With over 4,000 dives in the books, James has been actively involved in the underwater realm since he got certified in 2007. An IDC Staff Instructor, James is passionate about sharing his love and knowledge of SCUBA with others. Having traveled all over the world to dive, he still finds Monterey diving to far exceed even the most sought after dive sites worldwide. Both above and below water, James enjoys teaching, from instructing our PADI courses to previously teaching the SCUBA program at San Jose State University. If he isn't underwater, he is likely tinkering at the shop, working to improve daily operations. Once in awhile you will find him away from work - enjoying the quiet of our Central California coastline.

Dane got SCUBA certified in 2008, becoming an instructor three years later. He has since logged thousands of dives around the world. His diving has taken him all over, including a seven month stint aboard a catamaran in the Caribbean where he was able to teach and spread his love of SCUBA. Here in Monterey, his favorite dive site to frequent for fun is Monastery Beach. While his dive experiences have brought numerous underwater critters right in front of him, his most memorable dive experience is seeing mola molas and thousands of sea nettles at the same time. When he is not underwater, you might find Dane in shop, or out and about with his wife and puppy, Hazy.

William has been working at Aquarius Dive Shop since 2020. He has been SCUBA certified since 2013 and an instructor since 2020. When he is not at the shop or underwater, diving - Will can be found doing a myraid of outdoor adventures from surfing to rock climbing to ultimate frisbee. 

Whether it is salty or fresh, you can find Jake by the water. Certified in 2017, Jake has over 260 dives - with his favorite local dive site being the Pinnacles. His most memorable encounter while diving was coming across a Pacific Electric Ray! An avid fisherman - it is no surprise that Jake's favorite post dive meal is sashimi. You won't find Jake diving without his Aqualung hooded vest, a good dive plan and a buddy. In his words, "sharing the underwater world has become a pleasure and a passion."

Bruce got certified in 1978 and has since logged over 12,000 dives. A true saltwater aficionado, he is in constant appreciation of the overall peace that comes with being underwater. Bruce has been instructing students since 2004 – and a PADI Course Director since 2018. His love of teaching shines through as he considers witnessing newly certified, confident, divers up there on his list of “coolest things he has seen underwater.” Also included on said list is diving within 10 feet of a humpback, seeing cormorants at 80 feet and being included in a game of tag initiated by a juvenile harbor seal at Point Lobos. Bruce won’t go diving without a steel tank and his trusty fins which have propelled him on over 10,000 dives in search of nudibranchs. When he isn’t teaching students, Bruce can be found in his garden or working as a small business financial and strategic consultant. 

Steve has been working at Aquarius Dive Shop since 2020. He is often out back servicing SCUBA equipment or helping tinker around the shop. You'll also frequently catch him in the water - both teaching and diving for fun. 

Brian D. has diving since December 2017. Since then, he has spent countless hours exploring the central coast, from Monterey Bay to Big Sur. He has logged 200+ dives - with Butterfly House and North Monastery being some of his favorite sites. Brian is also a jade carver and jade enthusiast - be sure to ask him about the jade pieces he is wearing!

Nick has been certified since 2009 and has been a dive master since 2016 and has just recently acheived his Assistant Instructor rating! With over 500 dives, Nick has spent lots of time exploring both California and Hawaii's underwater ecosystems. Along the way, he has had the chance to dive with seven gill sharks in San Diego and spinner dolphins in Hawaii, making for some of his most memorable SCUBA experiences. His favorite place to take divers in the Monterey Bay is Carmel River State Beach. When he is not diving, Nick is out and about, enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

Brandon is a local freedive instructor who teaches throughout the United States and internationally. He started scuba diving off the coast of Florida in his youth, and later found freediving which sent him down the path of learning the art and science of holding your breath underwater. After falling in love with the kelp forests and rugged coast of California he decided to call Monterey home. When not teaching, he's an avid spearfisherman and coastal forager dedicated to living a life close to the ocean. You'll find him at the shop preaching the benefits of apnea diving and showcasing his equipment brand Odyssey Freediving. 

Brandon got certified through San Jose State University in 2017 and was instantly hooked on the first 2 ocean dives! He purchased his first full kit before he completed his Open Water certification. To date he has over 630 dives. You can often find him leading tours at his favorite dive site, San Carlos Beach. It was at San Carlos that he has encountered his favorite sea creature, a chimaera! One of his most memorable experiences underwater was seeing a 150ft submarine while exiting a shipwrek at 80ft! You won't find Brandon diving without his Scubapro Hydros BCD.

Annie got certified in 2019 and has racked up a lot of water time since! She is a PADI Divemaster, has her GUE Rec2 and is also a Merchant Mariner. At Aquarius, you can find her both in shop and underwater. Annie's favorite dive site is the Quarry on Catalina Island & her favorite sea creature is an octopus because they are just so smart! You'll almost always find Annie diving dry, in her beloved DUI Drysuit. In her free time, you can find Annie volunteering at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or out & about exploring the California coast.

Ashley got certified at Aquarius in 2015, quickly moving toward her dive master in 2016. A freediver turned SCUBA diver, Ashley has a love for all things ocean - having logged some 600 SCUBA dives over the past 6 years. You'll often find her either in-water leading tours or around the shop. A California native, these cold, nutrient rich waters are her favorite, leading her to many amazing dive experiences from swimming with humpback whales to harbor seals and mola molas. When she is not diving, you can often find Ashley at a local beach, running her and James' overly energetic chocolate lab, Maddie.

Curren got certified in 2018 through the West Valley scuba program. He has since logged 100 dives+ and has become a divemaster. His favorite diving in Monterey is on the Carmel side, at either Point Lobos or Monastery. His coolest experience while diving was when a curious sea otter came to inspect & touch his fin! You won't Curren on a dive without his Halycon backplate. While you will most often see Curren is shop, you can catch him out & about leading some club dives as well!

Cassidy got certified at Aquarius Dive Shop in 2016. A talented painter as well, Cassidy has continued to dive in the Monterey area, drawing inspiration from the underwater world for her paintings. When she is not underwater or at her easel, Cassidy can be found in the shop, keeping us organized and running! Be sure to look around at the shop, as she often has paintings on display!

With 22+ dives under her belt, Dayna has been hooked on the underwater world since she got certified in 2023. Certified on a low visibility weekend – her first fun dive, on a sunny day, at the Breakwater Wall had her “absolutely floored.” In her words, her favorite dive memory is the “first moment underwater with the light streaming through the kelp forest.” When conditions are good, you’ll find her out at Monastery Beach, searching for Monterey Dorids along her dive. Daynya’s favorite post dive foods include hot tea & mangos!

Koby got Open Water certified at Aquarius in 2019 and has since gotten his Advanced Open Water & Rescue certifications as well. You will most often find Koby in shop, helping everyone get out the door for their underwater adventures. If you are in early in the morning & enjoy the music playing in the background, be sure to ask him about it; as it is likely a playlist he curated! His favorite sea creature is the Dumbo Octopus & his favorite piece of dive equipment is his Scubapro Mako knife.

Jess got certified at Aquarius Dive Shop in 2019 and the rest is history! With over 420 dives, Jess has done one giant stride into the world of SCUBA. You can often find her leading our club dives, sharing her love of the undewater world with club members, new & old. Her favorite local dive sites include McAbee and North Monastery where she enjoys searching for her favorite ocean critter, the octopus. The one piece of dive equipment you won't find Jess without is her DUI Drysuit. Be sure to ask her about the time she saw a sea lion play frisbee with a mola underwater!