Abbey Dias (PADI Divemaster, AAUS Scientific Diver)

With an education in biology and passion for science, photography, and scuba diving, Abbey loves to teach and explore at Edmonds Underwater Park. Her fascination for marine science began in the second grade on a field trip to Edmonds. When Annie taught her about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 2014, she committed to reducing her plastic waste and teaching others to do the same. She has not used a single-use water bottle since then! Abbey loves being a PADI Divemaster and teaching kids who share her curiosity for the world. You can find Abbey underwater admiring macroscopic creatures along Jetty Way or picking up trash from the beach between dives. When Abbey is not diving—which is unusual—she enjoys kayaking, mushroom foraging, painting, and learning about the deep sea. Abbey and Annie developed the My Underwater Backyard project and she is thrilled to share it with the world.

Favorite park species: Juvenile Puget Sound king crab (named Squirt)

PADI specialties: Dry Suit, Enriched Air, Edmonds Underwater Park, Scientific Diver

Favorite Edmonds Underwater Park memory: Celebrating her birthday with the best dive buddies and friends!

Dream career: Abbey hopes to become an expert in kelp forest ecology, and communicate science through underwater photography and video. She plans to continue teaching diving as a PADI Instructor and inspiring people of all ages for many years to come.