Reem Al Humaidi: When Passion Leads from Humble Beginnings to the Depths of the Sea
Some stories begin with a clear plan, while others begin with a fleeting moment that we do not realize will change everything. Captain Reem Al Humaidi’s story belongs to the second kind. It began with a young woman who did not know how to swim and never imagined that the sea would become an essential part of her life. Today, she is a marine captain, a freediver who has reached a depth of 32 meters, and the founder of a marine project shaped by her passion and purpose.
Reem studied Computer Engineering, and her professional life could have taken an entirely different direction. However, a visit to the Daymaniyat Islands during her university years opened the door to a new world. For her, the visit was not simply a trip to a beautiful place; it marked the beginning of a different relationship with the sea—one that started with curiosity, developed through learning and skill-building, and eventually became a career and the foundation of Ocean Emotions.
Over the years, Reem learned to swim, practice freediving and scuba diving, and operate boats. She also trained in first aid, marine safety, and responding to different conditions at sea. The sea was no longer simply an adventure. It became a space for calm, freedom, and self-discovery, as well as a responsibility toward nature and marine life.
This experience also inspired her desire to help women approach the sea with confidence and a sense of safety, particularly those who fear or feel intimidated by the water. This led her to launch “Sakina in Water,” a program that forms part of a broader mission to make marine experiences a means of building confidence and discovering oneself.
In this interview with OmanSpire, we return with Reem to the beginning of her journey. We speak to her about the woman behind the title of captain, the moment that transformed her relationship with the sea, her experiences in the depths, the encounters that remain etched in her memory, our responsibility toward marine life, and the vision behind her project and her message to Omani women.
To begin, who is Reem Al Humaidi beyond being a marine captain and freediver?
Before becoming a captain, freediver, or marine tour organizer, I consider myself someone who is deeply passionate about life and new experiences. I love learning and discovering more about myself through every experience I undertake.
I studied Computer Engineering, but over time I realized that my passion was taking me in completely different directions—toward nature, the sea, adventure, and working with people. This taught me that the path we begin on is not necessarily the path we must continue following, and that we have the right to rediscover ourselves and create a path shaped by our passions.
I would describe myself as ambitious, independent, and curious. I enjoy setting new challenges for myself. Most importantly, I want everything I do to have meaning and to leave a positive impact, whether through the experience of someone who joins one of my trips, a woman who finds the space to try something she once feared, or someone who discovers a new side of Oman’s beauty.
In short, Reem is a woman who continues to learn, experiment, and grow with every step. She believes that the most beautiful things sometimes begin on paths we never planned to take.
You studied Computer Engineering. During your university years, did you ever expect to become a marine captain, freediver, and founder of a marine project?
Honestly, no, I did not expect it.
My connection with the sea began with an experience and a passion. With every new experience, I discovered another side of myself, until that passion gradually became a skill, then a profession, and eventually a project.
I believe the most beautiful part of the journey is that we never know where our first steps will lead us. Sometimes we begin with something we simply enjoy, only to discover over time that it can become an essential part of our lives and our purpose.
So, how did the real story between Reem and the sea begin?
My relationship with the sea did not exist in this form during my childhood. It began to take shape more clearly during my university years.
One of my first real experiences with the sea was a visit to the Daymaniyat Islands. There, I felt that I wanted to understand this world on a deeper level.
From the first time I arrived at the islands and saw the place, I felt something shift inside me. It was not merely a visit or a passing experience. I left thinking: How can I return to this place? How can I find a way to remain connected to it?
That was when I began searching for a way to become part of this world, until the sea became an essential part of my life.
You went from not knowing how to swim to operating boats, freediving, and managing a marine project. When you look back at your journey today, what surprises you the most?
What surprises me most is that I began from a point where I did not know how to swim at all, and today I operate boats, practice freediving, and manage a marine project.
But beyond everything I have learned, what amazes me most is discovering that I was capable of far more than I had expected.
This journey taught me that humble beginnings never determine how far a person can go.
The Sea Is More Than an Adventure
When speaking with Reem, it quickly becomes clear that her relationship with the sea has gone beyond the idea of a hobby or adventure. The place she initially approached out of curiosity gradually became a personal space where she learned as much about herself as she did about nature.
What does the sea mean to you today?
The sea is a safe space where I feel free and at peace, while also challenging myself and learning.
I believe I see it differently because my relationship with it is no longer connected only to adventure. It has become connected to learning, responsibility, and respect for nature, as well as the desire to share this feeling with others and introduce them to Oman’s beauty in a different way.
What has the sea taught you about life and about yourself?
It taught me to be more patient and calmer, and to accept that I cannot control everything. However, I can always be prepared and respond to circumstances using the knowledge and experience I have.
Over time, the sea did not only change me as a person; it also changed my perception of what I could offer.
That is where the idea for my project came from. I wanted to transform my love for the sea into experiences I could share with others and create a safe space, especially for women, that would bring them closer to the sea and introduce them to Oman’s beauty in a different way.
From Learning to the Responsibility of Leading Others
Getting close to the sea was not enough for Reem. The more she learned, the more curious she became, until operating boats became a natural step in a journey that began with passion and evolved into responsibility.
What inspired you to become a marine captain, and what was the most difficult stage of this journey?
My love for the sea and my desire to be closer to it and understand it better inspired me to learn how to operate boats and take responsibility for them.
The most difficult part was moving from the learning stage to practical application and taking responsibility for marine trips.
It was a stage filled with learning and experience. With every trip, I became more confident and calmer when dealing with the sea and its changing conditions.
How did you develop yourself from the ground up?
Through continuous learning and practical training. I made sure not to limit my development to one area of the marine field.
I learned and developed my skills in freediving, scuba diving, and boat operation, in addition to first aid, marine safety, and responding to different conditions at sea.
I strongly believe that working at sea requires comprehensive knowledge. Every skill I learned complemented the others and helped me reach the level I am at today.
To a Depth of 32 Meters: Where the World Falls Silent
After discovering the sea from above its surface, Reem wanted to understand the world hidden beneath it. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her freediving journey.
How did your freediving journey begin?
Curiosity and a strong desire to dive into the depths of the sea motivated me. I was drawn to freediving because it combines control and challenge while taking you into a completely different world beneath the surface.
I began training step by step, and with every experience, I discovered that my relationship with the sea was becoming deeper and stronger.
You have reached a depth of 32 meters. What goes through your mind when you are at those depths?
For me, freediving is not about challenging the depth as much as it is about challenging myself. Every descent teaches me something new about my ability to remain calm and trust myself.
At depth, everything around me becomes quiet. The noise of the world disappears, and my focus remains on myself and the moment I am experiencing.
With respect for the depth and the sea, along with proper training and experience, that feeling transforms into calm, focus, and a profound sense of freedom.
From Whale Sharks in Oman to Orcas in Norway
The sea has also given Reem encounters that are difficult to forget.
Is there a moment or encounter with a marine creature that has stayed with you to this day?
There are two encounters I can never forget.
The first was with a whale shark in Omani waters. Swimming beside the largest fish in the world and seeing this enormous yet gentle creature up close was an experience that left a deep impression on me.
The second took place in Norway, when I had the opportunity to swim with orcas.
The locations, animals, and experiences were very different, but the feeling in both cases was the same: awe, deep respect for the marine world, and a constant reminder of how vast and beautiful it is.
These experiences were not merely beautiful moments. They strengthened my connection with the sea and reinforced the importance of respecting and protecting marine life.
Discussion: Can We Enjoy the Sea Without Harming It?
At this point, the conversation with Reem takes a different direction. In her view, the closer people get to the sea, the greater their responsibility toward it becomes.
For her, introducing people to the beauty of Oman’s waters cannot be separated from teaching them how to protect them.
After spending so much time at sea, how do you view our responsibility toward marine life?
The diversity and beauty of marine life in Oman, from the Daymaniyat Islands to the country’s various coastlines, have had a profound impact on me. Over time, my awareness of the importance of protecting these places has continued to grow.
As a tour guide, I consider it part of my responsibility to introduce people to this beauty in a way that helps preserve it.
I am not simply sharing a marine experience with them. I also try to teach them how to interact with the sea and its creatures with respect and awareness.
Our responsibility begins with the simplest details: respecting marine life, avoiding touching or disturbing it, keeping the sea clean, and engaging with nature consciously.
Do you also try to make the experience at Ocean Emotions more than just a recreational activity?
Absolutely. At Ocean Emotions, we believe that change begins with us.
We try to make each trip more than entertainment. We want participants to experience the sea while learning from it, and to understand how to respect and protect it.
We always try to reduce the use of plastic as much as possible. We also raise awareness about the importance of not touching marine life or coral reefs, and remind participants that we are guests in this environment, not its owners.
Our goal is to enjoy the beauty of the sea today while protecting it so that it remains beautiful for future generations.
Ocean Emotions: A Project That Began with the Sea and Reached the Human Spirit
Reem did not want her project to be simply an organization that arranged marine trips. Over time, she realized that these experiences could create meaningful change, particularly for women who had never had the opportunity to approach the sea or who still felt afraid of it.
What message did you want Ocean Emotions to represent?
I wanted the project to be a safe space for women—a place where they could try, discover, and step outside their comfort zones while feeling secure.
I believe many women want to experience new things, whether in the sea or in nature. However, what sometimes holds them back is the lack of a suitable environment or people with whom they feel safe and confident.
That is why I made sure our trips are built on trust, respect, and attention to detail. I want every woman to feel that she is surrounded by trustworthy people who care about her experience and safety.
My message is to create a community that encourages women to try, learn, and discover Oman in a different way; to create beautiful memories while feeling safe and connected; and, at the same time, to learn about the beauty of Oman’s sea and nature, respect the environment, and help protect it.
“Sakina in Water”: When Overcoming Fear Becomes an Achievement
One of the initiatives that emerged from this mission is “Sakina in Water,” a program Reem created for women who feel afraid or intimidated by the water.
What does it mean to you to help a woman overcome her fear of the sea?
It means a great deal to me because I know that fear of the sea can become a barrier that prevents women from experiencing beautiful things.
That is why I like to support women step by step, helping them feel safe and build confidence until they can enjoy the water instead of fearing it.
This belief led me to launch “Sakina in Water,” a program designed for women who are afraid of or uncomfortable in the water. Through it, I help them overcome their fear and gradually build confidence in the water in a safe and supportive way.
Where do you see Ocean Emotions five years from now?
My greatest goal is to create an experience that transforms a woman’s relationship with the sea and with herself—to have her enter the sea feeling afraid and hesitant, and leave feeling more confident, courageous, and certain of her ability to take on new experiences.
In five years, I hope and aspire to see Ocean Emotions become more than just a project. I want it to grow into a community that brings women together through the sea, nature, and adventure, and helps many women discover a new side of themselves.
I also hope that we will contribute to presenting Oman’s beauty to the world and help introduce people to its seas and natural landscapes in a way that respects and protects them for future generations.
A Message to Omani Women
Before the end of the interview, we wanted to move from the sea back to the human being—to the woman who may be reading Reem’s story while carrying a dream but still hesitating to take the first step.
On Omani Women’s Day, what would you say to every woman or girl who has a dream but is still waiting to find the courage to pursue it?
My message to every Omani woman and girl with a dream is: Do not wait until you feel completely ready, because courage often comes after we begin, not before.
Always start with a small step. Look for your passion, learn your way forward, and do not be afraid of humble beginnings.
I also started Ocean Emotions with nothing more than passion and a dream. Over time, that dream became a project and a mission I believe in.
That is why I believe every dream deserves a chance, even if we do not know from the beginning where it will take us.
Finally, do you have a special message for Oman Spire, and would you recommend that our team join you for a marine experience?
Thank you to Oman Spire for creating this beautiful space, through which you allow people in Oman and around the world to discover inspiring stories and experiences from the country.
I wish you continued success and excellence, and I hope you continue supporting Omani talents and projects and showcasing them to the world.
I would certainly recommend that your team join us for a marine experience. It is an opportunity to step away from the routine of work, recharge, and create different memories surrounded by Oman’s remarkable sea and nature.
The experience I would choose for you would be a marine trip that combines relaxation and exploration, with the opportunity to observe marine life and discover the beauty of Oman’s waters up close.
Conclusion
When Reem Al Humaidi began her relationship with the sea, she did not know how to swim. She also had no idea where that first step would eventually lead her.
Today, after years of learning and experience, she operates boats, dives to a depth of 32 meters, swims alongside extraordinary marine creatures, and manages a project whose vision extends far beyond the concept of marine tours.
But perhaps the most beautiful part of Reem’s story is not found in the numbers, the depths, or the titles.
It is found in the transformation.
Fear became knowledge. Curiosity became passion. Passion became a profession. The profession became a project. And the project became a message that seeks to leave an impact on others.
Through Ocean Emotions and “Sakina in Water,” her personal experience has become a gateway for helping other women create their own experiences and build a different relationship with the sea and with themselves.
At the heart of the story, the sea remains more than a place for adventure. It is an environment that requires our respect and protection. The more we understand its beauty, the greater our responsibility toward it becomes.
Reem’s story reminds us that the path we begin is not always the path we will continue to follow, and that changing direction is not the end of a dream. It may be the beginning of the dream’s true journey.
From a girl who did not know how to swim to a woman who confidently leads others toward the sea, Reem Al Humaidi proves that some dreams do not begin when we are completely ready… they begin when we find the courage to take the first step.
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