Awards & Accolades

More Than 25 Years of Excellence in Diver Training, Professional Development and Customer Service

Recognised Across Australia and the Diving Industry

As the only PADI 5-Star Career Development Centre in NSW, Abyss Scuba Diving has built a reputation for excellence in diver education, instructor training, customer service and contribution to the scuba diving industry. Our awards reflect decades of commitment to helping people start diving, continue diving and become dive professionals.

Featured Professional Development Award

2026 PADI Asia Pacific Gold Professional Development Excellence Award

Awarded in recognition of Abyss Scuba Diving’s outstanding contribution as a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre. This award acknowledges excellence in professional-level diver training, including instructor development, continuing education and leadership in growing the scuba diving industry across the Asia Pacific region.

In 2025, Abyss achieved the professional training milestones required for this recognition, including a minimum of 50 professional certifications, at least 20 core professional certifications, 4 Open Water Scuba Instructor certifications and at least 30 Continuing Education Instructor certifications.

Learn About Becoming a PADI Instructor

PADI Awards & Honours

2026 – PADI Asia Pacific Gold Professional Development Excellence Award
Recognised for outstanding achievement as a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre and for excellence in professional-level diver education.
2007 & 2010 – Outstanding Dive Centre Business
Recognised as the best PADI dive centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
2012 – Favourite PADI Dive Shop (Global Winner)
Voted the world’s favourite PADI dive shop in a global contest – Read the official announcement.
2015 – Outstanding Contribution to Instructor Development
Awarded at DEMA by PADI’s CEO for leadership in professional dive training – Read the full story.
2016 – Entry-Level Training Award
2018 – Outstanding Contribution to Instructor Development
2019 – Outstanding Contribution to the Dive Industry
2020 – Outstanding Contribution to Diver Education
2021 – Outstanding Contribution to the Dive Industry
2022 – Outstanding Contribution to the Dive Industry
2023 – Outstanding Contribution to Diver Education
2024 – Outstanding Contribution to Diver Education
2025 – Outstanding Contribution to Diver Education
2025 – 25 Years of Outstanding Service Award

Dive Log Australasia Awards

Five-Time Australian Dive Centre of the Year
Consistently recognised by readers of Dive Log Australasia as one of Australia’s leading dive centres.
2013 – Best City Dive Shop
Awarded for excellence in metropolitan dive training, retail and service.

Industry & Manufacturer Awards

5x Oceanic Dealer of the Year
Recognised for outstanding retail performance and support of Oceanic & Hollis equipment.
2013 – AUP Dealer of the Year
2019 – Submerged Nation Retailer of the Year
2021 – AUP Legend Award to Peter Letts
A lifetime achievement award recognising Peter Letts’ long-term contribution to the diving industry.

PADI award presentation to Abyss Scuba Diving

By the Numbers

Over 33,000 certifications issued
Over 2,700 professional-level divers trained
4.9★ average across 2,700+ reviews on Google, TripAdvisor & Facebook

Why This Matters

Awards are important, but what matters most is what they represent for our divers. They reflect consistent standards in safety, training quality, customer care, professional development and long-term contribution to the dive community. Whether you are learning to dive, continuing your education or working towards becoming a dive professional, you are training with one of Australia’s most recognised dive centres.