A group of enthusiastic students from Reading Blue Coat’s Sub-Aqua Club recently embarked on an exciting expedition to Cyprus, where they completed their BSAC Ocean Diver qualification.

Before jetting off, the students spent time preparing with practical sessions in the school pool, alongside in-depth theory lessons covering diving principles and human physiology. This essential groundwork helped ensure they were ready to make the most of the experience ahead.

The expedition was run in partnership with REC2TECH, a BSAC Centre of Excellence based in Cyprus. Both students and staff were full of praise for the excellent facilities and accommodation provided above the dive centre.

The first dive site was Green Bay – a calm, sheltered cove ideal for training. Despite some overcast skies, the 19-degree water offered a comfortable welcome to open water diving, with students sporting wetsuits and experiencing the sea for the first time.

Over the next few days, the group’s skills grew rapidly. Mornings were spent at Kermia Bay, where students practised key diving techniques including mask clearing and rescue procedures. In the afternoons, they ventured to Cyclops – an impressive underwater cliff formation.

By the fourth day, all students had successfully earned their BSAC Ocean Diver qualification. The morning was spent at the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN), where divers explored over 93 eerie submerged artworks. Later that day, students enjoyed diving through fish-filled tunnels and caves, putting their buoyancy control to the test.

The final day of diving brought added excitement, as the group took to the water aboard ‘Cobra’ – the centre’s 7.5m RHIB boat, powered by a Honda 150 HP engine. Diving to depths of 20 metres, they explored two shipwrecks, the Kyrenia and Nemesis II. Throughout, students demonstrated excellent control, teamwork and gas management, impressing their instructors and showcasing the skills they had developed throughout the week.

This unforgettable adventure was a fantastic opportunity for students to push their boundaries, develop new abilities, and discover the wonders of the underwater world – an experience that will stay with them for years to come.

Thank you to Will and Evonne at REC2TECH Cyprus for such a great experience!