Clear structure
Skills are broken into understandable steps, with preparation and safety kept visible throughout the dive.
View All Staff
Maximilian Hjorth
← Meet the Abyss team
Compare Sydney dive sites
Abyss Scuba Diving · Sydney
Maximilian Hjorth
Part-Time PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor & Divemaster
Maximilian brings calm structure, confidence-building instruction and a lifelong connection to diving to selected Abyss courses and dives. His earlier Royal Marines service informs his disciplined approach, while his enthusiasm keeps the experience welcoming and enjoyable.
At a glance
A diving upbringing shaped by leadership and exploration
Maximilian is an active part-time instructor and Divemaster with the Abyss Scuba Diving team. He combines patient instruction with practical leadership, a global diving background and genuine curiosity about Sydney’s marine life.
Abyss role
Part-Time Instructor and Divemaster
PADI rating
Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
Background
Swedish-British · former Royal Marines Commando
Local favourites
The Steps, Oak Park and Bare Island
Background
Four influences behind his teaching
Maximilian grew up in Sweden with diving already part of family life. His father was a PADI Course Director, so safe habits, clear instruction and respect for the underwater environment were familiar long before he became an instructor himself.
He later earned his PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification in Koh Tao, Thailand. Before joining Abyss, Maximilian also served for five years as a Royal Marines Commando, developing leadership, discipline and calm decision-making in demanding environments.
Those experiences now come together in Sydney, where he supports selected courses, shore dives and other activities as a part-time member of the Abyss team.
“My goal is to make every diver feel safe, confident and amazed by what they discover beneath the surface.”
— Maximilian Hjorth
Swedish diving roots
Early exposure to diving through a family deeply involved in PADI education.
Royal Marines service
Five years developing leadership, discipline, preparation and safety awareness.
Koh Tao instructor training
Earned his PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification in Thailand.
Global diving perspective
Experience ranging from Scandinavian waters to the Red Sea and Sydney’s temperate coastline.
Teaching approach
Calm preparation without losing the wonder
Maximilian aims to help divers understand what they are doing, feel in control and stay curious about the environment around them.
Confidence through practice
Students are supported as they replace first-day uncertainty with repeatable skills and better underwater control.
Environmental awareness
Good buoyancy, careful observation and respect for marine life help divers enjoy the ocean without damaging it.
Local diving
Maximilian’s favourite Sydney dive sites
Maximilian enjoys showing divers how much variety exists close to home—from kelp and sponge reef to seadragons, cuttlefish and schooling yellowtail. Wildlife is always wild, and the conditions determine the final dive plan.
The Steps, Kurnell
A classic Sydney shore dive with kelp, sponge-covered reef and the chance to find weedy seadragons.
Oak Park
A varied local site where reef, sand and marine-life encounters make every suitable day feel different.
Bare Island
A Botany Bay favourite known for diverse habitats and the small marine life found around its reef and ledges.
Choose your next step
Start or continue diving with Abyss
Choose the route that matches your current experience, then use the live schedule to find a suitable date.
Maximilian supports Abyss on a part-time basis. Instructor and guide allocations depend on the activity, date and roster. If you would like to ask about Maximilian’s availability, contact the Abyss dive team before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Diving and training with Maximilian
What is Maximilian Hjorth’s role at Abyss?
Maximilian is an active part-time PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and Divemaster with Abyss Scuba Diving.
Where did Maximilian complete his PADI Instructor training?
Maximilian earned his PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification in Koh Tao, Thailand.
How does Maximilian’s Royal Marines background influence his teaching?
His five years of service developed leadership, preparation, discipline and safety awareness. These support his calm, structured approach, but his PADI qualifications and diving experience are the basis of his scuba instruction.
Can I book a course specifically with Maximilian?
Maximilian’s availability varies because he supports Abyss part time. Contact the team before booking if you would like to ask whether he is scheduled for a particular course or dive.
Trusted by Sydney divers