Country of residence: Cancun, Mexico
Diving since: 2021
Level/agency of certification: PADI AOW
For over 10 years, Paola Gargari has turned her lifelong passion for the ocean into a driving force for change in the Mexican Caribbean. Born and raised in Cancún, Paola’s deep connection to the sea led her to environmental and social activism at just 15 years old. In 2022, she took her commitment to the next level by founding Corazón de Mar, a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean conservation, local marine life, reef awareness, and environmental education.
Beyond her conservation work, Paola is an avid explorer of the underwater world. Backed and supported by Cressi throughout her journey, she is an Advanced Open Water diver and a certified freediver. Fueled by a profound personal mission to improve safety standards, she is currently pursuing her Rescue Diver certification to promote safe, certified, and conscious diving practices.
Through her active lifestyle, wellness, and water adventures, Paola uses her platform to inspire others to lose their fear, dive in, and connect deeply with the ocean, proving that when we learn to love the sea, protecting it becomes second nature.
How did you get into diving?
Growing up by the sea, I always had a strong curiosity about the underwater world. In 2019, a close friend recommended I try diving, knowing my passion for the ocean, but it wasn't until 2021 that I finally took the leap. A friend saw my potential and insisted on taking me to Cozumel to experience it firsthand.
Starting my diving journey in Cozumel was a dream because it’s one of the top diving spots globally. On that first dive, I was lucky enough to see sea turtles and stunning, vibrant reefs. The second I immersed myself in the water, I just knew I was born to do this. I was instantly hooked, and I haven't stopped since.
What is your most memorable underwater experience?
That is a tough question because every single dive is unique, and I always take a beautiful memory away from each one. However, if I had to narrow it down, three specific moments have truly defined my journey.
The first was at Santa Rosa Reef Wall in Cozumel. Having learned to dive in the Mexican Caribbean, this deep dive completely shifted my perspective. On one side, you have this endless wall of coral; on the other, just the vast blue ocean. There is no visible bottom, no sand beneath your feet. For the first time, I truly understood the immense scale of the ocean. I felt like a tiny grain of sand on a massive beach, small, yet completely at peace in this underwater universe.
The second was my first time diving in the Mexican Pacific, specifically in Baja California Sur. It was absolutely mind-blowing. While the Caribbean is all about colors, diversity, and intricate reefs, the Pacific is where life gets massive. Diving with sea lions in La Paz was unforgettable, but seeing the legendary school of jackfish in Cabo Pulmo is an image forever burned into my mind. It was magnificent.
Lastly, seeing a bull shark for the first time in Playa del Carmen. I had only been certified for a few months, but since my skills were sharp, I went on an advanced dive to Shark Point. Having watched them in documentaries my whole life, I didn't feel a single drop of fear. Instead, it felt like meeting my favorite celebrity! Being that close to such a majestic apex predator was pure magic.
What is your proudest professional moment?
I believe my proudest professional moment was the instant I realized I could truly influence people in a positive way by sharing my knowledge, my lifestyle, and my passion for the ocean.
Over time, people began to trust me and approach me. They started sharing that, thanks to the content I post every day, they found the motivation to try these activities, get close to the ocean, and even get certified in scuba diving and freediving.
They’ve asked me for advice and reached out to join my volunteer initiatives with Corazón de Mar. When I see someone achieving their goals and they tell me that I was the one who inspired them, it leaves a massive sense of accomplishment in my heart. Knowing that my voice is helping others connect with and protect the sea is, without a doubt, my proudest achievement.
What do you wish more people understood about the ocean?
I completely understand where the fear of the ocean comes from. It stems from a fear of the unknown and what we cannot control, and the sea represents exactly that. It can be peaceful, but it is also constantly changing; a strong current can pull you in, just as a wave can push you back to shore. I’ve felt that intrigue and fear myself on several occasions.
But to me, the ocean is a mirror of life. It has gifted me the most powerful emotions of my existence, from absolute peace and gratitude to raw frustration and fear. Just like the sea, life is unpredictable and wild. Amidst the chaos, you learn to simply ride the wave. The ocean isn't going to change for you; you are the one who has to change, adapt, and learn how to coexist with its changing nature.
Once you understand how to react and flow with it, the fear fades, and enjoying it becomes effortless. The sea never ceases to amaze you because it gives you something different every single day. Ultimately, I wish more people understood that the ocean is life. We are alive because of it. Every breath we take connects us to it, and understanding how marine life and coral reefs benefit our daily lives is the first step toward becoming passionate about protecting and conserving it.
What advice would you give to a new diver?
The first thing I would tell them is that knowledge is your greatest asset. Knowing exactly what to do in different situations is what will give you the peace of mind and the calm needed to handle difficult moments, manage the pressure, and avoid panic. I highly recommend taking the material in your certification courses very seriously. People often overlook the theory, but it is the only thing that gives you the fundamental tools to survive and react underwater.
However, learning doesn't stop with textbooks or gear; it’s a lifelong journey built on curiosity and humility. Ask questions. Talk to more experienced divers about their challenges and how they handled them. Stay humble and absorb everything around you because the ocean will always present unpredictable situations. Also, whenever you dive in a new location, always check with the locals first, ask them about the marine life, currents, rock formations, or anything specific you should look out for.
Another crucial piece of advice is to deeply understand the gear you are using. In my opinion, the very first things you should buy are your own dive computer and a mask that fits you perfectly. There is nothing better than owning your equipment and knowing it inside out. Understanding exactly how your gear functions gives you an unmatched sense of safety and confidence beneath the surface.
Finally, don't lose your motivation if things get frustrating. Everyone develops skills at a different pace. For example, when I started, I really struggled with my buoyancy! Don't lose your calm. Diving is all about practice, and you will become a better diver with every single hour you spend underwater. Treat every dive as an opportunity to learn. Even if a dive isn’t the most spectacular visually, it is still valuable practice that will make you a safer, more confident explorer.
What is your favorite piece of Cressi gear and why?
While I absolutely love many different Cressi products, if I had to choose just one, it would definitely be the Cressi Calibro mask. It works flawlessly for both scuba diving and freediving, which is rare to find. It is incredibly comfortable, seals perfectly to my face, and it has never fogged up on me once. I’ve been using it for years now and its performance remains unmatched. It’s a piece of gear I know I can always rely on beneath the surface.
What does being a Cressi ambassador mean to you?
To be honest, I will always be incredibly grateful to Cressi. They gave me the opportunity to become a brand ambassador right at the very beginning of my diving journey. They truly believed in me, in my potential, and in my ability to communicate and share my lifestyle to motivate others to dive into the underwater world, whether through scuba diving or freediving.
To me, being a Cressi ambassador means representing a brand whose history and legacy I deeply admire. They have supported me from day one, not only in my personal development as a diver but also by backing my conservation non-profit, Corazón de Mar, to help protect marine life and our oceans.
Being part of their ambassador team is a massive opportunity, and I hold immense love and respect for the brand for opening its doors to me and standing by my side throughout this entire journey.
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