We’re excited to introduce the brand-new 2026 PADI AmbassaDivers!

PADI AmbassaDivers come from all corners of the world, bringing a wide range of careers, experiences and creative talents. A shared passion for protecting our blue planet and a drive to inspire others to care for the ocean united them into key representatives of the PADI brand.

Read on to meet this year’s AmbassaDivers and explore their stories — plus ways to follow along as they continue their adventures and work to protect our oceans.

Domitila Barros Ambassadiver padi
Domitila Barros Ambassadiver padi coral farm

1. Domitila Barros

Recife, Brazil

Storytelling sits at the heart of Domitila’s work as an award-winning greenfluencer and entrepreneur. From fronting international campaigns to being named Global Sustainability Influencer of the Year, she empowers people to embrace conscious, nature-positive lifestyles. At the heart of it all is one message : Biodiversity is beautiful, Mother Earth is love and the ocean is home.

Favorite marine species: “Mantas and Sharks (all of them).”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “To be honest, diving has helped me with my anxiety and hectic moments. I only want to share more about marine life and protection with my community while having fun underwater. It is so important! If I can move at least my people to care more and learn more about our oceans and underwater life, I would feel like I reached it all!” 

Follow Domitila on social media:

cameron whitnall padi ambassadiver swimming with manta
cameron whitnall padi ambassadiver on beach

2. Cameron Whitnall

Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, UK

In addition to being Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary in the UK, Cameron is a wildlife conservationist, photographer, author and children’s wildlife presenter. His lifelong passion for animals and their protection grew from being surrounded by wildlife at Hertfordshire Zoo, where he learned firsthand the importance of conservation and education. Today, he brings animals to life through photography, film and social media, sharing the natural beauty of the world and why it’s worth protecting.

Favorite dive site: “Bequia in the Caribbean. The reefs are bursting with color and life, and you’re almost guaranteed unforgettable encounters with turtles. It was my first ever dive, too, and it’s what made me want to dive more, so there’s history there.”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “To inspire my audience and future generations to give diving a go, while helping them understand why protecting our oceans is so important.”

Follow Cameron on social media:

elisabeth lauwerys padi ambassadiver
elisabeth lauwerys padi ambassadiver diving underwater

3. Elisabeth Lauwerys

The Netherlands & Belgium

Through her work with Oceans Below, Elisabeth combines cinematic visuals, education and conservation storytelling to help people fall in love with the ocean — and want to protect it. Based in Koh Tao, Thailand, she is also a PADI Instructor (MSDT) and uses more than two decades of experience as a diver and underwater videographer to teach divers to slow down, observe and capture meaningful stories of their own.

Favorite marine species: “Eagle rays. Their effortless movement, curiosity and calm presence always stop me in my tracks. Watching an eagle ray glide by feels like witnessing pure freedom underwater — a reminder to slow down, stay present and simply observe.”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “To inspire divers to slow down, dive mindfully and build a deeper connection with the ocean — using visual storytelling, education and mentorship to turn meaningful underwater experiences into long-term care for our blue planet.”

Follow Elisabeth on social media:

Laura Studarus padi ambassadiver diving
Laura Studarus padi ambassadiver in water

4. Laura Studarus

Ventura, California 

Laura is a writer, traveler and ocean advocate who discovered her passion during a PADI Mermaid course in 2023. Since then, she’s earned her Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications, explored six countries underwater and fallen in love with manta rays. Through her adventures, she inspires people with physical and mental challenges to find confidence and belonging beneath the waves. Her work has featured in several international outlets, including BBC Travel, The Daily Beast and Wired.

Favorite dive site: “How do people choose just one? I love the Maldives for the variety of sea life, Channel Islands for kelp and mermaid vibes and La Paz for wrecks and watching the sea lions play.”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “To help people with body dysmorphia and chronic anxiety realize that there’s a place for them in the ocean.”

Follow Laura on social media:

Janavi Kramer padi ambassadiver sitting
Janavi Kramer padi ambassadiver looking

5. Janavi Kramer

Hertfordshire, UK

The underwater world has been the driving force behind Janavi’s work as an internationally acclaimed ocean artist and scientific illustrator. After discovering diving, the ocean became both her greatest teacher and creative muse, inspiring intricate illustrations and visual storytelling that celebrate its beauty and biodiversity. Through her art, she invites people to look closer and take action to protect the sea.

Top scuba tip: “Slow down and be present. The biggest lessons I’ve learned from diving is how fleeting underwater moments can be. Some of the best experiences happen when you stop chasing encounters and simply observe. If you’ve built a solid foundation through training, trust your skills, relax and allow the ocean to unfold around you — those moments often become the most meaningful.”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “One of the greatest threats facing our oceans is disconnection — the quiet apathy that comes from feeling separate from the sea. As a PADI AmbassaDiver, I hope to help bridge that gap by using creativity as a force for good: showcasing weird and wonderful marine life, advocating for its protection and reminding people of their intrinsic connection to the ocean. My goal is to inspire people not only to discover the ocean through diving, but to look closer and care deeper. Because when people fall in love with the sea, they fight to protect it – and that’s where real change begins.”

Follow Janavi on social media:

Gabriela Salvador padi ambassadiver touching light
Gabriela Salvador padi ambassadiver looking out boat

6. Gabriela (Gaby) Salvador

Madrid, Spain

Gaby’s journey began in the classroom before she followed her passion for the ocean, becoming an underwater photographer, storyteller, PADI Divemaster and freediver. She has lived in and spent time documenting some of the world’s most ecologically important marine environments, from the Great Barrier Reef to Raja Ampat. By combining her background in education with underwater imagery and science communication, she connects people to the ocean in ways that inspire awareness, responsibility and action to protect it.

Favorite dive site: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to dive places that truly make your heart skip a beat. The Dampier Strait probably holds my favorite dive sites in the world (not only for its breathtaking biodiversity, but also because of how personally meaningful they became during months of conservation work and Divemaster training). Blue Magic, Sardine and Cape Kri have all left me speechless more than once, and I still remember being mesmerized by the vast acropora colonies in the shallows at Melissa’s Garden the first time I saw them. Evidence that magic exists on our planet!”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “My goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver is to inspire curious, compassionate and conscious divers. I want to encourage people to go beyond ticking off dive sites, and instead deepen their connection with the ocean, understanding the ecosystems they move through and the impact they have. Many divers don’t realize how much there is to learn about coral reefs, marine life or conservation, and I want to help bridge that gap through storytelling, education and community. Ultimately, I hope to not only inspire more people to dive into this extraordinary world, but to also foster more ocean stewardship, empowering people to use their skills, voices and experiences to protect this incredible environment.”

Follow Gaby on social media:

Kyle Mulinder padi ambassadiver looking
Kyle Mulinder padi ambassadiver kelp forest

7. Kyle Mulinder

Motueka, New Zealand

After two decades guiding sea kayaking adventures along coastlines around the world, New Zealand-based storyteller Kyle discovered a full-blown passion for the underwater world when he earned his PADI Open Water Diver certification in Fiji in 2023. Today, he uses visual storytelling, hands-on conservation and training to connect people to the ocean and inspire them to explore and protect life beneath the surface.

Favorite marine species: “Orca! My Tā moko (maori tattoo) is an orca. My first time seeing an orca in New Zealand is a memory that will never leave me. It was enough to motivate me to move to Canada as a kayak guide where I could see them, and since then I’ve had some very special wild moments with these magnificent creatures.”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “To get as many of my followers into diving as I can but also use this time for myself to upskill and learn more about the sport and the underwater environment.”

Follow Kyle on social media:

mike winkles padi ambassadiver freediving
mike winkles padi ambassadiver sitting on boat

8. Mike Winkles

Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Mike earned his PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification at 12 and has spent more than 20 years as a PADI Pro, now serving as a Course Director. He shares his passion for the Florida Springs and manatees by hosting thousands of school children on educational, in-water field trips. When he’s not teaching, you can likely find him paddle-boarding or capturing underwater moments with his favorite marine mammals.

Favorite marine species: “No question here, it’s manatees! To have a curious manatee approach you on a swim feels like you’ve won the lottery! Having a 10-foot (three-meter), 1,000-pound (450-kilogram) mammal swim over and look you in the eye is a feeling more amazing than I could ever describe.” 

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “Build the dive community with more PADI Pros! Showing how fun and rewarding the PADI Divemaster and PADI Instructor Development courses are, and helping people create a great career in the scuba industry!”

Follow Mike on social media:

Rika Ozaki padi ambassadiver boat rainbow
Rika Ozaki padi ambassadiver diving

9. Rika Ozaki

Yokohama, Japan & Auckland, New Zealand

Growing up between Yokohama and Auckland, Rika never imagining she’d become a diver or marine scientist until a chance encounter with an oceanic manta ray in New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf changed everything. That moment sparked a passion for understanding and protecting rays, leading her to found the Japan Manta Project in 2025. Through close collaboration with local communities and fishermen, Rika studies these majestic creatures and turns knowledge into meaningful, locally driven conservation efforts.

Favorite marine species: “My favorite marine species has to be the manta ray — specifically the oceanic manta ray. Sharing the water with them feels timeless, as if the world briefly passes. The eye contact — you can feel their intelligence in a single look, and the moment shared feels like an out-of-body experience!”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “My goal is to help people see themselves as part of the ocean. Anyone can be a diver or conservationist. Diving is about curiosity and respect, not just certifications or gear. Diving offers the rare chance to experience this world as a guest, and I want to show the ocean isn’t distant or intimidating, but a place where everyone already belongs.” 

Follow Rika on social media:

Satya Winnie padi ambassadiver diving with turtle
Satya Winnie padi ambassadiver sitting on boat

10. Satya Winnie

Bali, Indonesia

With a passion for diving, paragliding, hiking and cultural exploration, Satya is an adventurous travel and lifestyle creator. Based between Bali and Singapore, she has spent 17 years sharing stories that connect audiences to land, sea and sky. Through her vibrant social channels, Satya inspires responsible travel, environmental awareness and women’s empowerment in adventure sports, encouraging others to embrace life fully and consciously.

Top scuba tip: “My top scuba tip is to keep practicing until your skills become true muscle memory. Don’t only train when conditions are perfect. Practice for the worst-case scenarios so you’re prepared when things feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable underwater. Stress drills and controlled challenges help build confidence, awareness and calm decision-making. Learning to befriend discomfort underwater is part of becoming a better, safer diver. The more familiar you are with those moments, the more freedom and enjoyment you’ll find in every dive.” 

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “As a PADI AmbassaDiver, my goal is to inspire more women, especially Indonesian women and the younger generation, to discover scuba diving and feel confident in the ocean. As one of the few female Indonesian instructors, I want to show that diving is for everyone, regardless of background or gender. Through storytelling and education, I hope to help people build a deeper connection with the sea, not just as divers but as ocean guardians. When people fall in love with the ocean, they naturally want to protect it. Creating that connection is at the heart of everything I do.”

Follow Satya on social media:

danel wentzel padi ambassadiver with camera
danel wentzel padi ambassadiver with turtle

11. Danel (Dani) Wentzel

Potchefstroom, South Africa

As a marine researcher turned ocean storyteller, Danel uses her passion for the underwater world to showcase its beauty. A University of Cape Town graduate, she has studied everything from sharks in Aliwal Shoal to manta rays in Mozambique, combining her scientific expertise with visual storytelling to connect people to the fragility and wonder of marine ecosystems, inspiring awareness and action to protect them.

Favorite dive site: “Growing up as a tropical diver, I never thought I’d say this, but it would have to be Cape Town, especially a spot called Boulders Beach! There’s something about the kelp that provides a different level of thrill and excitement. I’ve had some of my craziest encounters here, including swimming with a group of 50+ endangered African Penguins!” 

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “Next up for me is furthering my freedive journey (and perhaps even becoming an instructor in 2026). I want to combine my skills in diving and science communication to lead others on expeditions to explore and document the incredible scientific work being done in our ocean!” 

Follow Dani on social media:

nicole krass ambassadiver padi
nicole krass ambassadiver padi

12. Nicole Krass

Eichstaett, Germany

Nicole is a PADI Adaptive Techniques Instructor, journalist and passionate advocate for inclusive diving. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she realized there were few accessible diving options and launched her blog, Tauchen mit Handicap, to share knowledge and inspire others. Fluent in sign language, Nicole organizes diving experiences for people with and without disabilities. Above all, she loves introducing everyone to the magic of the underwater world and showing that diving truly has no limits.

Favorite marine species: “Boxfish, any kind. As soon as I spot one, I start grinning, and my eyes light up with joy. Whether big or small, boxfish are just adorable.”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “My goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver is to create opportunities to make diving accessible to everyone. I want to show how adaptive diving breaks down barriers and enables true inclusion, because underwater we are all equal, with or without disabilities.”

Follow Nicole on social media:

jolene tiong padi ambassadiver dive boat
jolene tiong padi ambassadiver standing

13. Jolene Tiong

Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Jolene’s love for the sea appeared at a young age. Now an ocean advocate and media personality, she has led community conservation efforts, including beach clean-ups that collectively removed and recycled more than 1.2 tonnes (1,200 kg) of litter from Malaysia’s coastlines. With years of experience in media, from modeling and pageantry to hosting travel programs, she uses her skills to build engaged, purpose-driven communities, aiming to inspire protection and help reverse the ecosystem decline she has witnessed firsthand.

Favorite marine species: “Nudibranchs — hands down. They’re like underwater Pokémon, and I say that lovingly; I just want to spot them all (pun intended). This year, I was especially excited to find a tiny Pikachu nudibranch (Thecacera pacifica) — so small you’d miss it entirely if you weren’t paying attention. That’s what I love most about them: they force you to stay present, and truly appreciate the little details nature offers.”

Goal as a PADI AmbassaDiver: “My goal is to encourage people to expand their boundaries — both personally and emotionally — through diving, and to build a deeper love for the ocean that naturally leads to protection. By combining storytelling, education and real-world action, I hope to show that you don’t need to be a scientist to make a difference — just someone willing to care, participate and protect what they love.”

Follow Jolene on social media:

Feeling Inspired To Help Protect the Ocean?

We want to thank our 2026 PADI AmbassaDivers for sharing their passion and commitment to protecting our blue planet. Their journeys are proof that meaningful change is possible — and that it starts with everyday actions.

If you’re ready to get involved with ocean conservation, a simple first step is to become a PADI Torchbearer. Click below and sign the Save the Ocean Pledge to join a growing global movement committed to protecting what we love and creating a healthier ocean for generations to come.

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