Melissa Heres

Melissa Heres is a captain, published marine biologist and professional scuba diver with experience in technical and cave diving. Growing up on an equestrian farm in a landlocked region of Germany, she developed an early interest in the natural world that sparked a lifelong curiosity about nature and travel.

She began diving at age 16, an experience that led to a focus on marine environments and a career on the water. Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Following graduation, she worked at a field station in the Turks and Caicos, where she taught college students marine research principles and scientific diving techniques. She has also worked in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park, contributing to coral restoration projects and coral disease research.

When not aboard National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions vessels, Melissa works as a hydrographer, producing detailed maps of nearshore seafloor environments throughout the United States using sonar technology. Through her role with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), her work supports safe navigation and the collection of marine geospatial data.

Her background in marine science, diving and hydrography provides a multidisciplinary perspective on ocean environments. As a naturalist with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, she enjoys sharing her knowledge of marine ecosystems, scientific research and life at sea with travelers.