Sometimes your destiny is made obvious thanks to certain undeniable influences. Chris Lanza should have known from an early age that he was destined for a future in Scuba diving. After all, he was born in Cape Coral, Florida - nuff said!

He spent his younger years in Cape Coral, learning his way around car engines thanks to the encouragement of his father who was a mechanic. At the age of seven they moved to Virginia, but Chris was enrolled in an exclusive New Jersey boarding school and so he continued his education there, working part-time as a mechanic when he spent time at home. At the age of 17 he was first introduced to the world of diving. Despite his roots in Florida, he covered his academic and pool work in Virginia, travelling to the Turks and Caicos to complete his Open Water Certification.

In the next year he worked his way through the certification levels and made plans to move back to Florida. The school he had attended was his ticket to any university in the US, but instead he returned to the automobile service industry, first as a mechanic and then as a service consultant. I can only imagine how thrilled his parents must have been. By the time he made manager, he was moonlighting as a Divemaster after passing his exams in Boca Raton Deerfield Beach. It was time to make a decision: keep dealing with grumpy customers and their vehicles, or work with people who were just in awe of diving and loving every minute of it. Of course he went with the latter, completely against the advice of his dive instructor, and now he just had to finish his Dive Instructor certification.

Already familiar with the Cayman Islands, Chris scoped out prices in Grand Cayman versus those in Florida. It was less expensive to take the course in Cayman, and so down he flew in 2003. He signed up with the Cayman Diving School, and like so many before him, Chris decided to stay.

He got a job with Cathy Church as a photo centre assistant, diving with Sunset Diver clients as a photo buddy until Hurricane Ivan came along. He left the island for Florida, returning in 2006 to work for Neptune Divers followed by a stint with Off the Wall Divers. Chris had always known, however, that he was going to want to start his own business at some point. In October 2010 he and his wife Kelly officially opened Cayman Turtle Divers and eager customers looking for a personalised diving experience started booking reservations in earnest.

Cayman Turtle Divers has a maximum of six divers on the boat at one time. Everyone gets to know each other a little, quick friendships are forged. There are land and sea pickups available from George Town up the Seven Mile strip and drop you off as well.

Courses are also offered up to Divemaster level if you’re wanting to spread your water wings a bit.

Check out Cayman Turtle Divers through their website caymanturtledivers.com or call (345) 938-0184 for more information.

Chris’ favourite dives

Main Street

This is a North wall site that often produces large wildlife. Passing by in the deep blue are hammerhead, reef and bull sharks, spotted eagle rays and huge turtles. There is a swim-thru or crack in the reef that leads from the bottom of the line (around 50ft) and pops you out in the around 110ft.

Around a gorgeous coral outcropping you find many keyholes and archways ranging from 90ft-130ft, great for the more adventuresome divers. Draping all over the wall are Sea Whips and Sponges which make perfect subjects for photographers. This site has something for every diver and all skill levels.

Haunted House

Another North wall site that is sure to please. The sponges, black coral and gorgonians found along the walls here are huge and healthy. Take your time and you’ll find decorator crabs, black coral shrimps and the occasional seahorse tucked deep inside the soft corals. There’s also a good chance of coming across schools of spotted eagle rays flying by in formation. If you can slow your bubble-making just enough they might come close for that epic photo! Best colours and subjects around found in the 75ft-115ft range but the site can still accommodate shallow depths with the top edge of the wall ranging between 40ft-60ft.