Meet Bex & Oli
We're Bex and Oli — a marine biologist and scuba diving instructor exploring coral reefs worldwide, working to protect and conserve them whilst capturing the secrets of these underwater wonderlands through professional photography.
Our mission is simple: protect the ocean, one dive at a time. We teach PADI scuba diving courses, manage reef restoration projects, and document our travels to raise awareness about marine ecosystems.
Bex
Tropical Marine Biologist & PADI Divemaster
Bex didn't just study marine biology – she continues to live it every day. After completing her Master's degree with first class honours from the University of Essex, Bex went onto pursue a career in the conservation and sustainable management of coral reefs globally.
Her career began in the Indo-Pacific, at Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef, where she spent a year working as a marine interpreter, educator and guide with GBR Biology across tourism vessels in Cairns. She was soon promoted to Marine Science Officer, responsible for managing a range of site assisted reef recovery projects, including the manufacturing, monitoring and installation of MARS Reef Stars for Hastings, Moore and Norman Reef. Bex spent 18 months working collaboratively with local Traditional Owner communities, Marine scientists and Tourism Operators to assist in the successful recovery of degraded reef sites, installing 350 Mars Reef Stars, 200 coral larvae settlement tiles and training 20+ indigenous community members in these reef recovery and surveying techniques.
What sets Bex apart is her hands-on, collaborative approach to science. She's not content studying marine life from the surface – she's underwater on a coral reef at 6AM monitoring coral health, conducting fish and invertebrate surveys and inspiring others to get involved in the conservation of these amazing ecosystems.
When she's not working, you'll find Bex freediving with sea turtles, photographing macro critters, or teaching locals about ocean conservation and how they can get involved! Her passion is infectious, and her scientific background brings credibility to every conservation story we share.
Key Achievements:
- Managed Reef Recovery Projects across 5+ reefs in the Central Great Barrier Reef
- 500+ logged Divemaster Dives across 5+ countries
- Trained 50+ individuals from local communities and Marine Biologists in reef monitoring principles and surveys, including Great Reef Census and Eye of The Reef
- Certified Reef Star builder utilising the Mars Assisted reef Restoration System (MARRS) for coral restoration, with 350 Reef Stars and 5,250 coral fragments installed in-situ
- Winner of the annual Tropical Marine Biology Prize for most outstanding performance in her masters degree cohort
Every coral fragment planted today is a promise to future generations that we refused to give up on our coral reefs
" — Bex, Marine Conservation Specialist
The moment someone takes their first breath underwater, they become an ocean advocate for life.
" — Oli, Ocean Education SpecialistOli
PADI Master Instructor & Underwater Photographer
Oli's journey from curious coastal kid to globally seasoned dive instructor is built on passion, grit, and a lifelong love for the ocean. What began with a PADI Bubblemaker session in the south of France at age 10 became a full-circle calling — one that's led him to teach, guide, and manage scuba operations across Australia, Thailand, Oman, and Europe.
Now a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, SeaTrek Helmet Diving Guide, EFR Instructor, and former Dive Supervisor, Oli has helped hundreds of students gain confidence and certification under his patient, safety-first instruction. He's trained future Divemasters, mentored field assistants, and run full operations as a General Manager — all while carrying his signature mix of professionalism, adaptability, and humour.
Beyond diving, Oli's skill set runs deep. He's a trained tender driver with experience in reef rescue scenarios, a former English business teacher with a flair for adapting to different learners, and a golf coach who's briefed groups of 100+ in team-building workshops. He also brings digital marketing savvy to the table, having managed SEO and online presence for dive centres to boost their visibility and bookings.
What sets Oli apart is his ability to create transformative experiences. His dives don't just check boxes — they awaken curiosity, respect, and responsibility. With fluency in English and French, his cross-cultural communication ensures his students leave as not just certified divers, but as true ocean advocates.
Key Achievements:
- Certified 850+ divers across 4+ countries
- Underwater photography featured in marine publications
- Developed sustainable diving curriculum
- Led 2000+ Certified divers and scientific divers
- Supervised 4 marine operations in Spain - Thailand - Australia
Faces from Our Journey
Every dive, every student, every coral fragment tells a story. Here are some of the incredible moments and people who have shaped our underwater adventure.
Great Reef Census with Citizens of the Reef
Taking photos of reef sites to help with reef health analysis
Newly Certified PADI Open Water Divers
Pro Dive Cairns Liveaboard on the Great Barrier Reef
Magic with Mantas
Bex and Oli scuba diving with Mantas at Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Wally the Moore Reef SuperStar
Bex working alsongside the local legendary Humphead wrasse
Mars Reef Stars
A star method in site assisted recovery transforming rubble fields into live coral dominated areas - Bex in the GBR
First Whaleshark in Koh Tao!
The Gentil Beast roaming the Koh Tao waters
Our Journey
First Breath Underwater - France
Oliver completed his very first scuba diving experience — the PADI Bubblemaker course — at the age of 11 while on a family holiday at a campsite in La Rochelle (West Coast).
Level 1 FFESSM - France
Oliver earned his Level 1 FFESSM certification at UCPA Niolon, Southern France, and began developing a deep interest in scuba diving and underwater exploration.
Level 2 FFESSM - France
Oliver returned to UCPA Niolon, Southern France to complete his Level 2 FFESSM, gaining more confidence in deeper and more complex dives.
Rescue Diver & Divemaster - Spain
Oliver completed his PADI Rescue Diver + EFR training and began his PADI Divemaster course at Poseidon Center, Calella de Palafrugell. He volunteered at the dive center for 7 months while living in a one-man tent at the local campsite.
First Ocean Experience - Australia
Bex completed her PADI Open Water Course at Pro Dive Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, sparking a deep passion for the ocean and inspiring her to pursue a future in marine biology.
Research Foundation - Fiji
Bex achieved her PADI Advanced Open Water certification and participated in a coral reef research internship at GVI, Caqalai Island, laying the foundation for her scientific dive training.
Professional Instructor - Thailand
Oliver completed his PADI Divemaster course, followed by PADI Open Water Instructor and MSDT certifications in Koh Tao. He became General Manager of Nature Deep Diving before returning to full-time instructing to spend more time underwater.
Rescue & Leadership - Australia
Bex completed her PADI Rescue Diver + EFR course at Pro Dive Cairns, Great Barrier Reef and continued directly into the PADI Divemaster program.
Academic Pursuit - United Kingdom
Bex began her Master's degree in Tropical Marine Biology at University of Essex, England, combining fieldwork with academic research in marine ecosystems.
Master's Achievement - United Kingdom
Bex successfully completed her Master's degree in Tropical Marine Biology at University of Essex.
Professional Marine Biologist - Australia
Bex began working as a Marine Biologist with Cairns – GBR Biology, sharing reef education with tourists and contributing to citizen science and coral health assessments.
Marine Science Officer - Australia
Bex was promoted to Marine Science Officer for the Reef Cooperative, Cairns, a GBR Biology partner leading sustainability and reef restoration efforts.
Destiny in Cairns: When Two Paths Became One
Our story didn’t begin with a plan — it began with the sea. We were both drawn to the Great Barrier Reef for different reasons: Bex for marine research, Oli for diving instruction. We met between early morning dives and late-night reef talks, not knowing that a shared love for the ocean would grow into something so much more.
We connected through saltwater, sunrises, and a mutual desire to protect what lies beneath the surface. From the first dive we did together, it was clear — our energies matched, our goals aligned, and life just made more sense as a team. What started as two people working alongside each other turned into two people dreaming, building, and exploring side by side.
Today, our journey is about more than travel or diving — it’s about creating a life that reflects what we care most about: the planet, the oceans, and the power of meaningful connection.
Great Barrier Reef - Australia
Oliver joined the Experience Co team as a scuba diving instructor and SeaTrek helmet diving guide on the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns.
Pro Dive Cairns - Australia
Oliver began working as a PADI Scuba Instructor with Pro Dive Cairns, focusing on high-quality diver training and liveaboard trips.
New Chapter Together - Thailand
Bex and Oli reunited to begin their next chapter — traveling the world together as a marine biologist and scuba instructor team, combining education, exploration, and reef conservation in Koh Tao.
What Our Ocean Community Says
From nervous beginners to confident conservationists, here's what people say about their journey with us.
"My partner and I did an intro dive with Oliver at the Great Barrier Reef and we enjoyed it so much that we ended up doing the Open Water a couple of months later in Koh Tao as he recommended. Thanks Oliver!!"
"The snorkeling tour was an extra charge on-top of the 45 min ferry ride from Cairns. Oh was it worth it! A bucket list item is now checked off thanks in no small part to Becks. Our marine biologist, instructor and diving extraordinaire who lead us, a group of four, around the reef showcasing stunning coral and colorful marine life. Do not hesitate to make this unforgettable experience one of your own."
"I had the pleasure of working with Ollie on Koh Tao for quite some time. He's an incredible instructor who's very patient with his students and keeps things exciting too!
No student is ever left behind with Ollie, if you have something that needs working on, he'll take the time and patience to get you on track.
Whatever your needs may be, drop him a message to get feel for what kind of experience you're after!"
"My family and I had our first-ever experience exploring the Great Barrier Reef, and we chose Magic Reef for this unforgettable adventure. It was truly an incredible day! The crew was extremely supportive, well-organized, and made everything run smoothly.
It was my first time scuba diving, and although I only had a basic introduction, I still felt nervous about trying it. However, Oliver gave me so much confidence, cheering me on every step of the way, and by the end, I managed to do it! It’s a memory I will cherish forever.
I cannot recommend this experience enough – everything was absolutely amazing! Thank you for such a wonderful and memorable day!"
"He was my instructor for my open water. I was so happy about his teaching because he also included navigating underwater in his theory speech. I always feel save while diving because of him. I can totally recommend him as an instructor and buddy outside and inside the water ❤️"
"The King of Scuba Diving!
The marine life and flora hold no secrets for our dear Oliver!
A magical and unforgettable moment!
I highly recommend him!"
Our Mission: More Than Just Pretty Pictures
We believe that the ocean's most powerful advocates are the ones who've felt its magic firsthand — the ones who have watched reef fish dance in the current, heard the crackle of coral life, and looked into the curious eyes of a turtle on a morning dive. For us, Bex and Oli, this connection runs deep. The ocean isn't just a place we visit — it's our home, our purpose, and our greatest teacher.
But we're not content with just creating certified divers. Our mission is to shape future ocean guardians — individuals who not only explore the underwater world but fight for its survival. Every student we guide, every story we capture through our lens, and every coral we help restore is part of something bigger than us. It's a shared commitment to protect what remains and to rebuild what's been lost.
Through our travels, Restoration & Research, and education efforts, we're weaving together a global community that believes the ocean deserves more than admiration — it deserves action. We're driven by the hope that future generations won't just hear tales of vibrant reefs and abundant marine life — they'll get to experience them for themselves. That's why we do what we do — not just to teach diving, but to inspire a movement of responsible, passionate, and informed ocean stewards around the world.
Our Impact So Far
Restore & Protect Coral Reefs
Conducted 500+ vital surveys on coral, fish and invertebrate assemblages across 25+ different reef sites to monitor changes in coral reef ecosystem health.
Inspire Global Ocean Action
Education of thousands of GBR visitors about reef ecology, coral reef threats and modern conservation methodologies, inspiring 500+ member sign ups to vital reef monitoring initiatives such as Citizens of The Reef. Advocating for the Australian Maritime Conservation Society, gaining political votes for legislative protection of our oceans.
Empower Local Communities
Training local community members in reef health surveys on snorkel and SCUBA, including Crown-Of-Thorns Fine Scale monitoring surveys, to create conservational leaders in their own region.
Support Our Ocean Mission
We’re not just chasing fish and sunsets — we’re building a life dedicated to marine conservation, underwater education, and responsible travel. Every reef we explore, every project we support, and every story we tell is part of our commitment to protecting the ocean and inspiring others to do the same.
This site, our diving and conservation work, and all the educational content we create are self-funded — and we’re inviting you to become part of it. With your help, we can keep diving deeper into meaningful environmental work, while making our journey accessible and impactful for people around the world.
Where Your Support Goes:
Equipment & Mobility
Maintaining scuba gear, upgrading underwater camera systems, and covering travel costs to reach conservation zones and remote reefs.
Restoration & Research
Funding coral nurseries, marine biology fieldwork, species ID surveys, and participation in grassroots conservation initiatives.
Education & Outreach
Creating public resources, building our interactive dive map, hosting workshops, and developing open-access marine awareness tools.
Living Essentials
Basic accommodation, food, and local transport while volunteering or supporting low-budget environmental organisations.
Your support enables us to:
- 🏝️ Access remote dive sites for scientific research and documentation
- 📸 Maintain professional underwater photography equipment
- 🪸 Purchase coral restoration supplies and materials
- 🎓 Provide free diving and conservation education
- 🌍 Travel to new Restoration & Research sites worldwide
- 📚 Create educational content available to everyone
🐠 “Every $25 helps us conduct fish ID and reef health surveys at remote dive sites. $100 supports a full day of dual dive + snorkel documentation using our underwater photography kit. $500 funds a week of reef conservation, media production, and community outreach for our global dive map project.”
Can't support financially? You can still help by:
- Sharing our content with fellow ocean lovers
- Becoming a certified diver and joining conservation efforts
- Participating in local beach cleanups
- Choosing sustainable seafood and tourism options
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're planning a dive trip, interested in conservation, or just want to say hello.