About Us

- Our Story
5 Minute Read

For over a decade, we have been diving off the coast of Cozumel and have seen firsthand the many unique and diverse marine life that thrives here. What is apparent after all these years of experience is that dive trips are often focused on simply getting to the diving sites, rather than actually exploring and acquiring knowledge about the local environment while under the water.

Meet Sherief Sanad (Lead Instructor & Co-founder)



Sherief´s passion for the water has always been intrinsic to his nature, as he describes that It was very evident at a very young age, as the tantrums he created when he was dragged out of the swimming pool were a definite headache to his parents. 

Scuba diving, especially deep diving is a magical trip out of this world for him. He never really thought of dedicating his work life and career to diving. However, after a few years of graduating from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland where he learnt how to dive, life led him to the enchanting waters of the Caribbean and Cenotes in Quintana Roo. 

Learning how to dive in the dark freezing waters of the North Sea was the best gift life granted him, so he thought at the time, hence you can imagine the ecstasy of emotions that shocked his existence taking his first breath underwater in crystalline waters with just a shorty on. He was hooked for life and still is. 

Scuba diving for him is not just his livelihood, he considers it an art to be mastered and a never-ending learning experience with no limits. 

He would like to pass on this knowledge of the Sensei’s (below in a table) that have taught him formally and those who crossed his paths informally during dive trips and most of all from the experience I have gained being underwater for all these years.  

Missing from the table below, is another Sensei from Protec Dive Center that he has trained with for a few days recently, Jake Bulman. Also he wants to take his hat off to a long time cave buddy that has taught him a trick or too Jason Renoux. He is now looking forward to plans of training soon with a grand cave instructor and friend Tristan Termat.

Certification    Instructor – Training Facility    
IANTD Advanced Sidemount Cave Diver        Patrick Widman – Protec    
IANTD Advanced EANx Instructor       Fernando de la Valle – Protec    
IANTD Basic Sidemount Cave Diver     Fernando de la Valle – Protec    
IANTD Full Cave Diver     Patrick Widman – Protec    
TDI Advanced Trimix Diver   Don Labruzzo – Deep Exposure    
PADI Diving Instructor # 232209      

Meet Quico Abadal (UW Photography Instructor & Co-founder)



Quico is a passionate underwater photographer from Barcelona, Spain. He grew up in the Catalan coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Unlike most underwater photographers, he did not fall in love with the ocean right away. On the contrary, he actually spent all his childhood fearing it. During the summer holidays of 2016 he completed his Open Water in Thailand and that made him realise the underwater world had a lot to offer him. He then continued with his diving education and began to get hooked.

Right after university he travelled to Thailand to become a professional in the diving industry. During his dive master in training, he completely fell for underwater photography. He quickly acquired the necessary techniques to create outstanding images. His passion turned into a healthy obsession. He then moved back to Barcelona to grow as a professional, dedicating his time to commercial photography at a well known studio. Eventually his adventure continued, moving to Palau pacific islands and Thailand again.

Besides loving to capture marine life through his lens, Quico realised he also really enjoys shooting free divers. Becoming a freedive instructor at Apnea Total with Monica Ganame, gave him the knowledge to teach his models how to dive safely and gracefully. His freedive work is based on fine art photography, creating conceptual imagery that attempts to evoke plenty of emotions. He has been awarded by the UPY contest the title of “Up and Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2022”, with his image “Supernova in Paradise” and published in several magazines. Quico is passionate about teaching underwater photography and creating underwater photographers with a strong diving base who can produce high quality and creative imagery.

Check his work at www.quicoabadal.com

Certification    Instructor – Training Facility    
SSI Diving Instructor 82009 Brian Knight  –  Head at SSI Thailand
Apnea Total Freedive Instructor Level2  Monica Ganame – Founder at Apnea Total
IANTD Basic Sidemount Diver Tristan Termat
IANTD Full Cave Diver Tristan Termat
RAID Deco 40 Diver Tristan Termat

Meet Tristan Termat (Technical Instructor)



Tristan is an IANTD Technical and Full Cave Instructor with extensive knowledge and experience beyond regular recreational diving. He is a dedicated, professional and passionate Instructor who will challenge and perfect your diving skills beyond what you thought was possible.

Born in Paris, his first breath under water was at the age of ten. Growing up in the “Big Blue” generation, he always loved to be close to the water. With his family, he had the chance to travel every summer to the south cost of France and Corsica. There he did some intro to dive experiences but did not get certified yet. Couple of years later, with his Level 2 Certification of the french federation (CMAS) in his pocket, he had the chance to meet a course director, Pascal Sortelle , who invited him to do his PADI Dive Master course in Egypt , Marsa Alam. There he made some of the best dives in his life and for the first time thought about becoming a full time dive professional.

In 2004, Tristan decided to move on and change his life style. In the same year he did his IDC in Egypt , and started to work as an OWSI together with Pascal Sortelle in Marsa Alam. Since then he traveled around the world from Egypt, to the Caribbean (Dominican Republic), Mexico (Playa del Carmen), then moved to the other side of the world: Maldives, Thailand, Malaysia and finally back to Mexico. During all these years he always wanted to improve his diving skills and constantly searched for opportunities to gain more experience.

He got his first technical diving certification in Koh Tao, Thailand trained by Tim Lawrence. Tim is a BSAC Tec Instructor and owner of the Davi Jones Locker dive shop and is crazy about wreck diving. On April 3rd, 2008 Tristan joined the DJL team for a trip to Malaysia looking for WW2 shipwrecks. They found the HIJMS Hatsutaka an Imperial Japanese mine layer and with this great trip he fell in love forever with technical diving.

In 2008 he came back to Playa del Carmen to gain further experience doing an IANTD cave course with Patrick. He knew right away then that cave diving will play an important role in his life. Between 2008 and 2011, he worked for a big recreational dive center while at the same time using all his spare time and vacation to be out in the jungle gaining experience in ever more challenging cave dives. In June 2011, he understood that the only way to really improve his skills he had to take a decision RECREATIONAL diving or TECHNICAL diving…… Definitely Technical diving!!! Ever since then he is continuously training and improving gaining experience not only as a diver but as an educator as well.

Certification Agency
Advanced Nitrox Instructor RAID, IANTD
Cave Instructor RAID, IANTD
Cave Sidemount Instructor IANTD
Advanced Diver TDI
Advanced Sidemount Diver  IANTD
DPV Cave Diver IANTD
Stage and Multi Stage Diver IANTD

Meet Evi (Mermaid & Freediving Instructor)



Evi’s underwater journey started back in 2014 when she and her sister joined a finswimming club. Once Evi learned the dolphin kick, she wanted to explore the depths of the ocean. Freediving became her passion.

Later in 2016 Evi co-founded the “Mermates pod” together with 4 other aspiring mermaids. The Mermates are the only mermaid performance group in Europe and are specialized in underwater swimming shows and underwater modeling. In 2019 Evi and her sister got invited to the World Mermaid Championship in China and were crowned Miss Coral 2019. During this international competition, Evi learned about the SSI mermaid program and became a SSI mermaid instructor.

Mermaiding brings so much joy in her life that she wants to spread the magic, not only by performing as a mermaid but also by teaching others how to swim in a mermaid tail. As a mermaid instructor Evi organizes classes and retreats all over the world, such as Europe, Maldives, Turkey and Cozumel.

Certification Instructor
SSI Mermaid Instructor Michael Schroeder – SSI International Training Director
SSI Freediving Instructor L1 Pepe Salcedo – Blackfin Freediving

Why We Started HUMARINE



We started HUMARINE to bring up the diving game on Cozumel. There are hundreds of dive operations on the island, so we didn’t look forward to be just the next dive shop. Humarine is the result of different highly talented divers joining forces. After over a decade diving Cozumel’s reefs, we have created the ultimate diving experience. We offer excellent customer service, unforgettable adventures and top notch diving training. We truly believe in making our adventures more immersive, so that those who come to Cozumel will not only gain or expand valuable and rewarding skillsets (such as underwater photography, or specialized diving skills) but also come away knowing more about the local ecosystem and its many diverse species. Whether you are an experienced diver or just starting out, we invite you to join us on one of our dive trips and explore Cozumel’s spectacular oceans as never before! Once you start diving with us, you’ll never stop being a Humarine.

Our Core Values



Diving Experience Standards

Diving is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows you to explore the beautiful and hidden depths of the ocean. However, in order to fully enjoy this amazing activity, it is essential to have the right skills and knowledge. One key area that might be currently lacking in diving instruction is the standard of the diving experience itself. Many divers today simply follow their guide without receiving any additional instruction or guidance on how to improve their technique and skill level, and no personal connection to the area.

Diving is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows you to explore the beautiful and hidden depths of the ocean.

To address this issue, we propose a new initiative aimed at raising the standard of diving for all divers. This would involve carefully training them on all aspects of underwater exploration, from basic safety measures to advanced navigation and communication techniques. With regular practice and support from experts, we believe that beginners will quickly gain the skills necessary for exploring the ocean safely and with confidence.

Connection To The Natural World

Walking down a familiar street, you might nod to the corner hotdog stand or wave to the friendly barber in his shop. Over time, these landmarks become part of your personal landscape and you develop a sense of connection to them. But for many people, this feeling of connection is lacking when it comes to the natural world. When they come to dive on our island, we aim to change that.

Our guides and instructors work hard to help clients see the reef and marine life not as an anonymous mass but as individuals with their own personalities and quirks. In this way, we hope to foster a sense of appreciation and respect for the underwater world and all its inhabitants.

Capturing The Human Factor

Cozumel is one of the most popular dive locations in the world, and for good reason – the clear turquoise waters offer visibility of over 100 feet, and the reefs are teeming with colorful fish and coral. Our Cozumel-based studio branch offers both dive trips and courses for photographers of all levels. We expanded into a studio branch exists because we feel like it’s important to capture the human factor in the water.

To foster and spread this idea, we offer courses for “regular” photographers to break into the underwater world as well as education opportunities for photographers to expand their knowledge. Cozumel is a premier destination for diving and scuba diving and our dive trips provide photographers of all levels opportunities to capture once in a lifetime photos.

Whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced underwater photographer, or a business operation looking to tap into the unique visual world that the Caribbean can offer, we can help you get the shots you’re looking for. Cozumel is waiting for you!

Community



Cozumel is a vibrant and diverse community that is full of potential. With so many opportunities for diving, photography, and marine conservation education, we are constantly seeking new partners in our efforts to push this thriving community even further. Whether you are a local business or an organization with similar goals, we welcome your partnership as we work to explore, research, and protect Cozumel’s incredible underwater environment.

Through strategic collaboration and innovative thinking, we believe that together we can truly make a difference in the lives of Cozumel residents and visitors alike, as well as the life in and around the waters. So if you share our commitment to building a better Cozumel both below the surface and on land, let’s talk! We look forward to hearing from you soon.