Since 1964, we have successfully trained and certified over 20,000 people just like you. Underwater Unlimited organized local dive trips from Miami Beach and Key Largo, as well as dive travel to exotic locations around the world.

We are owned and managed by three generations of divers:

Our Founder: Charlie Matthews I (aka “Sr.”)

Yes, this is the original Capt Scuba at Underwater Unlimited. Having fathered 4 children and needing a second job to supplement his Firefighter pay, starting a safe place for diver training and sales seemed logical.

Many of the safety practices learned on the City of Miami Fire Department meshed well with diver education.

It started in 1964 with a large truck and 20 sets of equipment at Miami Dade Community College (now Miami Dade College) North Campus. Over the years he has been a personal witness to the many changes that has made diving a safer and more comfortable recreational activity to participate in.

Actually, it was Sr's strict code for safety that started the first internal inspections for cylinders (VIP). Working with the University of Rhode Island we found that steel cylinders would develope rust if not maintained properly. This could lead to a diver breathing in rust and the integrity of the cylinder could fail if the rust became severe. So now, 42 years later, Sr oversees the daily operation as a consultant and loves to talk about the early years when divers were tough as nails and a little nuts to wear the harsh equipment and like it.

Today, you'll see Sr around the shop, talking to old-time divers and the newly enthusiastic ones.

Charlie Matthews Jr., a second generation Miamian was born at Doctors Hospital in 1956. Charlie has spent his life in Miami with the exception of four years, which he spent in Tallahassee attending Florida State University.

In 1964, Underwater Unlimited was founded by Charlie Matthews, Sr., shortly thereafter, young Charlie became a certified diver and spent his summers working at the shop, filling cylinders and honing his skills at servicing all types and brands of air delivery systems. Anything from the original double hose regulator, to the "Pilot" second stage from Scubapro, and even commercial dive helmets are included in his service expertise repertoire.

After graduating from FSU in 1979 with a bachelors degree in marketing, he made the decision to try the diving industry before going the "corporate" route. In December of 1979, he became a National Association Scuba Diving Schools (N. A. S. D. S.) open water instructor, and the diving hook was set. Teaching people how to safely enjoy the world famous waters of south Florida and the Caribbean was rewarding, fun and has driven Charlie to continue for over 28 years.0

In 1990 Charlie received the "Instructor of the Year" award by being nominated and voted most outstanding contributor by his peers at N.A.S.D.S. In that same year he became the first Open Water Instructor/ Trainer for N.A.S.D.S. After several years of working on the international staff for the Instructor Trainer Course program at N.A.S.D.S. he learned and refined his skills and knowledge in the training of instructors delving into the Scuba industry. He passes much of this knowledge onto his student to help them be better, safer divers.

Over the past 23 years, he has taught both the credit, and non-credit diving courses at Miami Dade Community College. Thousands of students of all ages have safely learned the sport of Scuba diving form him. In 1991 Charlie started assisting at the University of Miami Exercise and Sport Science (E. S. S.) Departments Scuba program with Dr. James Lance who retired in 1999; Charlie was then hired by the U. M. as an adjunct professor to be in charge of the diving program for the Department, a position which he currently holds.

Charlie has seen three generations of divers on a regular basis, and must be getting old! However, to this day he still loves the interaction with the ocean and training new divers who can return to Underwater Unlimited season after season for local and international diving.