A retired Swiss biology teacher has built one of the most unusual diving devices ever featured on Green Prophet: a sleek, fish-shaped underwater breathing system called Hydrophilis. Inspired by the hydrodynamics of marine animals and refined through dozens of test dives, the compact rebreather allows its inventor, Oliver Isler, to glide underwater with dramatically less effort than conventional scuba gear.

When Green Prophet first wrote about Hydrophilis, readers were fascinated by its futuristic form and almost mythical appearance. Some compared it to a dolphin, others to a torpedo. Later, commenters made some funny and crude jokes about the diving gear.

Since then, Isler has continued testing and refining the prototype in Swiss lakes and warm-water seas, completing 54 dives and proving that his idea is far more than a whimsical experiment.

Isler is not an engineer. Before retirement, he taught biology in a Swiss secondary school. His ambition was not to launch a company or disrupt the diving industry, but to create a device that would allow him to move through the water as effortlessly and quietly as possible. “The search for symbiosis — to blend into the marine environment — means seeking ease of movement and discretion, in order to disturb the local fauna as little as possible,” he tells Green Prophet in an exclusive interview.

To achieve this, he adopted a NACA airfoil profile, the same aerodynamic geometry used in aircraft wings and submarine bodies. The result is a streamlined shell that dramatically reduces drag.

Faster Than Conventional Scuba

Traditional scuba equipment places cylinders, hoses, and buoyancy devices across a diver’s back and sides, creating significant resistance in the water on the back side of the diver.  Hydrophilis was built different.

At age 75, using a soft monofin designed for endurance rather than speed, Isler reached 2.2 meters per second in a swimming pool. By comparison, he says that conventional scuba divers rarely exceed 0.7 meters per second even under intense effort. This reduction in drag means less energy expenditure, less noise, and a more meditative experience underwater. You can become one with the water instead of being pressured to maintain buoyancy.

How the Hydrophilis System Works

Hydrophilis is a miniature closed-circuit rebreather. Instead of releasing bubbles with every breath, the diver reuses exhaled gas after carbon dioxide is absorbed by soda lime.

The prototype Isler built includes:

A 1-liter, 300-bar cylinder
A custom 3-liter counterlung
Integrated soda lime scrubber
Modified mouthpiece
Compact helmet and fairing
Weighted belt using dense cobalt shot

Isler dives with pure oxygen to depths of 6 meters, with 90 to 100 minutes of autonomy, or with Nitrox 55 to 20 meters, where he achieves 45 to 50 minutes of dive time.

He says it’s safety through simplicity: Unlike commercial rebreathers, Hydrophilis has no redundant backup system. If anything fails, Isler removes the helmet and ascends directly to the surface while exhaling. This is the nature of the system. Using traditional systems, a diver would face nitrogen poisoning requiring a decompression chamber.

“With pure oxygen or Nitrox 55%, even from 20 meters, no decompression stop is required,” he says. The philosophy is radical miniaturization rather than electronic complexity.

Will Hydrophilis Ever Be Sold?

Probably not, he says. But would Cousteau be happy? Hell yeah!

Certification standards currently require a counterlung volume of at least 5 liters, while Hydrophilis uses only 3 liters, which Isler says is entirely sufficient. He also questions whether there is a large commercial market for a device requiring soda lime and specialized training.

“My primary goal has always been to explore this hydrodynamic concept and enjoy the experience myself, without aiming for commercialization.”

Hydrophilis is not intended to replace scuba: “I see Hydrophilis as a freediver who does not need to hold their breath,” Isler says.

That may be the best description of this extraordinary invention: a personal experiment in biomimicry, engineering, and underwater grace.

For those who dream of moving like a fish, Oliver Isler has shown that sometimes the most compelling innovations come not from corporations, but from curious individuals willing to challenge convention.

Below is our Q&A interview with Oliver Isler, in his own words:

Green Prophet: Your design seems inspired by fish, dolphins, and the natural shapes of marine animals. Was your goal to mimic nature, or was the streamlined form primarily driven by hydrodynamic engineering?

The goal was to achieve a streamlined shape with minimal drag (resistance to forward motion). While I did want to disturb marine animals as little as possible, the constraints of physics led me to adopt a NACA profile. So it was primarily a technical constraint.

Green Prophet: You are a retired biology teacher, not a professional diving engineer. How did your background in biology shape the concept of Hydrophilis?

I am not a diving engineer. Before retiring, I was a biology teacher at a secondary school. The search for symbiosis — to “blend into” the marine environment — means seeking ease of movement and discretion in order to disturb the local fauna as little as possible.

Green Prophet: Scuba diving equipment has remained largely unchanged for decades. Why do you think there has been so little innovation in underwater breathing systems?

That is a broad question! Indeed, there have been relatively few changes. That said, the basic equipment is functional, and for a standard diver who simply wants to observe the underwater world, it is sufficient. In addition, a second regulator has very often been added, which has further improved safety.

Green Prophet: What are the main performance advantages of Hydrophilis compared with traditional scuba gear?

The original idea was truly to achieve the best possible penetration through the water. Dive duration is not greater than with traditional scuba equipment, but it is very good considering the extremely compact size. Improved hydrodynamics inevitably result in a major reduction in drag, while also allowing faster movement.

I conducted a speed test in a swimming pool. At 75 years old, using a soft monofin (stiffness 3 on a scale of 8), intended more for endurance swimming than pure speed, I was able to reach 2.2 meters per second, which is not bad for my age! With traditional scuba gear, it is difficult to reach even 0.7 m/s under intense effort.

Regarding safety, the only real advantage is the reduced effort required to move forward. Otherwise, in case of a problem, the procedure is simply to return to the surface. With pure oxygen or Nitrox 55%, even from a depth of 20 meters, no decompression stop is required. Therefore, in the event of a breathing-system failure, ascent is normally straightforward.

Without going as far as meditation, the pleasure of effortless movement is obviously present on every dive.

Green Prophet: Switzerland has a history of precision engineering and unusual inventors. Do you think there is something in Swiss culture that encourages independent experimentation?

Difficult to answer. Does the serious — sometimes overly serious — and orderly Swiss mentality encourage people to break free from that psychological framework by attempting somewhat unconventional experiments? Perhaps, but that is only a hypothesis, and I am not sure it is something specifically Swiss.

Green Prophet: Some people on social media have mocked the appearance of Hydrophilis. How do you respond to criticism and jokes about your invention?

With social media, one must expect every possible reaction: supportive or mocking. Comparing my prototype to a penis is not particularly flattering. My hypothesis is that those who reacted that way did so emotionally, without even taking the time to read my article in In DEPTH. Or are they frustrated? Perhaps.

My response to that kind of reaction is this: people who never attempt anything, who have no projects or challenges in their lives, certainly avoid failure. That is true. But I do not envy them, because I find such an existence somewhat dull.

I also believe that any innovation may first be rejected before eventually being accepted.

Green Prophet: Without a traditional backup air source, how do you manage safety if the breathing system fails underwater?

As I explained earlier, safety does not depend on someone else. I trained to simulate a failure scenario. In such a case, I remove the helmet (see photos) and ascend, freediving if necessary, while exhaling slightly to avoid pulmonary overexpansion. Once at the surface, I simply swim back to the boat, for example.

A different protocol would be incompatible with miniaturization, since there is no room for a backup system.

Green Prophet: Do you see Hydrophilis as a replacement for scuba diving, or as an entirely different category of underwater experience?

I see Hydrophilis more as a different approach. Something like a freediver who does not need to hold their breath!

It will never compete with traditional scuba diving, but rather offer a different way of diving and moving through the marine environment.

Green Prophet: What was the greatest engineering challenge in building such a compact underwater breathing system?

For optimal penetration through the water, the fairing had to occupy the smallest possible volume. Miniaturization therefore became an obsession, while still respecting breathing-hose diameters and mouthpiece dimensions compatible with effortless breathing.

For example, I had to modify a mouthpiece so that it would take up the least possible space. The miniature cylinder (1 liter / 300 bar), with its optimal shape, the soda lime filter integrated into the body of the prototype, and the counterlung specially built to conform as closely as possible to the interior of the fairing were all part of this process.

The weighting system as well, using cobalt shot (18 g/cm³), is worn underneath the freediving suit.

Green Prophet: Could Hydrophilis ever become a commercial product?

I honestly have no idea.

The major issue with certification is that the required counterlung volume is at least 5 liters. Mine is about 3 liters, which is entirely sufficient. So it would first require convincing certification experts to change their mindset so that such a design could be recognized. Not simple.

Then there is the question of whether there would even be a market for Hydrophilis. That is uncertain as well, because the use of soda lime means it will never become a true mass-market product.

Personally, my primary goal has always been to explore this hydrodynamic concept and enjoy the experience myself, without aiming for commercialization.

Could it inspire similar projects in the future? Time will tell.

The post Hydrophilis rebreather, an interview with Oliver Isler appeared first on Green Prophet.

When Green Prophet first wrote about the experimental Hydrophilis rebreather by Swiss inventor Oliver Isler, the internet reacted exactly the way the internet reacts to unusual design.

(We have an exclusive interview on the Hydrophilis rebreather here.)

People compared the sleek underwater breathing device to a phallus. Others joked that divers wearing it would become “shark bait.” Some called it ridiculous. Others said it looked like science fiction. But underneath the mockery there was something else: curiosity. A lot of curiosity.

The original article on Hydrophilis, Isler’s radically streamlined underwater rebreather system, sparked strong reactions because the device doesn’t look like normal scuba gear. Instead of bulky tanks and hoses strapped awkwardly to the back, Hydrophilis wraps the diver into a smooth hydrodynamic shape designed to move through water more like a dolphin than a machine.

And while many commenters laughed, others were fascinated by the possibility of quieter, bubble-free diving with less drag and less physical effort. We reached out to Oliver Isler after the reaction online and asked him what he thought about the sudden attention.

We reached out to Oliver Isler after the reaction online and asked him what he thought about the sudden attention.

“Thank you for article, which explains very well the philosophy behind my prototype, designed to be as much as possible in symbiosis with its environment, moving easily with the least possible effort,” Isler tells Green Prophet.

“The greatest challenge was the miniaturization of everything that could be reduced in size, while still remaining comfortable from a breathing standpoint. I dive either on pure oxygen (0 – 6 m), with an autonomy of about 90 – 100 min., or on Nitrox 55 down to 20 m depth, with an autonomy of 45 – 50 minutes.

“I have completed 54 dives so far. My 2 mm freediving wetsuit is intended for warm water (above 18 degrees).”

The original article on Hydrophilis, Isler’s radically streamlined underwater rebreather system, sparked strong reactions because the device doesn’t look like normal scuba gear. Instead of bulky tanks and hoses strapped awkwardly to the back, Hydrophilis wraps the diver into a smooth hydrodynamic shape designed to move through water more like a dolphin than a machine.

“The goal was never to make something provocative. The idea came from a dream I had more than fifteen years ago where I was swimming peacefully among whales and dolphins.”

That dream eventually became Hydrophilis, a chest-mounted closed-circuit rebreather system that attempts to rethink how humans move underwater. Instead of treating diving like hauling industrial equipment into the sea, Isler designed the system around hydrodynamics and low resistance.

“The ideal shape for minimum resistance is the NACA airfoil,” he explains, referring to the aerodynamic forms developed for aircraft engineering. “Everything was built around that principle.”

The Hydrophilis rebreather currently weighs about 10 kilograms and integrates ballast, breathing equipment, and streamlined body shaping into a single form. Unlike traditional scuba tanks worn on the back, the breathing system sits on the chest. Isler says this decision was partly made “to avoid Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE), a dangerous affliction whose risk is higher when inhaling from a back-mounted counterlung.”

The device is still experimental. There is no commercial model yet and no announced certification process. Isler says he has completed several dozen dives while continuing to refine buoyancy, visibility, and breathing performance underwater.

Some divers online questioned whether the design is practical. Others wondered whether the unusual shape could attract sharks.

“Suddenly I feel a little inadequate, wrote one commenter.”

But for many underwater enthusiasts, freedivers, futurists, and marine technology fans, Hydrophilis represents something refreshing: an attempt to rethink scuba from the ground up instead of endlessly refining the same tanks and hoses developed decades ago.

Traditional scuba equipment made humans capable underwater. Hydrophilis asks whether humans can become more natural in the water itself.

That difference may explain why people reacted so strongly.

“There is still work to do,” Isler says cautiously. “It’s impossible to say whether it will become a model for the future.”

Still, the project has already succeeded in doing one thing rare in the diving world: getting people to imagine a completely different relationship between the human body and the ocean.

And maybe that’s why even the critics couldn’t stop talking about it.

Green Prophet looks forward to following Hydrophilis as the technology develops and hopes to speak again with Oliver Isler in future interviews about underwater mobility, silent diving systems, and the future of human interaction with the sea.

Background from Green Prophet’s original Hydrophilis feature.

The post Hydrophilis Rebreather: After the Penis Jokes and Shark Bait Memes, Oliver Isler Says His Underwater Dream Is Serious appeared first on Green Prophet.

Oliver Isler didn’t begin with a product idea. He began with a dream. “More than fifteen years ago,” he said to In Depth Magazine, “I had a beautiful dream in which I was swimming peacefully among whales and dolphins,” he writes, recalling the moment that set everything in motion. When he woke, the thought stayed with him: perhaps with a small, integrated breathing system, a human could move through the ocean with something closer to that same ease.

We have an exclusive interview with Oliver Isler on Hydrophilis here.

From that idea came Hydrophilis, a device that looks less like dive gear and more like an attempt to reshape the human body into something hydrodynamic. When I first learned to dive, it was no easy task connecting all the parts of the breathing apparatus. Under the water, it never really felt like it belonged to me. Could this new invention make Scuba diving more accessible and safe?

Related: Are diving trips to the Rea Sea safe? 

The problem Oliver is trying to solve is not simply how to breathe underwater. That problem was addressed long ago. The deeper issue is how awkward, noisy, and inefficient humans remain in the water even with modern equipment. Complicated tanks, hoses, and regulators turn the diver into a slow, bubbling machine.

Even advanced rebreathers, while quieter, are still bolted onto the body, creating drag and distance between the diver and the environment. Hydrophilis tries to erase that separation. Isler approached the design as an aerodynamics problem, noting that “the ideal shape for minimum resistance is the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) airfoil,” and he built the entire form around that principle.

The result is a system where the breathing apparatus is not worn but integrated. The rebreather sits on the chest rather than the back, which he chose deliberately “to avoid Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE), a dangerous affliction whose risk is higher when inhaling… from a back-mounted counterlung.”

The helmet extends forward in a smooth cone, reducing turbulence, while the body remains close-fitted and free of external weights that would disrupt flow. Even the ballast is hidden in the fabric. Everything is shaped to move water aside rather than fight it.

There is also a philosophical shift here. Traditional dive gear assumes resistance and compensates for it with power and air supply. Hydrophilis assumes that the better solution is to reduce resistance until less effort is needed in the first place. Isler reports that the system allows “reasonably good” speed with minimal effort, especially when paired with a monofin, and that autonomy reaches between 60 and 90 minutes depending on exertion.

That is achieved with a remarkably small system, built around a one-liter tank and a compact rebreather, far removed from the heavy configurations divers are used to.

Still, the project is not finished. Isler has completed a few dozen dives and continues to refine the design, adjusting buoyancy, improving visibility, and solving issues like occasional leakage under certain breathing conditions. There is no commercial version yet (angel funding anyone?), no certification pathway announced, and no clear date when something like this might be available beyond experimental use.

Even he is cautious about its future, writing that “it’s impossible to say whether it will become a model for the future,” though he clearly finds satisfaction in having built something entirely original.

What Hydrophilis does offer, even in its unfinished state, is a different direction. Jacques Cousteau helped free divers from the surface by giving them independent air, but the systems that followed defined the diver as someone carrying life support into an alien world. (Related: we interview Cousteau’s grand-daughter here).

Isler’s work suggests another path, one where the human form adapts to the physics of water instead of overpowering it. The silence of a rebreather, the reduced drag of a continuous shape, the possibility of moving without bubbles or strain, these are not just technical improvements. They change the relationship between diver and ocean.

The post Hydrophilis SCUBA gear could make us one with the sea appeared first on Green Prophet.

The damage appeared on Google Earth, and then was somehow scrubbed: but we have obtained a before and after photo of Qatari development on Assomption Island in the Seychelles. The same images appear on the landsat open source data supplied by EU’s Copernicus. Why this matters? Assomption Island, one of Seychelles’ Outer Islands lying just 25 miles from Aldabra Atoll, is being rapidly transformed by large-scale construction despite global concern over its ecological importance.

Once lightly inhabited and largely recovering after decades of limited human activity, Assomption is now the site of major earthworks, dredging, and runway expansion for an ultra-luxury development on the beach –– that conservationists say could permanently alter the island’s environment and threaten nearby Aldabra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “outpost of evolution.”

Photographs and satellite images taken between approximately 2023 and June 2025 show widespread clearing of dunes and vegetation, the extension of the airstrip across the center of the island, and the preparation of foundations for as many as 40 villas. The development, backed by Qatari investors through a company Assets Group, aims to create a luxury resort enclave marketed to the ultra-wealthy. Only the ultra wealthy can hope to dive around the atoll. Getting there means a small plane into Assomption and then a charter boat to the island. Guests need to sleep on the boat. Read this personal account of being a dive master at Aldabra Atoll.

Conservation groups, including Friends of Aldabra and Seychelles at Heart, say the project has proceeded without proper environmental oversight and in violation of Seychelles’ own constitutional protections guaranteeing citizens the right to a healthy environment.

Environmentalists have warned that Assomption’s beaches are vital nesting sites for green and hawksbill turtles and that dredging and construction will destroy their breeding grounds. One widely circulated photograph released by Friends of Aldabra shows a dead turtle crushed in the sand by machinery.

Researchers who have studied the island for decades describe it as a key ecological buffer for Aldabra, helping to protect the atoll from pollution, invasive species, and light disturbance. If Assomption’s natural systems collapse, they warn, Aldabra could be next.

In September, two Seychellois citizens, Victoria Duthil and Lucie Harter, filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court of Seychelles to halt the project, arguing that it undermines the country’s environmental laws and its international obligations under UNESCO conventions. The petition targets the government, which granted the development lease and continues to issue work permits despite the legal challenge. The lawsuit has become a rallying point for citizens alarmed by the scale of change occurring on the remote island and by the lack of transparency surrounding the project. This issue will probably determine the next election in the Seychelles.

An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the resort identified major long-term risks to turtle nesting, dune stability, and coastal habitats, yet many of its recommendations appear to have been ignored. Conservationists say the new lighting and air traffic alone will devastate nocturnal wildlife. Beach dredging, they add, has already altered currents and sediment flows, increasing the risk of erosion and devastating turtle nesting sites. Pollution and runoff from the site in water and by air are expected to travel toward Aldabra, which hosts 100,000 giant tortoises and some of the most diverse coral ecosystems in the world. Every visitor to that island must have their clothing and shoes checked for the tiniest of seeds.

Developers have advertised the Assomption project as a sustainable tourism venture that will bring jobs and foreign revenue to Seychelles. They have hired a British PR firm called the PC Agency headed by Paul Charles and a Swedish “environmentalist” photographer Jesper Anhede to scout locations and to court buyers and “eco” builders. We reached out to Charles and Jesper to which there has been receipt of our inquiries, but no comments made. Jesper blocked us on Instagram.

Environmental groups like Friends of Aldabra are worried because they counter that the resort’s marketing materials promise exclusive access to Aldabra, a strict conservation zone closed to mass tourism. They warn that the development of Assomption creates an open channel—physical and economic—between Aldabra and the luxury market, undermining decades of conservation policy designed to keep the atoll isolated from human disturbance.

The controversy comes at a politically fragile moment. National elections remain undecided, with about 10 candidates facing pressure to define their positions on the Outer Islands. We spoke with one candidate, Marco Francis, candidate of the Seychelles United Movement, who has pledged to strengthen protections for Seychelles’ marine reserves and eradicate corruption. The outcome of the election may determine whether construction on Assomption is paused, reversed, or expanded.

Until recently, Assomption had been protected under national environmental frameworks, serving as a controlled buffer to Aldabra’s strictly protected ecosystem. Conservationists say that status has now been effectively removed. What began as a quiet island has become a construction hub for a luxury enclave which will give access to Aldabra and other isolated islands that most Seychellois, a nation of 120,000, will never see.

Environmental observers argue that the issue is larger than Assomption alone. It symbolizes the growing global tension between development and conservation in fragile island states.  If this project continues unchecked, the “outpost of evolution” may be destroyed.

Aldabra faces another global problem — plastic pollution washing up from across the Indian Ocean. Cleaning it up would cost millions. Even a lost flip-flop from Zanzibar can end up on its beaches.

Get educated about protecting Aldabra Atoll:

• Seychelles activists sue government for Qatari development on turtle nesting sites
• Seychelles’ Assomption Island Sold to Qatar: An Alleged $50M Deal Sparks Uproar
• Seychelles’ UNESCO island under threat from luxury development and Qatari-linked terror funds
• Seychelles and the battle with royalty, rats, and the last truly wild places left on Earth
• Q&A: Dr. Nirmal Jivan Shah on Assomption Island, Qatar, and the state of conservation in the Seychelles
• “They Knew They Shouldn’t Be There”: Journalist Kevin Gepford on rising pressures at Aldabra
• They Call Her Madam Torti. She Might Be the Only One Who Can Save Seychelles Turtles
• Yaniv Levy’s lifelong quest to protect sea turtles in a time of war and greed
• Light pollution on animals
• Flip flops take over shores of the Seychelles

The post Images of Assomption Island development show extensive beach development appeared first on Green Prophet.

New investigative findings from German magazine stern and broadcaster RTL confirm what Green Prophet reported on last year: Egypt’s luxury liveaboard dive boat industry has systemic safety problems that put lives at risk. Their joint undercover investigation into the sinking of the Sea Story in November 2024 — a disaster that killed 11 people — reveals a chain of failures by the captain, operator, and authorities.

On November 25, 2024, the Sea Story capsized and sank in the Red Sea with 30 divers and 15 crew aboard. Among the dead were three Germans, two Britons, two Poles, one Slovak, and three Egyptians. Initial official statements blamed a “giant wave,” but stern and RTL’s review of Egyptian prosecutor files found that waves were only about two metres high — far from extreme conditions. One survivor we spoke with said the sea was not rough when the boast started listing and sinking.

According to the Hurghada public prosecutor, the vessel should never have left port. The captain lacked the required operating licence, and the company, Dive Pro Liveaboards, had no authorisation to run the ship on the high seas. People we spoke with said that the captain wasn’t driving the boat, it was the cook and he was stoned.

Despite this, military forces at the port reportedly approved the voyage. Investigators also documented serious structural stability deficiencies in the vessel’s design.

These revelations mirror Green Prophet’s earlier reporting on the Sea Story’s instability and poor safety gear, and on Dive Pro’s previous fatal accident involving the Sea Legend fire in February 2024 (read our coverage here).

Undercover Safety Audit

To investigate wider industry standards, stern and RTL sent undercover reporters onto 17 liveaboard vessels across three Egyptian ports. Their findings — confirmed by international marine safety experts — were damning:

• All vessels had safety deficiencies; most were serious or very serious.
• Life jackets were often unsuitable; life rafts were inadequate.
• Many lower decks lacked proper bulkheads; some ships had missing or inaccessible emergency exits.
• Navigation and communication equipment was missing on some boats.
• Unsafe practices, such as smoking in the engine room while the diesel engine was running, were observed.

Marine engineer Mick Uberti of Maritime Survey International, who reviewed the findings, said these results match his company’s inspections over the past two years — all eight ships they examined in Egypt were “in poor condition.” The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has also concluded that many Red Sea dive safari ships are “poorly constructed.”

Pattern of Accidents

Green Prophet has tracked a troubling pattern of incidents in the region. In our follow-up report on the rescue site, survivors described missing safety drills and inadequate emergency preparation. Other industry accidents — from dive boat fires to groundings — suggest the Sea Story tragedy is part of a wider safety crisis in Egypt.

In the past three years alone, more than half of the world’s liveaboard dive boats that have run aground, burned, or sunk were operating off Egypt’s Red Sea coast — one of the most popular destinations for European dive tourism.

Unanswered Questions

The stern and RTL investigation raises urgent questions for Egyptian regulators:

• Why were licensing and vessel classification rules ignored?
• What inspections — if any — did the Sea Story pass before departure?
• Were official weather advisories ignored?
• What mechanisms ensure safety compliance for operators?

Until these questions are answered and meaningful reforms are made, divers and tourists face unacceptable risks in Egyptian waters. Dive at your own risk.

The full stern and RTL documentary, “Death Trap Red Sea – Journey into Disaster”, will be available from September 11, 6:45 p.m. CET on stern.de and RTL+.

The post Undercover divers find fatal flaws in Egypt’s dive boat industry appeared first on Green Prophet.

Saudi Arabia is redefining luxury travel, offering an unparalleled blend of exclusivity, sustainability, and innovation. At the heart of this transformation is Shebara Resort, a futuristic getaway in the Red Sea that rivals destinations like the Maldives—without the long-haul flight. Plus the Maldives jailed their environment minister, accusing her of witchcraft. With cutting-edge design, a commitment to sustainability, and stunning marine biodiversity, Shebara is the perfect luxury escape for eco-conscious travelers.

Related: Sindalah resort in Saudi Arabia

What It’s Like to Stay in a Shebara Pod

Imagine waking up to panoramic ocean views in a sleek, mirrored pod floating above the turquoise waters of the Red Sea. Each villa at Shebara Resort is designed to reflect the sea and sky, creating a seamless connection between architecture and nature. The futuristic pods are made of stainless steel, blending into the surroundings while offering luxurious interiors, including floor-to-ceiling windows, plush bedding, and private decks with direct water access.

By day, you can relax in your private infinity pool, gaze at the marine life below, or step straight from your villa into the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. The resort is completely off-grid, powered by renewable energy, meaning you can enjoy modern luxuries with a clear conscience.

Swimming and Marine Life in the Red Sea

The Red Sea is one of the world’s most breathtaking underwater paradises, offering exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities. Unlike the Maldives, which faces rising coral bleaching due to climate change, the Red Sea’s reefs are naturally resilient to higher temperatures, making them some of the most vibrant and well-preserved coral ecosystems in the world.

Related: dive boat sinks in Egypt- a survivor’s story

What can you see while swimming?

• Colorful coral gardens teeming with life
• Schools of tropical fish, from clownfish to angelfish
• Graceful sea turtles gliding through the water
• Majestic manta rays and dolphins

Are There Sharks in the Red Sea?

Yes, but they’re not a threat to humans. The Red Sea is home to reef sharks, whale sharks, and hammerheads, but attacks on swimmers or divers are extremely rare. Reef sharks are shy and typically avoid humans, while the gentle giant whale shark (the world’s largest fish) is a highlight for divers and snorkelers. Every couple of years there is a shark attack in the Red Sea in Egypt. But attacks are rare.

Why Shebara is Better Than the Maldives

1. Closer to Europe → Lower Emissions

   • A shorter flight means less environmental impact compared to the Maldives.
   • Direct flights to Saudi Arabia are easier and faster from Europe and the Middle East.

2. Sustainability

   • 100% solar-powered resort
   • Minimal environmental footprint with floating villas that preserve marine ecosystems

3. Undiscovered Paradise

   • Unlike the Maldives, which can feel overcrowded, Shebara offers exclusivity in a relatively untouched environment.

4. A Key Part of Saudi Vision 2030

   • A prime example of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable tourism and economic diversification.

Shebara Resort offers a next-level luxury experience that combines futuristic design, unspoiled nature, and sustainable tourism. For those looking for an exclusive getaway without the long-haul travel to the Maldives, this Red Sea gem is the perfect choice. After your island getaway jump on a slow train around Saudi Arabia.

Would you stay in a futuristic floating pod in Saudi Arabia? ?✨ Scroll down for photos.

::Shebara

Update 2026: while the images above are renderings, the images below are the actual Sheba resort. Would you stay there for $2000 a night?

The post Shebara Resort: The Future of Luxury Travel in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Green Prophet.

Water-poor Jordan is home to numerous organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability. Here are ten prominent eco-organizations making significant contributions. Jordanians are extremely positive and friendly people. It’s worth a visit.

1. Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN): Established in 1966, RSCN is an independent national organization committed to protecting Jordan’s natural resources. It manages several nature reserves and spearheads efforts in wildlife conservation and environmental education.
   ::myjordanjourney.com
2. EcoPeace Middle East: This unique organization brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists to promote sustainable development and peace in the region. Their initiatives focus on water conservation, ecological rehabilitation, and fostering cross-border cooperation.
   ::ecopeaceme.org
3. Jordan Environmental Union (JEU): Serving as a national advocacy front, JEU comprises nine of Jordan’s most active environmental NGOs. Their collective efforts cover various environmental sectors, promoting stewardship and conservation across the country.
   :: jordanewe.com
4. Jordan Green Building Council (JGBC): Dedicated to promoting sustainable building practices, JGBC works to raise awareness and implement green building standards in Jordan’s construction industry.
5. Jordanian Friends of the Environment (JOFOE): This organization focuses on environmental education and awareness campaigns, encouraging community involvement in conservation efforts.
6. Energy Conservation and Environment Sustainability Society (ECESS): ECESS advocates for energy efficiency and the adoption of sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.
7. Jordanian Society for Desertification Control and Badia Development (JSDCBD): Committed to combating desertification, this society implements projects aimed at land rehabilitation and sustainable development in arid regions.
8. Climate Action Network (CAN) Jordan: CAN Jordan works to address climate change by fostering partnerships among local communities, businesses, and government bodies, aiming to transition towards a sustainable society.
   ::prima-med.org
9. Jordanian Royal Ecological Diving Society (JREDS): Focusing on marine conservation, JREDS conducts activities related to the protection of marine ecosystems, particularly in the Gulf of Aqaba.
10. Edama Association: Edama is a business association that seeks innovative solutions in energy, water, and environment sectors, promoting sustainable development in Jordan.

Have an organization to add? Contact us walla@greenprophet.com

The post Jordan’s leading ecological organizations appeared first on Green Prophet.

Europeans have flocked to dive sites in Egypt because of the low cost tourism and liveaboard boats. Sinai and Egyptian Red Sea coral reef diving is a 4-hour plane ride from Europe.

Now that Saudi Arabia is opening up to tourism, westerners can skip the controversial Maldive Islands and head to the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia instead. Built on a pristine island is Sheybara, a series of water pods that offer privacy, and exclusivity.

See more sea pods here.

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On November 25, a dive boat called Sea Story with 44 souls capsized an estimated 18 nautical miles south of Marsa Alam, Egypt on the Red Sea. Some were rescued within half a day from rescue boats and the Navy. on November 25 Another 5 people were rescued the following day, some 36 hours after capsizing. Rescue divers went down and pulled 5 living people and 4 bodies from the wreck. Seven people are still missing. In total, 11 people lost their lives on this dive boat.

There are rumors that suggest that some people may have been trapped inside the wreck for the next few days after rescue on November 26 but the divers may have been too afraid to enter the wreck for the sharks circling the craft. Others connected to the rescue say this is nonsense. That the boat was searched from room to room on November 26. Here is a rescue story from one of the rescue team here (in Arabic).

Whatever the rumors, in a sad turn of events a boat of rescue divers were within a “30 minutes” boat ride and they could have assisted in the operation, one diver wrote, after seeing the outcome.

“At the time of the accident we were 30 minutes from the See Story boat full of professional technical divers with experience in salvaging from a sunken ship. One phone call and everything was different,” says Radik Simic in a popular Scuba diving Facebook group.

The families of those lost and those surviving still do not have accountability and closure. “What about foreign embassies and ambassadors? They should be responding because that’s what they’re paid to do. I don’t know what countries the divers were from to assist with this. Feeling incredibly sad to hear these obstacles impeding getting information, accountability and closure,” says one commenter on a recent article we posted to a Scuba diving group.

Could there have been a better outcome if dive boats and rescue divers are connected to a global alerts system? Can there be an app for that? How about a Whatsapp or Telegram chat group (international and country based) so that rescue divers the world over can get a call and rescue when in need? What diving group wants to start such an initiative?

All the Sea Story articles, including a story from a survivor can be found here.

If you have any new details about the Sea Story accident, please email seastory@greenprophet.com

American diver Jeffy Lee has travelled to Egypt: “It makes my blood boil at the fact that a few of us even had knowledge of such a catastrophic event and I personally found out about it from this group,” he says. “None of the media even gave two shits about the incident because it wasn’t an exciting “story” for them. Eleven lives were lost, and could have been prevented had it not been the ignorance and failure to follow standard protocols.

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Accounts from divers that are in Egypt: the liveaboard boats wating to take divers to exotic dive locations are currently grounded. Could this have something to do with MAIB in the UK?

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in the United Kingdom has been notified of three accidents within the last 20 months affecting UK citizens on Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea.

MAIB writes that these accidents include: the capsize of Carlton Queen on 24 April 2023 resulting in abandonment of the vessel with all passengers and crew rescued; a fire on Hurricane on 11 June 2023 resulting in the deaths of 3 UK nationals; the capsize of Sea Story on 25 November 2024 resulting in up to 18 fatalities/people missing, including 2 UK nationals, Jenny Cawson, 36, and her husband Tarig Sinada, 49, from Devon.

Another accident occurred this week but all 28 people were rescued. The accident allegedly included a refurbished wooden boat.

A miraculous rescue after 36 hours – a survivor’s story on the Sea Story.

Following the protocols in the IMO Casualty Investigation Code, the MAIB has formally registered the UK as a Substantially Interested State in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents.

From the evidence the MAIB has obtained so far, they write that “there is cause for serious concern about the safety of some of the Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea.

“The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAMS) setting out his concerns and seeking full participation in the EAMS investigations. In the meantime, the MAIB is preparing a safety bulletin for publication setting out the areas of concern that individuals intending an afloat-based diving holiday in the region should take into account before booking.”

Follow our Red Sea dive stories here.

If you are a victim of a dive boat accident in the Red Sea reach out seastory@greenprophet.com

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