Located on the idyllic shores of Long Beach on Perhentian Island, Malaysia, Panorama Diver has built a reputation where every guest feels like returning family. But beyond the warm, welcoming community vibe lies a deep-rooted commitment to marine conservation. We spoke with Creative Director and Manager Wan Suhaimi Bin Wan Shamsuddin about how Green Fins practices shape their daily operations – and why authentic action underwater matters far more than social media trends.
From Small Beginnings to a Thriving Dive Family
Every great journey starts with a single step – or in Panorama Diver’s case, a single boat.
“We started as a humble, small business driven by a massive passion for the ocean,” recalls Wan Suhaimi. “In the beginning, our entire operation consisted of just one instructor, one divemaster, one boat, and ten full sets of equipment.”
Through dedication and a growing community of ocean lovers, Panorama Diver evolved into one of the most vibrant dive centres on Perhentian Island, Terengganu. Yet, despite their growth, the core atmosphere remains unchanged. Guests return year after year not just for high-quality dive training, but to reunite with the Panorama Team.
It was this same sense of responsibility towards their “ocean home” that led Wan Suhaimi to champion environmental stewardship across their operations.
Photo by Panaroma Diver Perhentian
Bringing Marine Best Practices Back Home
After completing his instructor training, Wan Suhaimi spent time travelling and working with dive operations across different regions, many of which were Green Fins members. Seeing how structured sustainability guidelines protected delicate underwater ecosystems inspired him to bring those standards back to Perhentian Island.
“My goal isn’t fame or recognition – it’s to ensure every diver respects nature and our oceans, rather than treating diving as just a commercial activity,” Wan explains. “We enforce a strict zero-contact policy. No touching or disturbing reef life – for safety, education, and respect.”
When Panorama Diver joined Green Fins, it formalised the conservation ethos the team had already been practising, giving them a recognised framework to guide their staff and educate guests.
Action Over Algorithms: Real Conservation Underwater
In an era dominated by social media, Wan Suhaimi takes a grounded, action-first approach to conservation. With limited time and capacity for social media, Panorama Diver prioritises quiet, consistent work below the surface.
“We do reef cleanups, beach sweeps, ghost net removals, and debris tracking continuously,” says Wan Suhaimi. “For me, doing the work matters more than getting attention on social media. What matters is what happens underwater.”
Photo by Panaroma Diver Perhentian
During seasonal clean-ups and regular fun dives, the team collects discarded fishing nets, plastics, and debris. Crucially, they apply nuanced, eco-friendly techniques during marine clean-ups:
- Careful Net Removal: Entangled ghost nets and debris are removed carefully to avoid breaking delicate coral structures.
- Habitat Preservation: If marine growth or coral has already encrusted an object, such as an old bottle, it is left intact to avoid disturbing the newly formed habitat.
- Continuous In-Water Clean-ups: Divers are encouraged to safely collect small litter during routine dives.
- Sunscreen Awareness: Advising guests to use non-toxic sun protection to prevent chemical harm to coral reefs.
Leading by Example: Overcoming Guest Challenges
Implementing strict environmental rules with dive guests isn’t always smooth sailing. On occasion, divers may initially resist the eco-guidance in pre-dive briefings or show indifference towards responsible diving techniques.
Rather than taking a confrontational approach, Wan Suhaimi believes in the power of constructive debriefings and positive role modelling.
“Some guests don’t listen during the initial briefing,” Wan admits. “In those cases, I don’t argue – I show them through my own actions. After two or three dives with us, seeing how our team treats the environment, they realise that sustainability isn’t a burden; it’s essential for protecting what we come to enjoy.”
If a guest accidentally contacts or steps on coral during a dive, the team uses post-dive debriefings as teachable moments, gently explaining the ecological impact so the diver learns to adjust their buoyancy and awareness for future dives.
Empowering the Crew, Inspiring the Guest
For the dive staff at Panorama Diver, Green Fins standards are seamlessly integrated into daily routines. Divemasters and instructors actively deliver Green Fins pre-dive briefings, making environmental awareness an organic part of the diving experience.
Having the Green Fins certification also serves as a natural conversation starter for curious travelers.
“Many guests walk in and ask, ‘What is Green Fins?'” says Wan Suhaimi. “That opens a positive door for us to explain environmental balance and share how small changes in diver behavior protect local marine life.”
While Panorama Diver was already a popular destination on Long Beach prior to joining, displaying the Green Fins logo helps eco-conscious divers worldwide identify them as an environmentally responsible operator when booking online.
Looking to the Future
Panorama Diver is continually looking for ways to expand its environmental footprint. Looking ahead, Wan Suhaimi is preparing to launch a localised coral propagation and nursery project to help restore nearby reef patches.
The dive centre also regularly hosts community-driven events such as PADI Women’s Dive Day and Earth Day initiatives, fostering an open exchange of knowledge and ideas with divers from around the globe.
His advice for other dive centres considering the Green Fins journey?
“I highly recommend it to both new and established dive operators. It is saddening to see large operations ignore basic conservation practices just to keep business moving. Dive centres need to remember that without healthy reefs, there is no dive industry.”
Panorama Diver proves that true environmental stewardship doesn’t require loud fanfare – just consistent action, strong leadership, and an unwavering respect for marine life. By leading through example and treating every diver as part of their growing ocean family, Wan Suhaimi and his team show that sustainable practices can seamlessly become second nature. As they look towards the future, Panorama Diver continues to demonstrate that protecting our reefs isn’t just good ethics – it is the very foundation of sustainable diving.
Photo by Panaroma Diver Perhentian
Are you inspired to lower your operation’s environmental footprint and protect the marine ecosystems your business relies on? Joining the Green Fins network gives your dive or snorkel center access to practical environmental guidelines, practical assessment tools, and a global community dedicated to sustainable marine tourism.
Become a Green Fins Member today to empower your team, educate your guests, and lead the way toward a cleaner, healthier ocean.
