About Born to the Ocean
Experts in diving and
underwater photography
Born to the Ocean was born from the sea from years of experience, thousands of dives, and an approach to diving rooted in guiding, sharing, and exploring responsibly.
Why was Born to the Ocean created?
Born to the Ocean was born out of a real need: to do things differently.
We wanted to build something that truly connected people with the ocean—through the local culture of each place, respect for nature, and the experiences of those who live by the sea every day.
We saw that there was a lack of a space where the ocean was shown through the eyes of those who inhabit it, not those who consume it. A place to teach about this underwater world honestly, to travel consciously, and to build community around something that deserves to be cared for.
From this came the three values that guide everything we do:
Dive
Explore the ocean with intention, discernment, and an open mind to what the sea has to teach you.
Trip
Get to know each destination from within — its culture, its people and its environment — without haste and without superficiality.
Protect
Be mindful of what you visit. The ocean is not a stage set; it's a living ecosystem that needs us to be responsible.
Who We Are:
Andrea Curci
Co-founder · Logistics and PR.
She has been diving for six years and working as a Divemaster for four. She's the one who makes everything run smoothly before, during, and after each dive. Passionate about macro photography, she has a particular fondness for nudibranchs. She loves leisurely travel, living with locals, and discovering new seas.
Divemaster SSI
Macro Photo
Logistic
P.R
Borja García
BTO Founder
He's been diving for six years,
five of them working professionally at sea. He started in Spain and ended up in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where he continues to teach and develop his skills to this day.
His connection to the ocean goes back much further—to when, as a child, he spent hours snorkeling and never wanted to leave the water.
Instructor SSI
UW Photographer
FullCave Diver
TechDiver
~5.000
Group dives in countries such as Maldives, Honduras, Bali, Spain, Mexico and Portugal.
+600
Certified professionals:
From Open Water to Divemaster.
6 years
Living in the ocean, protecting it and connecting with its marine life.
Small-group diving trips
We believe that diving travel is not just about racking up dives or visiting as many destinations as possible.
That is why we design small-group diving trips, seeking out destinations that stand out for their marine biodiversity, landscapes, photography opportunities, and local culture.
We travel in groups of no more than 12 people, allowing us to provide personal attention and enjoy each destination at a more mindful pace.
Underwater photography:
Learning to look underwater
Underwater photography allows us to preserve moments, tell stories, and, above all, learn to observe the ocean in a different way.
At Born to the Ocean, we share our expertise through underwater photography courses and workshops, covering everything from the basics to advanced techniques in lighting, composition, and editing.
Our goal is not just to teach you how to use a camera underwater, but to help you develop your own unique perspective and get more enjoyment out of every dive.
"The Ocean Through Our Eyes"
Much more than diving
The ocean doesn't end when we leave the water.
Our trips aim to connect diving with the nature, culture, and people of each destination. We are interested in getting to know the places we visit, discovering their ecosystems, and understanding the relationship local communities have with the sea.
That is why our expeditions combine diving, underwater photography, nature, and local culture.
Dive – Travel – Protect
The more we learn about the ocean, the more aware we become of how much there is to protect.
We believe that the best way to conserve it begins with understanding it, respecting it, and sharing its value.
That is why we strive to ensure that every trip and experience with Born to the Ocean helps foster a more responsible relationship with the marine environment, supporting conservation initiatives and promoting a more ocean-friendly way to travel.
A community united by the ocean
Over the years, we have been fortunate enough to share dives, trips, and learning experiences with hundreds of people.
Some came to the ocean to learn to dive. Others wanted to improve their underwater photography. And others simply sought to discover new underwater locations.
They all share one thing in common: a desire to keep exploring.
Born to the Ocean is also a community of people who share a respect for, curiosity about, and passion for the underwater world.
What those who have traveled with us say
Carlos G - Madrid
"I've been diving with Borja for years and I know how he works in the water. When he told me he was organizing his own trips, I didn't hesitate. I signed up for the one to Playa del Carmen before he'd even finished explaining the program. When someone like that organizes an expedition, you know every detail will be taken care of."
Inma G - Málaga
"I've dived with Andrea several times, and she has a way of guiding in the water that makes you feel safe from the very first moment. When I found out they organized small group trips, that was the first thing I thought: This is exactly what I was looking for. Booked for Bali."
Ana R - Valencia
"Andrea and Borja aren't your typical diving instructors. You can tell they're passionate about this, that they're not just selling a product. I came across the project on Instagram like almost everyone else, but what made me book was a WhatsApp conversation where they talked about the trip as if I were already part of it. The attention to detail and dedication they show is incredible."
Jose P - Portugal
"I bought the ebook without many expectations, thinking it would be generic content like you find anywhere. I was wrong. There are tips that in 10 years of diving, no one had ever explained to me so clearly. I read it in two afternoons and I've saved it to reread before every trip."