About Us

In 2004, I was drawn to Exmouth’s coastal wilderness and marine environment. After working as a superyacht captain, I met Sonia and convinced her to join me in building a life and business here. We saw an opportunity to offer unique, personalized whale shark tours for discerning clients.

Since 2016, our small group eco tours have expanded beyond Sal Salis, earning industry recognition and awards for our commitment to sustainability and unforgettable ocean experiences. We’re proud to bring something new to the industry and continue our mission of delivering exceptional adventures in harmony with nature.

I first learned about the magical Ningaloo Reef on the night I met Murray. He painted a vivid picture of life on the reef, and it captured my imagination instantly. It’s been a dream to turn our passion into a lifestyle and bring our vision of Live Ningaloo to life.

In the early years, I focused on perfecting the details behind the scenes to ensure smooth tour operations. Nowadays, my role has shifted as I embrace the joys of motherhood. While I still lend a hand to our incredible team, most days you’ll find me exploring the wonders of Ningaloo at my little one’s pace. It’s a whole new adventure in itself.

Gigi has been proudly part of the Live Ningaloo team since April 2023, bringing energy and versatility to her dynamic role across operations, reservations, and marketing. She thrives on the variety each day brings—whether she’s coordinating behind the scenes or connecting guests to their dream Ningaloo experience.

What Gigi loves most is the constant awe this region inspires. On weekends, you’ll often find her snorkelling at Oyster Stacks, soaking in the serenity and scanning the reef for hidden gems beneath the surface.

Her passion for adventure, paired with a deep appreciation for detail, makes her a perfect fit for the Live Ningaloo crew. Gigi feels right at home working alongside a team that shares her love for meaningful experiences and the magic of the reef.

Calm, focused, and quietly hilarious, Nick is the steady hand at the helm of Live Ningaloo. With years of experience on the water, he’s deeply committed to making sure every guest feels safe, supported, and completely at ease.

What keeps him passionate out here? It’s the sheer diversity of the Ningaloo—one of the few places where you can encounter whale sharks, manta rays, and schools of reef fish all in a single day. For Nick, the reef is full of surprises, and that’s exactly what makes it special.

He’s a stickler for the little things (in the best way), believing that true comfort and quality come from the details. And if you hear someone call out Freddy Kruger, don’t be alarmed—it’s just Nick. A few boats back, the nickname stuck thanks to his last name… and a sense of humour as dry as the Exmouth heat.

Dan’s love for the ocean started early, but it was Ningaloo’s mind-blowing biodiversity that really sealed the deal. From gentle whale sharks to playful manta rays and every quirky reef critter in between, there’s always something new to marvel at—and Dan’s here for all of it.

He was drawn to Live Ningaloo not just for the luxury vessel (which he’ll proudly tell you is the best-looking boat out there), but for the small, intimate tours that make each experience feel truly special. Being part of a tight-knit, passionate crew is the cherry on top.

If he were a Ningaloo creature? Easy—a dugong. Gliding through the lagoon, munching on seagrass, living the cruisy life. Sounds about right.

You can call him Dan, Daniel, or anything in between—he’s easy-going, always ready to lend a hand, and stoked to share the magic of the reef.

With a deep love for the ocean and an even deeper appreciation for the Exmouth lifestyle, Holly’s right at home on the Ningaloo. Whether she’s gliding alongside whale sharks or capturing your dream swim, she brings passion, playfulness, and purpose to every tour. She’s a fan of Live Ningaloo’s eco-minded, small group approach—and she’ll be the first to tell you the boat is hands-down the prettiest on the water.

If Holly were a Ningaloo critter? A manta ray—graceful, social, and always up for a spin. You can call her Hol, but honestly, she’ll answer to just about anything.

Sammy is all about the big stuff—whale sharks, manta rays, and especially the majestic humpback whales. Guiding guests through encounters with Ningaloo’s megafauna is what lights her up, and she brings calm, confidence, and a little sparkle to every swim.

What she loves most about Live Ningaloo? The smaller group sizes. With fewer people in the water, each moment feels more personal, more connected, and more in tune with the rhythm of the ocean.

If Sammy were a Ningaloo critter, she’d be a humpback—singing, dancing, and cruising through the blue without a care.

She’s affectionately known as Toucan Sam—colourful, curious, and always guiding the way.

Ella is a marine scientist and professional photographer with a lifelong passion for the ocean. Originally from New Zealand, she completed her studies in marine science with an exchange semester on the vibrant shores of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Her photography journey began at just 15, starting in fashion and events before diving into underwater work—a natural fusion of her scientific curiosity and creative eye.

Over the years, she’s captured everything from portraits and products to restaurants and reef life, always with a signature sense of connection and storytelling. On tour, she loves forming real bonds with guests and showcasing the incredible marine biodiversity of Ningaloo.

Ella is a certified freediver, rescue diver, and scientific diver, with a soft spot for longboarding and all things ocean. Her current underwater obsession? Anemones and their charismatic clownfish residents.

Fun fact: Ella once played trumpet in a concert band performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Maddi is from Tasmania, Australia and is the ocean-loving lens behind Live Ningaloo’s photography. Growing up quite literally by the sea, saltwater runs in her veins. From a young age, she was either riding waves on her surfboard, diving beneath them with a freediver’s grace, or exploring deeper waters as a certified SCUBA diver—basically, if it involved water and adventure, she was in.

Her photography journey started early—armed with a camera barely bigger than her hand at a year 6 camp capturing flowers and bugs. She has since progressed and studied Photography professionally. She captures a range of subjects but travel, tourism and underwater images are her niche. She runs her own photography business fulltime and has been for the last 5 years. Prior to this, Maddi was Fire Fighter for Fire + Rescue NSW. 

These days, you’ll find Maddi bobbing around the Ningaloo Reef, camera in hand, waiting for that golden moment when a guest locks eyes with a whale shark for the very first time. That mix of awe and disbelief, It never gets old—and it’s exactly what keeps her coming back for more. 

If Maddi was a sea creature she would be a dolphin – they’re super smart, love a good social hang, and are always zipping around like they’ve had three espressos. Same energy as Maddi trying to photograph a whale shark from every angle before it swims off.

Originally from Canada, Kolton is a passionate guide who has found a second home in the tropics—especially in Exmouth, where the Ningaloo Reef meets adventure. With a deep love for the ocean, sailing, and exploring new destinations, he brings both a spirit of adventure and professionalism to every dive. With over 10 years of experience above and below the surface he has guided divers across vibrant reefs, mysterious wrecks, and breathtaking underwater landscapes.

Known for his calm, friendly approach and deep respect for the marine environment, ensures every swim is not only safe and enjoyable but also filled with unforgettable memories. He loves sharing stories from both above and below the surface, whether it’s navigating open waters under sail or exploring new cultures and dive sites around the world.

If Kolton were a Ningaloo sea creature? A Sea Turtle just chilling and cruising with the currents.