From Desk Job to Diving Paradise: Our Adventure in the SRF Documentary "Around the Mediterranean"

Cyprus Diving Centre
Nov 16
3 min read

We are still completely thrilled about our recent experience: We had the honour of being part of the fantastic SRF documentary series, "Auf und davon – Rund ums Mittelmeer: Leben, wo andere Ferien machen" ("Up and Away – Around the Mediterranean: Living Where Others Vacation")! 📺 An SRF team visited us here in Cyprus to capture our life as expats and, most importantly, the exciting turning point in the life of my cousin, Joel.

Three people (Joel, Daniel, and Tamara) are smiling and standing on a rocky coast at sunset. In the background, the sea glitters in the golden light of the setting sun, and the sky is painted in warm yellow and orange tones. They are wearing light summer clothing: Joel in a white tank top and shorts, Daniel in a dark polo shirt and shorts, and Tamara in a white top and light shorts. — Our life in Cyprus: Dive instructor instead of the office! The documentary 'Rund ums Mittelmeer' (SRF) shows Joel's fresh start. © SRF

The program, which you can now find in the Play SRF media library, shows us how we run our dive centre here in Cyprus, living the dream life by the sea. It's an honest glimpse into the adventure of leaving Switzerland behind and starting a business in a new culture.

💼 The Resignation That Changed Everything – Joel’s Fresh Start

The real heart of the feature is Joel's story. My cousin led a life in Switzerland that many would call secure and good: A steady office job, regulated routines, and the benefits of the Swiss structure. But as we all know, some dreams simply can't be confined to four walls and a screen.

Joel took the brave step of exchanging his desk for a wetsuit and came to us in Cyprus to complete his PADI Instructor training! It was a jump into the cold (and beautiful!) water, but the call of the sea was stronger. The SRF cameras captured how he integrated into our team and mastered the challenges of his new lifestyle.

🐬 From Pool to Pro: Joel’s Journey to PADI Instructor

The documentary beautifully shows how Joel is embracing the new freedom and mastering his new calling. The path to becoming a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) is above all one thing: action-packed and fulfilling!

We supported him in perfecting the necessary skills to not only dive perfectly himself but also to convey this fascinating world to others safely and with enthusiasm:

Perfecting Dive Skills: We refined all the underwater techniques – from perfect buoyancy control to cool tricks, to mastering the gear quickly, so everything flows effortlessly underwater.
Playful Teaching: Joel learned how to make courses exciting. This starts with conveying the basics and ends with the first, exhilarating dives in the ocean – always focusing on safety and having lots of fun!
Mentoring: As a dive centre team, we mentored Joel, teaching him not only diving techniques but also the entire business surrounding the dive base.

It is a huge joy and honour for us to accompany Joel on this journey and see how he has found not just a job but a real lifestyle here with us – doing what makes him happy every single day!

Four smiling people (a man in a dark blue polo shirt, two men, and one woman) are standing outdoors on a rocky coast under a bright blue sky, holding up PADI certificates and a blue PADI banner. The man on the left is giving a thumbs-up. This picture celebrates the successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination in Cyprus. — Daniel with Joel, Angi and Jan after successfully passing the PADI Instructor Examination in Cyprus.

🌊 The Fascination of Cyprus: More Than Just Sun

What makes diving here in Cyprus so special are the conditions. The SRF team captured fantastic shots that show exactly why we chose this location:

Visibility: Often over 30 metres! The crystal-clear Mediterranean Sea is a dream for every diver.
Wrecks: Cyprus is known for some of the best wreck dives in the world, including the famous Zenobia off Larnaca. Joel is learning to safely explore these fascinating underwater relics.
Marine Life: Daily encounters with sea turtles (especially the Loggerhead Turtle), rays, and a diverse fish population are a constant motivation and reward for the hard work.

The feature also touches upon life away from the dive base: Cypriot hospitality, the relaxed pace, and the Mediterranean lifestyle, which contrasts sharply with the hectic Swiss daily routine. Living where others vacation also means tackling the island’s challenges and still being grateful for the sea view every single day.

💙 Our Conclusion and an Inspiration

We hope the SRF feature inspires others to be brave and follow their dreams. Sometimes you just have to go "up and away" to find your true happiness and realise that you can be successful even underwater, in a completely new environment.

Be sure to check out Joel’s transformation and our Cypriot diving adventure!

Link to the feature (Play SRF - ONLY IN GERMAN!): Rund ums Mittelmeer – Leben, wo andere Ferien machen - DOK – Auf und davon