Lauderdale Diver — Attraction in Dania Beach

Update: I was told this review was removed because it was too good. Since that's discrimination, I'm reposting it! This was 5 years ago, bear in mind, but I still dive with LD (I mean as soon as Covid is over) so it's still what I think. I ended up getting 4 certs with the Davis instructors, and have done about 35 dives now, most of them with LD & nearby boats.

Original review:

I found and chose Lauderdale Diver based on google reviews - so I'm happy to say: it was a great decision. I have nothing but awesome reviews for my experience with Lauderdale Diver, based on my personalized classes and dives with Rob and Sylvia Davis.

What happened is that I signed up for the PADI Open Water certification first, and then enjoyed it so much, I decided to take the Advanced Open Water cert as well.

Here's a general idea of how things went:

I tend to be a very on-time person, so I was really pleased that everything happened as scheduled. This is really important if you are waking up to be at the shop at 7:30 a.m. on vacation!

It was also great to see that my instructors followed the PADI requirements to a T. Even though they made sure we had lots of fun, everything was taken very seriously in terms of the learning. I like to learn things right from the get-go, and my instructors really helped me do that.

In regard to how things worked, I didn’t have any complaints about the operations at all. The facility for the classroom instruction was clean and comfortable, with working technology. The pool dive was conducted at a nearby facility that was convenient. And the boat dives used operators that used the highest safety standards (role calls, etc.), and we went to both wrecks and reefs for our dives. The equipment I rented was also really good, and I got the store discount as well when I purchased my fins, mask, etc.

In regard to the instruction, working with Rob & Sylvia, and the dives, I can’t say enough good things. This was SUPER FUN to do! Even though it was technical, the instructors made it an absolute blast to learn and dive. Everything was covered very thoroughly (yes, I did all my written homework ahead of time), and yet there was an enthusiasm for diving that I found really contagious.

Of course it helped that I saw two turtles, a nurse shark, and a ton of underwater life. And the instructors took lots of pictures of me diving! :) I got to dive in both calm and windy seas, so I got the full range of experience. I feel pretty confident that I can dive in a good variety of places and conditions now.

I had so much fun that I can say for sure - I highly, highly recommend working with the Davis instructors at Lauderdale Divers. I actually plan to get more certifications the next time I go down (such as peak buoyancy and enriched diver). As Rob says – happy bubbles!...

With an upcoming vacation to the Eastern Pacific fast approaching, I was determined to find a top-tier PADI-rated dive school to get my daughter and me Open Water Diver certified. After extensive research, I’m beyond thrilled that we found Lauderdale Diver—and, more importantly, Jorge Altuna, our incredible PADI instructor.

Diving, at first, can feel overwhelming. The sheer amount of course material to absorb can seem daunting, but Jorge made the learning process seamless and enjoyable. From the moment we stepped into the shop, he guided us through a hands-on orientation of the equipment and diving principles, creating a strong foundation before we even hit the water. This approach made transitioning to pool training effortless and rewarding.

Jorge’s teaching style is nothing short of exceptional. With years of experience both in the classroom and beneath the waves, he transformed technical lessons into immersive experiences. His patience, enthusiasm, and deep knowledge of diving allowed us to learn in a relaxed and engaging environment, ensuring we felt safe, confident, and truly excited about our progress.

What set this experience apart was that it wasn’t just about mastering the fundamentals—it was about embracing the true joy of diving and discovering the wonders of marine life. As we swam alongside Jorge, he pointed out fascinating ocean life and hidden artifacts, making every session an adventure. It was this connection with the underwater world that made our training feel so much more than just certification—it was an invitation to explore a new realm.

Thank you, Jorge, for making this journey unforgettable! We can’t wait to return for more excursions and...

We had our first discover scuba diving experience in Fort Lauderdale, and it was absolutely unforgettable—thanks to Jorge! From the very beginning, Jorge made us feel safe, comfortable, and excited about diving. He is extremely responsible and professional, but at the same time incredibly warm, friendly, and fun to be around. You can tell he truly loves what he does, and it shows in the way he takes care of his students.

We were a little nervous at first since it was our very first time diving after long time, but Jorge patiently guided us through every step, explained everything clearly, and made sure we were okay throughout the dive. His calm and positive attitude helped us fully enjoy the experience without any stress.

Beyond just being a great instructor, Jorge is a wonderful person. We had great conversations, shared laughs, and even became friends during the trip. We felt so lucky to have him as our guide—it truly made the experience feel personal and special. We even invited him to come visit us in Toronto sometime!

Without a doubt, we’ll be coming back to Fort Lauderdale to complete our Open Water certification, and we can’t imagine doing it with anyone else but Jorge. Thank you so much for the unforgettable memories—we appreciate you more than...