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Hi my name is Lee Johnson. I am a co – owner of Perth Scuba. My business partner Robert Johnston (not related), and I started up Perth Scuba in Canning Vale back in 2005 at a time where there were almost 20 dive shops in the Perth metro area and surrounding suburbs.

My own diving journey began back in 1996 when the sports store I managed, had a change in direction which made it necessary for me to learn to dive to be able to work there. Originally from the UK and having not put so much of a toe in the ocean until that point, to say I was out of my comfort zone while learning to dive was an understatement however diving soon became my passion and took over my life.

I became a PADI Dive Master after 12 months working in the store. Due to my position and the fact that I was really enjoying my diving, I worked 7 days a week for 3 years in the store during the day and as a Dive Master at night and on weekends. This all ended when the dive / sports store I managed was sold and I went to work for another dive store in Perth.

I worked there for nearly 7 years and met a million awesome new friends. Unfortunately there was no opportunity to move ahead in that business so, with the huge help and support of Robert, Perth Scuba was born!

I have been privileged with my diving career since then and I have been lucky to have been able to have dived in some of the most awesome places in the world, as well as some great local diving including Coral Bay, Abrolhos Islands and of course our very own Rottnest Island.

Everyone who learns to dive has ideas and goals which they set themselves to achieve with their diving. Mine - apart from becoming a dive professional, included doing all of the bucket list dives and locations.

When I started diving I had 4 dive objectives to my diving career.some, I am still currently pursuing…

Diving the WWII wrecks of Truk Lagoon

Accomplished! 7 Times!!

No matter how many times you go to Truk and dive these awesome wrecks, you are constantly amazed by what you see. My next trip to Truk is on ice due to Covid 19 travel restrictions but once we can travel again... I'll be heading back there for sure!

Diving with the Great White Sharks in South Australia

Accomplished! Only twice. Awesome trip and well worth the effort and expense. It gives you a whole new perspective on how these huge Apex predators tick.

Diving on the Saratoga in Bikini Atoll (Marshall Islands)

Only diveable aircraft carrier in the world. (Yet to be done – maybe 2025?) Joey (my partner) is heading there in 2023. I will have to try to sneak into her luggage!

Diving in Antarctica

This is the pinnacle of diving to me. Once I have done that, I think I can hang up my fins and know that I have achieved my diving dreams. I missed out back in 2008 when Perth Scuba ran a trip there with Robert as the tour leader. They naturally had a fantastic time there and the photos and stories were great! It really makes me want to have a shot at Antarctica again - hopefully when we can start to travel again soon.

Diving Locations

I have been to outside of Australia: Bali, Truk Lagoon (Micronesia), Solomon Islands, Borneo Malaysia, Komodo Islands, Manado (Indonesia) Philippines, Galapagos Islands, Raja Ampat, Fiji, Egypt, Palau, Mexico, Kosrae (Micronesia).

My Favourite Dive Sites in WA:

Hard one… Key Biscayne Oil Rig – Lancelin, Canal Rocks – Dunsborough and Christmas & Cocos Islands of course!!

Best Ever Wreck Dive:

Aaron Ward – Solomon Islands 70m dive on a battleship which went down firing, ammo boxes on the decks and an amazing feeling of what it must have been like to be there when she went to the bottom of the ocean.

Best Ever Dive:

Galapagos Islands - Hammerhead dive with over 3000 Hammerhead sharks traveling through the dive site from start to finish. Whale Sharks, Dolphins, Manta Rays, 2 metre Galapagos Sharks and a school of 200+kg Tuna barreling through the site like a stampede of buffalo. This was a dive I never wanted to end and showcased the entire Galapagos Islands marine life repertoire in a 1 hour dive. AMAZING!!!!

Worst Ever Dive:

Canal Rocks 2001 – A King Wave hit us in the canal – not nice. It taught me that no matter how good you think you are at diving, the ocean is always a million times more powerful than you could ever imagine.

Favourite piece of dive equipment:

My Uwatec Galileo Sol Dive computer – Best computer I have ever had and it keeps me safe when I do decompression dives! (And my Cray loop of course). Even with technology in dive computers changing every year, the Galileo Sol is STILL my computer of choice EVERY TIME!

Best thing I have found while diving:

The Exit! A wreck in Palau where a good friend and fellow diver went a little too far into a wreck and went down too many levels. With the guide and Divemaster completely oblivious that my fellow diver had gone missing, I did a head count on the way out of the wreck and found one diver from our group had not come out with everyone else. I went back in to find him. Not knowing who I was looking for (or any idea where they were), I went back and across the levels one by one and had almost given up on finding anyone and beginning to doubt my ability to count when I went to the lowest deck (where none of us had been during our dive), stuck my head down a ladder and just in the corner of my eye saw a quick flash and then nothing... I faced into the direction of the flash and waited to see if it happened again. After not seeing anything and deciding that my air was looking like it may soon become an issue, I did one last sweep of the lower deck and finally came across the very lost and very scared diver who had at this stage given up hope of finding his way out of the wreck. Needless to say, with the silt out that was in that room, (preventing me from seeing the light of his torch - the earlier flash) made it a very difficult search to find the way I had gone to get to that level. Thankfully, I had managed to remember some of the fixtures on that level and once the silt started to clear, I found the ladder which took us up to what would be the exit. I could hear my heart beating like a freight train while I swam towards the daylight of the next deck with my new "dive buddy" literally hanging onto my leg while sharing my remaining air with him as we exited the wreck. Lots of lessons learnt that day and a day I will never forget.

Best thing I have ever found while diving (actual item):

A hand carved canoe in the Solomon Islands, the guy who owned it would have had about 3 km to swim back to shore if he made it. The canoe was 55m deep and looked awesome.

Why I love diving:

To see so much in such a small amount of time, to know that you are interacting with some of nature’s most amazing creatures and to know that only 10% of our population will ever be able to do what we take for granted every day of the week. I love seeing people’s faces after their first underwater experience. Finally I love to hear diver’s stories and share their adventures with them. What is there not to love?

Want to dive with me?

Drop into the store or send me an email. Join me on one of the dive tours I lead overseas (once we can travel again) or just catch up with me on Blue Destiny when the Crays are running. Hope to see you in the water soon!

Hi my name Robert Johnston – Lee’s other half – co-owner of Perth Scuba that is.

And no Lee and I are not brothers or related other than our relationship with Perth Scuba.

I began diving a long time ago just for fun in New Zealand. I moved to WA in 1982 where diving was becoming popular. WA has so many great dive spots on its door step and up and down its vast coastline. Also it has the Swan River to dive in as well, diving for prawns and crabs. That’s something very special and unique to Perth. Cray season is also another big draw card for WA divers. Yummy cray dinner for everyone!

I have enjoyed diving all over the world and certainly Perth Scuba dive travel and Manta Club has helped me do that. If you haven’t been on one of our dive trips it’s an experience not to be missed. We have many divers that have done multiple trips, too much fun. Every place has its own unique beauty and special underwater appeal from reef diving in Bali to awesome shark dives in the Galapagos. Wreck diving at Truk lagoon to the Aron Ward deep dive in the Solomon’s. There is a dive trip or a cruise on a live-a-board for everyone.

When Lee and I started Perth Scuba way back then, diving for fun was what we wanted to bring back into Western Australian recreational diving. Diving for fun was a big part of our business plan. We wanted an awesome dive club – Manta Club was born. Dive travel both domestic and International was also important to us so our customers could bring new experience into their diving. Awesome customer service and product selection in a spacious store was paramount to us as it was something that was lacking back then in other dive stores.

It’s not just the diving that makes it such an enjoyable recreational sport but the awesome people you meet along the way that enjoy the same passion as we do. Diving brings together all age groups in a common quest for fun and enjoyment as well as a love for the underwater world that we are privileged to venture into.

We have delivered on our business plan and goals for Perth Scuba to the divers of Western Australia which we are very proud of.

From all of us at Perth Scuba we appreciate your custom and support thank you very much.

Hi everyone. In case we haven’t yet met, I’m Joey. I’ve been around Perth Scuba since 2006 as both a customer and employee. I rocked up on Perth Scuba’s doorstep three months after they opened looking to do my Open Water course, with my brother in tow. I completed my course and moved through my Advanced, Rescue, Dive Master and I’m now an Assistant Instructor and Instructor in Underwater Photography.

Since taking up diving I’m almost never caught without a camera in hand. I’m constantly after the best photo opportunities and working hard to get some good ones to show. And now I’m moving into a bit more videography too – it’s always exciting to learn new things.

My role at Perth Scuba has evolved into looking after the Manta Club (the BEST dive club EVER), our website, and sharing diving with as many people as possible. Diving has given me the opportunity to travel (LOTS!) and with more coming up, I can’t wait! I love my job!!!

Diving Locations outside of Australia:

Bali – Indonesia, Beqa Lagoon – Fiji, Sipadan & Mabul Island – Borneo, Brunei, Galapagos Islands, Cenotes of Mexico, Truk Lagoon, Kosrae, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Komodo Islands and Palau, Sulawesi, Cenderwasih Bay, and Raja Ampat. Even though I’ve been lots of places, there always MORE I want to get to!!!

My Favourite Dive Sites in WA:

There’s too many to name just one but I love returning to the Ningaloo Reef, Abrolhos Islands, Esperance and Albany. It doesn’t matter how many times I dive overseas, I enjoy diving back in my home state.

Best Ever Dive:

I’d have to say that my best ever dive (or dives) were at Sipidan Island, Borneo. The water was 30 degrees, the visibility was 30 metres (on a BAD day) and the fish life was astonishing. I’d never seen a turtle underwater before until my first dive, where I swear I saw at least fifty. I saw a school of hundreds of Jack fish (Trevally) and swam amongst a school of Barracuda, much to my buddies terror! It was amazing and needless to say I’ve been back many times since.

Worst Ever Dive:

My worst ever dive was at an infamous place called Blue Corner in Bali. This is where huge currents meet in between two islands. It’s a beautiful dive, but there’s only certain times of the year when it’s safe. My buddy and I dropped into the water and began to descend. I was unable to equalise my ears and couldn’t drop to the reef where the currents were calmer. I had a choice of being swept out to sea or descend to the reef and possibly damage something. I chose the latter, my ears have healed and now I’m diving better than ever!!!

Why I Love Diving:

It’s a chance to escape, relax and marvel at the fascinating critters that nature has produced.

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Centre – PADI Course Director Allan Bartlett

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Started Diving in 1999 and after 11 years of recreational and technical diving was approached by Perth Scuba to become a Video Instructor. Love my Underwater Videography and most dives I do I have my camera with me. Video allows you to capture the experience of Scuba Diving which is what I love to share with others.

Diving Locations outside of Australia:

Truk Lagoon, Palau, Bali (Nusa Penida and Tulumben), Cenderawasih Bay, Komodo, Thailand (Phuket, Koa Tao, The Similans), Manado, Raja Ampat, Komodo, PNG, Sipadan.

My Favourite Dive Sites in WA:

West Patch Rotto (AKA Shark Cave), Crystal Palace – Rotto, Busselton Jetty, ex-HMAS Swan, ex-HMAS-Perth

Best Ever Dive:

Critters Komodo

Worst Ever Dive:

The River (also some of my best)

Favourite piece of dive equipment:

Can’t name just one. rEvo Rebreather, Sony Video Camera, Scooter

Best thing I have found while diving:

A Set of Deco regs on the Key Biscayne

Why I love diving:

Most peaceful experience I have ever encountered.

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Simon is one of Perth Scuba’s dedicated Instructors and can be found on most weekends speaking funny to students (he’s from the UK but we’ll forgive him that), bringing students from non-diver to diver in only 3 days, having a good time and at the end of the day it is VERY rare you’ll see him without a Corona in hand.

Diving outside Australia:

United Kingdom, Cyprus, Gibralta , Spain , Truk Lagoon!

Favourite Dive Site in Western Australia:

Swirl Reef Rottnest Island!

Best Dive Ever:

The Zenbobia wreck, Cyprus. It’s a massive ferry that sank intact 20 years ago! Added bonus the tourists watch you in a submarine built by the same guys that built the Kursk submarine!!!!!!!!! It will implode at some point… And won’t that be exciting to watch when you’re diving j/k

Worst Dive Ever:

Hmmm as long as you get wet its a good dive!

Favourite Piece of Dive Equipment:

Is my cray loop and catch bag.

Best Thing I’ve Found While Diving:

Well…. I will never tell u her name ;)

Why I love diving?

What other sport can u still be a professional at 40, weigh 90 kg, and still be allowed to drink like a fish! Okay there’s golf , but lets face it it’s not sexy ;/

Hi guys my name is Terry Lui, I’m originally from Hong Kong, some people might have met me in the shop before, but usually you can see me during the weekend (especially during summer).

There’s a movie that made me started diving… Was it Jaws? Nope…Open Water? Nope…guest what? YES…. Its “Finding Nemo” because of this Nemo, it made me decide to take my Open Water Course in the Great Barrier Reef and then i just completely fell in love with diving. Once I came back and started diving around Perth, I just wanted to become a dive professional, in 2011 I completed my IDC (Instructor Development Course) and PADI Instructors exam, and then I became the first Chinese instructor in Perth, and now i can teach diving in three languages; Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Diving Locations outside of Australia:

Borneo Malaysia

My Favourite Dive Sites in WA:

Crystal Palace at Rottnest Island no matter day or night, it’s just really nice over there.

Best Ever Dive:

Sipidan in Borneo – everything is just AWESOME!!! Water temperature was 30 degrees, and visibility was over 20 meter, and i haven’t seen so many turtles and sharks in one dive.

Worst Ever Dive:

My worst ever dive I am really sure that is one of the dive on my search and recovery course in The Coombe – Swan River.

As i remember that dive I needed to find a small object inside the water, but the visibility was really bad, I couldn’t even see my hand, but luckily I still can found that object at the end although it took me more than 30 mins.

Favourite piece of dive equipment:

Scubapro MK25 & A700 Regulator

Best thing I have found while diving:

I meet lots of people who have the same things that we love – Diving!

Why I love diving:

I Love Nemo, I Love Sharks, and I Love everything in Ocean.

Hello, everyone. I’m Yasu, operating courses and tours in Japanese department of Perth Scuba. I’ve started scuba diving since 1996, 15 years ago. Every year when I was in Japan, I’ve been to many places for diving all over the world. At that time, I was a chemical engineer in a chemical company in Japan. In 2000, I took Instructor Exam (IE) and started to work as a diving instructor during the weekend.

I’m enchanted by unique Western Australian marine environment. In 2002, I decided to move in Perth, Australia. I worked as a full-time Instructor and operated diving courses as well as went to diving tours over 1000 experience dives from Exmouth to Esperance.

In 2009, I elicit cooperation from Lee, Perth Scuba and established the Japanese arm of Perth Scuba in the Perth City Centre. (This is a fateful encounter, thank you, Lee and Robert!)

Last 9 years, I’ve got 5 certificates that are afforded to certified 100 divers a year (In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010). My certified divers are more than 1100 divers at this moment. I’m really pleased to see all my students’ Instructors in action all over the world.

Diving Locations outside of Australia:

Saipan, Guam, Bali, Palau, Maldives, Cancun, Catarina Island in USA , Mabul and Sipadan Island in Malaysia.

Favorite Dive sites in WA:

I really love to see school of fish so Navy Pier & Busselton Jetty!

Best ever Dive:

Sipadan Island. A sight to see a swirl of barracuda.

Why You Love Diving:

I love sensation of weightlessness that is completely different on earth and meet unique creatures that only see under the water.