Professional Development
The only state-licensed scuba diving education facility in MIami
Diver’s Paradise Professional Institute is located in pristine Key Biscayne, a hidden gem found minutes outside of downtown Miami and Miami Beach—offering an island atmosphere of seclusion and relaxation.
We are the only state-licensed scuba diving education facility in Miami—certified by the Florida Department of Education.
We offer daily spectacular diving and snorkeling experiences to the reefs and wrecks that are located minutes from our dock. As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center and Training Facility, we offer all levels of scuba instruction.
Our heated pool and custom dive boats are located steps away from the store—making us unmatched in customer convenience. Our boats provide full amenities that include complimentary refreshments, drinks, music, heated showers, restroom and plenty of shade if you want it.
When arriving at our dive center, professional students will find ample & free parking, a fully stocked dive shop with all the latest toys and a knowledgeable & bilingual staff eager to assist.
We are committed to being on the leading edge of diver education and adhere to a performance-based curriculum, enabling students to progress at their own speed.
NOW
there will never be a better time
Find your professional scuba self with a comprehensive education at Diver's Paradise Professional Institutedive. learn. instruct.
Diver's Paradise Dive Center Is a One-Stop Shop for the Professionaldive shop
We carry all the best scuba brands—Aqualung, Mares, Atomic, Garmin, Shearwater. We also offer a full range of free-diving, spearfishing and technical diving equipment and are conveniently open 7 days a week.
dive pool
Our pool—located downstairs— is heated to a cozy year-around temperature of 86 ° F. On the pool deck we have picnic tables, a freshwater shower and plenty of space to hang and dry your wet gear.
gear rentals
Our top-of-the-line rental gear is in new condition. We have more than 160 rental tanks—steel and aluminum—DIN and yoke, Nitrox and air.
tank fill station
Our state-of-the-art fill system includes two top-of-the line Bauer Verticon compressors that pump meticulously clean air. The computer-assisted Nitrox and Trimix blending allows for precision blends. Save money with our pre-paid air cards—available in store.
dive boats
Our 40-foot & 46-foot Newton Dive Specials are custom-designed dive boats with SeaKeeper™ gyro-stability technology (the only scuba diving operation in the world with this technology). Our boats provide full amenities that include complimentary refreshments, drinks, music, heated showers, restroom and plenty of shade if you want it.
padi 5 Star IDC
As a PADI 5 Star Dive Center, we offer all levels of scuba instruction. Our professional scuba courses are centered on custom-designed training and instruction—keeping classes small and providing flexible course schedules.
Learn
to Make a Splash
Instructors
Diver’s Paradise Professional Institute
Scuba diving offers a new realm of adventure. Our well-trained and certified instructors believe that introducing people to this amazing new underwater world is a privilege, more than a job.
During professional training at Diver’s Paradise Professional Institute, students will work hard, learn new skills & techniques, while having fun in a safe & exciting environment. Our purpose is to train eligible students to become qualified dive professionals.
Our Instructors
Michael Casey
PADI Course Director
PADI Course Director and Managing Director Michael Casey has been working with fellow divers since 2008. He has an extensive background in marketing, administrative management and recreational scuba diving, as well as teaching and lecturing in recreational & professional diving courses.
Michael has conducted instructor training throughout the East Coast of America and the United States Virgin Islands. Citing the potential for professional development in greater Miami Dade County, Divers Paradise Professional Institute was born. For more than a year, Michael pursued Florida state-certified professional accreditation.
The institute earned 2022 university status from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE)—completing a rigorous application process and developing an FLDOE-approved curriculum unlike any other in the scuba industry.
Michael Pondel
PADI Course Director
Is an accomplished PADI-certified Open Water Scuba Instructor and a United States Coast Guard-certified boat captain.
As a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Open Water Scuba Instructor and Divemaster, Michael has learned the cornerstones of good leadership and service, making him an informative, precise instructor who champions diver safety above all else.
Leonardo Saldunbides
PADI Course Director
Leo Saldunbides, from Brazil, has more than 23 years of dive-industry experience. Leo is a PADI Course Director & DSAT TEC Sidemount Instructor Trainer with more than 9000 dives under his belt and has instructed more than 2600 PADI-certified students and GoPRO candidates—more than 700 around the globe—from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the cold waters of Europe. Leo has been awarded by PADI International, many years in a row. These award ratings are given only to those PADI instructor trainers who provide the highest level of quality in professional-level diver training, and the best track record for succeeding as an instructor trainer.
