My favourite travel memory wasn't a journey across the world—it was my first trip to the Mnazi Bay Marine Park. I had grown up only a short distance away, but I had never realised how incredible our ocean was. Seeing healthy coral reefs, colourful fish and sea turtles made me feel like I had discovered a completely new world. It also made me realise that sometimes you don't need to travel far to find paradise. That experience inspired me to learn scuba diving, become involved in coral restoration and share this amazing place with visitors from around the world.
Staff Spotlight: Buruhani Hamisi Ismaili
Title:
Bar manager & Diver in trainingPhotos
Born and raised in Mikindani, Tanzania, Buru has been part of the Eco2 Diving team since 2020. Currently completing his Rescue Diver certification, he enjoys sharing his local culture with guests while contributing to coral reef restoration and working towards his dream of becoming a professional dive leader.
What is your favorite travel memory?
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
When I joined Eco2 Diving in 2020, I was working behind the bar and had never imagined that one day I would become a diver. I couldn't even swim at first. Since then, I have learned to dive, become an Advanced Open Water Diver and am now completing my Rescue Diver certification. I've also helped restore thousands of corals, improved my confidence when working with international guests and discovered a real passion for marine conservation. The experience has shown me that with the right support and a willingness to learn, you can achieve much more than you ever expected.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
One of my favourite stories came from a volunteer who told me that they had joined the programme to help restore coral reefs but ended up leaving with a much deeper appreciation for nature, local culture and the simple way of life in Mikindani. They said they had expected to make a difference to the reef, but instead the experience had changed the way they looked at the world. Hearing that reminded me that our programme is not only about conservation—it is also about learning from each other.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would definitely choose the Coral Restoration and Marine Conservation programme. It combines everything I enjoy most: scuba diving, protecting the ocean and meeting people from different countries. Every day is different, whether we're planting corals, monitoring the reef or simply sharing what we've learned with volunteers. I know from my own experience how exciting it is to discover the underwater world for the first time, and I believe there's no better way to learn about conservation than by getting involved and making a real contribution to the reef.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
What makes Eco2 Diving unique is that everyone works together towards the same goal. Volunteers, local staff and dive professionals all contribute to protecting the marine environment while learning from one another. I felt especially proud of our team during one of our community beach clean-ups, when volunteers worked side by side with local residents to remove a large amount of waste from the shoreline. It was inspiring to see people from different countries and backgrounds coming together to make a visible difference in just one day.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I believe the biggest factor in being a successful company is caring about both people and your purpose. At Eco2 Diving, we want every guest to feel welcome while also making a positive impact on the ocean. When people enjoy their experience, learn something new and feel that they have made a real difference, they leave with great memories and often inspire others to visit as well. I also believe that never stopping learning and always looking for ways to improve is an important part of long-term success.