Why I Became a Scuba Diving Instructor

2025-02-19 18:06:27

A short story about how my adventure began, my relationship with the sea, and the fascinating underwater world.

A short story about how my adventure began, my relationship with the sea, and the fascinating underwater world.

It all started when I worked on a boat that transported tourists from Cancún to Isla Mujeres. Back then, I was the bartender (a really fun job, by the way ????). In addition to serving drinks, the boat also offered scuba diving services for beginners and certified divers. On several occasions, I approached the diving instructor and asked if he could teach me how to dive. After many attempts and a bit of persistence, he finally agreed. ????

My first dive was in 1999 at Manchones Reef in Isla Mujeres. It was an incredible experience. From the moment I jumped into the water, I began to immerse myself in a completely new world. I saw colorful fish, felt the bubbles rising, admired the vibrant corals, and experienced the sensation of floating as if I were in space. I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. When the dive ended, I thought, "I want to share this with my friends and family." And that’s how my journey into the world of scuba diving began.

It was a long process, filled with learning, unforgettable experiences, and adventures alongside different diving instructors, dive masters, underwater videographers, captains, and sailors. I am grateful to each of them for everything they taught me, and I continue to learn even after 26 years of active diving. I’ve lost count of how many dives I’ve done, but I estimate it’s around 16,000 or more.

Today, I still enjoy this incredible experience and share it not only with friends and family who dove with me in my early years but also with the second generation nieces, nephews, friends’ children, and new enthusiasts who are discovering this marvelous underwater world. The ocean remains my passion, and teaching others to explore it is my greatest joy. ????✨