The best of the best!

Galapagos Dive Training and Conservation provide the highest standards of dive safety, dive education, customer service, and customer experience.

The company principals, Paulo and Mateo, have decades of dive experience, great local knowledge, and a consuming passion for conservation. These strengths and the competencies of the others in the team mean that Galapagos Dive Training and Conservation can provide you with everything you need for your Galapagos adventure.

Set out below is a little more about the team…

Paulo Tobar

PADI Instructor and Co-owner

Paulo worked with the Scuba Iguana Agency for 15 years as a Dive Guide and Instructor, learning the skills required to take on the training of guests and, in time, new colleagues.

Today, he is renowned for his passion about the ocean and the care of divers. He says, “Since I was little, our island’s connection with the sea has been inspiring. Playing on our local beaches, learning to freedive with friends, undertaking a Discovery Scuba Diving program with the Scuba Iguana Agency while I was at school, all of this led me to the love I have for adventure and the undersea world.”

Paulo says:

“I have long been involved in citizen science projects, as I like to contribute to the conservation of marine species and inspire divers to care for marine ecosystems. This is the reason our dive operation has at its core the preparing of divers to participate in citizen science initiatives.”

“Our oceans need to see big changes in the future, with each diver contributing through personal action. I can provide a practical example of this. One of my favorite species, the hawksbill turtle is in danger of extinction, so I’m focused on photo identification of these turtles to expand our knowledge about their aggregation areas and estimated populations, to help improve the management and protection measures we take in regard to this species.”

Mateo Cruz

PADI Instructor and Co-owner

Mateo was raised on Floreana Island in the south of the Galapagos archipelago.

Having been raised in an environment of exquisite marine flora and fauna since childhood, it is perhaps not surprising that this has fueled a deep love for the ocean and a desire to explore the mysteries beneath its surface.

Mateo qualified as a PADI diving instructor in 2018, in order that he could share his passion for the sea with others.

Mateo says of his mission:

“I live to guide divers on exciting underwater expeditions, equipping them with the technical skills necessary to enjoy our extraordinary aquatic world."

“My commitment lies in ensuring that everyone who dives into the depths does so with total safety, confidence, and the guarantee of a unique and unforgettable experience.”

Daniel Guerrero

Boat Captain and Rescue Diver

Daniel is from Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos. He grew up with a strong connection to the sea thanks to his family, his own small boat IRA, and his friends in Bahía Academia. With such an interest, it seemed natural to Daniel that he should start his working life as a crew member on a large vessel serving the islands.

After spending time on a variety of such ships, Daniel became interested in scuba and found employment on day-dive boats. Eventually, having further developed his his knowledge and skills, he became a dive boat Captain.

Today, Daniel’s extensive knowledge of Galapagos diving helps us offer guests the perfect response to varying weather, current, and tidal conditions. Daniel’s passion for the marine world has also led him to be a Rescue Diver - prepared for any emergency :)

Shania Rendon

 PADI Scuba Instructor

Born in Santa Cruz, Shania is the daughter of a local fisherman and a naturalist guide. Through her family, she’s been able to experience life in the ocean and has grown up surfing, scuba diving, free diving, and volunteering on marine conservation projects. At only 23, she’s now dedicating her life to showing people the beauty of our oceans, and the need for their protection.

Shania has been a dive professional for a couple years, assisting in various dive centers across the world. She became a qualified PADI Instructor in 2024 and brings with her the experience of working with the Diveheart foundation, teaching students with disabilities.

Shania says:

“As a Scuba Instructor, my main goal is to help people better understand the ocean, by providing them with a personal experience of the underwater world, by teaching them about its importance, and by encouraging them to love it as much as I do.”

“During any scuba diving experience, I’m focus on in-water safety and inclusivity, these are key priorities for me as I share my passion for the ocean and breathing underwater. Everyone should experience scuba diving!“

Nick and Paul

IT Services

Nick and Paul have known each other for many years and when not busy with work and their families they dive - Nick is a Dive Master and Paul a Rescue Diver. Occasionally, they also collaborate, as ‘Nick and Paul Multimedia’, to produce websites and provide IT support to individuals and organisations working in the scuba sector.

Nick and Paul say:

“We have known the guys at Galapagos Dive Training and Conservation for some time now and are really pleased they have finally set up their own business. Their skills and energy will greatly advance the scuba offer in the islands! Our best wishes to everyone associated with the new company!”

Bryan Vallejo

Sales agent

Bryan discovered scuba diving during his work for shark conservation and satellite technologies in the Galapagos islands. As an ecuadorian Geographer, he wants to support Galapagos Dive Training & Conservation in their scuba activities managing their online reservations of courses and adventures. He is willing to help international visitos to discover how magical the Galapagos Marine Reserve can be with all its biodiversity and ecological seasonality.

Bryan says:

“One of the greatest feelings I've ever had is the moment I jumped from the boat to the ocean. The silence and the calmness of the underwater scenario make me feel how wonderful the world can be. The Galápagos Islands truly showed me how life can explode and how nature can change radically in every season. Sometimes, the water is so warm that I would spend a storm in there. I wish to share this paradise with everyone beyond Ecuador”