Terry Lilley was born in Southern California where he learned to surf, dive, and fish at an early age. He studied Biological Sciences and Endangered Species Management in college and traveled around the world as a professional surfer.

After graduation he started the Central Coast Reptile Research Center, the first captive breeding center for rare and endangered reptiles. In 1999 he sold the center and resumed traveling and filming the underwater world. He has created numerous educational videos on coral reefs and marine life in Hawaii, California, Palau, Mexico, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. One of his current projects is working with the TV show Sharkfest by NatGeo.

Lilley is working extensively with the scientific community doing coral reef studies which include one of the first world wide coral disease research programs. He has worked with NOAA, the USGS, the University of Hawaii, the State of Hawaii, Reef Check, Surfrider Foundation, Reef Guardians Hawaii, Eyes of the Reef, Hawaiian TV News Stations and many other scientific institutions. 

His lifelong love and passion for animals makes him one of the most knowledgeable and influential in the field of endangered species management.

Visit his website at underwater2web.com

All photos on this page are from underwater2web.com

Articles featuring Terry Lilley’s work

Protecting turtle habitats in Hawaii
- Seaturtles.org

Green Sea Turtles in La Jolla
- The San Diego Tribune

Critter of the Week
- The Garden Island News

Kauai Coral Reef Infection
- Los Angeles Times