Discover
Discover who we are and we do what we do.
It all started when we noticed that children from the age of 10 years were simply not getting the opportunity to scuba diving – nor did they suit the more common sports on offer such as soccer or rugby.
We also noticed that there was a gap in the market for boutique dive experiences and wanted to share the underwater world experiences with others.
We started OZDIVE with the vision of getting kids involved not only with diving but with the important topic of marine conservation.
Our vision grew and we created a scuba diving academy on the Gold Coast for all ages to join, where we would offer quality dive courses, local shore and offshore diving adventures, dive travel and most importantly a sense of belonging and connection to other like-minded individuals.
Four years on and with our family’s love of diving the Great Barrier Reef, we have expanded to Port Douglas to be able to share our love of the reef to both local, interstate and international visitors.
Key to our success is our emphasis and dedication to excellence – above and below the water. We aim to train our students like no other academy. How? By utilising a variety of techniques and training methods to enhance a diver’s skill level to be the highest they can achieve.
We do not certify on attendance – we certify on a student’s ability to dive well and meet the SSI training standards that we are committed too. We want our students to be the best divers they can be and have them set them apart from the rest when they go diving.
As an SSI Diamond Dive Centre we provide a full range of SSI scuba diving education programs, equipment selection and experience opportunities, while encouraging aquatic environmental responsibility.
By being awarded the Diamond status means we are recognised by SSI for providing professional and quality services to divers.
The high standards and practices that we embrace, extend into all aspects of our business, including our dive & snorkeling tours. As a family with five children having differing capabilities in the water (i.e from a 17 year old Junior Divemaster to an 8 year old mermaid), we know how important it is to cater to individual needs of each diver/snorkeler and to ensure that everyone has a fun (and safe) time when in the water.
We hope we can share our experience, love of the reef and dedication to high standards with you, your family and friends.
We are committed and embrace the SSI System of diver education and offer regular continuing education programs to ensure our divers can advance their skills and knowledge.
Our commitment also extends to our local community and providing customer satisfaction along with great dive experiences.
Safety – committed to our own safety and each other’s safety
“At all times aware of hazards to ourselves and other above and below the water…”
People – focussed on both our customers and our staff
“Treating everyone with humility, empathy and respect…”
Environment – conscious of our impact on a fragile undersea world
“Doing everything we can to leave only bubbles…”
Quality – determined to develop divers of all levels with uncompromising skills
“There are no shortcuts to being a great diver…”
Efficiency – believing in the continuous improvement philosophy
“Being better today than yesterday and even better tomorrow”
Cost – value for our customers begets a successful business
“Providing value in training, diving and travel…”
Unlike many dive vessels which are modified for scuba diving purposes, our purpose-built dive boat, Cygnet 1, has been designed and built specifically for divers – having all the features that experienced divers look for and new divers take comfort in.
With ample deck space, overhead compartments for stowing diver bags, individual rack system to hold two tanks per diver, rear access platforms (two) for giant side entry and a dive ladder to climb back onboard; as well as featuring twin 225 Suzuki four stroke engines which pushes her along at 40 knots – it really is the perfect vessel for the Great Barrier Reef.
Corey is our driven and passionate Master Scuba Diver Instructor. He just loves the sport of scuba diving and his primary goal is to ensure OZDIVE train all our students at the highest standard.
Corey aims for each student to reach their full potential as a diver and therefore places a strong emphasis on training standards, methods and techniques. Why?
So that OZDIVE students stand out from the rest and are truly competent – Corey certifies students on their skill level, not attendance.
Diving worldwide for over 30 years and having thousands of dives under his belt, Corey is a powerhouse in the water. His favourite wreck dive is the SS President Coolidge (Vanuatu) and his favourite (and once regular) dive destination is Sipadan with its over 400 species of fish and hundreds of coral species.
Corey’s passion is instructing and running courses. He is passionate about excellence in training.
Lisa is our Business and Marketing Operations managers who comes from a corporate background and quite frankly doesn’t miss it one bit! Although Lisa would love to dive more, she is usually busy organising everything we or our customers need, as well as answer any questions you may have. Outside of work, Lisa is busy taking care of her 3 kiddies, along with their fur baby, a Spoodle called Addie.
For Lisa, diving is a form of meditation and generally is like a space cadet when she dives – she commonly will have marine life such as a turtle swimming alongside her and she will have no idea!
Lisa believes that everyone should try diving, so that they can see how amazing the underwater world is, along with gaining a new appreciation for how important it is that we look after our oceans and its marine life.
Geoff completed his FAUI (Federation of Underwater Instructors) Open Water certification in 1977 when it was offered as a Wednesday afternoon school sport at Palm Beach-Currumbin High through Tweed Dive. Weather permitting, the school would either dive Cook Island or the Tweed River, every Wednesday afternoon.
Over the next few years Geoff would dive the coastal reefs off Tweed Heads, Palm Beach, as well as monthly weekend trips to Julian Rocks at Byron Bay.
Moving forward nine years later and with the ambition of becoming a Dive Master and Instructor, Geoff completed his Advanced and Rescue certification in 1986. However, as often happens in life, other career opportunities put this dream on hold.
Geoff continued to dive with his brother Steve (as Dive Master) and ran annual trips to Lady Musgrave Island out of Bundaberg; as well as diving the reefs off the Bunker and Capricorn Group for more than 10 years. Geoff also has been fortunate to experience diving in locations such as The Caribbean, Mexico and Thailand.
Having recently retired, Geoff decided to reignite his passion for diving and achieved his Dive Master certification this year with OZDIVE. Thus, paving the way for Geoff to do what he is passionate about – assisting new and experienced divers to get that buzz out of ‘blowing bubbles’ – just as he has done so for past 40+ years.
Geoff loves the type of people SCUBA diving attracts – enthusiastic, passionate and excitable – it’s not surprising to us all at OZDIVE as to why he and Corey get along so well.
As a result of Geoff’s career background, safety is at the core of his dive ethos – to quote Geoff, ‘It takes attention to detail to ensure we all come out of the water in exactly the same shape as we went in, albeit with another terrific experience under our belt’. We couldn’t agree more and are so grateful to have Geoff and his exemplary dive ethos be part of our tribe.
