All About Dana
PADI IDC Staff Instructor / Level 5 Fish Surveyor
Growing up on Long Island, my life revolved around the water—swim lessons, long days in the Long Island Sound, and snorkeling with sea turtles on vacations in St. John all fed my childhood wish to become a mermaid. At the same time, I pursued classical music and opera, performing in churches, local productions, and wineries. When perfectionism dulled the joy, I stepped away from music and moved into the local wine industry, eventually becoming Marketing & Wine Club Manager at a respected North Fork winery.
Still, the ocean kept calling. That pull led me to the Maldives, where I spent five months helping rehabilitate sea turtles before the pandemic brought me back home. While working as a food pantry coordinator during lockdown, I finally earned my open water certification in Cozumel in 2021—and from my first dive, I knew I wanted to share the ocean with others. I later moved to Utila, Honduras, where I became a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and then to dushi Bonaire, where I continued growing as an instructor and marine enthusiast.
Three years later, I’m a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, Level 5 Expert Fish Surveyor for REEF, and excited to join Jason and Mandy’s incredible business. Looking back, I see how each chapter has deepened my love for the ocean, strengthened my sense of community, and fueled my drive to discover new places. Every dive reminds me of the enchantment that sparked my childhood dreams of mermaids and coral reefs, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to inspire others to fall in love with and protect the sea. Moving forward, I look forward to using my experience and enthusiasm to help others unlock the same sense of wonder and connection that’s guided me from Long Island to the underwater world I call home.
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