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OUR STAFF



a man holding a fish

John, AKA Big Beard Himself

John arrived on St. Croix in January 1979 and started crewing on Buck Island Snorkeling boats. In 1983 he began the life of Cap’n Big Beard and started Big Beard’s Adventure Tours, and it’s been quite a ride ever since! John retired in June of 2016, but can still be found greeting the Big Beard’s boats on the boardwalk.

a man holding a fish

John, AKA Big Beard Himself

John arrived on St. Croix in January 1979 and started crewing on Buck Island Snorkeling boats. In 1983 he began the life of Cap’n Big Beard and started Big Beard’s Adventure Tours, and it’s been quite a ride ever since! John retired in June of 2016, but can still be found greeting the Big Beard’s boats on the boardwalk.

a man wearing sunglasses taking a selfie

Steve

Position: Captain/Owner

Start Date: June 2002

Hometown: Chilton, WI

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I love sharing the beauty of Buck Island and the ocean with others.

Interesting Fact: I met my wife on the Renegade.

 

a man wearing sunglasses

Greg

Position: Captain

Start Date: September 2018

Hometown: a little of everywhere, but originally Mercersburg, PA

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I get to drive a boat AND get paid!

Interesting Fact: I have a degree in poetry.

a man wearing sunglasses taking a selfie

Michael

Position: Captain

Start Date: January 2011

Hometown: Bay City, TX

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: The ocean is where I belong, and Big Beard’s has the finest staff and crew I’ve had the privilege to work with.

Interesting Fact: I only function well near water.

a man standing in front of a beach

Gabe

Position: Captain

Start Date: February 2013

Hometown: Santa Monica, CA

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I love getting to show our passengers the beauty of the ocean each and every day.

Interesting Fact: I can steer a 42’ sailboat with my foot while playing classical music on a conch shell.

a man wearing a hat and sunglasses posing for the camera

Molly

Position: Captain

Start Date: June 2020

Hometown: The world is my hometown. I was born in Milwaukee, WI but have not been back in 20+ years. I have lived in many places which have impacted me.

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I have a need to be in and on the ocean seeing the life in and the stunning colors of the Buck Island Reefs. The crew cares and is always evolving.

Interesting Fact: I have lived and worked in a dozen big cities and 8 countries.

a man standing in front of a mirror posing for the camera

Curtis

Position: Captain

Start Date: November 2022

Hometown: St. Lucia

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I love captaining boats and interacting with guests, sharing my knowledge of fish and Buck Island.

Interesting Fact: I’m passionate about the ocean and educating about the environment.

a man standing next to a body of water

Severin

Position: Captain

Start Date: June 2019

Hometown: Aspen, CO

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: The Big Beard’s Team is truly a family, and that is an amazing thing! We may be a dysfunctional family, but we ARE a family.

Interesting Fact: I could snow ski before I could walk.

a man standing on a beach

Peter

Position: Crew

Start Date: March 2022

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I like that I get to see turtles doing what turtles do.

Interesting Fact: I taught President Biden’s daughter how to snorkel.

a person standing next to a body of water

Jackie

Position: Crew

Start Date: April 2022

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: Buck Island is MERmazing and FINtastic! Every day is a great day when I can say HI to Jarvis the Jawfish!

Interesting Fact: As of mid-May, 2023 my time spent underwater scuba diving totals over 50 days.

a person wearing sunglasses standing in front of a body of water

Sydney

Position: Crew

Start Date: February 2022

Hometown: Austin, TX

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I feel most in my element when I’m in the water and Big Beard’s provides the opportunity for me to share that experience with other people and introduce them to a whole other world.

Interesting Fact: I love hiking and hope to plan a backpacking trip across the world. The top place on my bucket list is Southeast Asia but I would love to eventually travel to all 7 continents.

a woman sitting at a beach

Leeya

Position: Crew

Start Date: December 2020

Hometown: Lincoln, VT

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I love educating people about coral reefs.

Interesting Fact: I used to bring my miniature donkey to school with me.

a woman smiling next to a body of water

Zoey

Position: Crew

Start Date: April 2023

Hometown: West Chester, PA

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I like that some days dolphins follow the boat!

Interesting Fact: My other job involves me setting myself on fire for tips!

a woman smiling for the camera

Jill

Position: Store Manager

Start Date: July 2016

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: Most of our customers and guests are on vacation and happy to be in PARADISE. After our boat crew shows them a great time at Buck Island, they come back even happier! No bad days here!

Interesting Fact: My husband’s name is Jack, and we live up a hill.

a child looking at the camera

Shelly

Position: Store Crew

Start Date: April 2019

Hometown: Christiansted, VI

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I get to work with the best people! It’s the best place ever!

Interesting Fact: Jill couldn’t do her job without me! I know that guy Rico.

a person smiling for the camera

Amy

Position: Store Crew

Start Date: June 2022

Hometown: No Hometown, Army Brat, but most recently Southern Pines, NC

Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team:  It’s a fun team and atmosphere to work in! Which is a welcome change to a 30-year career in the Federal Government.

Interesting Fact:  I have served in US Embassies/Missions in 6 countries.