John, AKA Big Beard
John arrived on St. Croix in January 1979 and quickly found his place on the water, crewing aboard Buck Island snorkeling boats. The sea, the island, and the people captured his heart. In 1983, John embraced the persona of Cap’n Big Beard and founded Big Beard’s Adventure Tours, beginning a journey that would bring joy and adventure to countless visitors and locals alike. For decades, his passion for the ocean, storytelling, and hospitality helped create unforgettable experiences around Buck Island and the waters of St. Croix. John retired in June 2016 after more than three decades of sharing the beauty of the island he loved. His legacy lives on through the company he built, the memories he created, and the many lives he touched. On January 9, 2026, the Legend Cap’n Big Beard set sail for his final horizon. Fair winds and following seas, Captain. ⚓🌊
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.
Michael
Position: Captain/Operations Manager
Start Date: January 2011
Hometown: Bay City, TX
Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: The sea 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.
Mike
Position: Captain
Start Date: November 2007
Hometown: White Pigeon, MI
Why he enjoys being a part of Big Beard’s crew: Working on a boat in the Caribbean has always been my dream!
Interesting Fact: I’m a ginger
Joe
Position: Captain
Start Date: April 2024
Hometown: Cave Creek, AZ
Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I get paid to hang out with my friends on a boat and beach, barefoot all day.
Interesting Fact: I lived in a tent on a beach in Cambodia for over a year.
Peter
Position: Captain
Start Date: March 2026
Hometown: Christiansted, VI
Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I truly enjoy being able to help facilitate memorable experiences at Buck Island!
Interesting Fact: I started captaining Buck Island excursions in 1984!
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.
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! It is rewarding to get people comfortable in the water, while educating them about the fish and coral!
Interesting Fact: I’ve visted 46 states and am planning a road trip to explore the last 4!
Charlie
Position: Crew
Start Date: November 2023
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I love watching the evolution of nervous swimmers go from overwhelmed and anxious to calmly snorkeling along the reef at Buck Island! It’s the most rewarding part of my job!
Interesting Fact: I have to remind my coworkers to hydrate at least 3 times a day.
Cali
Position: Crew
Start Date: April 2025
Hometown: Elkhart, IN/Fort Worth, TX
Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I am so passionate about the ocean and love teaching people how to have the best experience!
Interesting Fact: My parents were dive instructors on St. Thomas and now I’m a dive instructor on St. Croix!
Samantha
Position: Crew
Start Date: September 2026
Hometown: Lancaster, MO
Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: I would love to tell ten-year-old me that I’d be out on the water every day at this point in life, working with the best people ever!
Interesting Fact: I mowed lawns and detailed cars for a job growing up
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.
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.
Shelly
Position: Assistant Store Manager
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.
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.
Theresa
Position: Store Crew
Start Date: July 2025
Hometown: Green Ridge, MO
Why I enjoy being a part of the Big Beard’s Team: The Big Beard’s store is a fun place to work and I love to hear how people arrived on island!
Interesting Fact: I have a lable maker lable on my lable maker!