The women who work at BDC come from across the world through a shared love of diving to make this slice of paradise in Bocas Del Toro their home. We hope to encourage all members of the community – all genders, ages, races, backgrounds, and abilities to come diving and confidently explore and protect the ocean.
Kelly Paterson
MASTER INSTRUCTOR
Number of dives: 6000+
Originally from Scotland, Kelly has been with the Center for almost five years. She left her corporate life and moved to the Caribbean to follow her dream of becoming a dive professional. As a PADI Master Instructor, Kelly has trained divers at every level—from those having their first experience, achieving their Open Water, Advanced, or Specialty Diver ratings, to professional Divemasters and Instructors.
Margot
PADI INSTRUCTOR
Number of dives: 560+
Margot came to Bocas in March 2023, taking 6 months unpaid leave from her job at Air France KLM to do her divemaster course. After 4 months she realised there was no going back and it’s been the best decision she’s ever made. Diving is meditation and adventure at the same time, and she loves sharing her experience with others. She’s started a marine biology course to learn more about our beautiful underwater world.
Laurie
PADI DIVEMASTER
Number of dives: 1000+
Laurie, who is from France, was traveling in Costa Rica when she first heard about Bocas del Toro. She came for a few days, loved it, came back for a longer visit, and a year later, decided to move here. She learned to dive, which made her feel like she was in another world, and earned her diving certification at BDC.
Olaatz
PADI DIVEMASTER
Number of dives: 900+
Olaatz is from Spain. She got her Open Water in 2017 and hasn’t been able to stay away from the water since. She’s energetic, curious, and positive and loves leading certified divers!
Lucy
DIVEMASTER / MARKETING MANAGER
Number of dives: 300+
Lucy originally learned to dive in Bocas in 2017. After spending lockdown in the UK and dreaming of Caribbean life, she came back to do her rescue course and divemaster training. She loved life in Bocas so much that she decided to stay and work part-time as a divemaster while also working as a freelance marketing consultant.
Tanisha
FRONT DESK
Number of dives: 10
Tanisha did her Open Water in Bocas in 2015. She likes diving because it brings her a peaceful feeling and makes her feel connected to the ocean.
Are you already a certified diver, or do you simply want to try diving and blowing bubbles underwater for the first time in Bocas Del Toro?
On Saturday, July 20, 2024, our dives will be led exclusively by our female instructors and divemasters. To encourage everyone to join us, we are offering all divers 20% off fun dives and discover scuba dives.
