Country of residence: USA
Diving since: 1998
Level/agency of certification: PADI AOW/nitrox

Dr. Craig O'Connell is a shark biologist, marine conservationist, an award-winning inventor, and television host whose research has taken him all over the world to study sharks and other wildlife. He is the founder of O'Seas Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit that combines cutting-edge shark research with hands-on youth education through the Montauk Shark Lab. 

His work focuses on identifying critical shark nursery areas, developing novel shark protection methods, and connecting the next generation of ocean stewards directly to the science. He has appeared on over 40 Shark Week specials and is one of the most recognizable faces in public - facing shark conservation.

In his own words, here’s a little more about Craig and what drives him in and out of the water.

How did you get into diving?

Growing up, I watched every Shark Week special that I could and dreamed about sharks long before I ever saw one in the wild. But the true turning point for me was when I was 14 years old. During a trip to the Florida Keys, I went snorkeling on a coral reef off Islamorada and soon was face-to-face with a 6-foot Caribbean reef shark. 

Instead of attacking, the shark was as curious of me as I was of it. That encounter completely changed my perception of sharks and that was when I immediately pursued diving.  I was completely amazed by the underwater world and I wanted to learn as much as possible.  

From there, diving became the foundation of my career. Over the years, I've logged several thousand dives and have been fortunate enough to complete more than 150 dives outside the cage with great white sharks in places like Cape Cod, South Africa, and Australia. That's a privilege I never take for granted and an experience I'm incredibly proud of.

The fear I had to overcome during my first 50 or so cageless dives with great white sharks is difficult to put into words. But over time, that fear transformed into fascination and I began to see these animals very differently. Those experiences have allowed me to learn about great white sharks in ways that simply wouldn't be possible from inside a cage.

What is your most memorable underwater experience?

My most memorable diving experience happened while I was working in Shark Alley, South Africa, testing a conservation barrier designed to help protect sharks. To conduct the research, I had to dive in an area where great white sharks are famous for breaching on unsuspecting seals. If you saw a white shark in Shark Alley, chances are it was actively hunting.

On one particular dive, the current suddenly changed direction, and within minutes the visibility dropped to just 3–5 feet. It was like diving in chocolate milk. The problem was that we already knew there were three great white sharks in the area, making the dive significantly more dangerous. But we still had work to do, so I continued assembling the barrier, tightening nuts and bolts and making sure everything was secure.

As I worked, I suddenly felt a large surge of water push against my back. I spun around and looked in every direction, but there was nothing there. It definitely got my attention, so I started looking up every 15 to 20 seconds while I worked. A few moments later, I felt the same surge again. I immediately looked around...nothing. 

Finally, I went back to work, but this time I instinctively glanced over my shoulder almost immediately. That's when I saw it. A 14-foot great white shark was less than a foot behind me. The instant we made eye contact, it turned away, and I felt the powerful pressure wave from its tail as it disappeared back into the murky water.

That's when it hit me. While I had been focused on my work, these enormous sharks had been silently swimming up behind me, taking a quick look, and then peeling away at the very last second. They weren't attacking—they were simply investigating—but in visibility that poor, not knowing they were there until they were within arm's reach was an unforgettable experience.

At that point, we decided the risk wasn't worth it, called the dive, and safely returned to the surface.

What is your proudest professional moment?

There are parts of my career that are genuinely intimidating. I often push the boundaries of what's been done in an effort to answer important scientific questions and develop new conservation solutions. The results aren’t always what we hope for, but that’s the nature of science. Even when an experiment doesn’t produce the expected outcome, it still teaches us something valuable and helps move the field forward.

That said, my proudest professional accomplishment was overcoming my fear to work outside the cage with great white sharks in South Africa. Diving with great whites in that environment is an entirely different challenge. It demands complete focus, advanced diving skills, and absolute confidence in every decision you make underwater.

Over the years, I’ve completed well over 150 cageless dives with great white sharks all over the world. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud that I pushed through that fear. Those experiences not only made me a better scientist and diver, but they also gave me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of one of the ocean's most misunderstood predators.

What do you wish more people understood about the ocean?

I wish more people understood that the ocean isn't some distant place; it supports every one of us, whether we live on the coast or hundreds of miles inland. It produces about half of the oxygen we breathe, regulates our climate, provides food for billions of people, and is home to an incredible diversity of life that we’re still discovering.

What advice would you give to a new diver?

My biggest piece of advice is to never stop learning. Earning your certification isn't the finish line; it's just the beginning. Every dive is an opportunity to become a better, safer, and more confident diver. Also, take your time. Build experience gradually, dive with people who know more than you do, and don't rush into challenging conditions just because you see them on social media or television

What is your favorite piece of Cressi gear and why?

I have a lot of favorite Cressi gear to be honest, but something I have used from the very beginning is my Cressi Travelight BCD.  It is light, compact, and has come with me all over the world. It is reliable and super easy to travel with so I love it! 

What does being a Cressi ambassador mean to you?

Being a Cressi Ambassador means representing a company that has been part of my journey since the very beginning. Long before I was hosting Shark Week or conducting shark research around the world, I was a young diver learning the fundamentals of the sport. Cressi has been building equipment for generations, and it's a brand I've trusted throughout my career.

For me, it's about much more than wearing a logo. It’s about representing the values we both share: adventure, exploration, education, and respect for the ocean. Whether I'm diving with great white sharks in South Africa, surveying coral reefs, or introducing a child to the underwater world for the first time, I want people to see that diving isn't just about excitement, it's about building a lifelong connection with the ocean.

As a marine biologist and conservationist, I also appreciate that Cressi builds equipment I can rely on in some of the most demanding environments on Earth. When you're conducting research hundreds of miles offshore or diving with apex predators, confidence in your gear allows you to focus on the science and the mission at hand. Most importantly, I hope that by partnering with Cressi, I can inspire the next generation of divers. If I can help one young person discover the same passion for the ocean that I found as a 14-year-old kid seeing my first shark, then I've done my job.

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