• IANTD Instructor Trainer (IT): Nitrox, Nitrox  Instructor Trainer, Deep Diver, Advanced Nitrox Diver, Technical, Wreck EANx Diver, Gas Blender, Trimix Gas Blender IT, Technical Diver Supervisor, LSS Service Technicial IT, Normoxic Trimix Diver, Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV), Megalodon Close Circuit Rebreather
• PADI Instructor: Open Water thru Divemaster
• PADI Specialty Instructor: Wreck Diver, Ice Diver, Night Diver, Deep Diver, Equipment Specialist, Underwater Photography, Dry Suit Diver, and Underwater Archaeology Diver

• Full EANx Cave Diver (NACD)
• PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider
• PADI Emergency First Responder
• Licensed USCG Captain

Favorite Dive Location:

Great Barrier Reef

If I could share just one signature experience from my 35 years of diving and more than 3,000 dives, it would have to be my adventure on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching more than 1,600 miles and made up of thousands of individual reefs and hundreds of islands. We explored this incredible underwater world aboard a liveaboard during a 10-day diving adventure.

One of the highlights was diving the famous Cod Hole, where we encountered enormous, remarkably friendly potato cod, Napoleon wrasse, some of the biggest green moray eels I’ve ever seen, and massive giant clams that looked prehistoric.

At North Horn, a natural underwater amphitheater, I hunkered down with my video camera as sharks began swimming past in groups. We encountered Australian blacktip, bull, and bronze whaler sharks. Other dives took us through towering pinnacles filled with stonefish, clownfish, turtles, and even hundreds of olive sea snakes—so many that they literally chased us out of the water!

If I could choose one destination to dive again and again, it would be the Great Barrier Reef. Every dive took my breath away, and even after thousands of dives, I still struggle to find the words to describe it.

Most Memorable Dive:

Akumal, Mexico

One of my most memorable dives in Akumal was exploring the Car Wash Cenote. We entered the cave and followed the main line until our guide pulled out an exploration line and connected it to the main line. After marking the junction with our arrows, we began following the line deeper into the cave, squeezing through increasingly narrow passages.

Eventually, we reached a breathtaking chamber known as the “Room of Tears.” The room was filled with incredible formations—stalactites reaching down from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor, along with massive columns that looked like frozen stone icicles.

As our dive lights moved across the formations, they shimmered and seemed to come alive in the darkness. The cave was completely pristine and almost otherworldly.

It was one of those dives where you stop, look around, and realize you are witnessing something truly extraordinary—a picture that will remain in my memory forever.

Sea of Cortez, Baja California

One of my most fun and unforgettable underwater experiences was diving with sea lion pups in the Sea of Cortez. As I approached a group of pups to film them, my dive buddy, Russ, was busy taking pictures. Before long, the pups started tugging on Russ’s snorkel and swimming right up to our cameras, checking us out just as much as we were checking them out!

I decided to have a little fun and attempted a barrel roll. To my surprise, a few of the pups immediately mimicked me! I tried a somersault, and once again, they followed along. Before I knew it, we were playing together like a bunch of kids in a swimming pool. I couldn't believe how curious, playful, and interactive they were. We spent nearly an hour enjoying this incredible experience, and I honestly didn't want it to end.

But Mom had other plans! She eventually swam straight toward us and released a huge burst of bubbles, making it very clear that playtime was over and it was time for us to leave her babies alone.

I'll never forget that dive. For nearly an hour, I wasn't just watching wildlife—I was actually playing with it. It's encounters like these that remind me why I love diving so much!