Business Details
41 Years
experience
Sydney's Premier Scuba Diving Training Centre
Established in 1985, Frog Dive stands as one of Sydney's oldest and most respected dive shops. Our foundation is built on decades of hands-on experience, with a team of active divers who bring extensive knowledge of various diving conditions and techniques. We prioritise small class sizes, ensuring each student receives personalised attention from certified instructors and divemasters, fostering a safe and enjoyable learning environment. Our training programs are designed to develop proficient divers through unlimited practice opportunities, complemented by internationally recognised PADI certifications.Confined water sessions are conducted in heated pools, while open water experiences include free guided weekend shore dives and boat excursions aboard our state-of-the-art vessel, Oceanpro. Our equipment department features premium brands like Shearwater and Scubapro, all rigorously tested by our in-house experts. With a commitment to excellence spanning over three decades, we combine technical expertise with a passion for underwater exploration, ensuring every diver receives comprehensive training and reliable gear for their aquatic adventures.
Services
Scuba Diving Lessons
Gear Hire
Dive Courses
Boat Dives
Equipment Sales
Guided Shore Dives
Technical Diving
Spearfishing Gear
Freediving Training
Snorkelling Equipment
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer small classes with maximum 8 students per instructor
- Our courses include unlimited training sessions for skill mastery
- Instructors hold certifications from PADI to technical diving levels
- We provide free guided weekend shore dives for continued practice
- Our equipment department stocks top-tier brands like Shearwater and Scubapro
Associations and certifications
- PADI
Services
Scuba Diving Lessons
Our scuba diving instruction program offers comprehensive training from beginner to professional levels. With PADI-certified courses including Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster programs, students receive hands-on experience in controlled environments and open water settings. Our small class sizes ensure individualised attention while developing essential underwater skills.
Gear Hire Services
We provide high-quality diving equipment rental for recreational and technical divers. Available items include regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, and dive computers from premium brands like Scubapro and Shearwater. All rental gear undergoes regular maintenance checks by our certified technicians to ensure optimal performance and safety standards.
Boat Diving Excursions
Explore Sydney's premier dive sites aboard our Oceanpro vessel featuring hydrofoil technology for stability. These guided boat dives cater to certified divers, offering access to marine life-rich locations in Sydney Harbour and surrounding coastal waters. The catamaran design ensures comfortable transportation to and from dive locations.
Technical Diving Courses
Specialised technical diving programs cover advanced skills including rebreather operation and decompression procedures. Instructors hold certifications from PADI, TDI, and SDI, delivering training on equipment maintenance, gas blending, and deep diving techniques. Courses prepare divers for complex underwater environments and extended range diving.
Freediving Training
Our freediving courses develop breath-hold diving skills for recreational and competitive applications. Training covers safety protocols, equalisation techniques, and underwater navigation. Students learn to improve lung capacity and master buoyancy control while exploring marine environments without scuba equipment.
People
Dennis McHugh
Owner and Manager Director
With over 35 years in the diving industry, Dennis purchased Frog Dive in 2000 after starting as a casual employee. His leadership maintains the shop's reputation as Sydney's longest-standing dive centre while ensuring modern business practices meet traditional diving values.
John Warner
Training Coordinator
A PADI instructor since 1991, John oversees all training programs from entry-level to technical diving. With 30+ years servicing dive equipment, he combines instructional expertise with technical knowledge to maintain equipment standards and training quality.
Larissa Alves
Diving Operations Coordinator
Since joining in 2016, Larissa has become a Decompression Diver instructor and vessel skipper. Her oceanography background enhances training programs while managing diving events and social media outreach to promote underwater conservation awareness.
James Lauder
PADI Freediver Instructor
A Sydney native with diving experience in Fiji, James teaches Open Water and Freediving courses. Combining technical expertise with teaching experience, he assists shop operations while pursuing formal education qualifications to enhance instructional methodologies.
Questions
What scuba diving certifications do you offer?
We provide PADI certifications from entry-level Open Water to professional Divemaster and Instructor Development courses, including technical diving specialities.
Can I rent diving equipment without taking lessons?
Yes, we offer equipment hire for certified divers, including regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, and dive computers from premium brands.
Are guided dives available for certified divers?
We offer free guided weekend shore dives and boat excursions aboard our Oceanpro vessel for certified divers seeking local site exploration.
Do you sell new and used diving gear?
Our shop stocks new equipment from top brands and selected second-hand gear, including regulators, BCDs, and complete dive systems.
What payment options are available?
We accept Zip Money for flexible payments, allowing customers to purchase gear now and pay in instalments.
How are diving lessons structured?
Courses use small classes (max 8 students) with unlimited training sessions, combining pool sessions and open water dives for comprehensive skill development.
Reviews (7)
Sam F.
Jan 13, 2022
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Outstanding service by everyone I have dealt with at frog dive on both a retail, and educational level. I have completed 3 courses and purchased mostly all Of my dive gear there and can say after diving with ex students from a handful of other dive schools in Sydney, frog dives training is second to none. They take time to make sure every student fully understands the skill, and its use in a non training environment, while also making their check dives interesting and not just a tick the box exercise. Would recommend them to anyone wanting to get into diving, great bunch of instructors and DMs
Aaron De Keulenaer
Sep 20, 2021
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Amazing customer service goes above and beyond to help out thanks again for all your help with fins and gear
Bruce Beavis
Jun 15, 2021
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Frog Dive runs regular boat dives every weekend and has a great dive club. I've met some really nice people, great dive buddies through the club. The Instructors are really experienced and friendly, making for a fun learning experience.
L. Z.
Jun 12, 2021
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I'm only commenting on my open water diving certification experience. Their pool is too small for 6 students with everyone crammed together in the deeper end of the pool. They rush through the in pool trainings (I'm still not confident breathing on a overflowing regulator but they had to move on). Since they don't provide a shuttle to the beaches, that brought additional costs and inconveniences that I was unaware of when I booked. You'd spend at least $80 on parking for the two days that you'd be doing your open dives. Plus you need to pick up the gear beforehand at their shop and transport all
Ryan De Graaf
Oct 28, 2020
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If I could rate this more stars I would, the place is INCREDIBLE! if you are looking to get kitted out with top notch scuba gear, or getting scuba certified it will cater to those needs to the highest standards imaginable. Personally I went on a beginner dive with Larissa and I can honestly say she enhanced the experience 10 fold and I will definitely be returning for another awesome dive.
Clive Ward
Oct 24, 2020
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Only been here 4 times, but so far, cannot fault them. They listen, they offer solutions/personal experience and they don't upsell.
Oh, and they seem like nice people too. What more can you ask for?
Oh, and they seem like nice people too. What more can you ask for?
Ursula Ann Graddon
Jul 08, 2020
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Frog Dive is a family of scuba divers whose aim is to share the wonders of the underwater world with everyone who walks through their doors. Safety is their number one priority and their course instructors are… top class as we know first hand with my husband and I having completed our Master Diver Certification. They are a FUN bunch and over the years have come to know and love these guys like family. Come on, take the plunge, what are you waiting for!!
