Aqua Adventures by Scuba Dive Sosua — Local services in Puerto Plata

Well that was a wild story. I was looking for a SSI instructor to do my advanced certification. Just because I'm SSI since beginning and don't want to switch to PADI. Enough said.

I wrote several dive schools, asking for SSI instructors. Some didn't reply or replied and denied.

Sonia from Aqua Adventures replied right away and we had a nice little chat until everything was explained and set up.

Then the funny part started.

Later the day "Merlin" from next door to Aqua Adventures called. During the call I got told that the owner talked to all the dive schools around and he couldn't find a SSI Instructor. But anyway, I could do the advanced course with them and switch to PADI anyway. When I told them that I already found Aqua Adventures doing SSI, I got told that there must be a new teacher they don't know. Call ends.

Next day were picked up by Pablo, the owner of Aqua Adventures. For free and on time (my wife joined the course doing fun dives meanwhile). It was a sympathy right away. He really cared and was interested in us, our diving level and our trip.

I never felt that comfortable and safe in any other dive school. About 10 of them I have seen so far. Well we had five awesome dives to fulfill the specialties. Deepdive, Navigation, Scooter, perfect buoyancy and Wreck. High professional, good equipped and with the right amount of fun. Also the whole team does a great job and is super friendly and helpful. They really care about their customers.

We even went for lunch together and had some beers after the graduation to advanced adventurer.

Back to the fun part of the story. While talking at lunch, we were asked how we found their school and I told the story from above. Here is the thing..."Merlin" told Pablo that they recommended Pablo to us and that they would have sent us to Pablo.

Pablo told us there has always been trouble between the schools, just like it is in business.

I don't care why, how and who started it. What I care about is, when people lie to me. And the guy from "Merlin", who ever it was on the phone, lied to me right into my face (ear) by saying there is no SSI around, cause they're direct neighbours and Pablo does SSI (and PADI) since ever.

Now you can rate this story and choose by your own what to do.

All I have to say in the end, thank you Pablo, Miguel, Wellington and all of the team for the incredible two days you gave us.

Honoring,...

An excellent group of individuals. I first met up with Miguel, his smile was infectious and he shared easily. He was very good at explaining the lay of the land both below and above the Sosua Carribean waters.

My girlfriend had her first dive and although she was scared the Dive Master Franklin helped her relax. She did well and had a great time.

I certified in a 3 Month fresh water Dive course in University over 20 years ago. I kept diving for several years then stopped, needless to say I was a little rusty in my skill set. I did a quick refresher after showing my NAUI certification and it all came back despite some language confusion intially.

Both days out the waves and rollers added just enough raw danger in its power to race your heart. It was not a day for non sailors. The waves and wind were fierce and constant.

Once we got below we had to fight the under current some but my dive master Raoul was fearless and calm. We swam with the current and not against so we didn't tire. He showed me some tips to walk in full gear with a high wave bearing down on me above water when we were exiting. Smooth exit despite the crazy beachhead swells.

We did 100+ foot dives. My first dives in the Caribbean are the start of a beautiful relationship with this Sea. I look forward to another chance to explore this extreme sport on a much deeper level.

Muchas...

If anybody is visiting Amber Cove on a cruise and is looking for an amazing excursion, stop your search right here because Aqua Adventures by Scuba Dive Sosua is right for you!

We visited Amber Cove on the Carnival Freedom in December, 2021 and went with Aqua Adventures by Scuba Dive Sosua because we couldn't find a "resort course" or "discovery dive" excursion through the ship. We were picked up right outside the port with a number of other vendors (directions were very clear) and took a ~45 minute drive to the dive shop where we were introduced to everyone and brought to complete our pre-dive training. Everything was super efficient and the team at Aqua Adventures by Scuba Dive Sosua was amazing.

We ended up doing two discovery dives with Pablo (who was awesome), which were amazing. The water was warm and the underwater views were spectacular! Pablo even brought a GoPro (which we don't own) to capture some pictures and videos of us diving.

The team at Aqua Adventures by Scuba Dive Sosua was kept their eye on the clock for us so that we would make it back to the ship on time and arranged everything for us to make the excursion effortless!

I highly recommend Aqua Adventures by Scuba Dive Sosua to anybody in the area or coming via cruise. Reach out - the communication is super...