He was born closer to the mountains of Huesca than to the sea, but instead of climbing peaks, he became passionate about the depths of the ocean. A diving instructor in multiple modalities, specializing in underwater photography and a resident of Tenerife for over two decades, José Joaquín Hoyas has turned his love for the sea into a way of life.
He advocates diving as a transformative experience, a technical discipline, and a tool to understand — and protect — the marine environment. After exhibiting in various competitions, his upcoming challenges include showcasing his photographs in his homeland and diving in Australia, Mexico, or the Norwegian fjords beneath the ice.
Spreading his passion for the sea and diving and respecting the fragile marine world are two of his maxims as an instructor, while he states: «there are people who are made for diving and people who are not: not everyone can do everything.»
How did you discover diving and why did you decide to pursue it professionally?
I arrived in Tenerife because I had always been attracted to living here. At that time, I was surfing, but there aren’t always waves, so I thought about diving, something I had already considered since living in Menorca. There, an English teacher, who was also an instructor, introduced me quite a bit to this world. I started to combine it with surfing, but the sea doesn’t always provide waves, so I began to balance both disciplines. Gradually, I progressed until I became an instructor and later an underwater photographer… and here I am, with a bunch of specialties under my belt and no intention of stopping.
Your relationship with the sea started relatively late, coming from Huesca.
Yes, I am from the mountains, and I wasn’t particularly interested in the sea. But when I went to Menorca at 20 years old, I began to miss it when I no longer had it. After that, I lived in Madrid, and that feeling increased. When I arrived in Tenerife, almost all the sports I practiced were already related to the sea. I have been here for about 22 or 23 years and linked to diving for more than two decades.
What certifications do you currently have?
I am a national two-star instructor from the Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities. And I hold specialties of all kinds: ice diving instructor — which I just completed — adaptive diving, children’s diving, wreck diving (ships, airplanes…), rescue and recovery, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen administration, compressor handling, gas mixtures… Almost everything that exists.
What is it that really captivates about diving?
I have always loved nature and animals. Underwater is probably where we can get closest to wild animals without them fleeing. It’s like entering a completely different planet from Earth: the feeling of moving through water is incredible in itself. You focus only on breathing and on what you are seeing. Although it has been sold as ‘the world of silence’, you can actually hear quite a bit — your own breathing, the sounds from the seabed — but you concentrate so much on that environment that everything else disappears: problems, stress, the noise of the world are forgotten. Many people use it almost as therapy against stress; it is a very relaxing sensation.
As an instructor, what do you try to convey first to your students?
Diving has a very technical side: it requires prior training, special insurance, knowing how to handle the equipment, and achieving neutral buoyancy to avoid touching anything… But it is relatively easy to learn. Once the technical part is overcome, I try to convey my passion for the sea and respect. Seventy percent of the planet is water — even though it’s called Earth — and we cannot turn our backs on this reality. I try to teach them not to touch anything, not to disturb the animals, not to stir up the bottom or alter the environment. The marine environment is very fragile and any human action has a significant influence.
Diving has a reputation for being a risky activity. Is it really?
It is a very dangerous sport if done improperly, but when following the rules, it is one of the safest that exists. Most accidents happen due to recklessness, usually among experienced divers who let their guard down. Beginners tend to act with much respect.
Do you detect stress or fear in those who are just starting out?
Yes, you can notice it immediately in their breathing and expressions. What we do is calm them, breathe slowly with them while maintaining eye contact. Usually, it works. If it doesn’t, we ascend to the surface calmly. Safety always comes first.
Where do you usually dive and which places have impacted you the most?
I primarily dive in Tenerife, about three or four times a week. I try to take trips for diving, such as the Red Sea – spectacular for its tropical colors – South Africa, Azores, Mexico, Indonesia, or the Maldives. South Africa impressed me a lot due to the currents and the sharks, and in the Maldives, I was able to dive with tiger sharks that were four to five meters long. That has been my favorite. Indonesia, on the other hand, is fascinating for macro photography, with tiny animals that you can’t even see at first glance. Pure wonder.
Have you experienced critical situations underwater?
With about 2,000 dives, it’s hard not to have incidents, but nothing serious. A bottle not closed properly or strong currents that complicate the exit. I am quite cautious, and I think that’s why I haven’t had any major accidents.
You are also an underwater photographer. How did that aspect develop?
The first time I went to South Africa, I took a camera for land photography, because I had always enjoyed photography. The following year, when I returned to dive, I bought my first underwater camera and never stopped. I’ve improved my equipment, taken courses, and learned from other photographers. I have photographs exhibited in several diving salons and currently three images in the CIMASUB contest at the Real Club, touring Euskadi. Underwater photography is more complicated than on land: animals do not pose, you need perfect buoyancy, manage flashes, avoid suspended particles, and work with animals that do not stay still… but it’s worth every second.
You recently practiced ice diving in Aragón. How was the experience?
It’s a specialty from my region, Aragón, so it was almost mandatory to do it. After the heavy snowfalls, the conditions became suitable, so I was able to become certified as an instructor in this specialty, which is quite risky since more things can go wrong: the regulator can freeze, the inflator on the vest can fail due to low temperatures, you can get cold hands or cool down quickly, etc. It was a very interesting experience and with a spectacular atmosphere.
After so many years underwater, have you noticed changes in the marine environment?
Yes, clearly. We notice it almost day by day. There are areas where there used to be a lot of life and now there is barely anything left. Others seem to recover, and then they worsen again. In my personal opinion, after all these years of diving, every year is a little worse. Divers have a great responsibility, and that’s why we participate a lot in marine cleanups, picking up lead…
