Veteran Owned & operated

A young boy kneeling on a wooden deck, playing with floating toys and water in a metal bowl, next to a blue slide.

The inspiration

From the moment my son Finn splashed his tiny toes in the tub, I knew he would always remind me of the wonder hidden beneath the surface. His fearless curiosity—reaching out for seashells at the shore and gazing wide-eyed at fish tanks—sparked the idea for Finn’s Up Dive School. Every time I see his excitement for discovery, I’m reminded of why I dove into this career: to share that same sense of awe and confidence with my students.

Finn’s spirit guides everything we do. When I’m planning a lesson or fine-tuning a safety drill, I ask myself, “What would give Finn the best experience?” That’s why we focus on hands-on training in small groups, why we never rush through skills, and why safety and fun always come first. This school exists not just to certify divers, but to cultivate that joyful curiosity in every new adventurer—just like my son did for me

A diver preparing to enter the water from a boat with a snorkel and tank, while another person stands on the boat waving nearby.

The instructor

I’m Mike Hess, the founder and lead instructor of Finn’s Up Dive School, and I’ve been captivated by the underwater world for more than twenty years. My journey started with four years in the United States Coast Guard, and has since led me to marine research expeditions as an AAUS scientific diver, and life-saving missions with Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue as a Rescue Diver.

Now as a PADI dive instructor, I’ve taught everyone from curious first-timers to seasoned ocean lovers, always making sure each student masters every skill before moving on. When I’m not teaching, I volunteer as a diver at both the Maritime Aquarium and the Mystic Aquarium—supporting conservation work and helping people of all ages fall in love with our marine ecosystems.

Family is at the heart of everything I do—my son Finn inspired the name of this school—and I bring that same sense of care and commitment to each class. I don’t sell gear; my focus is solely on providing safe, fun training that builds your confidence and competence beneath the waves. Whether you’re taking your very first pool lesson or gearing up for your debut ocean dives, I’m here to handle the details so you can dive in with peace of mind and pure excitement.

A woman scuba diving underwater, waving and smiling, with coral and rocky formations behind her.

The anchor

Devon is the steady anchor behind everything we do at Finn’s Up Dive School—offering unwavering love, support, and encouragement that keep our little crew grounded no matter how deep we dive. Long before we said “I do” in 2021, Devon and I earned our open water certifications side by side, forging a partnership built on shared adventure and trust.

Devon’s true passion, however, lies in coral restoration—working tirelessly to revive fragile reef ecosystems so that future generations can marvel at their beauty. Her journey began in Roatán, Honduras, when she enrolled in a hands-on coral restoration course with Roatán Divers and discovered the intricate art of coral grafting and reef monitoring

As a certified PADI Rescue Diver, Devon shares my commitment to safety above all else—and she couldn’t be more proud of what we’re building with Finn’s Up Dive School. From cheering on students as they nail their first neutral-buoyancy hover to swapping stories about reef conservation over coffee, her enthusiasm for every step of our journey keeps me motivated. Knowing she’s right there beside me—celebrating each new certification and dreaming of the next underwater adventure—reminds me daily why I started this business in the first place.

instructor Mike’s

dive-resume

Mike is now a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, a milestone that recognizes both his experience and his ability to teach a wide range of advanced diving specialties. From deep dives to drysuits and full face masks, Mike helps divers go beyond the basics and explore new challenges safely and confidently. His calm, encouraging teaching style carries through every level of training — blending technical precision with real-world diving experience. Whether you’re working toward your next certification or refining your skills for public safety, scientific, or adventure diving, Mike’s goal is the same: to help you become a capable, confident diver who truly enjoys the underwater world.
When Mike became a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, he also became the friendly face behind Finn’s Up Dive School. Mike guided divers through everything from brisk New England wreck dives to warm tropical reefs. He’s known for breaking skills into easy, confidence-boosting steps and creating a welcoming, no-pressure atmosphere where questions are always encouraged. Mike communicates clearly and patiently, keeping safety front and center while making every lesson fun and memorable. Whether you’re brand new to diving or brushing up on rusty skills, you’ll leave Mike’s class feeling relaxed, capable and excited for your next plunge.
Before founding Finn’s Up Dive School, Mike worked as a PADI Divemaster, spending countless hours assisting courses and guiding dives with CT Scuba and New England Dive. During that time, he honed his leadership skills underwater — helping students overcome nerves, perfect their buoyancy, and fall in love with diving. Whether lending a hand to instructors or leading local charters through New England’s chilly wrecks, Mike built a reputation for being patient, reliable, and genuinely passionate about sharing the dive lifestyle. Those early experiences laid the foundation for his teaching philosophy today: calm guidance, clear communication, and a focus on creating confident, capable divers.
From 2011 to 2015, Mike served as a crewmember aboard USCGC Forward, where his ship’s crew conducted sustained drug‐interdiction patrols throughout the Caribbean—most notably in Colombian waters—intercepting hundreds of kilograms of illicit cargo and strengthening multi-agency coordination. In addition to his watch-standing duties, he was selected to join the Damage Control Training Team and the Engineering Casualty Control Training Team, where he helped develop and deliver fleet-wide readiness exercises. He received the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Achievement Medal and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal in recognition of his role in the Forward’s outstanding operational success.
Mike currently serves as a Rescue Diver and acting Secretary for Newtown Underwater Search & Rescue. In the water, he leads search and recovery dives—often in low-visibility or challenging conditions—always putting team safety and established protocols first. On land, he manages meeting minutes, and volunteer training schedules. Balancing hands-on rescue operations with administrative leadership has honed his attention to detail, strengthened his communication under pressure, and reinforced his commitment to protecting both divers and the wider community.
Since 2022, Mike’s volunteered as a diver at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, conducting in-water sessions with the Sand Tiger Sharks in their open-ocean exhibit and delivering live shark presentations. Wearing full-face scuba masks and a wired microphone, He explains shark biology, debunks common myths, and answers audience questions in real time. Between shows, he scrubs the exhibit’s rock-work, inspects and maintains the habitat, and performs general cleaning—ensuring a safe, pristine environment for the sharks and an engaging experience for the visitors.
Mike earned his AAUS Scientific Diver certification through CT Scuba Academy and immediately put those skills to work alongside Sound School students on their artificial reef project. He guided teens through underwater sites, gear rigging and systematic reef module deployment—ensuring each structure was placed safely and according to habitat design plans. While he’s at the start of his scientific‐diving journey, Mike’s hands‐on mentorship and emphasis on dive planning and safety helped turn classroom theory into a living reef off the Connecticut shore.