Our Mission
At Symbiosis Diving, we believe that by observing marine animal behavior and symbiotic relationships while diving we are given a unique opportunity to learn in the best classroom in the world. Our many-faceted passion for diving includes passively watching these interactions while creating a commensal symbiotic relationship; whereby we benefit with no effect on the subject. We feel this aspect of diving is often under-appreciated so our mission is to see that divers are made aware of these interactions. By watching what the individual creatures are doing and how they are interacting with each other we are able to arrive at a deeper understanding of the complex interrelationships that are necessary for the life of the coral reef community and beyond. We are excited to share our knowledge through our group trips, blogs, photos, videos, and dive community posts.
Our Background
In 2008, Peter and Kristine moved to Indonesia to work on liveaboard dive boats and over the course of the next seven years, they sailed to the far corners of the archipelago. In addition to gaining an in-depth understanding of how to operate the front end of these vessels at a high level, Peter and Kristine also logged thousands of dives in some of the remotest, most beautiful seascapes on earth. After realizing it was time to get back on land, Kristine went back to her roots and became the Marketing Coordinator for Murex Dive Resorts and Lembeh Resort/Critters@Lembeh. Peter started one of North Sulawesi’s first dive industry service centers. Missing life at sea, Peter and Kristine moved back to Bali where they did freelance work for SMY Adelaar.
Peter Fratesi hails from Chicago, Illinois
In 1995, while working in the Chicago financial markets, Peter started diving for fun. Finding the tranquility missing from his other life, he never looked back. (except, perhaps, when he’s looking back for Kristine who’s lost in the reef looking for critters) Peter became an instructor in 1999 and moved to the Caribbean in 2005 to work in diving full-time.
Kristine Hobson hails from Orange County, California
Kristine was working in the travel industry when she took her first dive in St. Lucia in 1995. After traveling around Europe and diving the Caribbean she visited St. Croix in the USVI and fell in love with the island. In 2002, she decided to move there where she met Peter. Peter was amazed at her spotting skills, they fell in love, and a grand adventure began.
Our Goal
Our goal is bring together laid back people who are passionate about the ocean and adventure travel so we can all have as much fun above the water as we do below. We will also gently try to inspire your interest in marine animal behavior and symbiotic relationships.
Need more reasons to travel with us? Click here.
Meanwhile on St. Croix…
Peter and Kristine currently live on St. Croix in the USVI, where they dive and arrange dive trips worldwide while promoting our island’s diverse diving, travel and cultural opportunities.
Soon Come
While living in Bali Kristine designed a line of dive jewelry and island jewelry. Keep an eye out, as we say in da islands mon…soon come!