In a world that is rarely quiet, Shereen Ramadan has found peace beneath the waves.
Egyptian water-baby, Shereen Ramadan was born into a family of divers and took her first breaths underwater at just eight years old. She explained to us that the ocean has always been her place of sanctuary, but it wasn’t until she left behind a high-pressure career in Dubai that diving became more than a hobby; it became a purpose.
Today, Shereen teaches both scuba and freediving; guiding others into the stillness and strength that the water has always given her. As an Egyptian woman in the dive industry, she’s not only breaking barriers and stereotypes, but also inspiring and paving the way for others to do the same.
We couldn’t think of anyone more worthy of being featured for Women’s Dive Month this July, so we sat down with Shereen Ramadan to hear her story; A story of courage and transformation, both personal and professional, and choosing to live a life you truly love.
“Shereen Ramadan, tell us about how you discovered scuba diving. Do you remember how you felt taking your first breaths under the water?”
“I discovered scuba diving when I was very, very young. My parents, actually, my whole family, were divers even before I was born. I was born into it. Diving was just part of our family life. I did my first scuba dive when I was 8 years old. Things were more flexible back then. My dad would hand me a weight belt, give me his octopus, zip me into a wetsuit, and we’d do shallow dives together. When I turned 10, I officially got certified with my Junior Open Water.
Diving became our family activity, we’d go several times a year, mostly around the Red Sea. It was what brought us all together, year after year.
The first moment I truly remember scuba diving was during my Junior Open Water course when I was 10. We were in Sharm El-Sheikh, at a pretty basic dive site. I was already comfortable in the water, and we were starting a swimming skill when suddenly, a manta ray appeared, super shallow, just gliding by. My instructor signaled for me to follow it. So we did, all three of us swimming alongside this incredible creature. It didn’t rush off, it stayed with us, almost performing, for a solid 35 minutes. Usually, you see mantas in passing, but this one just lingered. We actually ended the dive there and repeated the skills later.
That moment hooked me for life. From my very first dive, I was in love with the underwater world. It was truly magical.”
“Did you progress to instructor level fairly quickly or did you stay as a recreational diver for a long time first?”
“I actually progressed pretty slowly at first. I spent 21 years as a recreational diver, going up to the maximum level of Advanced Open Water. Diving was always a part of my life, but it stayed recreational for a long time. Then, about three years ago, everything changed. I moved to Dahab (a popular diving town in Egypt), and that’s when I decided to go professional. Once I made that decision, I did it all in one year, pretty fast. After years of steady, casual diving, it all suddenly accelerated. It was finally time.”
“Since then you have also become a freediving instructor! What is it that draws you to the water so much?”
“It’s my happy place, my safe space, where I find quiet, stillness, and peace of mind.
In scuba diving, I feel a deep connection with marine life. It’s my way of slowing down, of being present. It’s my hobby, yes, but it’s also my sanctuary. Freediving gives me something different. It’s a more personal connection, not just with the water, but with myself. It’s where I dive inward. It’s my meditation and my sport.
I couldn’t be happier having the chance to practice, teach, and even compete in both scuba and freediving. They’re deeply complementary. Together, they give me everything I need, physically, emotionally, and especially for my mental health.”
“What inspired you to take up teaching as a career?”
“Before moving to Dahab, I was living in Dubai, working as an engineer. From the outside, life looked perfect, but I was deeply unhappy. That lifestyle didn’t suit me, it drained me and eventually led to depression. So I made a decision: to leave it all behind and move somewhere I could breathe again. I came to Dahab, looking for peace of mind.
Once there, I asked myself what I could do for work, and the answer was obvious: scuba diving. I’ve always loved it, and turning that passion into a profession felt natural. It was the first time I chose to do what I love for a living, and it’s been the best decision of my life.”
“What does it mean to you being an Egyptian woman in the world of scuba?”
“As an Egyptian instructor, I’m constantly inspired by the women who choose to dive with me. Many come on solo trips, determined to learn scuba diving, something they’ve always wanted to try, or to break their fears and face anxieties. That courage, that independence, it blows me away. There’s a powerful badass energy in a woman who just decides to take that leap for herself, to chase her own adventure.
Seeing that strength and determination firsthand motivates me every day. It’s truly an honor to support and guide them on this journey.”
“You mentioned how being in and under the water has helped improve your mental health, why do you think that is?”
“Everything slows down underwater, whether it’s scuba diving or freediving, you move at the pace of nature. There’s no noise, just your bubbles or, in freediving, complete silence. And in that stillness, you become fully present, either within yourself or within the natural world around you. It’s pure presence. And in a world that moves too fast, this kind of slowing down is exactly what we need.
Having the privilege to practice this through my work has been transformative for my mental health. After four years in Dahab, I’ve carried that stillness into my everyday life. I’ve learned to slow down, to process, and to truly appreciate the gift of presence.”
“What an inspiring journey you’ve had. Any final words of wisdom for budding female divers who might be a little nervous to try?”
“Learning to scuba dive is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, a passage into a parallel world, away from the noise and rush of everyday life. Beneath the surface, you unplug from chaos, slowing down to the gentle rhythm of nature. It’s a reset for your nervous system, a quiet breath that calms the mind and soothes the soul.
In a world that never stops, this pause, this stillness, is the most precious gift you can offer yourself.”
Shereen Ramadan is truly an inspirational water-woman. If you would like to learn to scuba dive or freedive with Shereen in the beautiful Bedouin town of Dahab, Egypt. Reach out to her on Instagram to take the first step on your very own journey.
