About Us

Skindivers Paradise was formed in 1959 by retired U.S. Navy "frogman" Don Bernard, who operated for more than 40 years at his Route #4, Auburn, Maine location, easily recognized by the well known “Yellow Submarine” landmark.

Thousands have learned to Scuba dive thru Skindivers over five decades, literally bringing the sport of Scuba to Central Maine.

The Barclay family purchased Skindivers in October 2003, ushering in a new era in underwater education, international travel, and water-sports retail in Central Maine.

Barclay’s became a NAUI Platinum Education Center in 2005 and has maintained that status with a constant flow of Scuba certification students from amongst the Northern New England Public, Universities, and Summer camps.

In April of 2016 Barclay’s Skindivers Paradise was recognized as Tourism Ambassadors by the government of Bonaire’, a Dutch Caribbean sister island to Aruba, and Curacao heralded as having the most accessible Scuba Diving on the planet and one of the best places to Windsurf in the World. Since 2004 Many diver join us on our annual excursions to the Bonaire.

Citing a need for a more spacious retail and a comfortable classroom facility, the Barclay's moved Skindivers in July 2016 to 805 Main Street Lewiston, Maine 04240 and continue on our mission of bringing the best sport on the planet to all.

After becoming a USW certified Windsurfing instructor, Ian Barclay discovered a demand for Windsurfing equipment sales, and rentals (along with Windsurfing lessons) in Northern New England. Since 1999 Ian, along with John MacLeod, and Cindy MacDonald have taught 2000+ to windsurf at Clinics and private lessons both at our Wind School on Lake Androscoggin , Camps, resorts, Yacht Clubs as well as in Bonaire’. The explosion of Stand Up Paddleboard has yielded a new clientele for Windsurfing - Maine initiating our "FREE Discover Windsurfing” for Paddleboarders.