Henry CipollaInstructor
Henry Cipolla's Gallery:
Background:
Henry got into diving as a way to reset from the intensity of his day job—and let’s just say he committed. Before ever setting fin in warm water, he logged over 100 dives in New England, including more than a few under frozen lakes. That grit laid the foundation for what became a full-blown obsession with cave diving and rebreathers.
As an instructor, Henry brings patience and empathy, especially for students struggling with the basics. Got duck diving problems? He’s your guy. He knows every diver starts somewhere, and he’s passionate about helping people move past those early hurdles and discover what diving can really be.
Favorite Dive Site:
Chan Hol holds a special place in Henry’s heart—it was the first new cave he ever explored without a guide, and it perfectly captures everything he loves about Tulum diving. The entrance? Literally in someone’s front yard. It’s tight, awkward, and nearly impossible to enter without stirring up silt—but once you break through, it opens into a stunning underwater cathedral. Crystal-clear water, massive chambers, incredible formations, and looping routes make it a dream dive… if you know how to get in.
Favorite Creature:
If we’re sticking strictly underwater, Henry’s pick is the mantis shrimp—nature’s tiny tank with a punch strong enough to break aquarium glass and vision that puts human eyesight to shame. They see UV, polarized light, and a spectrum we can’t even comprehend.
But if we’re being real? It’s dogs. Always dogs. He may be a cave diver, but he’s a sucker for a good belly rub and a wagging tail.
Favorite Certification Course:
Whether he’s teaching it or taking it, Henry’s favorite course is Dive Guide. It’s the first time divers really start thinking beyond themselves—about the team, the group experience, and what it means to lead safely and confidently. Plus, it’s just plain fun. The role-playing scenarios are a blast, especially when you get to ham it up as a “problem diver.”
One of Henry’s favorite memories? As a student, he once missed that one of his “divers” had taken their reg out on descent… and still made it to the bottom and gave him an OK while holding their breath the whole way. Lesson learned—and a great story earned.
Goals In The Dive Industry:
For Henry, it’s all about the moment when something clicks. He loves introducing people to new experiences and has developed a knack for figuring out what kind of diving lights someone up. Whether it’s the serenity of a quiet reef, the challenge of tech, or the chaos of a pool training session, he’s all about helping students find their thing. The quicker he can make that connection, the more fun everyone has—and that’s the whole point.