In Tala Bay, just off Aqaba on the Jordanian coast, a unique diving experience is provided by the Deep Blue Dive Center. If you take the plunge with this Green Fins Certified Gold Member, you will have the chance to explore one of the most stunning parts of the Red Sea, rich with marine life, vibrant coral reefs and the world’s only underwater military museum! Established in 2009, the operator is committed to responsible and sustainable diving practices and aims to inspire divers to act as positive changemakers for fragile ecosystems and to leave a positive impact on the underwater world.
With sustainability a key feature of what they do, their small team of ten people has managed to embed responsible practices into all elements of their work, with a focus on informing customers on environmental conservation initiatives.
The Reef-World team had the opportunity to hear from Mohammed Leddaw, the Operations Manager & Owner of Deep Blue Dive Center, about their sustainability journey and how a Green Fins certification has helped. As a Certified Gold Member, Deep Blue Dive Center is leading the way in sustainable marine tourism in the Red Sea and has built up a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sector over its 15 years in operation.
Why did you decide to become a Green Fins Member?
From the very beginning, sustainability has been at the heart of Deep Blue Dive Center. Joining Green Fins allowed us to connect with a global community of like-minded operators, gain guidance on best practices, and demonstrate our commitment to protecting the marine environment. Being part of Green Fins aligns perfectly with our values: conservation, education, and leadership in responsible marine tourism.
Could you describe your experience going through the Green Fins certification process?
The certification process was both inspiring and enlightening. We were challenged to evaluate every aspect of our operations, from waste management to diver education. It was rewarding to see where we were already excelling and where we could improve. The process strengthened our commitment and gave us practical tools to make sustainability tangible for our team and guests.
What actions and initiatives have you implemented to promote environmental conservation?
Since becoming a Green Fins Member, we have introduced numerous initiatives:
- Conducting eco-diver briefings for every dive to educate guests on responsible practices.
- Implementing no-touch, no-feed policies to protect marine life.
- Using mooring buoys instead of anchors to safeguard coral reefs.
- Organizing beach and underwater clean-ups, encouraging divers and staff to actively participate.
- Promoting reef-safe sunscreen
- Providing water refill stations to reduce plastic waste.
- Offering staff sustainability training to ensure our team fully embraces conservation principles.
The initiative we are most proud of is the combination of education and engagement, which empowers our divers to become ambassadors for the environment long after their dive experience.
Deep Blue has achieved a lot in terms of promoting responsible practices as an operator which fully embraces a sustainable approach to diving, and as they have mentioned, they are very proud of their engagement with their divers. However, their sustainability journey has not come without its own challenges, and it has taken time to effectively implement all their initiatives.
What are some challenges faced and your solutions?
The biggest challenge has been changing long-standing habits — both our own and those of our guests. At first, some divers were hesitant about new eco-guidelines, but through consistent education, patience, and clear communication, we’ve seen a remarkable shift toward awareness and participation. Another challenge was maintaining sustainable practices while scaling our operations, which we overcame by integrating eco-friendly procedures into daily routines.
Some of the guidelines we introduced at Deep Blue Dive Center through Green Fins and PADI Eco Center programmes include:
- Strict no-touch policy for marine life and coral reefs.
- Buoyancy control checks before dives to prevent accidental reef damage.
- Limiting group sizes to reduce underwater impact.
- Using permanent mooring lines instead of anchors.
- No single-use plastics on board or at the dive center.
- Eco-friendly sunscreen is required to protect coral reefs.
- Underwater cleanup guidelines to ensure safe waste removal without harming marine life.
At first, a few divers were hesitant because these rules were new or stricter than what they were used to, but once we explained the purpose, they became very supportive—and many now truly appreciate our efforts.
How has your team responded to sustainability changes?
Our team has embraced these initiatives enthusiastically. Staff members are now proactive in promoting conservation to guests, leading clean-ups, and sharing knowledge about reef protection. Sustainability has become a core part of our culture and daily operations.
What does it mean to be a Green Fins Certified Member?
For us, the Green Fins certification represents more than a badge; it is a commitment to lead by example, protect our marine environment, and inspire others. It guides how we run our operations every day and reminds us that even small actions can create a big impact.
The Green Fins Certification provides a clear cultural and technical framework for an operator like the Deep Blue Dive Center to pursue and achieve their sustainability and conservation goals. Equally, it signals to potential guests that they are adhering to the strictest guidelines for sustainable marine tourism and can therefore be trusted. This is reflected in their feedback they hear from guests.
How has business grown through your sustainable efforts?
Being eco-friendly has strengthened our reputation and attracted divers who value responsible tourism. Our guests frequently comment on the unique combination of adventure and conservation at Deep Blue Dive Center, and we have built lasting partnerships with resorts and eco-conscious travel operators. Positive reviews often highlight our sustainability initiatives, reinforcing the importance of our commitment.
How we promote our sustainability:
We actively communicate our eco practices to attract divers who value responsible tourism through:
- Our website – dedicated sustainability page and information about our Green Fins membership and conservation projects.
- Social media – sharing eco-tips, cleanup events, and reef protection posts across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Dive shows and events – participating in international dive expos and sustainability panels to connect with like-minded divers.
- Eco-partnerships – working with organisations like PADI AWARE and local NGOs.
- Guest briefings – every diver receives a conservation-focused briefing before diving.
- Community programs – hosting marine education workshops and underwater cleanups in Aqaba.
What advice do you have for other operators considering Green Fins?
Start with small, consistent changes and build a culture of responsibility. Engage your staff and guests, educate them, and share your journey. Green Fins provides the tools and community support to make sustainability achievable and rewarding.
Looking ahead, what are some future sustainability initiatives?
We plan to expand educational programs for divers and local communities, increase participation in coral monitoring projects, and explore additional eco-technologies to further reduce our environmental footprint. Our goal is to continuously strengthen our positive impact on Aqaba’s marine ecosystems while inspiring other operators to follow suit.
With over 16 years of experience in the sustainable diving sector, Deep Blue Dive Center remains committed to being a local, regional and global example in responsible marine tourism. As they continue to lead the way on reducing their impact, protecting local habitat in Aqaba, and engaging staff and guests, it is so exciting to hear more about their vision for the future, and the Green Fins team is so proud to support them on their journey.
