ABOUT INSTIGATOR
DISCOVER THE 23 REASONS
WHY OUR LOVELY GUESTS
KEEP COMING BACK
& WHY THEY RECOMMEND US TO THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS!
FROM DESK JOBS TO OUR DREAM JOBS
OCEAN LOVERS UNITED
PASSION MEETS PURPOSE BENEATH THE SURFACE!
Prior to becoming dive professionals and specializing in our favorite niches, we all had regular jobs that gave us little sense of purpose. After falling in love with diving, it was just a matter of time before we traded business casual for neoprene.
LIVING OUR DREAM - AND SHARING IT WITH YOU!
We now pursue happiness and joy by showing you the most amazing places, sharing our secret spots to find Great Whites, fossils, lobsters, and shells. We feel blessed to make a living doing something we’d gladly do every day for free.
OUR VISION
Sharing Joy Through the Ocean
We’re driven by a deep love for the sea and the pure joy of discovery. Whether it’s guiding you to hidden fossil beds, swimming alongside Great Whites, taking you to our prime fishing spots or uncovering treasures like lobsters and shells in our favorite secret spots, we aim to inspire others to explore and protect the ocean’s mysteries.
What began as a passion has become our purpose - and we feel blessed to make a living doing what we love, while sharing the magic with every adventurer who joins us.
OUR MISSION
Connecting the World Through the Ocean
We connect divers and anglers from around the globe and ignite a deeper curiosity for the underwater world. Our mission is to make each dive and fishing trip safe, unforgettable and inspiring. Our goal is to keep improving and innovating. so we use your feedback to streamline our charters and processes even further.
We aim to deliver exceptional customer service and unforgettable experiences For that, we take the extra mile to ensure everyone on our boats feels valued, secure and appreciated. We’re here to lead in ocean adventure - one fishing and diving adventure at a time.
MEET THE
INSTIGATOR CREW
Behind every Instigator adventure
is a team of professionals who
live and breathe the ocean.
... WE’VE ASSEMBLED A TEAM DRIVEN BY PURPOSE AND PASSION
Our trusted crew has been diving and fishing in North Carolina for years and knows the best diving and fishing sites. Trained in CPR and first aid and used to diving in the most challenging conditions, we are equipped to handle any situation that may arise. Our extensive experience allows us to anticipate potential risks and effectively manage them.
Complete Dive Experience Vida for each of our team members are displayed in their sections, along with their story.
FROM DEDICATED INSTRUCTORS & CAPTAINS TO TALENTED TECHNICIANS & ENGINEERS
CINDY NORRIS GARB
PADI MSDT #311590, USCG Captain
The Instigator Behind the Adventures:
She is the proud owner, founder and operator of Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters.
Cindy took her first dive in 2005 and instantly knew she was destined to become an instructor. By 2007, she was merging her love for the ocean with her commercial fishing background, becoming a skilled spearfisher and underwater hunting instructor.
With over 2,000 dives under her belt, she became a certified Open Water Scuba Instructor in 2013, a Master Scuba Diver Trainer in 2014, and earned her USCG OUPV Captain’s license in 2016.
That same year, she bought her first boat, a 23' Contender named Instigator - the name that sparked a brand and a mission: Instigator Fishing and Diving.
Cindy started running part-time charters while working at a bank. But when demand soared, she took the leap - leaving behind a steady paycheck for life on the water. She upgraded to a legendary 31’ Contender called Family Affair, and never looked back.
Today, Cindy is the heart of her business - charter captain, dive instructor, guide and communications manager - all with the support of her partner, Ryan. Together, they offer unforgettable diving and fishing adventures that go beyond the ordinary.
EDUCATION & DIVE CERTIFICATIONS
Master SCUBA Diving Instructor 2013
Dive Emergency Management Provider
Renewed 2024 Dive Emergency Oxygen Provider
Renewed 2024 Marine Animal Emergency First Aid Provider
Renewed 2024 CPR/First Aid/AED
Renewed 2024 SDI Scubility Instructor
2023 Scubility Dive Buddy
2023 PADI Underwater Magician
2022 Dive Master
2010 Rescue Diver
2009 Full Face Mask Diver
2008 Additional Certifications as part of Advanced Diver
SKILLS & DIVE EXPERIENCE
5100+ Recreational Dives
Commercial Spearfisherman
Deepest Dive: 163 feet
National Geographic's Shark Fest
Discovery Channel's Shark Week
BBC Shark Safety Diving
Shark Monitoring & Research Guiding
Instructing Physically Disabled Divers
.webp)
CAPTAIN RYAN,
USMC VETERAN
This Section is Underway!
We're working on adding more info here soon.
Check back shortly to meet more of the Instigator crew!
EDUCATION & DIVE CERTIFICATIONS
Coming soon
SKILLS & DIVE EXPERIENCE
Coming soon
.webp)
JAMES BELL
James has a deep passion for Scuba diving and the ocean. This entails both his own experiences in the ocean and sharing the ocean with other divers.
Be it in the form of teaching novice and inexperienced SCUBA divers or sharing what the ocean has to offer with divers with a varying level of skills and abilities, James' zeal for the underwater world is unmistakable. If it is exploring wrecks, viewing sharks and other big animals, hunting and spear fishing, or searching for treasure such as teeth, James is an enthusiastic and skilled guide.
He finds as much enjoyment in sharing the experience as in having it. James brings over thirty years of diving experience including being a Divemaster, a Technical Diver, and SCUBA Diving Instructor.
In addition to all that James does under the surface, he is also a United States Coast Guard licensed captain.
EDUCATION & DIVE CERTIFICATIONS
SCUBA Diving Instructor 2024
Computer Nitrox Instructor
Search and Recovery Instructor
Deep Dive Instructor
Navigation Instructor
Wreck Diving Instructor
2024 Dive Emergency Management Provider
Renewed 2021 Dive Emergency Oxygen Provider
Renewed 2021 Marine Animal Emergency First Aid Provider
Renewed 2022 CPR/First Aid/AED
Renewed 2023 Emergency Response Dive Training
2013 Dive Master
2013 Rescue Diver
2012 Solo Diver
2019 Decompression Procedures Diver
2019 Advanced Nitrox Diver
2019 Dry Suit Diver
2013 Computer Nitrox Diver
2012 Full Face Mask Diver
2012 Additional Certifications as part of Advanced Diver upon request.
SKILLS & DIVE EXPERIENCE
2000 Dives
214 feet deepest dive
Body Recovery Diving
Evidence Recovery Diving
Shark Safety Diving
DISCOVER THE THREE
INSTIGATOR VESSELS
Boat #1: 36-foot Topaz Express
This versatile vessel is designed for diving and fishing enthusiasts. It features a spacious 36-foot layout with a strong emphasis on diver convenience. This includes a dive bench that accommodates up to six divers and offers storage space for up to 24 tanks.
Fishing Permits and Design
The vessel operates under a full array of fishing permits and is ideal for nearshore trips. It is designed for versatility and ease of use on the water, featuring a "fins-off" ladder for entry and exit. To access the water, divers utilize a side roll-off method, as the boat does not have a rear platform for giant stride entries.
Flexibility and Operations
This setup ensures a smooth transition into the water from the vessel, making it ideal for various diving conditions. Additionally, the vessel is equipped to operate both as an anchored stationary platform and as a live boat. This provides flexibility in how and where you dive or fish.
Cockpit and Amenities
The boat's cockpit houses the helm and provides ample room for maneuverability and equipment handling. While the cabin is enclosed, ensuring a dry environment, it is not climate-controlled. Amenities include a compost bathroom, freshwater rinse, bean bag seating, and dual-use commercial coolers for additional seating.
Safety Precautions
Safety is a priority with a life raft, EPIRB, AIS, MMSI, full first aid kit including oxygen and an AED, and the required fire extinguishers and VHF radios.
Boat #2: 45-foot Viking Flybridge
Designed for comfort and extended trips, this 45-foot Viking offers air-conditioned and heated zones, sleeping quarters for crew and guests and a fully functional kitchen.
Interior Features
The interior includes a state room with full bunks, a captain's quarter, and a full bathroom with a hot water shower - perfect for winter diving. The salon area converts into additional sleeping space, making it ideal for overnight stays.
Kitchen Facilities
This vessel is well-equipped for both day trips and extended stays, featuring a fully functional kitchen outfitted with a full-size refrigerator and freezer, a stove top, a full-size microwave, a kitchen sink, and ample counter space to accommodate meal preparation for guests and crew alike.
Diving Features
For diving enthusiasts, the boat offers versatile water entry options. There is a platform at the back for giant stride entries. There is also a side option where divers can use fins on or off the ladder or roll off the gunnels. This caters for different preferences and dive conditions.
Guest Experience
We also welcome guests to enjoy overnight stays on this vessel, enhancing their experience with comfortable accommodations. Additionally, passengers have the unique opportunity to join the captain in the helm area. Here, they can enjoy elevated views and engage with the vessel's navigation, making for a more interactive and memorable journey on the water.
Safety and Compliance
Our vessel is fully equipped for safety and compliance, featuring a life raft, EPIRB, AIS, MMSI, a comprehensive first aid kit that includes oxygen (O2) and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). In addition to these critical emergency response tools, the boat is outfitted with essential safety equipment. This includes VHF radios for reliable communication, five fire extinguishers to address any fire emergency, and a Marine Information System (MIS) for enhanced navigation and operational safety.
Fishing and Diving Permits
The boat holds all necessary fishing permits and a commercial fishing license, ensuring all activities are conducted legally and responsibly. While the vessel does not feature a rear platform, it is equipped with a "fins-off" ladder, facilitating a side roll-off entry into the water.
This setup is ideal for locations where the vessel can anchor or operate as a live boat. This adapts to various diving conditions and preferences. This boat excels at providing a 'home on the water' experience, complete with fresh water systems that eliminate the common sulfur smell associated with saltwater toilets.
Boat #3: 31-foot Center Console Contender
Our fastest vessel, the 31-foot Contender, is primarily used for serious offshore fishing endeavors, including chasing giant bluefin tuna. We also use it for freediving charters as well as for our private groups of three or four for diving.
Dive Trip Cost
The cost for dive trips is the same for this boat. Despite fewer amenities, its speed is a significant advantage, reducing commute time by almost 50%. This is particularly beneficial for long distance excursions like our three-tank Megalodon trips. With this boat, it takes us approximately an hour and 45 minutes instead of three hours to get to that destination.
Boat Features
It features a saltwater rinse down, a ladder that is used for fin removal before boarding and the seating arrangement is in bean bags. This vessel has a small platform on the back, but folks do not take giant strides off this boat. We do a back-roll entry into the water.
Canopy and Sun Protection
There is a tea-top canopy on the boat but it does not provide full sun relief. Limited sun coverage requires sun protection for passengers, though curtains provide relief from the elements during the colder months.
Safety Equipment
This boat is equipped with the necessary safety gear, including oxygen, two VHF radios and an EPIRB, AIS, MMSI, but does not carry a life raft.
