Scuba Training in Downeast Maine
Downeast Divers
Downeast Divers is your gateway to exploring the stunning underwater landscapes of Downeast Maine. Based at the University of Maine at Machias, we offer a unique opportunity for students, locals, and visitors to experience the thrill of scuba diving in some of the most pristine waters on the East Coast. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced diver, Downeast Divers provides comprehensive training and certification through partnerships with leading organizations like PADI, SSI, CMAS, and more. Our expert instructors are passionate about diving and dedicated to ensuring that each dive is safe, educational, and unforgettable. Join us to discover the hidden treasures beneath the waves and become part of a vibrant diving community.
Downeast Dive Mentors
Downeast Dive Mentors is dedicated to introducing the wonders of scuba diving to the Downeast Maine community. We specialize in providing personalized, hands-on scuba training for all levels, from beginners to advanced divers. Our mission is to mentor and guide you through your diving journey, ensuring you gain the skills and confidence needed to explore the underwater world safely and enjoyably. Partnering with top certification organizations like PADI, SSI, CMAS, and more, we offer flexible training schedules that fit into your busy life. Whether you’re a student at the University of Maine at Machias or a local resident, Downeast Dive Mentors is here to help you dive into new adventures and discover the beauty of the Downeast Maine coastline. Join us and become part of a community that’s passionate about the ocean and committed to preserving its wonders.
University of Maine at Machias Scuba Diving Club
Started by students at the University of Maine at Machias, the Downeast University Divers Club is a private sport, recreation, and travel club designed for both university students and the local community to learn about and participate in scuba diving activities.
Downeast University Divers is chartered by Dive Mentor, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides direct support and certification opportunities to affiliated clubs like ours. The training programs at Downeast Divers are recognized worldwide through partnerships with organizations like PADI, SSI, CMAS, PSS, SEI, and others.
If you would like more information about our programs or dive trips, to earn diving certifications, or even to become a professional scuba diver, please use the form at the bottom of this page or call 1-833-DIVE-MENTOR (348-3636). You can also reach us at IG@divementors or FB@divementor.
Areas We Dive
In and around the lakes and coast areas of Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Cherryfield, Deer Isle, East Machias, Eastport, Ellsworth, Gouldsboro, Hancock, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Lubec, Machias, Milbridge, Mount Desert, Perry, Steuben, Stonington, Sullivan, Surry, Tremont, Trenton, Winter Harbor. We also travel all over the world!
Dip Your Toe in the Water
Listen, we get it, not everyone is ready to jump feet first into the deep. Sometimes you have to try things out first to see if you actually like it, before you invest time and money. Our “Dip Your Toe” program lets you get wet without taking a bath. It’s inexpensive,
easy, and most of all a lot of fun. Just get in touch and we can share more details.
Get Certified
Our Open Water SCUBA course is the first step to becoming a certified SCUBA diver. It opens up the door for you to truly experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves. To enroll in Open Water Diver course or Junior Open Water Diver course, you must be 10 years old or older. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with scuba diving is required.
Advanced Open Water Diver
This course is designed to advance your diving, so you can start right after earning your PADI Open Water Diver certification (or if you have certification from any other organization such as NAUI, SSI, etc). The course helps build confidence and expand your scuba skills through different Adventure Dives. You’ll try out different specialties while gaining experience under the supervision of one of our Instructors, including a deep dive and underwater navigation.
Specialty Diver
There are scores of new and exciting specialities you can earn additional certifications in. For example, Nitrox, Underwater Photography, Emergency Oxygen Provider, Night Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Project AWARE Specialist, Public Safety Diver, Underwater Navigator, Underwater Videographer, Wreck Diver, and many more. Get in touch and we’ll discuss your continued learning options!
Rescue Diver
Scuba divers describe the PADI Rescue Diver course as the most challenging, yet most rewarding course they’ve ever taken. Why? Because you learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver, knowing that you can help others if needed. During the course, you learn to become a better buddy by practicing problem solving skills until they become second nature. Plus, the course is just fun – it’s serious, but still allows for lots of laughter in between the focused learning. Some of the topics you’ll learn are self rescue, recognizing and managing stress in other divers, emergency management and equipment, rescuing panicked divers, and rescuing unresponsive divers. Why not take the course now? Get in touch.
Divemaster
A career in the diving industry starts here; it’s your first level of professional training. Working closely with an Instructor, you’ll fine-tune your dive skills, refine your rescue skills, gain invaluable dive knowledge, and develop management and supervision abilities so you become a role model to divers everywhere. Through knowledge development sessions, waterskills exercises and workshops, and hands-on practical assessment, you develop the skills to organize and direct a variety of scuba diving activities. Topics and practical workshops include:
- The role and characteristics of the PADI Divemaster
- Supervising dive activities and assisting with student divers
- Diver safety and risk management
- Divemaster conducted programs and specialized skills
- Business of diving and your career
- Awareness of the dive environment
- Dive setup and management
- Mapping an open water site
- Conducting dive briefings
- Organizing a search and recovery project and a deep dive
- Conducting a scuba review and skin diver course
- Assisting with Discover Scuba Diving and leading Discover Local Diving programs
If you’re ready to become a Divemaster, why not apply for our Divemaster Internship?
Request More Information Now
Dive Mentor (DiveMentor.org) is focused entirely on sharing SCUBA diving with the world. If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch.