Peter Letts Founder and PADI Course Director in Sydney

About Peter

Peter Letts is the founder of Abyss Scuba Diving and one of the key people behind the growth of Sydney’s modern scuba training community. His own diving journey began in Cairns in 1992, when a nervous first dive became the start of a lifelong passion.

Peter became an SSI Instructor in 1996, crossed over to PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in 1997, and became a PADI Course Director in 2008. His career spans beginner scuba training, instructor mentoring, emergency-response training, rebreather pathways, technical diving and specialty instructor development.

Although Peter is now semi-retired from day-to-day teaching, his influence is still visible across Abyss: in the focus on small-group training, patient instruction, Sydney local knowledge and helping divers keep progressing after certification.

Building Abyss Scuba Diving

In 2000, Peter left the corporate world to open Abyss Scuba Diving with his daughter Rachael Fallon and his first-ever student, Kellie Oldfield. The goal was simple: create a Sydney dive centre where learning to dive felt safe, personal and genuinely life-changing.

Under Peter’s leadership, Abyss Scuba Diving grew into one of Australia’s leading PADI 5-Star Career Development Centres. He was also among the early adopters of PADI eLearning in Australia and helped use digital communication and social media to make scuba diving more approachable for beginners.

In 2021, Peter was recognised with the Australian Underwater Products “Legend Award” for his lifetime contribution to the dive industry.

Experience and teaching focus

Peter’s background gives him a broad view of diver education. He has trained and mentored divers across beginner, continuing education and professional levels, with a strong focus on helping people replace nervousness with confidence.

Teaching philosophy

Peter’s teaching philosophy centres on confidence, comfort and connection. He believes scuba diving is not just a skill, but a mindset that opens people up to a deeper appreciation of the ocean and themselves.

“Every new diver starts out nervous — I know, because I was one of them. My goal is to help people turn that fear into fascination.”

Even after decades underwater, Peter still values the moment when a new diver takes their first breath below the surface. That belief continues through the Abyss team and the way students are supported before, during and after certification.

Favourite Sydney dive sites

Peter loves Sydney’s diverse coastline, from grey nurse shark encounters at Magic Point to the accessible shore dives at Bare Island and The Steps. Years of diving around Botany Bay and the Royal National Park have shaped his understanding of local conditions, marine life and seasonal patterns.

• Bare Island dive site guide
• Check Sydney dive conditions
• View guided Sydney dives

Notable certifications and achievements

Peter’s credentials reflect a career across recreational instruction, instructor development, emergency response training, technical diving, rebreather training and specialty instructor-trainer ratings.