Deep Blue Scuba started in 1996 as a “training centre” within another dive centre in Scotts road. Known as OutBound Divers, we were an SSI Dive Centre with 5 “freelance” instructors on roster. In 1999, we moved to our first premises; a small unit of just 200 sq ft in Fook Hai Building along South Bridge Road, and we are known since then as Deep Blue Scuba.

The continual support from our customers enabled us to shift to a bigger shop with a big backyard in Monk’s Hill next to Newton Circle. The weekly trip pick up point and the Newton Circle Food Centre were at our doorstep! Our stay was sweet but short as the whole estate was taken over by the URA. On our final night, we had such a crowded and wild party that our shop looked more like a pub.

We shifted to a 2-unit premises at Riverside Point and shortly after switched to become a PADI Dive Centre. With 5 full-time PADI instructors augmented by an active dive crew of more than 30 volunteer dive instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters, we were easily the largest dive centre then, with nearly 1200 people diving and learning with us every year. In 2000, we were promoted to a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre; and in the following year, we attained the rating of PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre.

Rising rental cost forced us to shift to a unit within the Big Splash Complex at East Coast Park in 2003. Nonetheless, it was heaven on earth for us; we had a saltwater pool right in front and the beach behind us. We conducted discover scuba sessions in the pool and organized Project Aware events with school kids using the beach as our classroom. We occasionally organized BBQ parties at our courtyard and even plugged LCD projector to our Xbox and played console games outdoor! In early 2005, we were told by our landlord that the master lease was expiring. And so again, we looked for a new place.