David Rodriguez | Ocean Tours & Video

Hi, I’m David — an @apexoceandivers ocean safari guide, @hawaiiadventurediving shark safety diver, and underwater videographer. My mission is to share the beauty of the ocean and protect it. 🌊 A few fun facts about me: • I’m also a software engineer building the mobile app for a plasma donation company • I was born in Mexico, grew up in Florida, and now call the ocean home • I graduated from MIT with dual degrees in Biology and Chemical Engineering • I love to sail — from varsity sailing in college to captaining 40ft catamarans in the BVIs ⛵ Every dive, every journey, every clip is part of a larger story: to inspire others to fall in love with the ocean — and take action to protect it. Let’s keep exploring, learning, and fighting for the sea together. PC 📸 @alexsharks_ @pelagic.paul @alexinwaterlust @hugwagner

Welcome back tiger shark Talia 😍🦈 This is shark feeder Stephon with Talia, one of the female tiger sharks that regularly shows up during the Great Hammerhead Safari. This clip was filmed on the very first day she was spotted for the season, which is always a special moment. Even though the Bahamas is a shark sanctuary, these sharks don’t stay here year round. After the season ends they migrate, and no one knows exactly where they go. If they cross into waters where sharks are not protected, like parts of U.S. federal waters, they can still be caught and killed. That’s why seeing the same individuals return year after year means so much. It’s a reminder that these animals survived another migration and made it safely back to the sanctuary. 🤿 @re.afro_shark

On a cloudy overcast day, we were in the company of a calf and its mother, both humpback whales, when we received word of heightened marine activity in the southwest part of Mo’orea. Racing to the location, we were greeted by a dozen pilot whales joyfully interacting with four humpback whales. The pilot whales darted and weaved amongst the humpbacks. Despite their speed, their movements felt like a graceful dance in slow motion. Among the group, we were also thrilled to spot a baby pilot whale and, from a distance, an oceanic white tip. I’m immensely grateful for this breathtaking first experience with humpback whales in the deep blue. #whales #humpbackwhale #pilotwhales #moorea #frenchpolynesia

Might have to turn this into a series…. . . . #sharks #sonyalpha #cinematography #nature #vlog

3 tigers on today’s dive!! . . . #tigershark #viral

Best “welcome home” from one of my favorite ladies 🦈 Yesterday’s dive was surreal. We saw everything - hammers, bulls, lemons, and this tiger shark on both dives. Florida really is an incredible place for shark diving. Different energy, different conditions, but just as wild. Excited to spend more time in the ocean this summer with @apexadventurediving and thankful for @papaproductions_ for capturing this epic moment 📸 #sharks #sharkdiving #tigershark

Pao demonstrating his skill in capturing a sea lion pup. Pao (PTN-006) is a young adult male orca from the Punta Norte population, first observed in 2005 and part of a lineage of whales that practice one of the most unique hunting techniques in the world: intentional stranding. Hunting here is far from easy, especially for males. As they grow, their larger size, dorsal fin, and reduced maneuverability in shallow water make these hunts even more challenging. Compared to the smaller, more agile females that typically lead successful hunts, males often struggle to master this technique. Pao has missed many attempts over the years, but moments like this show his growth and persistence as a hunter. It’s a reminder that even apex predators have to learn, adapt, and refine their skills over time. Huge thank you to the @pn_orca team for their decades of work studying and protecting this incredible population at Punta Norte. Their research is what allows us to better understand and conserve these animals. #orca #orcas

Magellanic penguins of Patagonia 🐧 On land, they waddle, stumble, and look a little clumsy. In the water, they completely transform. Fast, agile, and built for speed, using their wings like flippers to fly through the ocean. Magellanic penguins are medium-sized, typically around 60 to 75 cm tall (2 to 2.5 feet), and perfectly adapted to life between land and sea. Once a year, they go through a full molt, replacing all their feathers at once. During this time, which lasts about two to three weeks, they can’t enter the water to hunt, so they fast on land and rely entirely on stored energy. They’re also known for strong pair bonds. Many will reunite with the same mate year after year, returning to the same nesting burrows within large colonies that can number in the thousands. Life here is all about rhythm and community. They head out to sea to feed, then return together to rest, nest, and raise their young. Thousands of penguins, all moving with the same purpose. #penguin #penguins

the dolphin we didn’t know we needed: Commerson’s dolphins 🐬 These might be the cutest dolphins in the world. Their coloration is unreal. Jet black head and tail with a bright white midsection that wraps around their body like a clean band. It almost looks painted on. And they’re tiny. Even as adults, Commerson’s dolphins are only about 1.3 to 1.5 meters long (4 to 5 feet), making them one of the smallest dolphin species on the planet. If that wasn’t enough, they’re incredibly social. We found them in Patagonia and within seconds they darted straight to the boat, riding alongside us for nearly three hours. They were constantly weaving, turning, and playing right in front of us. Honestly, they might have stayed so long because of how excited we were. We couldn’t stop yelling about how beautiful they were and whistling at them the entire time. Nothing short of a magical day. #dolphin #dolphins

A rare moment with Dania 🐆 Out in Torres del Paine on a puma tracking mission, we eventually came across Dania, a young female and daughter of the iconic puma Rupestre. She was lying beside a fresh guanaco kill, well hidden in the Patagonian plains. These pumas blend in so perfectly with the landscape that one of the guides actually walked right past her without noticing. It was not until another guide caught the scent of the carcass and spotted a leg sticking out that we realized she was right there the whole time. This sighting meant a lot more than just seeing a puma. Dania had been looking thin recently, and local guides were concerned. Seeing her make a successful kill and feed properly was a huge relief. She had carefully covered the guanaco to protect it from scavengers, then gorged herself and stayed close, resting and digesting so she could return and eat more. In the wild, nothing is guaranteed and every meal matters. Watching her there, calm and powerful in her own environment, was a reminder of how resilient these animals are and how special it is to witness them on their terms. Truly one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters I’ve ever had. #puma #pumas #torresdelpaine

Reminder: sharks aren’t puppies. They’re apex predators that deserve our respect. 🦈 As a shark diver, most interactions never even require contact. Making eye contact and standing your ground is usually enough for a tiger shark to turn away. But sometimes they come in, and a redirect is needed. 90% of the time it’s calm and controlled. That other 10% is where you have to stay composed, confident, and fully present. No hesitation, no panic. That’s why I never get complacent. Every dive, every interaction, I treat the shark with the respect it deserves. This is a wild apex predator. And that’s exactly why it’s so incredible to be in the water with them. Thank you @maldiv3ss for the photos of me 🛥️ @apexadventurediving #shark #sharks #sharkdiving

Tiger sharks aren’t monsters. They’re curious animals. They often come in to investigate and may even make contact with their snout to figure out what something is. That’s why experienced shark divers focus on controlling the approach at the nose and using their body positioning to maintain space. But this is not something inexperienced divers should attempt. A common mistake is pushing up too aggressively on the shark, which can trigger an automatic mouth opening. That’s usually the moment people panic and things go wrong. In this clip, you can see how it’s done properly. Calm, controlled, and deliberate. A steady hand on the nose to stop the approach, then a smooth transition underneath to guide the shark upward and away. No force. Just timing, awareness, and understanding behavior. Want to come experience sharks in a safe and controlled dive? Join us at @apexadventurediving 🦈🤿 🤿 @travisfits #sharks #shark #sharkdiving