Oliverio Maciel Díaz, a genuine legend of Zihuatanejo, was born on November 12, 1924, in this very coastal town. By the time he was just 10 years old, he had already developed a deep affinity for the ocean, spending most of his days fishing, free diving, and exploring the underwater world. His friends from that era affectionately referred to him as a true sireno, a mythical being with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish. As the 1950s arrived, thanks to the introduction of the "aqualung" to the region by Don Carlos Barnard in 1949, Oliverio had honed his diving skills to become the most proficient local diver, earning the esteemed nickname "El Rey Neptuno". For the next four decades, he was sought after by the affluent, powerful, and famous to take them on diving expeditions. He also collaborated with the renowned oceanographer Jacques Yves Cousteau.
As his reputation grew, Oliverio became the go-to expert for anyone seeking to explore the waters of the entire Costa Grande. His expertise extended beyond diving, as he also appeared in numerous films, including "La Tintorera", "Ciclón", "El Triángulo de las Bermudas", "El Niño y el Tiburón", "Beyond the Reef", "Las Pirañas Aman en Cuaresma", "Historias del Rey Neptuno", and "El Día de los Asesinos". Furthermore, a character was even dedicated to him in the popular comic book series "Chanoc".
