Tony Sampson: The Oak Island Diver, Pirate Treasure Hunter, and Family Man

Tony Sampson, born on December 23 in Farnborough, Hampshire, is an internationally celebrated diver, charismatic storyteller, and passionate historian whose adventures bridge the gap between history and mystery. Best known for his captivating presence on the hit television series The Curse of Oak Island, Tony has mesmerized audiences with daring underwater explorations and significant archaeological discoveries that shed new light on the legendary island’s enigmatic past.

Tony’s diverse background in public service—including dedicated stints in the Royal New Zealand Navy, Police Force, Fire Service, and as a paramedic with EHS Nova Scotia—has shaped him into a seasoned professional adept at navigating challenging environments. This extensive experience, combined with his unwavering passion for maritime history, has made Tony an indispensable figure on Oak Island and a beloved personality to viewers around the globe.

Early Life and Passion for Exploration

Born in the south of England, Tony’s fascination with treasure hunting began at the age of five when his grandfather would probe canal mud in search of discarded items. These formative experiences ignited Tony’s lifelong passion for discovering hidden relics and maritime mysteries.

After relocating to New Zealand as a child, Tony completed his schooling at Xavier College in Christchurch and remained in the country for nearly 20 years. In 2006, Tony moved to Nova Scotia, Canada, where he has since called home.

His formal diving career commenced in 1981 with the Royal New Zealand Navy, where he trained as a Marine Engineer. Tony’s naval experience laid the foundation for a diverse and adventurous career. He subsequently served twelve impactful years with the New Zealand Police Force, specializing in criminal investigations, while also dedicating extensive time to the New Zealand Fire Service—two years professionally and a decade as a volunteer firefighter. Later, he transitioned into healthcare as a paramedic with EHS Nova Scotia and worked as an offshore survival instructor, reinforcing his lifelong dedication to serving others. Throughout his career in public service, Tony maintained his passion for diving, continuing to refine his skills in both recreational and professional underwater exploration.

Joining the Oak Island Team and Establishing a Maritime Legacy

Tony’s journey with The Curse of Oak Island began unexpectedly. During Season 1, a producer friend reached out to Tony when Marty and Alex Lagina required diving assistance for their exploration. Tony took them for a test dive off Smith’s Cove and the Banda’s Beach area. His knowledge, confidence, and skills proved invaluable, and he quickly became a trusted member of the show’s exploration team. Since then, Tony has been involved in several significant discoveries, including uncovering a mysterious paved stone area in Oak Island’s swamp—believed to be an ancient maritime docking channel.

This discovery was particularly memorable for Tony, as he located parts of the paved area by manually probing the mud—a method reminiscent of his early treasure-hunting days with his grandfather. His dedication to meticulous exploration earned him a prominent role on the show and solidified his place in the team’s ongoing quest for answers to Oak Island’s centuries-old mystery.

In 2012, Tony established Salty Dog Sea Tours in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Through engaging boat tours that highlight Nova Scotia’s maritime legends, Tony combines his passion for storytelling with his extensive knowledge of local history. His fleet, which includes tritoon boats, an aluminum dive boat, and inflatables, allows guests to experience the coastal beauty while learning about the captivating lore of Oak Island and beyond.

Remarkable Discoveries and Pirate Lore

Among Tony’s notable expeditions was the exploration of the legendary pirate ship Whydah Gally, once commanded by the infamous Black Sam Bellamy. Despite challenging conditions, Tony and his team uncovered remarkable artifacts, including a perfectly preserved Spanish eight real coin and ancient ship timbers. These discoveries provided Tony the opportunity to educate audiences about the fascinating realities of pirate life, including democratic voting systems aboard ships, their tradition of wearing gold jewelry to finance proper burials, and an early form of maritime health insurance.

Committed to ocean conservation, Tony actively participates in environmental initiatives such as his collaboration with Titan Maritime Ltd. Together, they recover harmful “Ghost Gear”—abandoned fishing equipment—from Atlantic waters, employing both traditional diving methods and advanced recovery technologies to restore and protect marine ecosystems.

Personal Life and Ongoing Maritime Adventures

Residing in Mahone Bay, Tony continues to share his passion for diving and exploration with his family. He has passed down his love for underwater adventures to his daughter, Belle, whom he personally trained in diving. Belle has joined him on multiple dive trips and baked his favorite ANZAC biscuits for Christmas in 2024 his favorite ANZAC biscuits for Christmas—a cherished family tradition.

Tony is married to Heidi Walsh-Sampson, who was named King’s Counsel by the Justice Minister of Nova Scotia, a prestigious recognition in the legal field. Tony takes immense pride in her achievements and frequently expresses admiration for her dedication and success.

Looking ahead, Tony eagerly anticipates future explorations at locations such as Cape Cod, Loch Ness, and Lake Champlain, driven by a deep curiosity for history and folklore. Firmly believing that the true value lies not in treasure but in understanding our historical roots, Tony remains dedicated to uncovering and preserving maritime histories for generations to come. With every dive, Tony Sampson continues to captivate and inspire, uncovering mysteries beneath the waves and bringing history vividly to life.

Tony Sampson Trivia (Additional Information)

1. Diving Instructor for Military and Offshore Projects:
   • Tony worked as an offshore survival instructor and HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) instructor for military and offshore oil projects through Falck Safety Services/RelyOn Nutec.
2. Environmental Preservation Efforts:
   • Tony actively contributes to environmental conservation through his involvement in recovering “Ghost Gear” (abandoned fishing equipment) in partnership with Titan Maritime Ltd, improving Atlantic Canada’s marine environment.
3. Extensive International Diving Background:
   • In addition to his Canadian-based diving work, Tony has explored shipwrecks and historical sites in regions like Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Mayan cenotes in Mexico.
4. Featured Safety Diver in Film Productions:
   • Beyond his work on TV series, Tony has worked as a safety diver for major film productions.
5. Memorable Maritime Encounters:
   • Tony fondly recalls diving with humpback whales in Tonga and playful Steller sea lions off Vancouver Island.
6. Pirate History Enthusiast:
   • Tony frequently educates others about pirate culture, including how pirates carried gold jewelry to fund proper burials if they died at sea.
7. Adventurous Future Plans:
   • Tony has expressed a desire to explore Loch Ness for the mythical creature “Nessie” and Lake Champlain in search of the legendary “Champ.”
8. Passion for Storytelling:
   • Through his tours with Salty Dog Sea Tours, Tony blends historical narratives with hands-on exploration, giving guests a unique perspective on Nova Scotia’s rich maritime past.
9. Multi-Skilled Professional:
   • With certifications ranging from occupational diving to first aid instruction, Tony combines technical skills with a natural flair for educating and engaging audiences.

Interesting Facts

• Favorite Treasure Hunting Focus: Shipwrecks.
• Has dived at notable wreck sites such as the German High Seas Fleet in Scotland, the Chiara off Swanage (England), and the Alig Imide off New Zealand.
• Appears frequently on The Curse of Oak Island, contributing his diving expertise and insights.
• Once sang “Drunken Sailor” with Marty Lagina during an after-hours gathering at the Mug and Anchor pub.
• Known among cast members as an entertaining karaoke singer.
• Describes himself as a mix between Rick (believer) and Marty (data-driven skeptic) but leans more toward Rick’s belief in the Oak Island mystery.

Tony Sampson Wiki Bio – Facts Table

Fact	Details
Full Name	Tony Sampson
Date of Birth	December 23
Place of Birth	Farnborough, Hampshire, England
Current Residence	Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Nationality	British-New Zealander-Canadian
Profession	Diver, Marine Historian, Business Owner, TV Personality
Known For	Appearing on The Curse of Oak Island, Beyond Oak Island, and various maritime exploration series
Years Active (Diving)	1981 – Present (42+ years)
Education	Xavier College Christchurch, New Zealand
Diving Experience	256 ft max depth (research dives)
Previous Roles	Navy (4 years), Police Officer (12 years), Fire Service (2 years professional + 10 years volunteer), Paramedic (10 years)
Business	Owner of Salty Dog Sea Tours
Significant Discoveries	Paved stone area in Oak Island’s swamp, Spanish eight real coin, ship timbers from the Whydah Gally
Environmental Efforts	Collaborated with Titan Maritime Ltd. to recover ghost gear from Atlantic Canada waters
Family	Married to Heidi Walsh-Sampson (King’s Counsel)
Children	Daughter named Belle
Key Diving Locations	Tonga, New Zealand, Mayan Cenotes (Mexico), Scotland, Swanage (England), Nova Scotia
Favorite Diving Focus	Shipwrecks
Notable Shipwrecks Explored	German High Seas Fleet (Scotland), The Chiara (Swanage, England), The Alig Imide (New Zealand)
Memorable Moments	Sang “Drunken Sailor” with Marty Lagina at the Mug and Anchor pub
Public Service	Offshore Survival Instructor at Falck Safety Services/RelyOn Nutec
Additional Skills	Qualified Rebreather Diver (Kiss and Inspiration)
Future Interests	Plans to explore Cape Cod, Loch Ness, and Lake Champlain
Motto/Belief	Values history over treasure; believes in the power of artifacts to tell stories