How a Corporate Dropout Turned Coral Nerd and a Local Island Girl are Making Waves in the Diving Industry
On the picturesque island of Roatan, Honduras, nestled on the shores of Half Moon Bay, lies a hidden gem in the world of scuba diving: Sun Divers. More than just a dive shop, Sun Divers is a community, a place where passionate divers from around the world come to explore the wonders of the underwater world, but more importantly, it’s a place where dreams are born, and women, especially local young women, are given opportunities to thrive in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men.
From Corporate to Coral: The Story of Natalie Shuman
Natalie Shuman, co-owner of Sun Divers, didn’t always envision herself leading a diving center. Of Cuban and Mexican descent, Natalie grew up immersed in cultural diversity, but her career initially followed a different path—one that took her through the corporate world of international retail marketing for sustainable food brands.. “Basically, I’m a corporate dropout turned coral nerd,” Natalie shares, reflecting on her journey. “My intro to scuba diving is a tale as old as time: Girl meets scuba instructor. Girl falls in love with diving—and the instructor!”
Her passion for diving grew alongside her relationship with her partner, Shannon. Together, they envisioned a life away from the hustle and bustle of the U.S. corporate world, one where they could slow down, immerse themselves in the ocean, and build a dive shop that reflected their values. For Natalie, this also meant reconnecting with her Latinx roots. “I wanted this dream dive shop to be located in a Latin American country where I could fulfill another dream of becoming fluent in Spanish so I could have conversations with my grandma in her native language.”
Sun Divers became that dream, a dive shop where Natalie could blend her love for diving with her passion for conservation and empowering local women.
Roatan: A Unique Island Steeped in History and Natural Wonders
Roatan, where Natalie and Shannon built their dream, is an island rich in history and natural beauty. The island’s past is as captivating as its underwater landscapes. Christopher Columbus first landed on the Bay Islands in 1502, and over the centuries, Roatan became a melting pot of English and Spanish settlers, pirates, and indigenous cultures. By the 17th century, over 5,000 pirates, including famous names like Blackbeard and Henry Morgan, called Roatan home. Even today, the island retains traces of its diverse heritage, with English and Spanish widely spoken.
Roatan also sits on the lower section of the world’s second-largest barrier reef system, the Mesoamerican Reef, which stretches nearly 700 miles from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay Islands. This natural wonder offers some of the best diving in the world, and Sun Divers takes full advantage of its proximity to pristine dive sites like Mary’s Place, where divers explore volcanic crevices and vibrant marine life. The island’s natural beauty, combined with its rich history, creates an unforgettable backdrop for divers and conservationists alike.
Empowering Local Women Through the Roatan Girls Program
One of the most defining aspects of Sun Divers is its commitment to creating opportunities for local women. Natalie recognized early on that while women represent 40% of recreational divers globally, this number drops significantly when it comes to women in professional diving, especially for local women in Roatan. “I created the ROA GIRLS DIVE scholarship program in partnership with Roatan Peer Health Exchange as a way to increase the presence of more local women in diving,” Natalie explains. “Growing up, I benefited from a youth leadership program that gave me skills, confidence, and connections that helped me later in life. I wanted to pay that forward.”
The ROA GIRLS DIVE program offers local girls the opportunity to explore the underwater world, providing them with scuba diving certifications and connecting them to professional pathways in the diving industry. Since 2023, the program has certified over 20 girls and continues to organize events like Dive Days to keep the girls’ skills fresh.
One of the first girls to benefit from this program was Julissa Santos, a bright and determined young woman from Roatan.
Julissa’s Journey: From Zero to Hero
Julissa Santos, now a Dive Master at Sun Divers, recalls her first encounter with scuba diving like it was yesterday. “Three years ago, I was immediately in love with the underwater world,” Julissa says. “I found out there was a scholarship at Sun Divers for young women to discover diving, so I signed up. That’s where I met Natalie and Shannon.”
Julissa started with basic certification courses like Discover Scuba and soon realized that diving was more than just a hobby—it was her passion. “After I got my certification from Discover Scuba to Rescue Diver, I found out about another scholarship through the Roatan Marine Park for those who wanted to become Dive Masters. I had all the necessary certifications, so I signed up. When they asked me which dive shop I wanted to complete my Dive Master training at, I told them Sun Divers because that’s where my journey started.”
Julissa’s journey from “zero to hero” is a testament to the transformative power of diving and the support of programs like ROA GIRLS DIVE. Today, Julissa is not just a Dive Master—she’s a role model for other young girls in Roatan who dream of pursuing a career in diving.
A Role Model for the Next Generation
For Julissa, being a role model is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work. “Being a role model for other young girls in Honduras who might want to pursue a career in diving is an opportunity to show that with dedication and passion, they can achieve great things, no matter where they start from,” she says. “If sharing my story can help someone believe in their potential, that’s incredibly rewarding.”
Julissa’s journey has not been without challenges. As a young Latina woman in the diving industry, she has faced her share of obstacles, but each has been a valuable learning experience. “Being from where I am, we don’t often get people to believe in us, to actually give us a chance. The fact that this program did that for me, and for other island girls, is something I’ll always be grateful for.”
A Commitment to Conservation: Protecting the Coral Reefs
Sun Divers’ commitment to empowering women is matched by their dedication to protecting the environment. Roatan, with its proximity to the Mesoamerican Reef, offers divers access to one of the most important marine ecosystems in the world. Sun Divers is a Coral Restoration Certification Center for the Roatan Marine Park, providing hands-on training to recreational divers on coral restoration. Natalie believes that connecting divers to conservation efforts not only protects the reefs but also inspires them to think differently about their role in the environment.
“One of our core values as a company is to ‘Always Be Eco-Active,’” Natalie explains. “We hire people who are passionate about conservation, and we try to support our local conservation NGOs and operate as sustainably as possible.”
The hands-on experience of maintaining coral nurseries and outplanting coral fragments leaves a lasting emotional impact on the divers, motivating them to become environmental stewards long after their diving trip ends.
Building a Dive Tribe: The Sun Divers Experience
What makes Sun Divers truly stand out is the sense of community they’ve built both in and out of the water. “Our motto at Sun Divers is ‘good vibes and great dives,’” Natalie says with a smile. “It’s the people who make up team Sun Divers that bring this experience to life.”
The dive shop culture is deeply rooted in Natalie’s Latinx heritage, where community and celebration are at the heart of everything they do. Whether it’s ringing the bell for a new certification, throwing a party for newly certified Dive Masters, or simply getting the whole shop to sing happy birthday, Sun Divers feels like a family. “I literally tell people ‘mi casa es su casa’ when they’re here at the shop,” Natalie adds.
This sense of belonging extends beyond the shop, with divers often making plans to meet for dinner or even future dive trips together. “My favorite thing is seeing divers who didn’t know each other before coming to Sun Divers making lasting connections.”
The sense of community that Sun Divers fosters is reminiscent of the island’s own diverse and rich cultural history, from the Garifuna people—descendants of Black Caribs brought by the British in 1797—to the island’s pirate past and colonial mix of Spanish and English settlers. Roatan has always been a place where different worlds meet, and Sun Divers embraces that same spirit of unity and shared experience.
Looking Ahead: Dreams for the Future
As Natalie and Julissa look to the future, their dreams for Sun Divers continue to grow. “I dream of a day when there’s a ROA Girl Dive Master or Instructor in every shop on Roatan,” Natalie says. “And I hope for a day when our reef is thriving, cared for by both visitors and locals alike.”
For Julissa, her goal is clear: to become an instructor and help more young women achieve their dreams in the diving industry. “I want to provide guidance and support to those who follow in my footsteps,” she says. “Diving has given me so much, and I want to share that with others.”
Sun Divers is more than just a dive shop—it’s a place where women are empowered, conservation is championed, and the bonds of community run deep. As Natalie and Julissa continue to make waves in the diving industry, they’re also inspiring a new generation of divers to explore the wonders of the underwater world and protect the ocean for future generations.
Join the Sun Divers Tribe and Make a Difference
If you’re looking for the ultimate diving experience in Roatan, or if you’re passionate about conservation and empowering local communities, Sun Divers is your destination. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first underwater adventure, or an experienced diver eager to contribute to coral restoration efforts, Sun Divers offers something for everyone.
Explore their personalized diving experiences, become a part of their community, and support the incredible initiatives like the ROA GIRLS DIVE program. To find out more about diving with Sun Divers or to book your next dive trip, visit their official website at sundiversroatan.com.
You can also follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sundiversroatan/ to stay updated on the latest events, stories, and dive opportunities. For inquiries, email them at info@sundiversroatan.com or stop by their dive shop located on West End Road, Roatan, Honduras. Join the Sun Divers Roatan family today and be part of a movement that’s making waves both underwater and in the community!
