We wouldn’t be who we are, without our amazing students, supporters, and friends. We exist because of them, and they mean the world to us. While we are still in the process of building out this section of our website, we wanted to at least begin to share some of the kind words they have to say.

Our Professional Members make Dive Mentor one of the best places for divers to earn their certifications, whether it’s at the Open Water level or Instructor and beyond. This group of dedicated and disciplined volunteers believe in our Mission, Core Values, and always providing customers and students with an Exchange in Abundance—and it shows in the feedback we receive. Here’s a small sampling.

“I would highly recommend Dive Mentor for first time divers! I got my open water certificate with him after 4-days of training in the beautiful Cozumel waters. He is super supportive, clear and concise. They are personable with a very calm disposition, I trusted their guidance instantly which enabled me to really immerse myself in diving and get the most out of my underwater experience!”

—Ellen Bramley, United Kingdom

“I completed my instructor training with James L. Clark last year and found the course well structured, clear, and informative—he definitely knows his stuff. There was also a big emphasis on safety and standards which is really important. I felt well prepared and this gave me confidence during my instructor exams. Afterwards, I stayed in Cozumel to gain teaching experience and completed my crossover to SSI with Dive Mentor. It was reassuring to know I had support if I needed any and the staff I met were friendly and hard-working. Plus, the dive house is comfortable and clean, and Cozumel is a vibrant, fun place to live with beautiful diving; a win-win!”

—Emily Jose, MSc., United Kingdom

“I completed my PADI scuba instructor training with James L. Clark, and easily passed the Instructor Evaluation after the program. I believe this is because the course was well structured, and because James is knowledgeable, thorough, and he placed a significant emphasis on safety and standards. This last year, I returned to complete my SSI cross-over with James at Dive Mentor’s Cozumel branch. Staying at the Dive House is a real perk too. It’s clean, comfortable, and conveniently located. Dive Mentor’s staff are friendly, professional, and supportive. I can’t recommend James and Dive Mentor enough.”

—LT. Josh Sutherlin, USMC

“DiveMentor was the perfect choice for completing my Advanced Open Water course, and I feel grateful to have found them. The laid back yet professional approach to scuba education was comprehensive, engaging, and effective. I feel more confident in the water now than ever before. They have a great knowledge of marine life, a passionate approach to ecology, and interesting stories about the local dive sites. Cozumel was a lovely place to focus on diving and enjoying the sun, without too many distractions. The dive house was sweet and cozy, with everything you’d need for a streamlined diving experience. I can definitely say DiveMentor helped get me hooked on diving, and I hope I can come back soon!”

—Ember Ace, Canada

“I was referred to Dive Mentor by a friend, and immediately after contacting the school, I knew I would have a great time. My instructor was incredibly diligent and organized – committed to the highest standard of safety and support while also balancing fun. They also had great knowledge of Cozumel’s dive sites and marine life. The dive house where I stayed is serious about education yet relaxed at the same time—the perfect environment for learning amongst friends. I’d have no hesitation in recommending Dive Mentor to others who really care about their SCUBA experience.”

—Natalie Khoo, Australia

“Just finished up my Open Water diving certification with Dive Mentor. The experience was perfect! It wasn’t rushed at all, and the instruction was very clear and understandable. They’re all very friendly too. They maintained contact with me while I was traveling to train with them, and even answered questions I had about equipment after I left Cozumel. I really look forward to diving with Dive Mentor more in the future. I would highly recommend them to anyone!”

—Lane Tippe, Oklahoma

“I completed my Instructor Development Course with James L. Clark at Dive Mentor last November on the beautiful island of Cozumel. He and I had met earlier in the year on the island while I was completing my Divemaster training and became instant friends. James’ instruction is clear, thorough, and precise. He pulls from other aspects of his life to create a learning environment that far exceeded my expectations and goes well beyond required knowledge. Dive Mentor, in my opinion, is the gold standard for dive training. Whether you’re new to the sport or are climbing the ladder as a pro, James and the Dive Mentor team will provide more than you need to reach your goal!”

—Mike Baran, USA

“I can honestly say that my Divemaster training with Dive Mentor has been a unique 360 degree experience! The whole team was very focused on my training, and personalized the program for me, often repeating elements when necessary to ensure I fully understood. The school has very high standards, which is great because it pushes you to become better. As a diver, I feel much safer and far more aware of the importance of skills like buoyancy, about respecting the environment and marine wild life, and of the responsibilities that our privileged work as Divemasters entails. In all good conscience, I can recommend Dive Mentor to anyone as an optimal learning space. Thank you to everyone at Dive Mentor for your professionalism and for the fantastic instruction—at all levels. I hope to learn much more from them, and as I continue my daily relationship with the Ocean.”

—Alessia Morosato, Spain

“I found my Instructor Development Course to be challenging, well designed, and inspirational. James is very experienced and took his time to ensure that all of us candidates were not only well prepared for the Instructor Examination, but that we actually learned what was required for us to be conscience instructors. Ultimately, we are responsible for ensuring our students experience fun and safe dives, and I felt competent to do that when I completed the course. James is patient, thorough, and worked hard to help us succeed. I’d highly recommend his training to anyone looking to become a dive professional.”

—Álvaro Muñoz Soto, Spain

“James and I attended our Instructor Training together, and I found him to be a dedicated, focused, disciplined, and safety conscience professional. When he became an Instructor Trainer, I even decided to do my crossover with him. When my friends wanted to visit Cozumel, I turned to him and Dive Mentor to do their Open Water courses. I knew they would be in good hands with James, and that they’d get more than a basic course. He is very passionate about making sure students learn what they need to be safe divers, and has them focus on their buoyancy so they can become effective ambassadors for the ocean and marine life. If you’re looking for someone to mentor you, your friends, or your loved ones—look no further. As a professional myself, I can’t think of anyone more qualified to help you succeed as a diver.”

—Kate Metcalf, USA

“I met James whilst completing my PADI instructor training in Cozumel. His experience and assistance were invaluable. He was always willing to spend time and provide advice and tips, many of which were especially helpful for me during the instructor skills tests. Having heard a lot about what he is working towards with Dive Mentor, I can definitely recommend James and his team for all your diving needs!”

—Rachel Tarlton, Australia

“If you’re just looking to just check the boxes during a scuba program, then James is not the right Instructor for you, However, if you’re serious about becoming the best possible scuba diver or dive professional you can become, then he’s the guy you should talk to. My Instructor Course with James was tough, but lots of fun. There’s a ton of academics to get through, and you really have to know your skills. We did tons of presentations in the classroom, confined water, and open water. There was a real focus on learning how to teach, safety, and the importance of standards. I really learned everything I needed to succeed, and passed the Instructor Examination with ease. I’ve been employed non-stop now as a scuba instructor in Thailand and the Caribbean. It’s been a great experience.”

—Mads Christian Sandager, Denmark

“Being a Scuba Instructor is a dream come true for many passionate divers, but the process can be daunting when you’re first starting out. This is especially true when looking for the right course to attend, and then navigating the learning process that comes next. There’s a tremendous amount of information to absorb in a very short period of time ranging from dive physics and physiology, to mastering the required presentation style needed to properly convey skills to new divers. And we focused heavily on how to recognize and mitigate problems, safely, and standards. That’s where having an experienced, skilled, and supportive mentor like James on your side who shares important life lessons can make all the difference in the world. Our course was extremely well organized, and really prepared us for the future. After passing my Instructor Exam, I stayed on Cozumel to teach and then did my SSI crossover with James to expand my opportunities. It’s great to know we have someone like James available to us that we can go to for advice and further training.”

—Theresa Steger, Austria

“After I earned my Divemaster credential in Cozumel, I knew I wanted to become an Instructor. I love the ocean, and I love working with students. But if I’m honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect because I had heard that James was really tough, and that the Instructor Development Course would be much more intense when compared to what I had accomplished so far. The fact is, James is actually quite tough because expects the very best from candidates. It’s also obvious that James cares deeply about us and wants us to succeed in all areas of our lives, not just as dive professionals. One thing that I really respect about him is the fact he doesn’t give an inch when it comes to following standards. He truly impressed upon all of us the duty of care we have as Instructors to protect our students, and that fun diving starts with safe diving. The course was well designed, and I was fully prepared for my Instructor Examination. Later, I did my crossover to SSI with James too and now I hold multiple credentials as a Scuba Instructor. I really do love teaching, and I’m grateful for the solid foundation I received.”

—Anne Holland, United States

“I first met James when I staffed his instructor training course, and we instantly hit it off. Over the years I’ve truly enjoyed watching him progress through the instructor ranks, and have been greatly impressed with his discipline, focus, remarkable ability to build rapport with just about anyone, and his with his teaching ability. As Master Instructor, I’ve worked with countless students, and scores of instructor candidates, and I can say without hesitation that James never ceases to impress me. I greatly admire his willingness to give 100% of himself to everyone he encounters, his dedication to upholding standards, and his safety-first-safety-always approach to teaching. James takes the responsibility of being an instructor seriously, and it shows in the quality of students and professionals he produces. I highly recommend James and Dive Mentor to you.”

—Steve Buckingham, Canada

“Super dive instructors and great divemasters, highly recommended by our family no matter what your SCUBA needs! Also recommended for anyone with a disability and special dive needs!

—Patricia Anne Schworak Holt, United States

“I’ve been a diver since I was a little kid growing up in California. I love the water. I’m also a Freediver. After completing my Divemaster, I decided to earn my Assistant Instructor certification. James is a fantastic teacher, and I felt very compatible with the way he runs his courses. It’s very much inline with what I aspire to be as an instructor myself. The Dive House is also very convenient for students, and helps create an environment that is conducive to learning. I’d highly recommend them to anyone who wants to learn to dive or become a professional themselves.”

—Erik Hansen, USA

“I’m both a Commercial Diver and a Recreational Scuba Instructor, and I’ve met very few people who love the Ocean and diving more than I do—except James. Like me, he is an exceedingly action orientated advocate of marine conservation and strongly believes in protecting fragile ecosystems. But he doesn’t engage in lip service; James puts his money where his mouth is and does his part both as an individual diver and as an Instructor. One of the things I really respect about him is how hard he works, and how much he is willing to invest in the success of others. To be honest, I am blown away by how much he accomplishes in his own life year after year, and how he is willing to help others do the same. That is a rarity to be sure in today’s day and age. I don’t give out recommendations very often, but it’s easy to lend my support to James and Dive Mentor. To become a good diver, you need to learn from those who model good diving behavior. Safety is a crucial element, as is properly complying with Standards. You simply can’t find a better example of that than James.”

—Ryan Bartlett, United Kingdom

I had the pleasure of working with James during my Scuba Instructor Course in August, 2018. Although I have not yet had the opportunity to train with him since he moved to SSI, I did have the honor of being in his last PADI IDC. He passed on his knowledge and passion, and I work hard to emulate his enthusiasm for diving every time I get a new student. I have been teaching in Cozumel now for a while, and I owe many of my successes and triumphs to his teaching and patience with me from the very beginning. I plan to return to Dive Mentor soon to spend more time with James and his staff, and to complete my SSI Instructor Crossover. Cozumel is a beautiful island full of colorful people, wonderful nature, and it is a place I love to call my home. I can not imagine my life if I had not decided to come here and work with James.

—Anna Sorrentino, United States