Country of residence: Hawaiʻi, USA
Diving since: Childhood (professionally for over two decades)
Level/agency of certification: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT), 20+ instructor specialties, freediving instructor, and tech diving experience

Ocean Ramsey is a marine biologist, shark researcher, freediving and scuba instructor, and conservationist who has spent more than two decades studying sharks in the wild. A PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer with more than 20 instructor specialties, she is best known for freediving with great white sharks without a cage in every major known hotspot around the world, building a body of research focused on shark behavior, individual recognition, and long-term population monitoring.

She co-founded One Ocean Diving and Research in Hawaii, combining in-water shark encounters with citizen science and public education, and spent more than seven years working to pass shark protection legislation in Hawaii that ultimately became law. Her Netflix documentary, “Shark Whisperer,” directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Reed, ranked in the Top 10 in more than 40 countries upon its release in 2025.

In her own words, here is a little more about Ocean and what drives her in and out of the water.

How did you get into diving?

I was raised by nature-loving parents who both grew up swimming and scuba diving with their families too. We went out on our family’s boat and to the beach, and no matter where I am in the world, the ocean feels like home. 

My curiosity about marine life naturally evolved from snorkeling and surfing into freediving and then scuba diving, allowing me to spend more time underwater observing animals in their natural environment. Diving became more than a hobby and passion—it became the foundation of my conservation work and my life’s purpose.

What is your most memorable underwater experience?

There isn’t just one. While decades of freediving and scuba diving with great white sharks without a cage around the world in every known hotspot have left me with more unforgettable moments than I can describe here, I truly feel that every meaningful interaction with another animal reminds me how much there is still to learn.

Some of my most unforgettable moments have been earning the trust of individual sharks that I’ve encountered over many years, watching them return to familiar areas, observing them through their life stages over decades, getting to know their unique personalities and social dynamics, and witnessing moments that show the true range and complexity of shark behavior. 

Those experiences continue to inspire my research and reinforce the importance of protecting these incredible animals. Moments where I helped save a shark or other animal from long-term suffering or death by removing harmful entanglements have always stood out in my memory as part of why I do what I do. Though it’s challenging, hard work, it’s also deeply rewarding to be able to help another being (human or other animal) and make a positive impact with my time and subsequently my life. 

What is your proudest professional moment?

Getting a documentary about the reality of the behavior, importance, and plight of sharks on the largest streaming network in the world. It was viewed so many times that it ranked in the Top 10 in more than 40 countries, especially in Hong Kong, which is the world’s largest importer and exporter of shark fins. 

While the process was not comfortable, I’m grateful to have been able to make an impact, and I love reading people’s comments, meeting them, and hearing how much @juansharks and I have helped shift their perspective and inspired them to support shark protection. That means a lot.

It was also very significant to me to publish my first book after more than four years of writing and editing, and even more significant was helping to get the bill passed into law to protect sharks in Hawaiʻi, which took more than seven years of work. 

Saving countless sharks from entanglement that would have or could have been lethal has also been incredibly meaningful. Teaching people who later used that knowledge to save the lives of others has been equally rewarding.

There have been so many significant moments that I should say my proudest achievement isn’t any single moment—it’s being part of the movement that’s helping to save sharks. Whether it’s someone overcoming a lifelong fear of sharks, students applying what they’ve learned to become better ocean stewards and researchers, or helping inspire stronger protections for marine life, knowing that the information and training I have passed along has made a lasting conservation impact is what I’m most proud of.

What do you wish more people understood about the ocean?

The ocean isn’t separate from us—it supports every breath we take and connects all life on Earth. Sharks are not mindless predators; they are intelligent, highly evolved animals with individual personalities, complex behaviors, and essential ecological roles. 

When we learn to better understand nature instead of fearing it, we can better respect and care for it. We can make better decisions for both wildlife and ourselves. Respectfully observing behavior, learning all you can, and adapting is the best approach.

What advice would you give to a new diver?

Stay curious, remain humble, and never stop learning. Develop strong foundational skills, practice excellent buoyancy, respect every animal’s space, and remember that we are visitors in their world. The best divers aren’t the ones who get the closest, they’re the ones who leave the smallest impact while gaining the deepest understanding and helping others along the way.

What is your favorite piece of Cressi gear and why?

It’s difficult to choose just one, but the Cressi Nano mask helps me every day to learn more about shark and other animal behavior and to stay safer with its low volume, wider field of vision, comfortable fit, and high durability. I also appreciate Cressi’s commitment to producing reliable equipment that allows me to focus on the animals and the research rather than worrying about my gear.

What does being a Cressi ambassador mean to you?

Being a Cressi ambassador means representing a company with a long history of innovation, exploration, and respect for the underwater world. It’s an opportunity to inspire people to experience the ocean responsibly, promote conservation through education, and help more people discover that understanding the ocean is the first step toward protecting it.

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