Professional background
Tommy is an SDI Divemaster and an AIDA Freediving Instructor. His personal best in depth freediving is 50 metres. That is a personal performance marker—not a depth recommendation for readers or a claim about snorkeling conditions.
The credentials are issued within the training systems of Scuba Diving International (SDI) and AIDA International. Credential details are intentionally summarized rather than publishing a personal certification card or membership number.
Verifiable guest feedback
What travelers say about Tommy
Every public result in which the traveler’s review text directly names Tommy. Summaries preserve each review’s theme without reproducing the full review.
- ★★★★★Excellent trip
Describes the experience with Tommy as a trip highlight.
- ★★★★★Tommy and the Turtles
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★So worth it!
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Tommy was fantastic!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Turtles, turtles everywhere!
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★My husband and I had the best experience
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Awesome time!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Such a magical experience!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★What a nice adventure! Must go!
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Magical experience
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Tommy knows where to find the turtles
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Best experience ever!
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★Great experience!
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★A must do trip
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Tommy was absolutely amazing
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★Top-notch experience
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Perfect for swimmers of all levels
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★A must do for sure!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Highlight of the week!
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Amazing experience
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Tommy texted me ahead of time
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Rise and shine with the turtles
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Excellent
Describes the experience with Tommy as a trip highlight.
- ★★★★★Spectacular experience!
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★Must do in Aruba!
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Awesome experience
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Turtle Time
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★One of the most magical experiences
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Unforgettable experience!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Great experience
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Very nice and patient
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★One-of-a-kind snorkeling with Tommy
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Amazing
Describes the experience with Tommy as a trip highlight.
- ★★★★★Turtles 2024
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Swim with turtles!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Totally awesome
Describes the experience with Tommy as a trip highlight.
- ★★★★★Awesome experience
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Turtles!
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Amazing family snorkeling footage by Tommy
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Awesome family experience
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Five stars and more! Super Tommy
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★Incredible experience
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Great turtle snorkeling experience
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Exceeded expectations
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Even better than you can imagine!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Highlight of our trip!
Describes the experience with Tommy as a trip highlight.
- ★★★★★So much fun
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Great turtle snorkeling experience!
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★Can definitely recommend
Describes the experience with Tommy as a trip highlight.
- ★★★★★Swim with the Turtles and Tommy!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Up-close encounter with sea turtles
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Great adventure
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Five-star turtle snorkeling with Tommy
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Amazing
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★10/10 experience
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Amazing experience!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Tommy Turtles is the best in the business!
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Glad we booked this tour!
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Mesmerizing experience with sea turtles!
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★World-class snorkeling experience
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Amazing!
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Swimming with turtles
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Would definitely go again!
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Amazing and fantastic!
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Amazing
Highlights Tommy’s calm, safety-minded support in the water.
- ★★★★★Turtle snorkel adventure in Aruba
Says Tommy made the sea-turtle encounter memorable.
- ★★★★★Highly recommend — amazing experience!
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
- ★★★★★Great experience!
Highlights Tommy’s knowledge of snorkeling and local marine life.
- ★★★★★Wonderful experience!
Praises Tommy’s guidance and the underwater memories he captured.
- ★★★★★Phenomenal experience for our whole family
Remembers Tommy’s patient, attentive and personal approach.
Search checked September 13, 2026. Operator responses and results that were not traveler reviews were excluded.
Public guide name
Tommy isn’t currently leading tours himself, but he’s happy to share his insider knowledge and firsthand experience.
Tommy is Artem Meshcherkin’s public guide name. Follow his underwater work as @turtle_gringo on Instagram.
Experience in the water
Tommy has two years of snorkeling experience in the Maldives and a year and a half of daily snorkeling with sea turtles in Aruba.
This sustained observation informs the practical details in Aruba Turtle Guide: how to recognize an entry from shore, how to orient after entering, what may change during a swim and which observations need a date and a clear limitation.
Original photography and route observations
Unless a separate credit is shown, the location photographs and route observations published on Aruba Turtle Guide are Tommy’s own. Images help visitors recognize a real shoreline or entry; they do not promise the same conditions or a wildlife encounter.
Route notes describe what Tommy personally used and observed. They are orientation aids—not navigation charts, legal swimming boundaries or substitutes for checking waves, current, visibility, signs and boat traffic on arrival.
Editorial method
Firsthand observations are labelled and date-sensitive checks carry a date. Biological facts and official safety guidance link to the organization that published them. Tour prices, ratings and inclusions are kept as a separate dated research snapshot.
Corrections are welcome—send Tommy a private Instagram message. Read the full editorial policy.
Latest documented field check
Tommy personally checked the Tres Trapi water entry and visible parking setup on September 10, 2026. The guide includes an annotated orientation and original entry photographs with the date beside the parking note.