Great Wetsuit Struggle
Let’s talk about temperature. The water was approximately 25–26 degrees. Most people would describe this as pleasant. I apparently have the circulation of a Victorian ghost.
Despite wearing a 5 mm wetsuit and 7 mm boots, I was freezing. By the end of the dives I was shivering uncontrollably.
The crew were brilliant. Before I’d even fully surfaced they were helping me out of my gear and wrapping me in towels.
On the second day, fellow diver Paul kindly lent me a hood. Paul, if you’re somehow reading this, thank you. You genuinely saved the rest of my diving holiday.
Ras Mohammed: The Day That Changed Everything
Originally I had planned a day off between dive days. Camel suggested I swap my schedule. Because they alternate between Tiran and Ras Mohammed, sticking to my original plan would have meant visiting Tiran three times. I took their advice and what a fantastic decision.
Ras Mohammed National Park remains one of the most spectacular diving destinations in the world, and this trip reminded me exactly why. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef were breathtaking, with huge schools of fish swirling around us and reef walls that drop dramatically into the deep blue.
Marine life seemed to be everywhere. Throughout the day we encountered turtles, rays, clownfish, crocodilefish, Napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, butterflyfish, angelfish and countless other species. Every dive seemed better than the last.
It’s difficult to explain the feeling to non‑divers. You descend beneath the surface and enter an entirely different world: a world that most people never see, a world that somehow feels peaceful, exciting and humbling all at the same time.
Why Diving Helps My Mental Health
This part feels more personal. For years I’ve struggled with anxiety. I’ve spent much of my life operating in a constant state of alertness, in fight‑or‑flight mode. Always planning, always worrying, always thinking about the next thing. It’s genuinely exhausting.
Diving is one of the very few activities that completely quietens my mind. Underwater there are no emails, no social media, no work deadlines, no endless to‑do lists.
There is only breathing: slow, controlled breathing, the sound of bubbles and the movement of the water.
For sixty glorious minutes, everything else disappears. I don’t think diving cures anxiety, but I do believe it gives my nervous system a chance to rest and sometimes that’s enough.
Would I Dive With Camel Again?
Without hesitation, absolutely.
The professionalism, customer service, dive guides, boat crews, facilities and overall experience were exceptional. What impressed me most wasn’t just the diving itself, it was how welcome they made everyone feel.
Whether you have 50 dives or 500 dives, Camel creates an environment where you feel supported, safe and included, and that is incredibly valuable.
Final Thoughts
As I sat having one final beer with my new dive buddies on my last afternoon, I felt genuinely sad to be leaving. Not because the holiday was ending or because the diving was over, but because I knew it would probably be another year before I experienced that feeling again.
If you’re considering your own Red Sea diving adventure, I genuinely couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to research dive hoods and maybe a vest.
