We have a friendly and highly experienced team, some being pioneers in the dive industry in the region. We'll provide the highest standards of tuition and an adventurous yet enjoyable time.
Executive Team
Allan, originally from Australia, spent several years in Hong Kong in the construction business before discovering Puerto Galera in 1985. The founding partner of Asia Divers and El Galleon Resort, Allan has one son Arthur. Allan’s other interests include Ultra-Light aircraft and golf.
Andy is the other founding partner of Asia Divers. A veteran of the aeronautical industry in Oman, Andy first visited Puerto in 1982. Andy keeps himself busy with the dirty side of the business: compressors, generator and equipment maintenance. Andy walked 520 Kms around the island of Mindoro mid 2000, to raise money for charity. Andy runs all the Equipment Seminars at Asia Divers
Asia Divers’ third partner is Swedish Tommy Soderstrom who started as a Divemaster in 1988. Tommy is married to Lina and has a daughter and son. His passions include motor biking and ‘hash running’, when he’s not exploring new dive destinations.
Diving Instructors
Allison escaped the icy cold Canadian waters and has been in the Philippines since 1995. Originally, an Art Director/Graphic Designer in Toronto, she moved to Manila and worked for the Canadian Embassy before heading to Puerto Galera. She’s been with Asia Divers since 1997 and loves taking her camera out for a spin to look for all the weird and wonderful macro creatures. With over 11,000 dives in the local area, she knows all the dive sites intimately!
Besides diving, she is responsible for the Monday Newsletter, and also leads marketing for the company. Allison is kept busy in her spare time with her 17 year old daughter, Ariana.
Born in London in 1964. Dave is a Geologist by education. He learned to dive whilst living and working out of Hong Kong, and turned professional, as a Divemaster in 1991 and then a PADI Instructor in 1992. When IANTD came to the Philippines in ’95 he was among the first group of Instructors certified, and currently holds the ratings of IANTD Trimix Instructor, plus Normoxic Trimix and Gas Blending Instructor Trainer.
A lot of Dave’s current effort is in the area of dive trip organization and trying to find new and interesting opportunities for our divers to enjoy.
Pete was born in the north of England. A Mechanical Engineer by trade, he has tried his hand at a wide variety of jobs including Market Trading and Plant Operating. He worked in South Africa and Hong Kong before arriving in the Philippines in 1995.
Pete arrived as many do, in Puerto Galera and the Philippines, on holiday and just hasn’t left. He has a wife, son and daughter here.
Another Brit, originally from Brighton, Sam began diving at Asia Divers in 1994. He was at that time living in Sydney and owned a very successful Stone Masonry and Restoration business, which he ultimately sold and moved to full time diving as a career. Sam is an IANTD Instructor Trainer to the levels of full Trimix, Technical Wreck and Gas Blending, and also teaches DPV, Essentials courses, Rebreather, and all of the PADI/DSAT levels to Tec Trimix. Sam’s instructional and supervisory skill, patience, and attention to individual’s diver’s particular needs and abilities have made him a tremendously popular and highly respected member of the Tech Asia team, and in the field of Asian technical diving generally. Sam also involves himself actively in dive travel, having put together excursions all over the Philippines, and from Micronesia, South China Sea, Java Sea, Sri Lanka and to the Burma Banks.
Ruben has worked for Asia Divers since 1998 carrying tanks, assisting in the shop, driving boats and fixing regulators. He worked his way up through the ranks to become a PADI Instructor.
Ruben is a valuable member of our team and is very experienced in the local area. He is a great spotter for all you photographers out there. Ruben is from here, married with two daughters.
Rhea's journey to becoming a scuba pro is as exciting as it gets. Initially "stuck" in Puerto Galera due to the pandemic, she didn't let that hold her back. As lockdowns unfolded, Rhea's curiosity led her to dive deeper into the depths of the ocean. From a curious explorer, she evolved into a Dive Master, falling in love with the serene beauty and wonder of the underwater world.
Back in her varsity days, Rhea was always a part of sports competing teams, but scuba diving brought her into a whole new universe—one where tranquillity and amazement reign supreme.
Rhea is an outdoor enthusiast through and through. The mere thought of office confines or endless night shifts confined to a single chair was simply unbearable for her adventurous spirit. And so, she made the bold choice to transform her passion into her profession. Dive in and explore the underwater wonders with Rhea—the sea is her calling, and she's ready to share its magic with you!
A local to Puerto Galera. Art has been a PADI instructor for 3 years now and enjoys blackwater, drift and muck dives the most. He has a background in music and first love is playing the bass guitar.
Meet Randy Lopez, a passionate member of our incredible team hailing from Puerto Galera. With four years of freelance diving experience across various dive shops in the area, Randy found his home at Asia Divers, where he not only became an instructor but an invaluable part of our amazing team.
Randy specializes in muck diving, where he thrives in showcasing the extraordinary world of marine life. His enthusiasm shines as he guides divers through encounters with peculiar creatures such as pygmy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish, and ornate ghost pipefish.
Rosemarie is a passionate and dedicated scuba diving instructor with 15 years of experience in the underwater world. Born and raised in Negros Occidental. Puerto Galera is her so called “Home” now for almost 18 years. Rosemarie developed a love for the ocean when her husband took her out for Discover Scuba Experience for the first time which led her to pursue her interests in adventure, education, and marine conservation. After completing her initial certification in 2008, Rosemarie continued to advance her skills by obtaining various certifications, Including Nitrox Speciality Instructor, Wreck Dive Speciality, Night Dive, Underwater Photography, Deep Diver, Drift Diver, Search & Recovery, multi level Diver & Emergency Oxygen Provider. As an instructor, Rosemarie is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable learning environment for all students. She has taught over thousands of students, ranging from beginners to advanced divers, and takes pride in sharing the wonders of the underwater world. Rosemarie believes in emphasizing not only the technical skills needed for diving but also the importance of marine conservation and respecting the delicate ecosystems beneath the waves. In addition to teaching, Rosemarie is actively involved in Marine conservation like Coral Planting, Underwater clean up, Beach Clean up. Awareness campaigns, or other relevant activities, aiming to protect the oceans for future generations. When not teaching, she enjoys Muck Diving with friends with our point and shoot camera, Sunset Dives ( Picnic dive) Exploring new Dive sites & Traveling. Rosemarie is also dedicated to continuing education and often attends workshops and seminars to stay updated on the latest diving practices and technologies. With an unwavering passion for the ocean and a commitment to education, Rosemarie inspires others to explore the beauty of the underwater world while fostering a sense of responsibility towards marine conservation.
