Our Story
THE ORIGINAL ‘SEA LION TOUR’ EST ‘96
WE ARE CUSTODIANS AT HEART
Our connection to Jurien Bay spans some 40 years and we are proud to call this little slice of paradise on the Indian Ocean our home. Our original business, the Jurien Bay Offshore Charter Co, was founded by the Holland family in 1996. We were the 1st licenced tour company to take guests on sealion interaction tours in Jurien Bay. Back in the day, our skipper, Peter, mastered the vessel for the original business, but, tourism was a fledgling industry in Jurien in those days and the decision was made to put our tourism dreams on hold for a while. However, the desire to return to tourism full time simmered away and in 2015, the hunt for a new vessel was on! We purchased our baby, ‘The Providence II’ in 2016, fitted her out to our high specifications and re-launched Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience in 2017. Several years on - we’ve added our incredible Eco-Friendly vessel ‘MV High Voltage’ to our fleet and formed the ultimate team of deckhands and tour-guides to provide the best tours and experiences in the region!
Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience is operated as a proud, local family business, devoted to the care of our oceans. We live and breathe the salty sea air! Our team is forever protecting, educating and inspiring. We have bold plans for the future of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard!
Meet our dedicated team!
-
Meet Pete, the heart and helm of our company. As High Voltage’s Skipper and the head of Marine Operations, his Master 4 qualification is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his extensive marine credentials, With experience spanning oceans worldwide, from serene waters to the most challenging conditions, Pete’s dedication and abilities run deep. But it’s not just about navigating the seas and ensuring the upmost safety of our passengers; his profound commitment to sea lion conservation and ocean protection is a testament to his passion. Join Pete and his extraordinary team below to ensure the ultimate oceanic experience in Jurien Bay!
-
Dive into the vibrant wonders of Jurien Bay with Sari, our dedicated Sea Lion and Marine Park Tour Guide. As a true local, her deep connection to the area shines through on every tour. Beyond her rich knowledge and passion for marine life interactions, its Sari’s genuine warmth and commitment to exceptional customer experiences that sets her tours apart. With Sari leading the way, you’re diving into Jurien Bay’s best-kept secrets, just like a local.
-
Meet Katy, our on-board Marine Biologist and sea lion namer whose passion for the ocean is matched only by her bright, bubbly personality. She specialises in Southern Right Whales and plays an important role in developing our sea lion records and data here in Jurien Bay. Katy has been part of our team for quite some time, and her kindness, warmth and genuine love for the sea lions and what she does makes her the heart of our crew. Guests instantly feel at ease around her, and it is no surprise she's become a favourite among those who join our tours.
-
Meet Jack, our dedicated dive instructor and tour guide whose calm, thoughtful approach makes every guest feel welcome and supported from the moment they step on board. He's recently spent time on the Ningaloo Reef, dive instructing and capturing incredible whale shark moments through his passion for underwater photography. Jack cares deeply about helping people dive safely and confidently, and his creative eye for the ocean adds an extra layer of appreciation to every tour. Intelligent, kind and endlessly patient, Jack is a truly valued member of our crew!
-
Meet Luke, our highly skilled Vessel Master and proud Turquoise Coast local. With a strong background in ocean safety and experience on the water, he ensures every tour runs smoothly, safely and with exceptional care.Off the boat, Luke is a volunteer firefighter and actively involved in the local cadets program and community groups, making him an integral part of our small community. Known for his willingness to help anyone, anytime , he brings a steady, reliable presence to every trip. With Luke at the helm, guests can relax knowing they're in capable and genuinely caring hands.
-
Meet Andrew, our dependable deckhand who's become a true favourite among guests and crew alike. He's the steady anchor of our team - reliable, organised, and always one step ahead in making sure everything runs smoothly. Andrew takes real initiative in his work, often going above and beyond, and his friendly manner makes everyone feel at ease! With his calm presence and genuine dedication to every detail, guests quickly realise they're in incredibly capable hands when Andrew is on deck!
-
Meet Emma, our friendly marine tour guide and dive instructor who brings a bright spark to every tour. Fresh from a season on the Ningaloo Reef working with the whale sharks, she's a highly competent and emphatic guide with excellent skills in and out of the water. Emma leads by example, creating a safe and supportive environment for anyone learning to dive and joining our tours. With her upbeat attitude and willingness to jump into any task, she's an absolute delight to have on board.
-
Anchored by a rich maritime history, Kevin is our Master 4 qualified skipper, steering our sea lion and rock lobster tours. But he’s not just any skipper; he’s the embodiment of dedication, safety, and unparalleled knowledge of the ocean’s wonders. With years of lobster fishing experience and countless hours navigating the seas, Kevin’s passion for the ocean is as vast as the water he explores! With Kevin at the wheel, an authentic and captivating oceanic journey awaits!
-
Meet Alexis, our friendly French deckhand whose positive energy is instantly contagious. With experience in France, New Zealand and Australia - his genuine love for the ocean shines in everything he does. Alexis is passionate about marine conservation, scuba dive instructing and ocean photography, and he brings the same enthusiasm to each day out in the bay. Always happy to be here and always enjoying the moment, Alexis adds a warm, uplifting presence to every tour.
Guardians of the Jurien Bay sea lions
Custodianship is more than just a word to us; it’s a role we take seriously. Our sea lions in Jurien Bay are Australian Sea Lions and they are a species found only in small colonies along the Western and Southern Australian coastline. In the past, our beautiful sea lions have been hunted for their fur, but today, the biggest threat to their existence is commercial fishing. In WA, our sea lion colonies are relatively small and with fewer than 25 pups produced annually, our sea lions are listed as ‘vulnerable’ under Australian law.
As a tourism business our aim is to encourage our visitors to understand the threat that our marine creatures face as a consequence of fishing practices. We want to draw attention to these critical issues so that future generations will enjoy the same privilege of interactions with the sea lions that we enjoy today. To demonstrate our commitment, we have initiated a community group to connect like minded people who share our passion for conservation. You can find out about our work on the Guardians of the Jurien Bay Sea Lions Facebook page and Sea Lion Guardians Instagram.
Our Vision
To be recognised and respected as a quality marine tourism operator, contributing to positively influence the lives of our community and tourists, where every person values our natural environment enough to make a tangible commitment to its protection.
Our Mission
We will always treat the ocean and marine life with respect and care to nurture the 100% guaranteed sighting environment that our business depends upon.
We will engage our customers to understand that what the ocean provides is worth protecting and everyone has a role to give back.
“AMAZING!”
This was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced.
The staff where amazing & the sea lions played in the water with us for quite sometime. We will definitely return to experience this again.
- Lisa-Maree B -
#jurienbayoceanic
