In The News

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI®), the world’s leading scuba diver training organization, held an award ceremony at Sandals Montego Bay to recognize Sandals® Resorts and Beaches® Resorts for their incomparable contribution to diving education throughout the Caribbean. Most notably, the Luxury Included® resort company was presented the PADI Award of Outstanding Achievement for achieving more than 100,000 PADI certifications across both Sandals and Beaches Resorts since Sandals Resorts International’s (SRI) membership with PADI began in 1997.

"Issuing over 100,000 PADI certifications is a monumental accomplishment," said Erica Wedepohl, PADI Worldwide, Territory Director for Caribbean & Latin America. "In fact, Sandals and Beaches Resorts are among the few elite resorts worldwide to accomplish this tremendous achievement."

 SRI’s Group Watersports Director Michael Clarke, who was Jamaica’s first PADI Course Director under SRI, is also being recognized this year for earning PADI Gold Course Director status. This level signifies the following accomplishments as a PADI Course Director: 50+ Pro-Level Certifications; 20+ Dive Master (DM), Advanced Instructor (AI), Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI), or Instructor Development Course Staff Instructor (IDCS); and 60% or more Continuing Education (CE) ratio.

 Finally, a handful of PADI Elite Instructor Awards were distributed, which celebrates the achievements of SRI’s PADI Certified Dive Instructors who issued 50, 100, 150, 200 or 300+ certifications in one calendar year. In 2018, Sandals and Beaches hit the following milestones for numbers of PADI certifications issued to its guests:

50-99 PADI Certifications in 2018: 43 Elite Instructors

100-149 PADI Certifications in 2018: 17 Elite Instructors 

150-199 PADI Certifications in 2018: 15 Elite Instructors 

200+ PADI Certifications in 2018: 6 Elite Instructors 

 Sandals and Beaches Resorts have been voted one of the Top 5 Dive Operations in the Western Hemisphere by PADI, reinforcing the depth and comprehensiveness of its scuba program. The Luxury Included® resort company allows guests to take advantage of this program no matter the skill level – whether it’s your first time or you’re a certified diver – the program is tailored to guests to ensure they have the most comfortable and rewarding experience. And best of all, daily scuba diving for certified divers is included. 

To learn more about the comprehensive scuba programs offered at Sandals and Beaches Resorts, please visit www.sandals.com/scuba or  www.beaches.com/scuba.