Articles

A yellowtail snapper slices through a dense school of silversides, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

Born in Texas and raised along the sun-soaked shores of Florida, Andre Michael Goolishian Hernandez has spent his life immersed in the ocean’s wonders. From an early age, his passion for marine life and conservation set him on a lifelong journey as both an ocean advocate and explorer.

A certified dive professional since 2008, Andre has dedicated his career to guiding others beneath the surface. As both an instructor and licensed captain based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, he combines safety, education, and awe-inspiring experiences to connect visitors with the underwater world. Whether introducing beginners to their first breath underwater or leading advanced divers through vibrant coral reefs and shipwrecks, his mission is to inspire a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems.

Beyond guiding and teaching, Andre contributes to marine science through his work with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Eastern Pacific Corridor Alliance. His efforts support vital research on cryptobenthic species—small, elusive fishes that play crucial roles in reef health. By collecting high-resolution photographs and physical specimens, Andre helps build scientific knowledge and biodiversity records essential for conservation and policy-making.

With a unique blend of hands-on fieldwork, scientific collaboration, and a deep love for the sea, Andre continues to bridge the gap between exploration and preservation—inviting others to not only witness the ocean’s beauty but to protect it for generations to come.
 

A brood of baby octopuses develops under the watchful eye of mom, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

A diver swims through a school of glassy sweepers, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

A yellowline goby, hidden in the recesses of an azure vase sponge, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

Sea fans reach for the sunshine in the bright shallows, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

A plume tube blenny, making a case for the greatest head of hair under the sea, Sea of Cortez, Mexico
 

A male yellowhead jawfish mouthbroods a precious clutch of eggs, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

A Caribbean reef shark patrols her territory, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

A fantastically colored sharknose goby rests on a coral head, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

A wonderfully clown-patterned nudibranch from the Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico
 

The creepy, and fortunately diminutive, sand stargazer, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

Seemingly competing for most riotously colorful animal on the reef, a sea goddess crawls over the face of a scallop, Sea of Cortez, Mexico
 

A nurse shark with juvenile spotted drum eyeliner, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

A whip coral shrimp on its namesake whip coral, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
 

To see more of Andre’s work, please give him a follow on Instagram and visit his website, www.goolishianuwphoto.com.