Topic: Press Release

Sun Divers Roatan Earns Top-Three Honors in All Seven Scuba Diving Magazine Readers’ Choice Categories

The Roatan dive center is recognized among the Caribbean and Atlantic’s best operators, earning top-three honors in every category 

ROATAN, BAY ISLANDS, HONDURAS, SEPT 28, 2026 — Sun Divers Roatan has earned an extraordinary top-three finishes in all seven categories of the Scuba Diving Magazine’s 2027 Readers Choice Awards, placing the Roatan-based dive center among the highest-rated scuba diving operators in the entire Caribbean and Atlantic region. 

With approximately 11,000 divers participating across regions, the annual Readers Choice Awards represent one of the scuba diving industry’s most significant reader-driven recognitions. Divers rate operators they have personally experienced, evaluating them across categories that reflect the elements that matter most to a successful dive operation. 

Sun Divers achieved top-three recognition in every single category, including two first-place finishes:

• 1st Place — Quality of Rental Equipment
• 1st Place — Quality of Training and Courses
• 2nd Place — Best Overall Dive Center
• 2nd Place — Quality of Staff
• 2nd Place — Quality of Facilities
• 3rd Place — Quality of Boats
• 3rd Place — Attention to Safety

The results are particularly significant because Sun Divers was evaluated alongside dive operators throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean region. This includes major diving destinations such as the Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Cozumel, the Bay Islands and the Bahamas.  

“Winning even one award would have been an incredible honor. To be recognized by the dive community in all seven categories is honestly beyond what we could have imagined,” said Shannon Shuman, co-owner of Sun Divers. “What makes this especially meaningful is that these awards come directly from divers. They took the time to get online, complete the survey, all to recognize the firsthand experience they had with us.” 

A Reflection of What Sun Divers Is Built Around 

Since taking ownership of Sun Divers in 2021, husband-wife duo Natalie and Shannon Shuman, have been guided by a clear mission: to deliver world-class diving experiences in Roatan while upholding an unwavering commitment to diver safety and environmental conservation. 

That mission shapes every aspect of the operation: from the quality and maintenance of its equipment and boats to its approach to training, dive planning and customer service. It is also reflected in Sun Divers’ commitment to creating small-group, personalized experiences where divers can feel  genuinely cared for both above and below the surface. 

But the Shumans believe that delivering an exceptional experience for customers starts with creating an exceptional environment for the people who deliver it. Sun Divers has intentionally cultivated a collaborative work culture where instructors, divemasters, captains and customer service team members work together, share knowledge and take collective responsibility for the quality of the guest experience. 

“We believe the best dive operations are built by teams that genuinely enjoy working together and take pride in what they do,” said Natalie Shuman, co-owner of Sun Divers. “Our culture is about collaboration, communication and supporting one another. When our team is working well together, our customers feel that. We believe that translates directly into better, safer and more memorable diving experiences.” 

Now Sun Divers can say that translates into winning awards, with Readers Choice recognizing the amazing people behind Sun Divers. A second-place ranking for Quality of Staff reflects Sun Divers’ multilingual team of PADI instructors, divemasters, local captains and customer service staff who work together to create the dive center’s brand promise of “Good Vibes, Great Dives.” 

The recognition for Quality of Training and Courses is particularly meaningful as Sun Divers continues to invest in developing highly capable, confident divers. The center offers PADI training from Open Water Diver through Divemaster, along with a growing portfolio of specialty courses and advanced training opportunities. 

Now, Sun Divers is taking that commitment to the next level with the launch of the Sun Divers Eco Academy, a progressive training program designed to integrate strong diving skills, conservation knowledge and real-world experience from the very beginning of a diver’s journey. 

The Eco Academy builds on traditional PADI training by bundling core certifications with buoyancy, enriched air and conservation-focused training experiences, giving divers a pathway to become not only more skilled and confident underwater, but more knowledgeable stewards of the places they dive. 

A Major Moment for Roatan and the Bay Islands

Sun Divers’ recognition comes at an exciting time for diving in Roatan and the wider Bay Islands, which also earned significant recognition in the 2027 Readers Choice Awards. The destination was ranked #4 for Best Overall Diving, reinforcing its position among the Caribbean and Atlantic’s premier dive destinations.

The Bay Islands also earned top recognition across an impressive range of diving experiences and attributes, including:

• #2 for Wall Diving
• #2 for Macro Life
• #2 for Beginners
• #2 for Best Value
• #3 for Underwater Photography
• Top 10 for Wreck Diving
• “One of the Best” for Big Animals
• “One of the Best” for Health of Marine Life

Together, the results paint a compelling picture of the Bay Islands as a destination capable of delivering exceptional experiences for virtually every type of diver: from first-time beginners and underwater photographers to advanced divers seeking walls, wrecks, caves and encounters with big marine life.

For Sun Divers, the seven honors the dive center received represent both a milestone and a motivation to keep raising the bar. 

“Our goal has always been to create the kind of dive center where people feel exceptionally well cared for, become more confident divers and leave already thinking about when they can come back,” Natalie Shuman said. “Seven awards is a huge achievement for our entire team, but we’re not looking at this as a finish line. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built, and we’re even more excited about where we can take it from here.” 

About Sun Divers 

Sun Divers Roatan is the island’s first-ever PADI Eco Center, offering professional, eco-friendly diving adventures and training in Half Moon Bay, Roatan. The dive shop combines a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere with top-tier instruction, high end equipment and boats, and a passion for ocean exploration and protection, welcoming guests of all skill levels to join their Dive Tribe and make a positive impact on Roatan’s reefs and community. 

Sun Divers Golf Tournament Raises $28,000 for Roatan Students

ROATAN, HONDURAS — September 21, 2026 — Seventy-two golfers showed up to play, countless businesses and organizations stepped up to support, and together, the Roatan community raised $28,000 for SOL International’s student scholarship program at the 10th Annual Sun Divers Charity Golf Tournament. 

The latest fundraising total brings Sun Divers’ five-year contribution to the SOL International Foundation to over $108,000, helping to support their scholarship and childhood nutrition programs.  

 Now an annual fixture on Roatan’s community calendar, the tournament held at the Pristine Bay Golf Course continues to demonstrate what’s possible when individuals and businesses come together behind a shared cause. 

“Every year, this community reminds us what happens when people come together around something bigger than themselves,” said Shannon Shuman, event organizer and co-owner of Sun Divers. “$28,000 raised and we’re not just talking about a golf tournament anymore. We’re talking about real educational opportunities for kids in Roatan. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together.” 

This year’s tournament featured creative hole experiences and support from dozens of local businesses. Highlights included San Simon Beach Club, Roatán Island Brewery’s Beat the Brewer, and a new experience from Jungle Water, along with a packed raffle featuring prizes donated by local sponsors. 

The tournament’s 50/50 raffle alone raised $2,200, with a $1,100 cash jackpot awarded to the winning ticket holder. 

“Through the last 20 years of working with children on Roatan we have seen first hand what an impact an opportunity at a quality education can have on a child’s future,” said Dave Elmore, director of SOL.  “We sincerely appreciate all the support that this community provides towards that effort.”

Tournament Winners 

Congratulations to this year’s winning teams: 

Men’s Division 

10th Place – Winners of the Roatan Island Brewing Prize Pack: Dave Elmore, Mike Clem, Russell Nicholson, Brad Volk

3rd Place: Nathan Weninger, Donnie Anderson, Rob Rohrer, David Santa

2nd Place: Jerry Hinds, Chris Ledbetter, Adrian Witty, Kyle McNab

1st Place: Aaron Etches, Kerry McNab, Tim Dolan, Desi Ortiz, 

Women’s Division 

1st Place: Michelle Meyer, Lourdes Darst, Teri Bolton, Boo Koss

Sun Divers extends its gratitude to the golfers, sponsors, volunteers, donors and community members who made this year’s tournament possible. The event’s continued growth is a testament to the strength of Roatan’s business and community network — and to the collective commitment to creating more opportunities for the island’s next generation. 

About SOL International Foundation 

SOL International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to Initiate and support community based programs designed to promote education and increase the quality of life in developing areas such as Roatan, Honduras.  

About Sun Divers Roatan 

Sun Divers Roatan is the island’s first-ever PADI Eco Center, offering professional, eco-friendly diving adventures and training in Half Moon Bay, Roatan. The dive shop combines a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere with top-tier instruction, high end equipment and boats, and a passion for ocean exploration and protection, welcoming guests of all skill levels to join their Dive Tribe and make a positive impact on Roatan’s reefs and community. 

Thank You to this Year’s Sponsors

Sun Divers Launches Eco Academy in Celebration of PADI AWARE Week

New three-tier education pathway combines PADI certifications, conservation training, and a higher standard of ocean stewardship 

ROATAN, HONDURAS, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 — In celebration of PADI AWARE Week September 12-20, Sun Divers Roatan is launching the Sun Divers Eco Academy, a new three-tier training pathway designed to transform dive education from a series of individual certifications into a more complete journey of skill development, exploration, and ocean stewardship. 

As Roatan’s first PADI Eco Center, Sun Divers has long integrated conservation into its mission, operations and diver education. The Eco Academy builds upon that commitment by making environmental awareness and action an intentional part of a diver’s development — from their first certification through continuing education training. 

“The Eco Academy is a scuba certification curriculum that reflects who we are as Sun Divers,” said Natalie Shuman, owner of Sun Divers. “We believe divers should leave us not only more confident and capable in the water, but more connected to the ocean and motivated to protect it. We wanted to create a certification pathway that recognizes that progression and makes conservation an integral part of what it means to be a skilled diver.” 

A New Way to Progress as a Diver 

The Eco Academy consists of three progressive levels, each combining complementary PADI certifications and local conservation experiences: 

Eco Explorer — The foundation of the journey. Open Water students can pair their initial certification with PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy and PADI AWARE training, developing the skills and environmental awareness to become more responsible divers from day one. 

Eco Adventurer — Designed for certified divers ready to expand their capabilities. The program combines PADI Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air Nitrox, and an active conservation experience through either Roatan Marine Park’s Lionfish Hunting program or PADI Dive Against Debris. 

Eco Leader — The highest level of the Academy, focused on safety, leadership, and conservation. Divers complete PADI Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response, Emergency Oxygen Provider, and the PADI AWARE Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty. 

All participants will also be introduced to the GreenFins Diver E-Course and Code of Conduct.

Rather than simply accumulating certifications, students progress through the Eco Academy by developing practical skills and participating in experiences that connect their training to the health of the marine environment. 

More Than Just a PADI Certification 

The Eco Academy is also designed to make continuing education feel like an achievement worth celebrating. 

“There’s something powerful about giving divers a sense of accomplishment beyond the certification card,” said Shuman. “We want students to feel proud of what they’ve achieved and to see continuing education not as a checklist, but as a journey toward becoming the kind of diver who has the utmost respect for the natural world every time they explore underwater.” 

Through bundled courses, students can also earn multiple certifications during a single trip while receiving special package pricing and a more intentionally connected learning experience. 

Conservation at the Core 

The launch during PADI AWARE Week reflects the Eco Academy’s central philosophy: divers are not simply visitors to the underwater world. They are part of its future. 

From learning buoyancy techniques that help prevent accidental contact with coral to participating in marine debris surveys, lionfish management, and shark and ray conservation education, the Eco Academy gives students opportunities to translate what they learn into meaningful action. 

“PADI AWARE Week is the perfect moment to launch the Eco Academy because conservation has never been something we wanted to keep separate from dive training,” said Shuman. “It belongs in the classroom, on the boat, underwater, and in the choices we make as divers.” 

For more information about the Sun Divers Eco Academy, visit: https://sundiversroatan.com/courses/#eco-academy-package 

About Sun Divers 

Sun Divers Roatan is the island’s first-ever PADI Eco Center, offering small group, eco-friendly diving adventures and training in Half Moon Bay, Roatan. The dive shop combines a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere with top-tier instruction, high-end equipment and boats, and a passion for ocean exploration and protection.

Sun Divers is a Green Fins member and actively supports marine conservation and community initiatives throughout Roatan, welcoming guests of all skill levels to join their Dive Tribe and make a positive impact on Roatan’s reefs and community. 

Sun Divers Roatán Launches Revamped Homepage Showcasing the Island’s First PADI Eco Center and World-Class Diving Adventures

Sun Divers Roatán, the island’s first-ever PADI Eco Center, has launched a newly redesigned homepage that highlights its blend of world-class diving and meaningful ocean conservation.

Located on the sands of Half Moon Bay, the PADI five-star dive center combines relaxed Caribbean hospitality with top-tier professionalism and a deep commitment to reef protection.

“We strive to be the beacon and model for eco dive centers, marrying concierge-style adventures with ocean protection,” said owners Natalie and Shannon Shuman.

The refreshed homepage brings together the key elements that set Sun Divers apart:

• Concierge-Style Diving: Small groups of no more than six divers per guide, full gear handling, and personalized dive site tracking allow guests to explore Roatán’s 100+ dive sites without repetition.
• Conservation Leadership: As Roatán’s first PADI Eco Center, Sun Divers engages divers in coral restoration, citizen science initiatives and Dive Against Debris events. Annual beach cleanups have removed over 2,000 pounds of trash from Half Moon Bay’s shores and the dive center fundraises year-round for local NGOs.
• Scuba Training: A complete range of PADI courses from Discover Scuba Diving to Divemaster is offered in multiple languages, with small groups and experienced instructors focused on safety and confidence-building.
• Community Impact: Programs such as ROA Girls Dive! have awarded over 50 certifications and dive experiences to local girls, , while their Annual Charity Golf Tournament helps fund the SOL HappyTummies nutritional program year-round.

The new homepage also features real guest stories, interactive dive site guides, practical travel tips, and streamlined Dive & Stay packages designed to simplify vacation planning.

Visit Sun Divers Roatán online to explore the new website and book your next unforgettable diving adventure today.

About Sun Divers Roatan

Sun Divers Roatan is the island’s first-ever PADI Eco Center, offering professional, eco-friendly diving adventures and training in Half Moon Bay, Roatan. The dive shop combines a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere with top-tier instruction, high end equipment, and a passion for ocean conservation, welcoming guests of all skill levels to join their Dive Tribe and make a positive impact on Roatan’s reefs and community.

Sun Divers Roatan Brings the Magic of Mermaiding to the Caribbean with the Inaugural Mer-May-d Marathon

Roatan’s First-Ever PADI Eco Center Hosts a Multi-Day Celebration of Mermaiding, Ocean Wellness, and Conservation

Sun Divers Roatan, the island’s first PADI Eco Center and a PADI Five-Star Dive Center, is launching the inaugural Mer-May-d Marathon, a multi-day celebration of freediving, ocean wellness, and marine conservation taking place May 16 – 27, 2026, at Half Moon Bay.

The event introduces the PADI Mermaid Program to Roatan through recreational courses, a professional Instructor Development Course (IDC), and a community beach cleanup, welcoming ocean lovers of all experience levels to explore a new way of connecting with the sea.

The Mer-May-d Marathon is made possible through a collaboration with guest instructor Alanna Canaran, a science communicator, ocean educator, and producer for Ocean School, whose work centers on building meaningful relationships between people and the ocean.

Mermaiding is a freediving-based discipline that blends breathwork, water confidence, “Blue Mind” wellness, and expressive underwater movement. Practiced on a single breath, it emphasizes calm, presence, and flow, making it both accessible and deeply restorative.

Event Highlights:

• May 16–27: Recreational PADI Mermaid Courses (Discover, Basic, Full Mermaid)
• May 20–25: Total Mermaid Transformation IDC for professionals and instructors
• May 25: Beach cleanup, Meet a Mermaid experience, and sunset happy hour

The Mer-May-d Marathon reflects Sun Divers’ commitment to conservation through citizen science, coral restoration, and community-led initiatives. It also offers a valuable professional pathway for dive pros, wellness practitioners, and ocean educators looking to expand into a fast-growing discipline.

Open to beginners and experienced ocean enthusiasts alike, no prior freediving experience is required, only comfort in the water and curiosity.

Space is limited and course spots will fill up quickly. For bookings and inquiries, contact Alanna at alannacanaran@gmail.com or on WhatsApp at 1(902)789-8197.

About Sun Divers Roatan

Sun Divers Roatan is a PADI Five-Star Dive Center and Roatan’s first-ever PADI Eco Center, delivering world-class scuba diving adventures with a sustainable twist. Known for small groups, concierge-style service, and uncompromising safety standards, Sun Divers removes friction from the dive experience while building confidence and trust at every step. Conservation is embedded into daily operations through hands-on initiatives and long-standing partnerships, inviting guests to actively protect the reef while becoming part of a welcoming Dive Tribe that feels like family.

Sun Divers is a Roatan Marine Park sponsor, partner of the Bay Islands Conservation Association, and co-founder of Roatan’s reef-safe sunscreen coalition. The company has been honored with TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards for eight years and has won the Golden Buoy Award for conservation fundraising every year since 2019.