About us

Underwater Adventures Tasmania caters for snorkellers and scuba divers of all ages and abilities.

We:

• Provide the full range of SDI dive courses;
• Run dive charters primarily out of Hobart but cover all of south east Tasmania;
• Provide scuba and snorkel experience programs for school groups as well as during school holidays.

We’re passionate about what we do and encourage a spirit of discovery, adventure and environmental awareness whilst promoting safety and individual responsibility.

Our aim is to provide a net benefit to the environment through what we do, so we minimise our environmental impact at every opportunity, foster environmental awareness and understanding as well as environmentally sound practices, and actively support marine conservation and local environmental groups and projects.

SOME HISTORY

Sue Wragge established the business in 1997, offering dive courses and limited dive experiences part-time. The business has operated full time since January 2003 and in 2006 we acquired Kahala, a 10m Powercat, significantly increasing dive opportunities and course flexibility.

Our passion is diving – providing the education, support and opportunities for people to snorkel and scuba dive. We do sell dive equipment but only to support participation in diving – we are not a retailer, we dive!

We’ve catered for people aged from 4 years old to 71 years young and all levels of ability including people with disabilities and are known for the way in which we look after all of our divers.

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

• We have a no take policy on all dives
• We separate our rubbish and recycle and compost wherever possible
• We pump out our bilges into containers for separation and recycling on land
• We use a portable toilet that can be emptied ashore instead of flushing overboard
• We work towards being carbon neutral through supporting programs that invest in reforestation and renewable energy
• We only use recycled paper
• We use Fairtrade, organic and local products wherever possible
• We support several land and marine conservation organisations as well as the Spotted Handfish Recovery Plan and the Reef Life Survey program.

OUR PEOPLE

Sue Wragge, instructor and boat skipper

Sue grew up on the shores of Port Phillip in Victoria as a proverbial waterbaby. She survived her first snorkelling experiences with a mask and built in snorkel with cage and pingpong ball, and took the opportunity to do her first scuba dive overseas in 1982 after sailing in some championships. Diving quickly took over from sailing, and Sue became an instructor in 1988.

Since then, Sue’s done thousands of dives, certified hundreds of divers, introduced hundreds more to scuba and snorkelling, and is respected nationally for her involvement in aquatics and water safety.

She brings a broad range of skills and experience to her role as an instructor and is known for her enthusiasm, thoroughness and patience. Sue received recognition for her extensive work with young people when she won the PADI Asia Pacific Member Award for Diving for Tomorrow Innovation in 2005 and was a finalist in the same category in 2006.

Sue has been associated with water and boating safety since the mid 1980′s and has worked in related roles in community organisations and government departments. She has been recognised for her contribution to the Royal Life Saving Society with a Meritorious Service Award and the Luckin Award for Services to Lifesaving. From time to time she also works as a trainer in the maritime industry, specialising in first aid and wader safety, occasionally teaching marine radio operations.

Steve Williams – skipper, commercial diver

Steve has a long-standing association with the sea in a professional and recreational capacity.

He is a well-known dinghy sailor but many local boaters will know him more for his former role in the Police Marine Division where he was involved in many a search or rescue at sea.

Steve was also a Police diver but prefers to avoid sites that he dived in that role! He has a detailed knowledge of the Lake Illawarra, having done many a training dive on her as well as having dived to clear wreckage at the time of her sinking.

Steve is a well-recognised maritime trainer who also teaches for the aquaculture and fishing industries, specialising in safety and survival skills, coxswain and marine engine driver course units.

With his broad background and skill base, Steve is a sought after skipper who brings a wealth of experience to his role in terms of local knowledge, boat handling, safety and dive operations, not to mention a particular sense of humour!