Paul LeonardStore Manager
Paul Leonard's Gallery:
Background:
Paul’s dive journey began in 1999 at Roger Williams University, where he earned his NAUI Open Water certification under the guidance of New England diving legend Vinny Malkoski. That first dive lit the spark, but things really took off in 2002 when Paul joined the New England Aquarium. Since then, he’s logged thousands of closed-system dives in the exhibits—building unmatched precision, comfort in the water, and a sixth sense for how to move calmly through chaos (especially when surrounded by groupers and curious children).
Over the years, Paul’s exploration has taken him far beyond the tank walls. He’s dived in Cuba, Bimini, Kauai, the Azores, and off the rugged coast of Lubec, Maine. But no matter how far he travels, it’s New England diving that holds his heart. Cold water, thick kelp, curious lobsters, and quiet rocky ledges—it’s where he feels most at home.
While Paul isn’t a certified instructor, you’d never know it by how students respond to him. He’s the first to lend a hand, share a tip, or just stand by someone’s side when they’re gearing up nervously for their first ocean dive. He has a natural way of making people feel calm, welcomed, and genuinely excited to see what the ocean has to offer. For him, it’s not about certifications—it’s about connection.
Paul believes there’s nothing more important than introducing people to the marine environment in a way that sticks. He’s not just showing people fish—he’s helping them fall in love with the underwater world in a way that changes how they see the ocean forever.
Favorite Dive Site:
Paul’s favorite local site is the north wall of Dog Island in Eastport, Maine—a hidden gem tucked away in the cold, rich waters of the Bay of Fundy. The north-side wall is loaded with life: fields of stalked tunicates, dense clusters of horse mussels, and vibrant tricolor nudibranchs for days. On the southeast side, a massive wolf eel has made its home, and spotting it feels like running into an old friend.
When it comes to warm water, Paul’s heart is in Cuba—specifically, the Garden of the Queen. It's one of the Caribbean’s most pristine and protected ecosystems, and diving there is like stepping into a living postcard: untouched reefs, curious sharks, and marine life that feels like it’s never seen a diver before.
Favorite Creature:
Of all the encounters Paul’s had underwater, nothing beats a penguin. There’s something surreal about seeing them zoom by—awkward on land, but absolute torpedoes in the water. Fast, curious, and full of personality, a penguin encounter is one of those rare moments that sticks with you long after the dive is over.
Favorite Certification Course:
For Paul, getting drysuit certified was a game changer. It opened up a whole world of diving—longer dives, colder water, more time to explore without freezing on the surface interval. It’s the kind of course that doesn’t just teach a skill—it unlocks a whole new season.
Goals In The Dive Industry:
For Paul, it’s all about getting more people excited and in the water. Whether it’s a first pool session or a cold-water dive on the north wall, he’s there to share the stoke and help people connect with the ocean in a way that sticks. Because once you fall in love with it, you never really come back up the same.