Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges, a company that specializes in active adventure and dive vacations, anticipates the opening of the Red Mangrove Dive Academy in the second half of 2012.
This will be a full-service, state-of-the-art diver education center and the largest in Ecuador.
Hernan Rodas, founder and director of Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges, reports that even before the academy has opened its doors, Red Mangrove’s Dive Center accomplished more PADI diver certifications in 2011 than any other operation in the Galapagos.
Rodas reported that as of early spring 2012, the Red Mangrove Dive Academy is at 60 percent completion. He projected the opening of this ambitious facility by the fall of 2012. As the first state-of-the-art dive training facility in the Galapagos Islands, it will offer the modern amenities, safety standards and more.
With more than 15,000 square feet of space under construction it will be the largest dive training center in Ecuador and one of the largest in South America, said Rodas.
Modern, comfortable classrooms will accommodate up to 40 students. There will be his and her changing rooms, lockers, a patio/juice bar, a large and modern repair center, a retail store for parts and new diving equipment, and a state of the art Commercial Nitrox Maker with Cascade system custom built by Brownies in Fort Lauderdale. Brownies is known for their work with custom compressors and Nitrox systems on some of the world's most luxurious yachts and dive centers.
Caleb Hayes, diving project manager, coordinates the work of at present five PADI-approved dive instructors and the same number of dive masters who accompany divers on recreational outings. Two modern dive boats take guests to 45 dive and snorkel sites available off of Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela islands. He expected his staff and the number of boats to grow as the academy becomes established in the diving world.
Visit www.redmangrove.com/diving.