ABOUT
BAREFOOT CREW
About
CAPTAIN DEAN CROPP
ABOUT
BAREFOOT BLUE BOAT
“We Don’t Chase Whales—We Meet Them Where They Want To Be.”
Dean Cropp
90%
Life spent on water than land.
20+
Years Underwater Cinematography & Director of Photography
30+
Years Ocean Explorer, Cave Diver, Marine Engineer & Commercial Diver
2
webbed feet
Meet Captain & Ocean Explorer Dean Cropp
Captain Dean Cropp was born with salt in his veins.
When he’s not guiding guests through Sydney’s Whale Humpback Highway, Dean is deep beneath the surface as an underwater cinematographer and DOP. With a passion for exploration, he’s dived into submerged caves, Sunken Shipwrecks, crafted world-class custom camera housings for major films & documentaries, and sailed to some of Australia’s most remote reefs and Pacific islands. Aboard every tour, you’ll step into a world shaped by shipwreck discoveries, treasure hunts, and awe-inspiring marine wildlife — all led by a Captain who’s lived more of his life at sea than on land.
Dean Cropp, “hacked life”, sold the house and quit his day job to follow the legendary course of his ocean adventurer father Ben Cropp. Continuing his fathers legacy to re-visit the shipwrecks and wild places he found 50 years ago.
He takes a few months off a year from his Whale Watching Sydney and Barefoot Charters business in Sydney to go sailing Australia’s Coral Sea. He looks for the wildest, most remote and unknown locations to explore, you won’t find many of these places in any tourist guide or even most sailing books.
Ocean Film Festival Australia Tour 2025
In 2025, Dean Cropp’s passion for ocean exploration and cinematography was showcased in the short film Goddess, which he co-created with underwater camera operator Jenni Collier. Filmed 800 kilometers off Australia’s east coast, the documentary captures the mesmerizing presence of Galapagos whaler sharks and was selected for the Ocean Film Festival Australia Tour 2025, highlighting its powerful visuals and storytelling.
Marine Explorer & Cinematographer
Enjoy marine explorer and cinematographer Dean Cropp recounting his many adventures travelling with his father, documentary producer Ben Cropp. Dean talks about living an unconventional boating life, and trying to locate the shipwrecks his father failed to uncover.
CHECK OUT @BarefootCAPTAIN
The Barefoot Captain’s Log
Life Aboard and Ongoing Ventures
Embracing a life at sea, Dean prefers life at sea on his 40-foot sailing catamaran, Barefoot, from which he operates Barefoot Whale Watching Sydney. His lifestyle and adventures are chronicled in his web series, The Barefoot Captain’s Log, showcasing his commitment to ocean exploration and conservation. Captain Dean and his crew are also the stars of a new TV series on SBS – BLUEWATER Safari.
Barefoot Captain's VLOG
“I grew up with saltwater in my veins—now I share it with you.”
Dean Cropp was born into a life of ocean exploration as the son of Ben Cropp—renowned shark hunter turned conservationist, filmmaker, and maritime explorer—who discovered over 100 shipwrecks along Australia’s Coral Sea, including the famous HMS Pandora in 1977, now housed at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.
Growing up on board expedition boats and living for a year on a remote island with his family, Dean was immersed in a world of sea adventures, coral reefs, and marine documentaries from an early age. This unique childhood shaped his deep love and respect for the ocean, leading him to follow in his father’s wake as an ocean adventurer, filmmaker, and Captain of Barefoot Whale Watching Sydney.
In The Media
Eight teen Rookies to work with rescued and rehabilitated marine animals at Blue Zoo in Australia
Born to Navigate, Wired to Lead
Dean Cropp has cultivated a multifaceted career that intertwines his deep-seated passion for the ocean with professional expertise in underwater cinematography, marine exploration, and commercial diving. His upbringing aboard boats, under the mentorship of his father, renowned marine documentary filmmaker Ben Cropp, laid the foundation for his diverse skill set and adventurous spirit.
Professional Experience
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Underwater Cinematographer and Director of Photography (DOP): Dean has contributed to numerous film and television projects, including:
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Storm Surfers 3D (2012): Served as the Water DOP for this feature documentary, earning a nomination for Best Cinematography in a Documentary at the AACTA Awards.
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Blue Zoo (2014): Worked as the director of photography and producer for this children’s factual television series.
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Bluewater Safari (2022): Led expeditions as an underwater cinematographer and explorer, retracing his father’s journeys across the Coral Sea.
- Goddess (2025): A short film co-created with Jenni Collier, showcasing Galapagos sharks 800km offshore; featured in the 2025 Ocean Film Festival Australia Tour for its stunning visuals and ocean storytelling.
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Associate Producer: Collaborated with his father, Ben Cropp, on eight international nature and adventure documentaries, honing his skills in storytelling and marine documentation.
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Custom Equipment Designer: Developed specialized camera systems and underwater housings for challenging marine environments, utilized in various productions including Bondi Rescue and Sydney Weekender.
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Commercial Diving and Marine Operations: Applied his diving expertise in various capacities, including as a CDAA cave diver and RFS bushfire cameraman, demonstrating versatility in both underwater and emergency response scenarios.
Certifications and Qualifications
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Master 24 (Near Coastal): Certified to operate commercial vessels up to 24 meters in length within Australian coastal waters.
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MED3 (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3): Qualified to manage and maintain marine engines on commercial vessels.
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ADAS AS2299 Commercial Diver: Accredited under the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme, meeting the AS2299 standard for occupational diving.
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CDAA Cave Diver: Certified by the Cave Divers Association of Australia, indicating proficiency in cave diving techniques.
