The Shark Quest Story

Nick Jones

Nick brings patience, expertise, and infectious enthusiasm to every course and charter. From nervous first-timers to seasoned divers, Nick has a gift for making everyone feel confident and safe underwater.

Faith Parton

If there's a problem to solve, a diver to help, a trip to organize, or gear that needs attention, Faith is usually already three steps ahead of everyone else. As Shark Quest's primary Divemaster and a dual-agency scuba instructor, Faith is a key part of nearly every adventure we run. Whether she's teaching new divers, assisting on charters, helping customers in the shop, or keeping the day running smoothly behind the scenes, she brings knowledge, professionalism, and an incredible work ethic to everything she does. Around the shop and on the boat, Faith has earned a reputation as the person you can always count on. Simply put, she's one of the reasons Shark Quest runs as well as it does, and we're lucky to have her on the team.

Eric Larson

Captain Eric has been exploring Gulf Coast wrecks and reefs for decades. His encyclopedic knowledge of local sites, conditions, and marine life is unmatched in the Panhandle. If there's a fish on the reef, Eric knows where to find it.

Chris Marek

Meet Chris, a 20-year military veteran, NAUI Divemaster, and TDI Advanced Trimix Diver with a passion for wreck diving, spearfishing, and Gulf Coast adventure. With years of experience both above and below the surface, he's always ready to share knowledge, lend a hand, and help make every trip a great one. Just don't get him started on dive entries unless you've got a few extra minutes. Chris is a firm believer that the pirouette entry deserves far more respect than it gets. And yes, he's absolutely a shark hugger.

Chuck King

When he's not exploring Florida's backroads, you'll find Capt. Chuck at the helm of a Shark Quest adventure. A longtime Gulf Coast diver and one of our charter captains, Chuck knows these waters inside and out. His experience, steady leadership, and easygoing personality help make every trip enjoyable from the moment the lines are cast off. Chuck brings a calm, safety-focused approach to every charter, but don't mistake that for being in a hurry. If it's his turn to dive, give him plenty of notice because he believes in gearing up the right way. Around here, we joke that Chuck follows the first rule of scuba diving better than anyone: look cool. Fortunately, he's had years of practice perfecting that skill. Whether he's behind the wheel, helping divers on deck, or dropping in on a wreck, Capt. Chuck is always ready to help create a great day on the water.

Sam Weiss

If you've been in Shark Quest during the last year, chances are you've already met Sam. Whether you're looking for the right gear, need your equipment serviced, or want to book your next adventure, Sam is usually the guy making it happen. Part dive guru, part gear doctor, and part travel agent for underwater addicts, Sam keeps divers equipped, serviced, and headed toward their next great story. From local Gulf Coast charters to bucket-list liveaboard adventures, he'll help point you in the right direction and make sure your gear is ready when it's time to splash. Around here, if something needs fixing, finding, booking, or figuring out, Sam is usually the answer.

Al Stokes

When it comes to regulator repair, Al is basically a wizard – second to none. If he can't fix it, well, maybe it's time to retire that gear. We absolutely adore his obsessive attention to detail—no one can find a crack in a hose like Al. And hey, while we're here, don't forget to ask him about his brewing skills. Sure, it's not why he works with us, but we definitely appreciate the "other" side of Al.

Pete Durant