Max Koestenblatt | Ocean Photographer | Caribbean

Max Koestenblatt, otherwise known as Scuba Maxta, has a passion for connecting people to the ocean. Water has always played a big role in Max’s life, at age 15 he visited St. John and gained his first scuba diving qualification. Each summer thereafter he worked his way up in the PADI ranks until he became an Open Water Scuba Instructor at age 19.

“I’ve always been interested in the relationship between people and nature, so after studying Anthropology and Environmental Studies at Eckerd College in St. Pete, FL, I made the move to where I first found my passion, a little island in the Caribbean known as St. John. While working at the same dive shop where I took my first breaths, Low Key Watersports, I’ve taught hundreds of people how to dive over the past 8 years.” - Max

Where are you from? Where are you based now?

I grew up just outside of New York City but went to college in Florida. For 8 years now I have called St. John in the US Virgin Islands home.

What is a typical day like for you?

I work for the main dive shop on St. John, so I am out on the dive boat almost every day, either driving the boat, leading or instructing divers, or taking photos, both above and below the surface!

What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?

Growing up on Long Island I always loved the ocean. But the reason I live the life I do today is because of my parents. I am extremely grateful that they were able to send me to St. John when I was 15 and I learned how to scuba dive and I fell in love with it. I continued my diving education and became a divemaster at 18 and an instructor at 19. In high school, I was learning that the reefs wouldn’t be around forever at the rate they were degrading, and after seeing them with my own eyes, I knew my purpose was to show them to others so they would fall in love with them and want to protect them.

What/who currently inspires you?

I am constantly inspired every day by my dive students and customers, especially kids. When I teach them how to breathe underwater and then see the reaction on their faces when I show them life and an underwater world that they never knew existed. That’s what makes me want to keep doing what I’m doing. I especially love taking photos of people right as they surface after an incredible dive, the reaction on their faces are priceless. Showing kids the magical underwater world is extra special because they are our future, and the ones that will be protecting the oceans for years to come.

What path did you choose after leaving school?

I went to college for Environmental Studies and Anthropology, because I’ve always felt it was so cool and important to understand how humans were so resourceful and could adapt to their environment and thrive long ago with so little, and then how extra resources allowed for a population explosion which led to overusing the land and resources around us. I almost went to grad school for marine archaeology, but I decided that rather than digging up the past, I wanted to dedicate my time to protecting the future. So I decided to move to a little island in the Caribbean and teach people how to scuba dive.

What do you value most in life?

That’s an easy one, my family. There is nothing more important in the world. The environment is a close second though.

What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?

Now, that’s a bit harder. I think educating people would lead to the changes I want to see. If people were more educated, I think they would care more and they would respect the planet a little more. Then we would all make small changes in our daily lives that have a larger effect on the environment. But if I could specifically do one thing to the environment that I think would make a lasting impact, I would plant more trees.

Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?

I love reading Osho’s work, but that’s more for my own spirituality. As far as the environment goes, food documentaries like Food, inc definitely opened my eyes to how we as a society are destroying the planet through food production. And then of course documentaries like Blue Planet, Planet Earth, and Chasing Coral are very inspirational and educational.

What brings you the most joy?

Time spent with my family and my queen, and time spent underwater brings me the most joy. I also grew up playing hockey, so going to NY Rangers games with my dad is up there too.

What legacy do you hope to leave?

I think I just want people to remember me as a happy guy that they wanted to be around. Someone who helped brighten their day, made them laugh and feel loved and taught them something.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a nature lover, an ocean addict, it’s your family’s first time diving, you’re an adventurous couple or you want some shots of your sexy boat, I’m your photographer. Creating memories of the great times we have in or on the water will make us want to protect its beauty and its inhabitants.”

Instagram - www.scubamaxsta.com

Website - @scubamaxsta_photo