The unforgettable window to the world of underwater wonder was opened for me as a child in Southern California. And it's never closed.

My first snorkeling experiences allowed me to watch small fish swim around barnacle encrusted pilings, see a small octopus watching me from inside an old Coke bottle, and play with translucent cerianthid anemones emerging from the muddy bottom of Long Beach's Alamitos Bay. Eventually, I was certified as an open water diver in 1969 and as a NAUI instructor in 1977.

Joel Simon, President of Sea for Yourself

Sea for Yourself strongly believes in environmental awareness.

Through the practice of responsible snorkeling, in tandem with informative presentations, we hope to expand your awareness of the reef's strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as relevant conservation efforts to preserve the marine ecological equilibrium. Back to top

Our Sea for Yourself Staff Members

Joel Simon President and Tour Leader	In addition to being a veteran leader on nearly 100 snorkeling programs, Joel is a nationally recognized authority in the field and previously served as the original (and only!) Snorkeling Editor of Skin Diver Magazine (see "Snorkeling Library"). He has introduced thousands of people to the wonders of snorkeling and underwater life with his carefully designed series of snorkeling lessons and slide-illustrated lectures on tropical marine biology.
Joel is an avid underwater enthusiast and a NAUI-certified SCUBA and snorkeling instructor. A highly acclaimed photographer and writer whose works have been published in leading magazines and travel guides, he also teaches underwater photography. With a life-long academic interest in marine biology, Joel holds three degrees from Stanford University.
A mother of four sons with a background in small business management, Sue is responsible for the day to day operations of Sea for Yourself. Since its founding she has been instrumental in the evolution of the company, and understands the infrastructure of our services and products. Sue has first-hand experience with every program we offer. She manages air arrangements and has up-to-date information on the status of each departure. In the field, Sue has been a valuable Tour Assistant and enjoys helping participants refine their snorkeling skills.	Sue Kinder Vice-President and Tour Assistant
Ethan's interest in marine biology and conservation began during the summers of his youth in Cape Cod. He went on to concentrate on the behavioral ecology of reef fishes at the University of Guam Marine Lab and defended his thesis in 1999. Once finished with his MSc, Ethan relocated to Palau, where he had previously worked as a dive instructor and naturalist. Prior to joining Sea for Yourself, he took a position as the National Science Coordinator with Palau's Office of Environmental Response and Coordination. Ethan has coauthored and contributed photos to several books including, "Palau: Dive Sites, History, and Culture." Recently, Ethan made the move back to the Bay area of the U.S. His award winning photography can be seen in several periodicals including Nature's Best Magazine, Asian Diver, and Rodale's Scuba Diving.	Ethan Daniels Tour Leader
Allan Guilbeault Tour Assistant	Allan's love for wilderness areas underlies his passion and enthusiasm for helping others better appreciate tropical marine environments. Before joining Sea for Yourself as a field staff member, Allan worked with the Pacific Whale Foundation in Hawaii as a senior naturalist, lecturer, and snorkeling instructor. In this capacity, Allan worked closely with the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium designing and implementing many of their environmental education programs. His responsibilities included organizing and delivering daily and weekly lectures and guided tours focused on marine mammals, coral reef ecology, marine animal behavior, and island ecosystems. Through these and other group travel related experiences, Allan has developed interpretive skills and a strong awareness of travel logistics that make him a welcome addition to Sea for Yourself.
Mike Osmond Tour Assistant	Before joining Sea for Yourself as a field staff member, Mike spent 8 years as a ranger in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, managed island reserves in the north west of Australia, served as Education and Exhibits Manager for an aquarium and conducted humpback whale research off the cost of Australia and Hawaii. He graduated with an MSc from James Cook University in Australia and now employs his wildlife and marine biologist skills as a Senior Marine Program Officer focusing on marine protected areas for the World Wildlife Fund. Mike is certified as a PADI Divemaster and has an avid interest in wildlife photography.
Marjolijn van der Sluijs Tour Assistant	Marjolijn van der Sluijs comes to Sea for Yourself with an educational background in marine biology, a PADI SCUBA (and snorkeling) instructors license, fluency in at least three languages (including English!), and a strong logistical background in educational group travel. But perhaps her strongest asset is her charming and contagiously good-natured way with people. Marjolijn, or Marilyn in English, is simply impossible not to like. She received her Masters Degree in Marine Biology after organizing and implementing a marine oriented research project on the Dutch Island of Bonaire. During her five-year tenure on Bonaire, she developed an intimate familiarity with tropical marine and terrestrial biology. That knowledge and experience is woven into a background that also includes a respect and love for the sea borne of years of sailing throughout much of the Caribbean and Pacific.
Bart integrates a strong academic background in Marine Biology with a friendly, relaxed personality. He received his masters degree in Marine Biology from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, with a specialty in tropical marine biology and fish behavior. Besides an experienced snorkeler, he is also a certified PADI Rescue Diver and Divemaster. Bart lived on Bonaire for two years while finishing his graduate thesis, and worked for the Bonaire Marine Park. He has led several Sea for Yourself programs to destinations in the Caribbean and South Pacific. His communication skills in English, Dutch, German and French, along with a comfortable strength in the water make Bart a valuable asset as a field staff member on Sea for Yourself programs.	Bart van den Heuvel Tour Leader
Kim Morris Tour Assistant	on sabbatical