Michelle van Aardt is a passionate diver, entrepreneur, and ocean conservationist who, together with her husband Louis, has built one of South Africa’s most respected diving brands from the ground up.

Driven by a shared love of diving, the ocean, travel, and working with people, Michelle and Louis founded ProDive over two decades ago. What began as a small outlet known as the “Red Windmill” on the Port Elizabeth beachfront has grown into a trusted, world-class brand, known for delivering exceptional marine experiences.

In 2006, drawn by the spectacular reefs, rich marine life, and natural beauty of Plettenberg Bay, they expanded with ProDive Plett. Today, it stands as a world-class 5-Star PADI Dive Centre and an integral part of the Beacon Isle Resort.

Michelle’s passion extends beyond diving to creating unforgettable ocean experiences. ProDive’s renowned seal swim adventures in Plettenberg Bay reflect this commitment — combining safety, comfort, and world-class guiding, while ensuring both confidence in the water and meaningful encounters with marine life.

As co-owner of ProDive Travel, Michelle has travelled extensively, gaining first-hand insight into some of the world’s top dive destinations. This global perspective has helped shape ProDive Travel into a trusted name for curated, high-quality dive adventures.

Michelle’s journey is rooted in a deep respect for the ocean and a genuine desire to share its wonders with others — a philosophy that continues to define the ProDive experience today.