Awards

Buddy Dive Receives PADI Americas Platinum Professional Development Excellence Award

Buddy Dive Resort has been recognized for its outstanding contribution to professional diver education as a PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center.

The prestigious recognition is presented to a select group of PADI Instructor Development Centers that demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing the next generation of dive professionals. 

Amos Nachoum
Wildlife and underwater photographer Amos Nachoum

Photographer Amos Nachoum to Be Inducted Into ISDHF in 2026

The Cayman Islands-based organization made the announcement at the DEMA Show 2025 in Orlando, citing Nachoum’s numerous prestigious awards and significant contributions to exploration, underwater photography and the dive industry. As an internationally acclaimed photographer and renowned wildlife and underwater photographer specializing in photographing large marine species, Nachoum is the founder of Big Animals Expeditions, which, since 1988, has led over 7,000 explorers on safe and intimate wildlife encounters.

NAUI Worldwide Celebrates 2025 Awardees

Highlighting the 2025 recipients whose dedication strengthens NAUI’s mission and inspires divers worldwide.

NAUI Worldwide proudly recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions of its members during the 2025 NAUI Awards ceremony, held on Thursday, November 13th, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) during the DEMA Show in Orlando, Florida. These awards highlight the dedication, passion, and excellence that define the NAUI community. 

2025 Outstanding Service Award  

Syed Abd Rahman founder and director of Kids Scuba
Syed Abd Rahman, Founder and Director of Kids Scuba, Chairman of the Accessible Tourism Malaysia WG14 Committee, and Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador

Syed Abd Rahman of Malaysia to Be Inducted Into ISDHF in 2026

Widely recognized as the founder of Kids Scuba Malaysia and the Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador, Rahman is celebrated for his decades-long dedication to making the underwater realm accessible to all, particularly children, teenagers and people with disabilities. He is only the second Malaysian and Southeast Asian ever to receive this prestigious international distinction, which honors individuals who have advanced the growth and success of recreational scuba diving worldwide.

Legend of the Statue Documentary Earns Global Recognition and Multiple Accolades

The film tells the inspiring story of Gabe's role in installing the legendary "Christ of the Deep" statue in the 1960s and his remarkable return to diving decades later—after losing his sight. Now blind, Gabe rediscovers the underwater marvel he helped bring to life, thanks to Diveheart’s adaptive diving programs.

Rosemary Lunn
Rosemary Lunn, known to most as 'Roz' (Photo: Courtesy of Rosemary Lunn)

Rosemary ‘Roz’ Lunn Inducted Into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame

I am chuffed to bits that Roz has finally received the recognition she truly deserves for her many years of dedicated service to the dive industry. Now lost in the fog of history, the day we first met was at some dive industry function; I believe it was a dive show in the United Kingdom around the turn of the new millennium. Roz has had such a long and storied career in the industry and, despite our long acquaintance, I don’t know the half of it.

WDHOF Member Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D. (2003), is receiving the 2024 NOGI for Science on November 20 during DEMA 2024 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

WDHOF Member Dr Shirley Pomponi to Receive 2024 NOGI Science Award

Dr Pomponi, who is a Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University-Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, will be the 24th woman to receive a NOGI since the award's inception 64 years ago, and one of only three women to receive the Science award. 

Rick Stanton, Great Britain and Ireland Explorer Chapter, Rory Golden, Mark Wood, Sally Cartwright, Rick Stanton, Rosemary E Lunn, Roz Lunn, XRay Mag, X-Ray Magazine, scuba diving news
Rick Stanton was presented a Great Britain and Ireland Explorer Chapter Coin by Mark Wood on 21 November 2021

Rick Stanton presented with Explorers Club 'Chapter Coin'

100 of these coins have been especially crafted for the chapter.

The GB&I Chapter Coin is given to inspiring individuals and those who have contributed to exploration in extraordinary ways. Mark Wood, explorer

Polar explorer Mark Wood stated "As Chair of the Great Britain and Ireland Chapter I'm in a privileged position to meet some extraordinary people through my work. I had the honour of presenting Rick Stanton with the Chapter Coin."