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Reef Pirates Crew

Dan Habel

General Manager and USCG Boat Captain

Dan has worked in the dive industry here in Oahu for over a decade. Whether driving the boat, teaching a course, or leading a dive, Dan’s professionalism and friendly attitude are apparent the minute you meet him. With his vast experience both on and under the water, we are fortunate to have him. Dan spends his free time fishing, surfing and diving. In fact, we are not sure he ever goes on land for more than a few hours at a time.

Noah Auna

USCG Boat Captain

Noah has been with the Reef Pirates team since early 2017. When not driving our dive boats and assisting our divers, you can find him enjoying other ocean activities such as surfing, fishing and canoe paddling. Noah considers Maunalua Bay his playground as he was born and raised in Hawaii Kai. Being an avid diver, he enjoys seeing the stoke our guests have after their dives.

 

<DISCLAIMER> Please note the date stamp on his photo…

Chris Felton

USCG Boat Captain

A native of Florida, Chris came to Hawaii in 2001 while serving in the U.S. Navy. He started diving in 2007 but only became a PADI Instructor and USCG Boat Captain after retiring in 2015. He hopes to never have to wear shoes again and his spirit animal is the Brown Booby!

 

<Disclaimer> Please note this photo was taken in the mid 90s…

Pete Watkins

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and USCG Boat Captain

Pete has been a part of the Reef Pirates family for over three years. He was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and is a die-hard Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Pete became a professional scuba instructor in Grand Cayman in 2001. For the next decade, he captained and instructed in Maui, as well as dive liveaboards in the Bahamas, Belize, and Roatán, Honduras. Pete spends his free time hiking, surfing, diving, and whale watching in the winter months.

Elise Cegielski

PADI IDC Staff Instructor

Elise was always captivated by the magic of the ocean, but spending a portion of her childhood in the azure waters surrounding Phuket, Thailand, won her over. She got her open water certification in a high school marine biology program in Florida and reached Australia on a study abroad program in college. Elise decided the adventure had to continue, so she participated in an eight-month intensive apprenticeship in the Keys to become a Master Scuba Diver Trainer. She now has her wings to dive the world and share her passion for its majestic depths with those around her.

Lee Powers

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor

Lee learned to dive in the chilly mine pits of Minnesota. Ever cautious, he gained experience as a Divemaster from 2008 until February 2016, when he took the next step and was certified as a PADI Scuba Instructor. Whether diving below the ice on a frozen lake or in a tropical grotto in the Marianas islands, Lee is ready to get down and explore the majestic beauty of the underwater world.

Jonathan Tissandier

PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor

Jonathan was born in France and grew up in Boston. He found an early passion with the ocean, sailing throughout the Caribbean at a young age. He began his instructor career in Australia and Indonesia. An avid surfer and waterman, he loves everything about the underwater world. He is also an environmental scientist who is passionate about conservation and marine ecology.