About Us
Martin is a highly experienced and qualified SSI Dive Instructor, Commercial scuba diver, and boat captain. Originally from Galapagos Islands, Ecuador - Martin has more than 20 years of extensive marine experience including:
Cruise Director of chartered live-aboard cruises in the Indonesian archipelago
Spearheading underwater conservation efforts in Ecuador, Indonesia, and West Papua New Guinea with renowned Conservation International
Leading commercial fishing expeditions in the Galapagos Archipelago.
Commercial maritime maintenence and repairs, and general underwater services in across Sydney Harbour since 2015.
Martin has been featured in publications by National Geographic, and Lonely Planet Travel Guide, and has been working as a recreational and commercial diver here in Sydney Harbour for the last 8 years. Martin takes immense pride in his work and ever since his humble beginnings, has always aimed to provide affordable and personable service to his customers whether it be a Discovery Scuba Dive course, or a comprehensive Hull Clean. Martin is also fluent in Spanish, Bahasa Indonesian, and English.
Emily, his partner is Australian born / Malaysian background and has been working in the hospitality, tourism and service industry for the last 12 years. With Business, IT and Project Management professional accumen, Emily is the behind-the-scenes person and with whom you’ll most likely be corresponding with, and your go-to person for any new quotes, general inquiries or questions. She is a PADI certified Rescue Scuba Diver, a keen fisherwoman, and has grown up on Sydney’s waterways since she was a child earning her boat licence at just 14 years old. She is also fluent in Spanish.
Both Martin and Emily co-owned and ran a dive / tourism agency in the Galapagos Islands before finally settling down and calling Sydney home in 2015. More recently, they welcomed the birth of their daughter Isabela in March 2023!
Banana Sail Sydney is a small, locally owned business.
We are not a large corporation nor are we a part of any large collectives/cruising co-ops. We keep things small scale and personal as we believe this to be a better experience for all. When you choose to use our services you are choosing to help and support a young working family, and we so appreciate you! We rely heavily on word-of-mouth, and no question is too silly/small to ask so do just drop us a line and say “Hi!” we’d love to be able to assist you in whatever way we can.
