Who We Are

NAUI’s global reputation for the best in training and educational products reflects our core values of quality dive training through education. Many organizations specifically choose NAUI for their diver education programs including Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, United States Navy SEAL Teams and NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston, Texas (USA) where astronauts train for their space walks.

While NAUI has long been respected for having the highest training standards in the recreational diving industry, we are also highly regarded for our Technical Diver Training. Many of our technical developments have been adopted by other agencies; our Technical Diving Division leads in the development of new theories and research that keeps NAUI on the cutting edge of technical diving.

For further information on affiliated stores, diver training, educational products and programs, contact NAUI at (001) 813-628-6284 or nauihq@naui.org. For specific media inquiries, contact marketing@naui.org.

How is NAUI different?

The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is based on the principles of democratic self-governance and commitment for excellence. As such, NAUI members embrace six fundamental values in the pursuit of our mission:

  • Superior Leadership and Instructor Training

    NAUI and its members are committed to providing the highest quality leadership and instructor training possible. Embracing the tenets of over-learning, maximizing individual potential, public speaking, developing personal best aquatic skills, minimum and no impact environmental activism, and learning by doing consistently produces the best graduates.

  • Democratic Association of Equals

    The democratic process in regular elections determines the Association’s leadership, its Board of Directors. Each instructor earns the privilege to cast one vote for a fellow member that he or she believes can best serve the Association. The right to vote carries with it a responsibility and obligation to stay informed about Board of Director candidates and engage in the election process.

  • Trust and Respect

    Superior Leadership and Instructor training are founded in the “Loved One” concept. That is, it is only those we would trust to train our loved ones to dive that we graduate at any level and especially so for leadership and instructor certification. This basis allows us to collectively trust members to behave ethically and respect their abilities as NAUI Leaders and educators.

  • Academic Freedom

    Trust and respect are necessary for members to exercise a most cherished and fundamental right of educational leadership – the freedom to meet the academic needs of their students. Not all students are ready to perform skills one, two, and three always in that particular order. NAUI members are encouraged to explore and thereby discover new and innovative ways to help each individual student, as well as divers they lead and teach meet certification requirements – and further to share those discoveries in the Association publications so that other members may benefit.

  • Dynamic Growing Body of Knowledge and Skills

    Exercising academic freedom and sharing resulting discoveries is a celebration of members’ imaginations. It also leads to ever improving training producing better generations of graduates with each completed course. This directly contributes to and renews our organization’s vitality and relevance to the diving industry in which we compete.

  • Ever Improving Leadership and Instructor Training

    These dynamics produce perpetually improving leadership and instructor training courses as conducted by NAUI instructors, instructor trainers, and course directors, who incorporate discoveries and new methodology. The outcome is superior leadership and instructor training and curricula of excellence that benefit the Association, the diving industry and global public all the while furthering the pursuit of our corporate mission.

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NAUI’s Diving Community

NAUI divers join a larger community of explorers and adventurers who share a passion for discovery and engagement with the world around them. Local NAUI Dive Centers offer opportunities to make new friends, discover new destinations and learn more about the planet we call home.

All divers are invited to join NAUI on social media – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Opportunities abound for NAUI divers to interact, share photos, stories and videos about scuba diving, related aquatic topics and more.

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NAUI’s Commitment to The Underwater World

NAUI members and divers are devoted to preservation and conservation of our underwater environment. Through activity and education, NAUI in association with the NAUI Green Diver Initiative, empowers individuals to recognize small actions make a significant difference for the aquatic world. Our Green Diver Initiative, in association with the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, promotes awareness and action to safeguard of underwater ecosystems. NAUI members are encouraged to join us in Practicing Aquatic Conservation Together (P.A.C.T.) and by staying informed about the latest developments and facts on conservation news.