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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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: 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.
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.