Tim Hatler

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Tim spent much of his childhood helping repair sailboats at his father's boat dealership, an experience that sparked a lifelong connection to the water. He went on to study Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara, before returning to a maritime career as captain of dive boats and a marine science instructor on Catalina Island and in San Diego. Combining education with life at sea became a defining theme throughout his career.

Tim later spent nine years building and directing an education program aboard the tall ship SSV Tole Mour, sailing throughout California's eight Channel Islands while introducing students to marine science, sailing and coastal ecosystems. He then relocated to La Ventana in Baja California Sur, Mexico, where he founded the Ocean Adventure Resort, Palapas Ventana, and has owned and operated it for more than 23 years. His work continues to center on sharing Baja's marine environments and outdoor opportunities with visitors from around the world.

Tim is married to Jimena, an oceanography graduate, and together they have a son, Tanner. When not working, he enjoys boating, camping, fishing, spearfishing, surfing, diving and kitesurfing with his family, and is always exploring Baja's coastline in search of new places to discover.