Your LAID-BACK DIVE SHOP ON MAGNETIC ISLAND
ABOUT US
Welcome TO PLEASURE DIVERS MAGNETIC ISLAND — WHERE DIVING’S A WHOLE VIBE AND THE GOOD TIMES FLOW AS EASILY AS THE TIDES
We’re not just your average dive shop; we’re a family-run crew of ocean lovers, salty-haired locals and pro bubble-blowers who are here to make sure your underwater adventures are as fun and stress-free as a beachside hammock nap.
Who’s running the show? That’d be Chad & Haylie — our fearless leaders, dive instructors and professional chillers-in-chief. With over 25 years of combined experience, they’ve mastered the fine art of slowing down, breathing deep and making the ocean their happy place — and they can’t wait to show you how to do the same.
With shore dives literally across the road from our shop, you can roll out of bed, grab a tank and be floating over coral gardens in minutes.
Around here, we believe diving isn’t just a sport, it’s a mindfulness practice in disguise. When you dive with us, we’re not just teaching you how to clear a mask or spot a nudibranch (although we’re pretty good at that too), we’re teaching you how to switch off, tune in and embrace the magic of right now. And lucky for all of us, Magnetic Island’s fringing reefs make that super easy.
Stress? Never heard of it!
But wait, there’s more! We’re proud eco-warriors too, doing our bit to protect our little patch of the Great Barrier Reef. As Green Fins members, we’re all about sustainable diving and snorkelling practices, because we want to keep these reefs healthy and happy for generations of divers to come.
So whether you’re a first-timer, a salty dive veteran, or just here for the vibes — we can’t wait to meet you. Come join the Pleasure Divers family, where the bubbles are endless and the pleasure’s all ours.
Our TEAM
Haylie
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Haylie’s been vibing with Magnetic Island since she was a kid, where her family ties meant endless summers spent exploring the island’s beauty. She started out as a high school teacher in Sydney, but the ocean kept calling—so she packed up, swapped her classroom for the Great Barrier Reef and never looked back. After many years working the reefs out of Port Douglas, she and her partner Chad launched Resurface Dive, a boutique dive business with a focus on well-being through ocean therapy. The chance to take over Pleasure Divers was a no-brainer for Haylie, who can now call Maggie island her official home, rather than a holiday home! These days you’ll catch Haylie running dive lessons in our custom-built pool or making sure everything behind the scenes runs smoother than a drift dive.
Chad
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Chad’s been in the water since forever. Originally from Adelaide, he took off to the tropical north at 21 and has spent over 16 years in and around Port Douglas working every type of dive gig you can think of—tour boats, luxury yachts, sailing trips, you name it. He knows the Great Barrier reef like the back of his hand and has a deep love for protecting it. Chad feels like a guardian of this incredible ecosystem and is committed to conserving it for future generations to love. Together with Haylie, Chad co-created Resurface Dive before making the leap into Pleasure Divers. Now, you'll catch him in action fine-tuning dive gear or leading underwater adventures with Pleasure Divers guests!
Minki
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No crew would be complete without its mascot and Minki takes her role seriously. Named after Haylie’s favourite marine visitor—the majestic Minke Whale—this fluffy legend spends her days keeping an eye on the shop, snoozing on the couch, supervising pool sessions or charming her way into extra pats.
OUR HISTORY
Pleasure Divers HAS BEEN KEEPING THE GOOD TIMES ROLLING SINCE 1994. YEP, THAT’S 30 YEARS OF DIVE ADVENTURES!
What started as a little local dive shack near Alma Bay has grown into the longest-running dive centre on Magnetic Island.
The home of Pleasure Divers, 10 Marine Parade, Arcadia, has its own story slice of island history. Back in the ‘70s, before it was a dive shop, it was a beachside house with a very fitting name—“Tangalooma”, meaning "where the fish gather." Talk about foreshadowing! Did the owners know this place was destined to become the island’s go-to dive hub? Maybe the fish did?
From humble beach shack beginnings to a Magnetic Island dive institution, one thing has stayed the same — Pleasure Divers has always been about sharing the magic of the underwater world.
Fast forward to 1994 when Eric & Sheryl Haworth kicked off the Pleasure Divers legacy. They created the business and the name and ran a small operation near Alma Bay. In 2001 they purchased the Tangalooma property and officially moved the dive shop in, giving Pleasure Divers a permanent home.
In 2002, Rob Webster took over and spent the next decade building up the business. One of the biggest milestones? The custom-built dive training pool, added in 2012. It’s still the only on-site dive training pool on Magnetic Island (and in the whole Townsville region!), making it the ultimate place to learn before heading out to the real deal in the ocean.
In 2016, dive buddies, Tom Gelling and Nick Garret, took the reins, bringing their passion for diving and keeping the island’s dive culture alive.
Then, in 2024, the torch was passed to Haylie Bennett and Chad Bertram, who continue to build on the strong foundations laid before them. With their love for the ocean and a knack for making every dive a memorable one, they’ve kept the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that Pleasure Divers is known for.
