Kelly | SSI Divemaster Instructor

Hey, I'm Kelly!

I live in Curaçao, not far from Porto Mari, together with my mother and grandmother. The island has been my home for years, and even though I don't wear a wetsuit as often these days, I still regularly go to the beach to catch up or enjoy the sea.

From March 2022 to July 2023, I worked weekends as a dive instructor at Porto Mari. During that period, I combined teaching with my law studies at the University of Curaçao and could be found at the beach almost every weekend. It was a special time in which I had the opportunity to guide many divers and build a close bond with the team.

Over the years, I have followed a unique path: I obtained my Open Water and Advanced certifications with PADI, then completed Diver Stress & Rescue and Nitrox with SSI. After that, I became a Divemaster and Open Water Instructor again with PADI, but eventually, together with the rest of the team at Porto Mari, I made the switch to SSI. That combination gave me a broad perspective on teaching and on different ways of training and guiding.

Within the Porto Mari Dive Center team, I introduced the Self-Reliant/Independent Diver course — now a permanent part of the specialties offered. I enjoyed teaching divers to trust their own skills and truly become independent underwater. That sometimes meant teasing, challenging, and pushing people just outside their comfort zone — always with a wink, but with a clear goal.

People describe me as direct and quick-witted. My filters aren't always set very tightly, but that usually makes things honest and clear. I love good company, a great atmosphere, and having people around me. And yes, pink is my favorite color — and that could definitely be seen underwater too.

These days, I work as a lawyer and also hold a military rank, but the sea and Porto Mari remain a place where I feel at home. I still go there often, just as part of life here on the island.