Tarek "T"
Owner
T might as well have gills, the man spends so much time underwater. Tarek grew up diving in the Red Sea in Egypt alongside his father, who made it clear early on that the ocean isn’t just water—it’s alive, intoxicating, and endlessly fascinating. By the time he was a teenager, T was working in dive shops, soaking in the stories every reef and wreck has to tell. At just 18, he became an instructor, guiding others into the world that had shaped him.
He also had a career as a professional handball player—Paris, Stockholm, the Egyptian National Team—moving through cities and arenas, learning the rhythm of life in motion, how people live and work and push themselves. Then, in a surprising turn, he shifted into finance and banking, working in Dubai, Egypt, England, and eventually the U.S., where he earned a PhD in finance and met his wife, Michaela.
Through it all, diving remained his constant. From running dive shops as a teen to co-running operations in North Carolina, to exploring reefs across the globe, the ocean always pulled him back. Eventually, that pull led him to Sail Fish Scuba in the Florida Keys, where experience, community, and curiosity converge.
As a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, T brings global perspective, confidence, and more stories than Hemingway. He doesn’t just teach diving—he shows you the ocean the way he knows it: layered, alive, and full of subtle surprises in every current, every wreck, and every reef.
Favorite Marine Pal: Sharks
Michaela
Owner
Michaela grew up with the mountains and wide deserts of Arizona—a completely different rhythm from the life she would later come to love in Key Largo.
After graduating from Smith College, she taught ESL across several countries. As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Salatiga, Indonesia, she connected with students, ran community programs, and learned to understand a place not from a guidebook, but from the people who live there.
Returning to the U.S., Michaela earned her nursing degree from Duke University and worked as a medical-surgical oncology nurse caring for Veterans. As a charge nurse, she learned to take charge in the middle of chaos, keeping things running smoothly and making it look effortless—skills she now brings to every corner of the dive shop.
At Sail Fish Scuba, Michaela brings that same steady, structured energy to every corner of the shop. She stepped out of the healthcare world to build a dive shop that runs on connection and adventure, where every day is shaped by the water, the people, and the stories they bring.
Favorite Marine Pal: Spotted eagle rays
Captain Kevin
100 GT Master Captain
Captain Kevin was born and raised in southern Florida, so these waters are in his blood.
He’s spent over twenty years working the coast—everything from recreational charters to commercial operations—and he knows every reef, every sandbar, every hidden corner better than any map could tell you. He gre
Captain Kevin
100 GT Master Captain
Captain Kevin was born and raised in southern Florida, so these waters are in his blood.
He’s spent over twenty years working the coast—everything from recreational charters to commercial operations—and he knows every reef, every sandbar, every hidden corner better than any map could tell you. He grew up exploring the coastal waters of Florida, learning to read the tides, the winds, and the quirks of the sea like a local knows the streets of their neighborhood.
Captain Kevin brings steady leadership, knowledge, and an instinctive understanding of the ocean to every trip. Calm, sharp, and effortlessly funny, he creates an atmosphere that’s welcoming and enjoyable for everyone on board. Safety is always a priority, and with Captain Kevin at the helm, you’re in truly capable hands.
Off the water, Kevin is all family—poolside with his kids and grilling up whatever he can throw on the barbecue.
Elara M.
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
Elara hails from Memphis, Tennessee—a city where the streets hum with energy and Southern hospitality runs through everything.
Her love for the water started young, earning her Open Water certification in 2018 alongside her dad and sister—and it hasn’t let go since.
Elara has worked on sai
Elara M.
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
Elara hails from Memphis, Tennessee—a city where the streets hum with energy and Southern hospitality runs through everything.
Her love for the water started young, earning her Open Water certification in 2018 alongside her dad and sister—and it hasn’t let go since.
Elara has worked on sailboats, on the slopes of ski resorts, and backpacked across the globe. Through it all, the ocean kept calling her back.
Off the water, Elara hikes, rolls dice in Dungeons & Dragons or gets lost in a book. Elara is sweet, lively, and a teacher whose passion for the ocean inspires everyone she meets.
Jake H.
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
100 GT Master Captain
Originally from Ohio, Jake graduated from Miami University with a degree in Marketing. Jake combines his adventurous spirit, communication skills, and passion for the ocean to create safe, engaging, and memorable experiences for his students. His favorite dive site
Jake H.
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
100 GT Master Captain
Originally from Ohio, Jake graduated from Miami University with a degree in Marketing. Jake combines his adventurous spirit, communication skills, and passion for the ocean to create safe, engaging, and memorable experiences for his students. His favorite dive site is the USS Spiegel Grove, but his favorite place to be is anywhere in the water—teaching marine conservation, helping new divers build confidence, and inspiring the next generation to discover and protect the underwater world.
Jake also speaks Spanish and Dutch, allowing him to share his love of diving with guests from around the world.
Mohanad H.
PADI Assistant Instructor (AI)
Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Mohanad discovered his passion for scuba diving in 2016 and hasn’t slowed down since. He especially enjoys deep dives and exploring large wrecks, with the legendary USS Spiegel Grove ranking among his favorite sites.
A self-proclaimed gear fanatic, he enjoys helping di
Mohanad H.
PADI Assistant Instructor (AI)
Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Mohanad discovered his passion for scuba diving in 2016 and hasn’t slowed down since. He especially enjoys deep dives and exploring large wrecks, with the legendary USS Spiegel Grove ranking among his favorite sites.
A self-proclaimed gear fanatic, he enjoys helping divers find equipment that truly fits their needs and makes their diving more comfortable and enjoyable.
He is also an avid underwater photographer, always looking for ways to contribute to ocean conservation while capturing the beauty of the underwater world.
Outside of diving, Mohanad works as an ICU Respiratory Therapist and enjoys off-roading in his free time.
Above all, Mohanad loves sharing diving with others and believes the sport brings people together in a unique way. As he often says, every diver needs a home—and Sail Fish Scuba is his. ❤️.
Hannah B.
PADI Divemaster
Hannah is from Juneau, Alaska, but now she is a full time Floridian. She recently graduated from Eckerd College with a BS in marine science focusing in chemistry, and she loves anything conservation related!
She started diving at 13 years old and it has been a big part of her life ever since. She enjoys helping p
Hannah B.
PADI Divemaster
Hannah is from Juneau, Alaska, but now she is a full time Floridian. She recently graduated from Eckerd College with a BS in marine science focusing in chemistry, and she loves anything conservation related!
She started diving at 13 years old and it has been a big part of her life ever since. She enjoys helping people feel comfortable and confident in the water, which is what inspired her to become a divemaster. Her favorite marine species to see in the wild is orcas.
Outside of diving she enjoys painting, photography, camping, snowboarding, and pretty much everything outdoors!
She also enjoys quoting Toad's "WAHOO" from Mario a lot...
Sarah B.
PADI Divemaster
Sarah is a Florida Keys native who decided to join the Army after high school at Coral Shores High School and went to West Point.
She has been around the water her whole life and got scuba certified when she was young as a hobby to do with her dad.
On the side, Sarah has a variety of hobbies that include workin
Sarah B.
PADI Divemaster
Sarah is a Florida Keys native who decided to join the Army after high school at Coral Shores High School and went to West Point.
She has been around the water her whole life and got scuba certified when she was young as a hobby to do with her dad.
On the side, Sarah has a variety of hobbies that include working out, graphic design, her small business, video games, and content creation.
Eli B.
PADI Divemaster
Ever since a young age, Eli, has always loved the outdoors, particularly the ocean. Eli worked as an exhibit guide at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and interned with Turtle Love where he learned about marine life conservation.
Outside of the water, Eli enjoys playing baseball, watching sports, playing card game
Eli B.
PADI Divemaster
Ever since a young age, Eli, has always loved the outdoors, particularly the ocean. Eli worked as an exhibit guide at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and interned with Turtle Love where he learned about marine life conservation.
Outside of the water, Eli enjoys playing baseball, watching sports, playing card games with friends and family, going to the gym, and spending time in nature.
Mike H.
PADI Divemaster Trainee
Mike hails from the great state of Oklahoma, where he says you’ll find the best BBQ around! He had a collegiate career as a stand-out pitcher before eventually finding his way to the ocean and settling in Florida.
Mike is currently working toward becoming a PADI Divemaster , continuing to grow his profess
Mike H.
PADI Divemaster Trainee
Mike hails from the great state of Oklahoma, where he says you’ll find the best BBQ around! He had a collegiate career as a stand-out pitcher before eventually finding his way to the ocean and settling in Florida.
Mike is currently working toward becoming a PADI Divemaster , continuing to grow his professional career and share his passion for diving with others. Mike's calm demeanor, strong work ethic, and passion for the underwater world make him a valued part of the team.
In his free time, Mike enjoys racing cars, scuba diving, and dabbling in photography. He also loves spending time with his lovely dog, Nala—stop by the shop and you might see her around!
Our crew is trained in Emergency First Response, CPR/AED, and emergency oxygen administration, and our captains are U.S. Coast Guard licensed.
Our U.S. Coast Guard-inspected vessel is equipped with AEDs, emergency oxygen, an EPIRB, life jackets, throwable flotation devices, and first aid supplies—so we’re prepared to respond when it matters most.
Our dive professionals maintain current PADI memberships and active teaching status, keeping their training and skills up to date. Our crew also continues to learn about the Florida Keys marine environment, local dive sites, reef conservation, and responsible diving practices so we can share that knowledge with our guests both above and below the surface.
We hold our crew to high standards both above and below the water. Our team maintains current safety training in CPR, First Aid, AED, and emergency oxygen administration, and regularly participates in hands-on emergency scenarios aboard our vessel, including man-overboard drills and other emergency response procedures.
Our boat crew also participates in a required drug and alcohol testing program, helping us maintain a professional and safety-focused operation.