TopSub Legacy

“We are Vasco and Xavier Ferreira dos Santos — a father and son team united by a lifelong passion for the ocean and a shared mission to protect it. Our journey has always been about more than exploration—it’s about connection, education, and stewardship. Together, we’ve dedicated our lives to teaching others not just how to dive, but how to dive with purpose: to understand, respect, and preserve the marine world we love. For us, diving is more than a skill—it’s a legacy we’re proud to share.”

—Xavier and Vasco Ferreira dos Santos

XAVIER FERREIRA DOS SANTOS

PADI and SSI Instructor, ®SNUBA Guide & Snorkel Guide

Languages: English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese

Was born in Portugal, the son of two passionate scuba instructors whose love for the ocean—and for each other—shaped his life from the very beginning.

He started scuba diving at the age of 8 and earned his first certification by 10, exploring the waters of his homeland with natural ease. In 2024, he moved to Roatan, where he now lives and works alongside his father, continuing a family legacy rooted in exploration, education, and marine conservation.

As a young dive professional, Xavier brings early experience, heartfelt enthusiasm, and a deep respect for the sea to every diver he mentors.

- SSI Open Water Diver ( trained by Vasco Ferreira dos Santos, Issue Date: 2015-03-29)
- SSI Marine Ecology (SC-NAT) Issue Date: 2021-07-27
- SSI Deep Diving (SC-DD) Issue Date: 2021-09-05
- Enriched Air Nitrox Level 2 (40%) (SC-EAN) Issue Date: 2021-09-05
- SSI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) Issue Date: 2021-09-05
- PADI Rescue Diver, Issue Date: 2024-09-20
- PADI Divemaster # 561520
- PADI Assistant Instructor # 561520
Active Status 2025:
- PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor # 561520, since 2025
- SSI Open Water Instructor # 121949, since 2025
- Emergency First Response Instructor EFRI-561520
- React Right Instructor (First Aid, CPR, AED, Oxygen Provider)
- ®SNUBA Guide
- SSI Snorkel Guide / Instructor
Scuba Diving naturally! And he is fascinated by:
- Sharks 🦈 & Rays Conservation
- Sea Turtles 🐢 Conservation
- Coral Reefs Conservation
Other hobbies:
- Football ⚽️
- Video games 🎮

Xavier’s SSI Junior Open Water Diver course first pool session using a 1987 brand new from the box ®SCUBAPRO Mk20 G250 crystal edition. March 2015.

VASCO FERREIRA DOS SANTOS

PADI, SSI, SDI, TDI Instructor/Instructor Trainer, ®SNUBA International Program Coordinator for Honduras, Freedive Instructor & Conservationist

Languages: English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese

With over two decades of dedication to the underwater world, I began my full-time diving career in 1999. From the coastal waters of Portugal to the vibrant reefs of Roatan, my journey has been one of passion, purpose, and education. As a Instructor Trainer from multiple Dive Agencies, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring countless divers and shaping future professionals.

Since January 2025, that legacy has become even more personal—my 20-year-old son, Xavier Ferreira dos Santos, completed his instructor training under my guidance. My passion for diving remains as strong as ever, and I’m committed to sharing it with others while promoting the exploration and protection of our marine environments.

1974 Born in the beautiful Luanda, capital of Angola, Western Africa.
Son of Portuguese parents.
Started snorkeling at age of 5 at “Kilometro 31” a mangrove beach in the south of Luanda.
From 2000 to 2015 owned and managed TopSub Dive School in Lisbon;
In 2015, moved to Roatan to run SSI Central America / SSI Honduras;
1991-1999 Studied Electronic and Computers Engineering at Instituto Superior Tecnico (Lisbon-Portugal):
- Computers and Electronic Systems Engineering
- Control & Robotics Engineering
Activities and societies:
- President of NAS-AEIST (IST University Underwater Club) 1997-1999
- Underwater Target Shooting University & National Athlete
- IST Volleyball team
Nov 2000 - Nov 2015, TopSub - Escola de Mergulho, Lda - Owner & Manager / Instructor Trainer
April 2015 - May 2017, SSI Central America / SSI Honduras - Regional Manager / SSI Instructor Trainer & Certifier
Sep. 2017 - June 2018, Blue Island Divers - Manager / SSI Instructor Trainer & Certifier
June 2018 - Jan 2022, Cayuco Reef Divers - Manager / PADI Course Director
Jan. 2022 - Aug. 2023, Island Diving Center - Managing Partner / PADI Course Director
September 2023 - current, Fantasy Island Dive Center, Manager / Instructor Trainer
April 2015 - current, TopSub Academy Roatan, Owner / Manager / Instructor Trainer
- GUE Fundamentals ( trained by Richard Lundgren, 2008-March-6 , Cert. # 04084504 )
- GUE Technical Diver 1 ( trained by Richard Lundgren, 2008-March-11, Cert. # 04084058 )
- GUE Technical Diver 2 ( trained by Richard Lundgren, 2010-Jan-11, Cert. # 62492911 )
- GUE Cave Diver 1 ( trained by Daniel Riordan, 2010-April-28, Cert. # 62493011 )
- IART JJ-CCR Diver (Trained by Manuel Leotte, 2012-June-28, Cert. # GE01689 )
- PADI Tec Deep Diver ( Trained by Mark Ellyatt)
- PADI Tec Trimix Diver ( Trained by Mark Ellyatt)
INSTRUCTOR In Active Status 2024:
- PADI Course Director # 950544, since 2018
- PADI Nautical Archaeology Instructor Trainer (Distinctive)
- PADI Tec Deep & Tec Trimix Instructor Trainer
- PADI Tec Sidemount Instructor Trainer
- PADI Freediver Instructor
- PADI Digital Underwater Photography IT
- PADI Full Face Mask Instructor Trainer
- PADI IT for all standard PADI Instructor Specialties
- PADI Trimix 45 / 50 Instructor Trainer (Distinctive)
- TDI Instructor # 7923, since 2003
- TDI Extended Range Instructor # 7923
- TDI Sidemount Instructor # 7923
- SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Master Instructor # 57136
- SSI TXR Hypoxic Trimix Instructor # 57136
- SDI Instructor # 7923
- SNUBA International, Regional Program Coordinator # P03677, 12/14/2024
INSTRUCTOR In Inactive Status:
- GUE Instructor # 6249 from 2009-2015
- SSI Instructor Trainer & Instructor Certifier # 57136, from 2013-2017
- SSI Public Safety Diver Instructor Trainer # 57136
- SSI TXR Hypoxic Trimix Instructor Trainer # 57136
- FPAS/CMAS Freediving Instructor ** # 101/2000
- CMAS M2 Instructor
- Portuguese Navy Dive Instructor
- DAN Instructor # 119915
Total Students Divers / Instructors certified: 3,000+
- Recreational levels: 2,700+
- Professional levels: 200+
- Technical Diving levels: 100+
Portuguese Boat captain licenses:
- High Seas Skipper “Patrão de Alto Mar”
- Coastal Skipper “Patrão de Costa”
- Local Skipper “Patrão Local”
- Skipper “Marinheiro”
Factory Certified Service Technician for:
- SCUBAPRO
- APEKS
- AQUALUNG
- POSEIDON
- SUUNTO computers
- SANTI Drysuits
- MARES
PSI-PCI Inspector # 33264, since November 2021
- 2022 Frequent Trainer, PADI Silver Course Director
- 2021 Frequent Trainer, PADI Silver Course Director
- 2020 Frequent Trainer, PADI Silver Course Director
- 2018 PADI Marketing Award @ PADI CDTC Punta Cana
- 2013 TopSub Lisbon: SSI Top # 1 for Professional & Recreational Certifications in Portugal
- 2012 TopSub Lisbon: SSI Top # 1 for Professional & Recreational Certifications in Portugal
- 2011 TopSub Lisbon: SSI Top # 1 for Professional & Recreational Certifications in Portugal
- 2010 TopSub Lisbon: PADI Role Model Dive Center for Portugal & Spain - Award received in Barcelona during the "Fira Cornellà" with the presence of the current Spanish PADI Dive Centers / Resorts and PADI Europe Representatives:
  - Mr. Christian Marret (PADI RM-Portugal)
  - Mr. David Perea (PADI RM-Spain)
  - Mr. Jordi Atienza (PADI Political Advisor)
Scuba Diving naturally! And he is fascinated by:
- Underwater Nautical Archaeology
- WW1-WW2 Wrecks Documentation
- UW Video & Photography
- Sharks & Rays Conservation
- And Saltwater Crocodiles!
Other hobbies:
- World History
- Traveling specially road trips
- KK Krav Kyusho martial arts
- Off-road riding
- Beach Volleyball