Tim | SSI Divemaster

Ha, I'm Tim!

I completed my divemaster training at Porto Mari Dive Center from October 2025 to March 2026. I've been diving since I was twelve, and over the years I've gained experience in places like Indonesia, the Philippines, Mexico, Bonaire, and now Curaçao. At 18, fresh out of school and just having gotten my driver's license, I became the youngest member of the team. But I quickly found my place, had a lot of fun — especially with Jorden — and, above all, learned an incredible amount.

I did my divemaster internship during a busy and fully planned gap year after high school, sandwiched between two periods of backpacking through Southeast Asia. Once my travels are over, I want to study International Business or Commercial Economics, probably in Groningen — although you never really know how things will turn out.

I tried to get as much out of my time in Curaçao as possible. Underwater, that meant I eagerly followed all kinds of specialties — and that turned into quite a list: Perfect Buoyancy, React Right (First Aid), Deep Diving, Night Diving & Limited Visibility, Stress & Rescue, Enriched Air Nitrox (40%), Invasive Species Management, Navigation, Science of Diving, Wreck Diving, Advanced Wreck Diving, Divemaster, Sidemount Diving and Independent Diving.

Above water, I wasn't idle either: I climbed Christoffelberg about seven times, went to Fuik Sunday (by my own count) ten times, and got to know pretty much every bar and nightlife spot on the island. You could say I became not only a guide underwater, but also a bit of a guide to Curaçao's nightlife 😉

Still, I made sure I was fresh and ready at 9:30 every morning. Underwater, I stay calm and focused, keep an overview, and make sure everyone feels safe and can enjoy the dive in a relaxed way.

What I love most about working as a divemaster is that you get to take people to another world — a world I still find special every day. For me, diving is more than just adventure. It's also about responsibility and respect for the ocean and everything that lives in it — and I bring that attitude to every dive I guide.