Meet the Team

From first-time divers to seasoned explorers,

here’s what you need to know before joining our Sub Culture.

Jorge Cabrera ("Cubano")

Co-Owner & Lineage Legend

Jorge is a cornerstone of Cozumel’s diving history. Affectionately known as “Cubano,” he is a seasoned dive professional with over 35 years of experience and 35,000+ logged dives submerged in the rhythms of the sea. His journey began in 1987 as a Red Cross lifeguard in Varadero, Cuba, eventually flowing to Cozumel, the Mexican Pacific, and South Africa.

 

As an active National Marine Park guide, certified by SECTUR and also a local volunteer, Cubano doesn’t just lead dives; he shares a lifetime of “ocean knowledge.” His calm, relaxed demeanor is legendary among experienced divers, offering a guiding style centered on simplicity, awareness, and pure enjoyment. To dive with Cubano is to see the reef through the eyes of a true endemic species.

Cris

Co-Owner & Conservation Lineage

Cris is the bridge between the sub-aquatic world and the community that protects it. With 25 years of experience in sustainable development and human geography, she leads the Marine Prosperity & Scuba Diving Cooperative of Cozumel and the #WomenOfTheSea initiative.

 

Her work is rooted in systemic change and a deep-seated conservation lineage. She recently collaborated with the Saving Our Sharks Foundation and Zamia to help kickstart the Kab Xok Cooperative (“Masters of the Sea”). This landmark initiative supports local fishers who have voluntarily chosen to transition to non-extractive tourism, pivoting away from shark fishing to become guardians of the species they once caught. By integrating citizen science and reef surveillance into our daily operations, she ensures every dive contributes to ecological regeneration.

Willie

Operations & Gear Stewardship

Born in Cozumel, Willy is the backbone of our daily operations. He represents the “People of the Sea” who ensure the sub-journey is seamless. Willy treats gear preparation as a ritual of safety and respect; if you hear someone singing at the marina while meticulously inspecting a regulator, you’ve found Willy.

 

Beyond his technical mastery as a gear specialist and guide, Willy embodies our boutique ethos: small-group care with a local soul. He handles the heavy lifting, the maintenance, and the logistics, so you can dive lighter and focus on the blue.

Captain Pato

Master of the Tides

Captain Edwin, known to the community as “Pato,” comes from a lineage of local mariners. With over two decades at the helm, he reads Cozumel’s famous currents with an intuition that only comes from a life lived on the water.

 

Pato is the silent guardian of our dives. From maintaining the Keiko to providing a watchful eye while you are submerged, his priority is safety through precision. His quiet, personalized approach—including his legendary attention to guest comfort and snacks—ensures that the transition from sea to surface is always a homecoming.

Saúl

Instruction & Technical Stewardship

Saúl is a master of the multi-disciplinary approach to the deep.


With a professional journey that began in the currents of the Mexican Caribbean in 1999, he brings over 25 years of diverse maritime expertise to the Sub Culture team.


As a Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) Saúl represents the high standards of our Sub DNA. He doesn’t just “guide”; he mentors, directed by our 10 Pillars of Purpose, ensuring every student learns through a lens of soul and reverence.
Bilingual and deeply organized, he embodies our commitment to professional excellence.


To dive with Saúl is to explore the reef with a guardian who values precision, safety, and the quiet challenge of the blue.

Garoa

Shiva

The Vessel: Keiko

A Tribute to Liberation & Shared History

Our boat is named after Keiko, the orca who starred in the film Free Willy and sparked a global movement for marine freedom. For the people of Mexico, Keiko’s story is deeply personal; an entire generation grew up visiting her at Reino Aventura (now Six Flags) in Mexico City. She is a nostalgic cornerstone of Mexican childhoods and a symbol of our shared oceanic origins.

 

Her eventual rehabilitation and release—becoming the first captive orca to be fully reintegrated into the ocean—remains a powerful symbol of hope. For us, Keiko is more than a vessel; she is a reminder of our commitment to keeping the ocean wild and its inhabitants protected.

Power & Purpose

Redundancy & Safety: 

Powered by twin Yamaha F150 ultra-low emission engines. We prioritize reliability so you can prioritize the experience.

 

Authorized & Deep: 

Fully licensed by Federal Marine Authorities, exceeding “deep” voluntary standards for safety and environmental compliance.

 

Eco & Plastic-Free Ops: 

We use biodegradable cleaning products and compost all fruit residues, ensuring our footprint is as light as our “slow diving” philosophy.

Sub-Surface Comfort

Small Group Design: 

Max 4–6 guests to ensure personalized care and space.

 

Boutique Amenities: 

Quick-dry towels, fleece jackets for the breeze, and seasonal healthy snacks.

 

The Ritual: 

Hot beverages for sunrise, night dives, and “Norte” days; purified water and electrolyte drinks for every journey.