SSI Dive Instructor · Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
John "Johnny Utah" Bradshaw
Born in Utah. Raised on the reefs of Puerto Rico. This is the story of a kid who fell into the ocean and never came back up.
The Origin Story
From Utah to the Caribbean. No Looking Back.
John Bradshaw was born in Utah — as landlocked as it gets. Then, at 13, his family moved to Puerto Rico, and the ocean crept in slowly, then all at once. The nickname "Johnny Utah" started as a nod to where he came from, but it stuck for another reason: like Keanu's character in Point Break, John turned out to be someone who doesn't just dip his toes in. He goes all the way.
He got his Open Water certification in 2021 and never looked back. One certification led to the next — Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster — and in December 2023 he joined Aquatica full-time as a Dive Instructor. He was 21 years old with over 400 logged dives and a genuine obsession with sharing what he'd found underwater.
He's been diving Puerto Rico's reefs long enough to know where the sea turtles sleep and which caverns the locals keep to themselves. That local knowledge is what you get when you book with John.
Where You'll Find Him
Full-Time Instructor at Aquatica
John has been a full-time SSI Dive Instructor at Aquatica since December 2023. Aquatica is Aguadilla's premier dive center — and all bookings on this site run through their system. When you dive with John, you get the full shop's equipment, safety standards, and infrastructure behind you.
This site is John's personal space to share his story, his style, and his philosophy. But make no mistake — the dives are real, the certifications are Aquatica-backed, and the experience is world-class.
Visit Aquatica's WebsiteSSI Dive Instructor
SSI Divemaster · Open Water · Advanced
What Sets Him Apart
Not Your Average Instructor
John doesn't just teach diving. He lives it — on camera, at full speed, at altitude.
400+ Dives at 21
Most divers his age have 50 dives. John has over 400 — from Caribbean reef dives to swimming with thresher sharks in the Philippines. He's been in more situations than most instructors twice his age.
Underwater Filmmaker
John shoots and edits his own underwater footage from every dive. He's building a library of content from Puerto Rico's most spectacular reefs. Follow his work on Instagram for a taste of what the ocean actually looks like down here.
Born to Jump In
When he's not in the water with students, John is scouting cliffs to launch from. Puerto Rico's coastline has no shortage of towering structures and ledges — and if there's something to jump off, John has probably already found it.
A Defining Dive
Thresher Sharks in the Philippines
Most people never see a thresher shark in their lifetime. John has dove with them in the Philippines — one of the world's rarest and most sought-after underwater encounters. Long, whip-like tails. Eerie stillness. The kind of dive that reminds you why you started.
It's that hunger for the extraordinary that drives how John guides every dive here in Puerto Rico. He knows what "unforgettable" feels like — and he wants every guest to leave with their own version of it.
Follow the Journey
See the Ocean Through His Lens
John documents every dive, every adventure, and every ridiculous cliff jump on Instagram. It's the best preview of what you're getting into.
@john.bshaw on Instagram