This scuba instructor sees diving as the key to preserving the coral reefs of the Maldives

Zoona Naseem guided a group of nine children, some as young as eight, toward the open waters of the Indian Ocean, offering a series of quick tips: switch to regulators, inflate buoyancy control devices, adjust your masks.

Before the dive, Naseem reminded them, 'If you have any ear discomfort, we won’t dive deeper.' She emphasized, 'Depth isn't the priority; the main goal is to enjoy the experience.'

Naseem established the Moodhu Bulhaa Dive Centre, located just a short 10-minute boat ride from Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Unlike most diving schools aimed at tourists, Naseem's center focuses on teaching local women and children.

She shared, 'I opened my dive center to inspire people to appreciate the ocean. If someone doesn’t care about the reef, they won't hesitate to pollute the waters. But if they have a love for the reef, they'll make sure not to harm it.'

Breaking down barriers

Naseem became the second Maldivian ever to earn the prestigious PADI course director certification, and the first woman in the Maldives to achieve this milestone. This title is awarded to only around 1,000 people worldwide, marking the highest professional level in recreational scuba diving, according to PADI.

'When I started my instructor course 26 years ago, there were no women in the field,' she recalled. 'I chose this path to face a challenge and to prove that women are capable of achieving great things.'

After gaining experience teaching in resorts across the Maldives, Naseem decided to open her own dive school on the small island of Villingili in 2016. Her goal was twofold: to spend more time with her children and to encourage more Maldivians to pursue diving as a career.

'Working at a resort would likely offer a bigger paycheck and an easier lifestyle,' Naseem reflected. 'But I decided to start something here to create opportunities for local children.'

Looking ahead

In 2018, Naseem participated in 'Farukoe,' a government initiative aimed at getting every student to try snorkeling within the year. She was shocked to learn that many teenagers had never experienced the ocean, which motivated her to take further action.

Beyond teaching dive lessons in Villingili, Naseem has also advocated for the creation of a marine academy in the Maldives, where students could explore all facets of the underwater world. She envisions a mobile diving school that would travel the country to reach as many children as possible.

'In the Maldives, we're surrounded by water—99% ocean and just 1% land,' she said. 'That's why I believe the ocean should be a playground for kids.'