Drawn by a deep love for marine life and the thrill of the unknown, Phoebe crossed the Tasman Sea to Australia with a mission: to dive headfirst into the world of whale watching. Starting from the deck up aboard Barefoot BLUE, she quickly distinguished herself with relentless curiosity, grit, and a passion for the ocean that’s nothing short of contagious.

Now one of our most accomplished captains, Phoebe leads our whale-watching adventures with expertise, enthusiasm, and an eye for the extraordinary. Whether she’s spotting a distant breach or sharing stories about marine life, her love for nature and the sea transforms every trip into a truly unforgettable experience.

Step aboard and discover the magic of the ocean through the eyes of a true sea spirit — Captain Phoebe.

Above the waves, she’s a gifted photographer with an eye for capturing the powerful presence of whales and the elegant flight of seabirds. Below the surface, she’s a skilled diver, endlessly curious about the underwater world and its hidden wonders.

But Silke’s connection to the ocean goes beyond exploration—she’s a founder of theTwo Hands Movement, a grassroots global initiative tackling plastic pollution with simple, powerful action: if we all used our two hands, in 30 minutes we could change the world. Her commitment to a cleaner, healthier ocean inspires everyone she meets.

Affectionately known on board as our “Bird Nerd,”Silke is a walking encyclopedia of seabird knowledge. From albatrosses soaring on ocean winds to the mysterious migrations of shearwaters, she can spot, identify, and share the fascinating stories of nearly any bird that graces the sky.

With her razor-sharp eyesight, Silke is also one of our most skilled whale spotters—often catching the first sign of a distant breach or tail slap. Passionate, knowledgeable, and endlessly adventurous, Silke is the heart of our crew and a guiding voice for the wild ocean world she works so hard to protect.

Today, Tom is a dedicated marine biologist and cetacean scientist, but his impact goes far beyond the research lab. With a magnetic presence and a gift for storytelling, Tom has become a rising star in the world of science communication. His TikTok and Instagram channels boast a massive global following, where he captivates audiences with jaw-dropping ocean facts, up-close encounters with marine giants, and the breathtaking beauty of the underwater world.

Now, Tom is taking his mission to the next level. Eager to expand his storytelling skills and bring even more magic to his audience, he’s teamed up with Captain Dean to join the Barefoot Whale Watching Sydney crew. Here, he’s diving into the world of cinematography—learning how to capture nature’s drama on camera and craft unforgettable experiences for guests and viewers around the world.

Whether he’s on deck, behind the lens, or speaking to the masses online, Tom is driven by one purpose: to inspire awe, ignite curiosity, and protect our planet’s incredible marine life—one story at a time.

Now, she’s bringing that same spirit of exploration to the ocean as one of our leading deckhands. With two Coral Sea expeditions under her belt, Steph has quickly proven herself as a fearless freediver, a passionate explorer, and an unstoppable bundle of marine enthusiasm.

Whether she’s scanning the horizon, hauling lines, or slipping beneath the waves to greet a sea turtle or reef shark, Steph does it all with infectious energy and an endless sense of wonder. Her deep love for the ocean is undeniable—and when the whales arrive, you’ll hear the joy in her voice before you even see the splash. Her beaming smile and uncontainable excitement are enough to warm even the chilliest winter’s day.

Steph is more than a deckhand—she’s a connector, a motivator, and a reminder of why we fall in love with nature in the first place.

After two summers working as a deckhand in Sydney and a recent return from this year’s Coral Sea expedition, Elizabeth has more than proven she’s got the grit, skill, and spirit to stand among our elite crew. But her ocean journey began right here—when she saw her very first whale from the deck of Barefoot BLUE. One tail slap was all it took… she’s been hooked ever since.

With a background as an early childhood educator, Elizabeth brings heart, patience, and joy to everything she does. Whether she’s tying lines, spotting dolphins, or sharing fun ocean facts with kids and curious adults alike, she lights up the boat with her infectious energy and warmth.

With eyes full of wonder and a big smile that’s impossible to miss, Elizabeth reminds us all that it’s never too late to dive into a new passion—and fall in love with the sea.

Driven by a deep passion for life at sea, Lewis made the leap across the Tasman to chase bigger horizons in Australia. Joining Barefoot Charters in 2024, he made a serious splash—quite literally—during his very first month-long expedition into the Coral Sea. From navigating reef-studded lagoons to face-to-fin encounters with sharks and sea snakes, Lewis proved he’s not just a skilled seafarer, but a fearless explorer with a steady hand and a sharp eye.

While he’ll proudly tell you his first love is football (and his beloved Chelsea), whales have quickly stolen a huge piece of his heart. His calm confidence, vast maritime knowledge, and dry Kiwi wit make him a trusted crew member and a guest favourite on board.

With a lifetime on the water and an ocean of adventure ahead, Lewis is charting a course straight into the heart of marine discovery—and loving every second of the ride.