Our Crew

Dive with Kona's finest. Our family loves the ocean, bar none.

Training & Qualifications

We hold our crew to the highest industry standards. Every staff member is certified to administer CPR, AED, emergency oxygen, and first aid. They are all required to attend live emergency scenario training on our vessels on a regular basis, which has been praised by local Emergency Medical Service providers. We ensure drug-free vessels by requiring all boat crew to participate in our random drug testing program. Additionally, we conduct regular performance evaluations for each employee. These efforts are part of our commitment to you to make your experience with Big Island Divers as safe and enjoyable as it can possibly be. In addition, we require the following of our crew:

USCG Captains

Each of our captains holds a valid Merchant Mariner Credential issued by the United States Coast Guard as a Master Of Self-Propelled Vessels (official US captain's license), has earned a Marine Radio Operator Permit, and has satisfied a TSA background check.

PADI Instructors & Divemasters

Each of our dive professionals holds current PADI membership and is in active teaching status through that industry-leading organization. Additionally, Big Island Divers regularly facilitates workshops and lectures covering a variety of ecologically relevant subjects to help develop our crew into experts on the local environment.

Snorkel Guides

Our in-water guides are required to show an expertise with water activities and rescue abilities. There are a number of qualifications they can earn to satisfy this, including PADI Rescue Diver, Lifeguard, and Freediver certifications. All of our snorkel guides hold one or more of these certifications.

Nick W

USCG Captain, Maintenance

Mark J

USCG Captain, Maintenance

Tanner B

USCG Captain, Maintenance

Diana Z

USCG Captain

Tara H

USCG Captain

Tyler S

USCG Captain, Instructor

Cosmo F

Instructor

Dani O

Instructor

Joe B

Instructor

Fernando V

Instructor

Roslynn P-S

Instructor, Sales Associate

Kaitlin M

Dive Master, Sales Associate

Brianna P

Divemaster, Sales Associate

Holly W

Divemaster, Sales Associate

Doug C

Divemaster, Gear Technician

Josh O

Divemaster, Snorkel Guide, Gear Technician

Kate J

Snorkel Guide, Sales Associate

Jaime A

Snorkel Guide, Sales Associate

Sophia O

Snorkel Guide, Sales Associate

Craig S

Sales Associate, Gear Technician

Laura E

Snorkel Guide

Chris H

Snorkel Guide

Paisley S

Sales Associate

Rick H

Maintenance

Sam J

Head Gear Technician

Sarah B

Office Manager

Jon E

Training Coordinator, USCG Captain

Nikki T

Sales Manager

Paul D

Director of Operations

Craig N

Fleet Manager

Tait H

General Manager

2024's #1 Dive Operator in Hawaii

with a 5 star reputation

Manta Ray Night Dive

What a truly amazing experience!! Nearly an hour of down time with dozens of large mantas putting on an incredible show. Jenna, and Captain Kevin made it a pleasant and safe trip. This is a must do while staying on the Big Island.

RichGiff on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:32:39-10:00

RichGiff on TripAdvisor

What a truly amazing experience!! Nearly an hour of down time with dozens of large mantas putting on an incredible show. Jenna, and Captain Kevin made it a pleasant and safe trip. This is a must do while staying on the Big Island.

One of the Top 10 Dives in the World!

Believe It, it really is one of the most phenomenal dives we have ever done! Laying on our stomachs on the ocean floor around the "campfire" was unforgettable as the beautifully graceful Manta Rays soared directly above our heads, over and over. They performed ballet moves with each other, sometimes as many as 4 at a time feeding on the plankton.

Susan R on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:33:00-10:00

Susan R on TripAdvisor

Believe It, it really is one of the most phenomenal dives we have ever done! Laying on our stomachs on the ocean floor around the "campfire" was unforgettable as the beautifully graceful Manta Rays soared directly above our heads, over and over. They performed ballet moves with each other, sometimes as many as 4 at a time feeding on the plankton.

Excellent

We have been diving the BID on multiple dives over multiple trips and we keep coming back to them because of the high quality service that they provide. Definitely a step above the usual dive shops.

Dreamer6739 on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:37:50-10:00

Dreamer6739 on TripAdvisor

We have been diving the BID on multiple dives over multiple trips and we keep coming back to them because of the high quality service that they provide. Definitely a step above the usual dive shops.

Manta Night Dive Lives Up to the Hype

I recently went on the sunset reef dive & manta ray night dive. I was a little hesitant about my expectations because I heard so many great things and didn't want to be disappointed. Cannot say enough great things about the company, captain and DM - highly recommend and will dive with them again.

ulintza on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:38:42-10:00

ulintza on TripAdvisor

I recently went on the sunset reef dive & manta ray night dive. I was a little hesitant about my expectations because I heard so many great things and didn't want to be disappointed. Cannot say enough great things about the company, captain and DM - highly recommend and will dive with them again.

Excellent Staff

We had a great two tank dive with BID last week! Our dive master Amy was excellent all the way around and our captain Rob was not only a great captain but very knowledgeable about Hawaii and even served hot chocolate on the way back to the Marina.

bridgetsheahan on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:39:31-10:00

bridgetsheahan on TripAdvisor

We had a great two tank dive with BID last week! Our dive master Amy was excellent all the way around and our captain Rob was not only a great captain but very knowledgeable about Hawaii and even served hot chocolate on the way back to the Marina.

Incredible

It was so amazing that it made me feel like a kid again - this is coming from someone who has traveled a lot. I talked to other divers who described the Black Water Dive, and I wish I would have done that one instead of the twilight dive.

Steve9172

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:40:19-10:00

Steve9172

It was so amazing that it made me feel like a kid again - this is coming from someone who has traveled a lot. I talked to other divers who described the Black Water Dive, and I wish I would have done that one instead of the twilight dive.

Great Dive Experience

Great dive experience underwater and while on the boat. Experienced staff gave all of the direction and assistance needed but did not "over-guide" the trip as is often the case.

Compass0726 on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:40:52-10:00

Compass0726 on TripAdvisor

Great dive experience underwater and while on the boat. Experienced staff gave all of the direction and assistance needed but did not "over-guide" the trip as is often the case.

An Amazing Souvenir

I booked the night Manta Ray snorkeling tour. It was simply awesome. In addition of the amazing experience to observe the Manta rays in their natural environment, the crew was just perfect, always helpful and offers us a warm hospitality. I definitely recommend this tour.

tomlecube on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:41:47-10:00

tomlecube on TripAdvisor

I booked the night Manta Ray snorkeling tour. It was simply awesome. In addition of the amazing experience to observe the Manta rays in their natural environment, the crew was just perfect, always helpful and offers us a warm hospitality. I definitely recommend this tour.

Two Tank Dive

This is the dive shop to go with for great service and knowledgeable staff. I went out for a refresher dive since it had been 9 years since my last dive. Becca was great and by the end of the second dive I felt comfortable being back in the water.

BryonB690

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:42:13-10:00

BryonB690

This is the dive shop to go with for great service and knowledgeable staff. I went out for a refresher dive since it had been 9 years since my last dive. Becca was great and by the end of the second dive I felt comfortable being back in the water.
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Big Island Divers
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