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.

Whether it is salty or fresh, you can find Jake by the water. Certified in 2017, Jake has over 400 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!

William has been diving at Aquarius Dive Shop since 2020. He has been SCUBA certified since 2013 and a PADI 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. 

David is all about adventure-whether it's exploring the mysterious depths of the ocean or scaling new heights on a climbing route, he's in his element. With nearly 3 years of diving experience and around 400 cold water dives, David has seen it all - from curious marine life encounters to the surreal beauty of kelp forests. As a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, he brings a fun, hands-on approach to every class, making learning an unforgettable experience. When he's not sharing his passion for diving with students, you'll find him volunteering at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or CSUMB, contributing to marine conservation efforts. Join David for a dive, and you'll not only gain skills - you'll gain a lifelong love for the underwater world!

John first got certified in 2015 and has fully jumped into the underwater realm ever since. In the past 8 years, he has accumulated 2,002+ dives working both as a PADI Instructor and as a field diver and boat operator for UC Santa Cruz’s PISCO program. With thousands of dives in and around the Monterey Bay, John’s favorite site to dive in his personal time is Cypress Point. His most memorable dive occurred in 2019 at Monastery on a 50-foot visibility day where he watched a massive bait ball and the accompanying feeding frenzy of sea lions, harbor seals, pelicans and seagulls. John’s favorite piece of dive equipment in his kit is his Halcyon BCD – and you won’t ever find him diving without a dive light! Be sure to ask John about his favorite place to get clam chowder post dive here in Monterey.

Curren got certified in 2018 through the West Valley scuba program. He has since logged 100 dives+ and has become a PADI Open Water Instructor. 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!

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. 

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!

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 8 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.

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!

Certified in 2022, Nick already has an impressive 127 logged dives! Eagerly jumping into the world of diving, Nick is currenlty in the process of obtaining his Divemaster. His favorite dive site here in Monterey is Carmel River State Beach. Post-dive you will likely find Nick on the search for some warm pizza and perhaps some fruit snacks to top it off! One of his most memorable dive experiences was seeing a pod of Risso's dolphins from a boat after his dive. The dive experience that stands out the most for him was when a curious harbor seal decided to investigate his fin, hitching a ride on his fin throughout the dive! A lover of cetaceans, Nick's favorite marine creature is the humpback whale. Nick's favorite piece of dive equipment is his Sea-Life phone housing and you won't find him on a dive without a dive light - day or night!  

Certified in 2017, Andrew has been exploring the kelp forest ever since. With ~120 dives under his belt, Andrew has had the chance to hear humpback whales sing while underwater and to see dolphins illuminated from bioluminencse while they bow-ride in the dark. His favorite dive sites in Monterey include Wharf 2 and Tanker's Reef. Given his love for Tanker's Reef it is not surprising that one of his favorite sea creatures is the sunflower star - along with the ocean sunfish! Always prepared, Andrew is never without a cutting tool while diving and enjoys diving with his underwater slates. Be sure to ask him where to find his favorite post-dive food - pupusas!

Will got certified here in Monterey and has been accumulating additional dives since! His most memorable dive was his first dive - where he experienced the underwater world for the first time. One of Will's favorite things to see underwater are sea lions as they swim by mid-dive. His favorite sea creature is the hermit crab, due to their goofyness! Post-dive you will likely find Will eating some carne asada fries and thinking about his next dive!

Elsa got certified through the CSUMB research diving program and has eagerly been accumulating dives since! With over 40 dives some of her favorite local sites include Lovers Cove and Butterfly House. A fan of cephalopods, one of her favorite dive memories was encountering a red ocotopus hiding under a shell at Otter Cove. Her favorite sea creature is the flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) because of its cute size and unique colors! You'll find Elsa staying warm below the water with her 7mm Blue Tuna open cell wetsuit. Topside, post-dive, she likes to warm up with a super burrito with extra hot sauce (to really warm back up!).