Depth Zero: The Aquarium Dive That Changed My Perspective

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  When you ask a kid about their favorite animal, you’ll usually hear dogs, cats, or horses. But for as long as I can remember, I wasn't like most kids. While my classmates were reading comic books or fairy tales, I was completely absorbed in shark encyclopedias and illustrated marine books.

Finding peers who shared this niche obsession was nearly impossible, but I couldn't help it. I had an innate curiosity and love for marine life, and sharks grabbed my attention not out of fear, but out of absolute awe.

August/22/2026/Selimiye/Turkey


To me, sharks are easily the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Out of more than 500 species, only a tiny fraction are responsible for their terrifying reputation (most don't care about humans at all!). They are the vital engineers of our oceans, maintaining the delicate balance that keeps our planet healthy.

As a kid, I always had a drive to convert theoretical knowledge into real-world experience. I studied their diets, habitats, behaviors, and how to safely interact with them without causing harm to either side. So, I made a promise to my younger self: One day, I will dive with sharks in the open ocean—and there won't be a cage between us.

The First Spark: Swimming with Curiosity

My journey into the ocean started in 2019 when I swam with dolphins. But the real turning point came two years later, right after the pandemic, when I finally met my first shark face-to-face.

I wasn't certified yet, so I did a surface-supplied helmet dive in a tank at The Land of Legends theme park in Antalya. It was a controlled environment, but being underwater alongside nurse sharks was pure magic. They were just as curious about me as I was about them, gliding effortlessly around me. While most people would panic in a tank full of predators, fear was the last thing on my mind. I was completely mesmerized.

That moment solidified everything: I had to become a real scuba diver.

However, life got in the way. Between my young age and preparing for high school entrance exams, I had to put my underwater dreams on hold. But the spark never went out.

July/27/2025/Kaş/Turkey

Kaş: Bridging Theory and Reality

By the summer of my 10th-grade year, I was finally ready. I devoured diving manuals, watched instructional videos, and headed to Kaş—Turkey’s diving haven—for my first official Open Water scuba certification.

This was my chance to take everything I studied on paper and execute it underwater. I practiced mask clearings, regulator recoveries, and emergency octopus ascents.

And I learned a valuable lesson the hard way: If you're practicing mask clearings, loosen your mask strap before you dive!


As you descend, ambient water pressure increases rapidly, compressing the air inside your mask (known as mask squeeze). If your strap is pulled too tight, clearing the mask under that pressure becomes unnecessarily difficult. If it happens to you, don't worry—just loosen the strap slightly underwater to relieve the pressure!

Facing Environmental Reality & The Canyon Drop

While earning my certification in Kaş, I noticed something heartbreaking. Areas that were once vibrant underwater ecosystems filled with coral and diverse marine life were facing severe desertification due to careless marine tourism.

August/22/2026/Selimiye/Turkey

Seeing that environmental decay saddened me deeply, but it also sparked a sense of purpose. I realized that my love for the ocean isn't just about the adrenaline—it's about protection. I am determined to play an active role in creating a world where humans and marine life can coexist sustainably.

A year later, I returned to Kaş to build experience for my Advanced certification. Upon descending into the famous "Kanyon" (The Canyon)—where a shallow 5-meter seabed suddenly drops into a sheer 30-meter vertical abyss—I was awestruck. Looking up from the bottom of that majestic cliff, I knew without a doubt: This was the ultimate sport for me.

To overcome my initial struggles with ear equalization and buoyancy, I took action. Knowing theory is useless without practice, I began diving to the bottom of deep public swimming pools to train my ears to handle pressure and learn how to clear it effectively.

Sharm El Sheikh: Facing Wild Sharks in the Red Sea

Just three to four weeks after Kaş, I found myself in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt—the gateway to my ultimate childhood dream: diving with wild sharks in the open ocean.

There are many myths claiming you need an Advanced certification just to dive in Egypt, but much of that is just intimidation. While extreme sites require high qualifications, the Red Sea offers accessible world-class diving for everyone. We explored breathtaking spots like the Canyon, the Lighthouse, and the monumental Million Hope shipwreck.

But my absolute favorite spot was Gordon Reef.

Why? Because resting peacefully at a depth of 40 meters, I saw three adorable Whitetip Reef Sharks! Since we were diving on Nitrox with specific depth limits, we couldn't descend all the way down to them, but watching them glide below was unforgettable.

Over 11 incredible dives in Sharm El Sheikh, I mastered swimming against strong currents, perfected my buoyancy, conquered ear equalization, and officially qualified for my 2-Star Advanced certification.

The Evolution: From 20 Minutes to Mastery

July/28/2026/Sharm el sheikh/Egypt
Later, during a diving trip to Selimiye, Turkey, I focused on fine-tuning my fundamentals and minimizing my air consumption. Looking back, the difference between my very first dive and where I am today is night and day.

To date, I have completed 23 logged dives.

On my first dive, my air consumption was so high that a tank lasted only 20 minutes at a shallow 5 meters—not to mention my buoyancy and equalization were a complete disaster. Fast forward to my recent dives: I completed a 40-minute dive at 18 meters on a single tank, with enough air remaining to jump back in and assist instructors with trial dives for beginners!

Never Abandon the Spark

What started as a childhood fascination with sharks transformed into finding my lifelong passion, building incredible friendships, and discovering the power of perseverance. When you face your weaknesses head-on, failure becomes your greatest teacher.

If there’s one piece of advice I can leave you with, it’s this: Never abandon your childhood dreams.

July/28/2026/Dahab/ Egypt

Keep your inner child entertained, curious, and happy. When you nourish that spark, you don't just find inner peace—you unlock new knowledge, meet amazing people, and embark on journeys you once only dreamed of.

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