Meet The Team
From a young age, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the ocean. I was fortunate to grow up along the UK coastline and spend part of my childhood in Adelaide, Australia.
My journey into the ocean truly began in 2022 when I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a First-Class Honours Degree in Marine Biology (BSc). During my final year, I completed my Open Water certification, and although it was quite (extremely) cold, it sparked my passion for scuba diving.
After graduating, I gained hands-on experience by interning with marine conservation organisations in Egypt, the Seychelles, and Thailand. I worked on a variety of projects, contributing through daily survey dives, data collection and analysis, and public education on marine conservation issues.
I ended 2023 on the island of Koh Tao, where I became a Dive Instructor. This allowed me to merge my love for diving with my background in marine biology, confirming that this was the path I wanted to pursue professionally.
Koh Tao quickly became a second home, where I now work as a Dive Instructor and Marine Biologist. Over time, I noticed that many divers are eager to help protect the ocean but often don’t know how to get involved.
This inspired me to create Inside the Ocean — a marine conservation program that offers meaningful, hands-on eco internships accessible to anyone, regardless of their background.
Charlotte Bedford
Founder of Inside The Ocean
Natalie & Tim Hunt
Co-managers of Assava Dive Resort
Natalie, originally from Australia, is a PADI Platinum Course Director with a career that has taken her across the world. With several thousand certifications under her belt, her passion lies in providing high-quality, personalised dive instruction. Despite Assava’s continued growth, Natalie’s focus has always remained on creating a welcoming, student-focused environment. Her dedication has made Assava a second home for countless divers who return year after year — not just for the diving, but for the strong sense of community she’s helped build.
Tim, originally from Canada, has been a PADI Course Director for over 20 years, with experience teaching in Thailand, Grand Cayman and North America. With deep knowledge of the PADI system and a strong network of dive professionals and dive centres worldwide, Tim is known for being the go-to person for everything from instructor development to running a dive business. His passion for diving is matched by his enthusiasm for mentoring new dive pros and helping others succeed in the industry.
The couple moved to Koh Tao in 2006 to co-manage Assava, transforming it from a small dive shop into a thriving, dive resort. Married for over 20 years, they also share their home with their much-loved cat, Monkey.
Although diving is their shared passion, both Natalie and Tim are equally committed to marine conservation. They are excited to be partnering with Inside the Ocean to support the next generation of ocean lovers through a hands-on eco program inspired by the island they’re proud to call home and help conserve.