#NAUIDiveSpotlight: Sandor Doczy-Bordi - Shark Researcher & NAUI Instructor
Growing up in the small town of Winthrop, Maine, Sandor Doczy-Bordi was captivated by sharks long before he ever even knew what a BCD was. At just five years old, his fascination with the ocean’s apex predators had him flying through books and begging his parents for ways to see them up close. That dream took its first step when, at the age of 10, Sandor received an open-water scuba class for Christmas.
While that first shark diving trip was unforgettable, diving didn’t become a consistent part of his life until much later.
From Academic Diver to Aspiring Professional
After high school, Sandor pursued a degree in marine biology at the University of Maine, where he enrolled in a scientific diving course and earned his Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certifications. Participating in eelgrass surveys and learning to create dive plans with his university’s Diving Safety Officer gave him his first look at diving as a professional path.
Diving with Great Whites in South Africa
A life-changing opportunity came when a professor shared an internship with him: a white shark research and diving program at NAUI Affiliate Go Dive Mossel Bay in South Africa.
“I went more for the sharks than the diving,” Sandor admits, but the two quickly became inseparable.
With his Rescue certification already in hand, he worked with Go Dive Mossel Bay to complete his Master Diver and Divemaster ratings in a two-month program. He returned the following summer to complete his NAUI Instructor training and help with internship logistics, ultimately spending nearly half a year in South Africa over two summers.
That hands-on experience shaped his perspective on diving education. “I loved how NAUI really emphasizes dive safety through education,” he says. “It felt like every course was designed to empower you with real-world decision-making skills, not just pass a test.”
Looking Ahead: Science, Teaching, or Both?
Currently based in South Florida, Sandor works as a Divemaster and guide with South Florida Diving Headquarters. His days are spent helping new divers build confidence in the water, guiding tours, and keeping a close connection to the marine world. All the while, he continues his academic work focusing on white shark behavior and migration in response to orca predation in South Africa.
His long-term goals are still evolving. Sandor is exploring whether to pursue a doctorate and lead marine research, continue teaching diving professionally, or blend both paths. “What I love is that I can work in the water during the summer and focus on shark biology the rest of the year. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Follow Sandor's Journey
Sandor uses his Instagram to highlight the beauty of the underwater world and the thrill of shark diving. Give him a follow to see stunning shots from South Africa, Florida, and beyond: @sandordoczybordi
