Hey there! I’m a traveling acrobat with an insatiable love for the ocean. Currently based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
As a scuba instructor I help new divers discover the ocean’s magic, and certified divers to grow their skills and confidence.
Growing up as a gymnast taught me how much I love living in my body in all forms of acrobatics. From flying high in aerials arts – Lyra (hoop) & aerial silks- to more solid apparatus like handstands, acrobatics, and acroyoga, I teach others how to connect to oneself through movement.
I believe we exist in this world to connect with it, ourselves, and each other. Through intentional movement of acrobatics, and delving deep into nature under the sea, we can create the space to meet ourselves in ways we never have before.
My passion is underwater meditation – which connects the oneness we feel during yoga to the underwater world.
With the name “Marina,” I was Born for the Sea – Now a PADI Instructor in the Riviera Maya
I started scuba diving at 18 and, like many divers, I was instantly hooked. After years of living inland in the U.S. and diving in lakes on vacation, I finally decided to turn my passion into a full-time career. In 2024, I completed my Divemaster certification in Nusa Penida, Indonesia, and earned my PADI Instructor certification right here in Tulum, Mexico.
Now based in the Riviera Maya, I’m proud to share my love of the ocean through PADI scuba diving courses in Playa del Carmen. Since becoming an instructor, I’ve had the privilege of working in three different countries and learning from some of the best in the diving community. Whether you’re taking your first breath underwater or continuing your dive education, I’m here to help you explore the incredible reefs and marine life of the Mexican Caribbean.
From Gymnastics to Aerial Arts: A Lifetime of Movement and Strength
Before diving, I dedicated my life to gymnastics, training competitively from ages 3 to 16 and beginning my coaching journey at just 15. Movement has always been my language. In college, I earned a springboard diving scholarship while completing a degree in Kinesiology, deepening my understanding of the body in motion. After graduation, I transitioned into aerial arts and acroyoga, combining strength, flexibility, and creativity.
While performing has never been my main focus, I’ve found my purpose in empowering women to feel strong, confident, and beautiful through acrobatics, aerial movement, and mindful training.
Everyone Says Diving is Like Meditation – So I Made it Intentional
I had my first underwater meditation session with a colleague in the diving industry, and it completely changed my perspective. Even as a longtime yoga and meditation practitioner, I hadn’t realized how different it could feel beneath the surface. That first session opened a level of connection I’d never experienced — to the ocean, to the planet, and to myself. It was a reminder of just how deeply intertwined we are with the world around us, and how much richer our inner lives can become when we slow down and dive with intention.
Inspired, I began leading meditation dives and eventually turned it into a PADI Distinctive Specialty course. I believe all divers benefit from entering the water with mindful intentions, but those who take it a step further with meditation diving experience a profound, transformative connection — with themselves, the ocean, and the planet. This is more than diving; it’s a practice of awareness, presence, and respect for the underwater world.
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