Meet Our Spirit of Freedom Team
Captain Tony
Behind every epic adventure, there is an epic Captain. We would like to introduce you to our very own Tony.
Tony has been leading our adventures for 15 years. Having worked exclusively on Spirit of Freedom and in his own words, “She has been my love and life for the last 15 years”, Tony has plenty of experience to share.
Tony fell in love with Scuba Diving at age 14, after being an avid snorkeller for some years. With over 10,000 dives and having completed over 300 expeditions aboard Spirit of Freedom, you know you are always in the hands of one of the best.
Over the years, he has visited some amazing dive sites and seen some unbelievable marine life. Two of his favourite dive sites are ‘Epic’ near Raine Island, and ‘Deep Turtle’ at Holmes Reef, where he can spot some of his favourite marine life, the Sharks!
Captain Owen
Originally from Western Australia, Owen discovered his passion for diving on the Great Barrier Reef in 2022 and has since logged over 600 dives.
His favourite dive site on Spirit of Freedom’s itinerary is Amazing Caves at Holmes Reef, where he loves exploring the incredible swim-throughs. Among the marine life of the reef, Owen is especially drawn to eagle rays, admiring their distinctive spotted patterns.
One of his most unforgettable experiences with Spirit of Freedom was visiting the historic SS Yongala wreck.
When he's not on the water, he spends his time reading, writing, and playing sports, bringing a well-rounded and adventurous spirit to the team.
First Mate Rens
Rens arrived in Australia as a backpacker and quickly fell in love with diving and the maritime lifestyle. Since joining Spirit of Freedom, he has built a strong career at sea, combining his technical knowledge with hands-on diving experience.
With thousands of dives under his belt, his favourite sites include North Horn, Steve’s Bommie, and Around the Bend—all offering dramatic topography and big marine life encounters. He’s especially fascinated by hammerhead sharks and cuttlefish, which he considers among the reef’s most captivating creatures.
When he’s not at sea, he enjoys mountain biking and motorbike adventures. For Rens, the opportunity to live and work on the ocean, explore remote reefs, and eat chef-prepared meals daily is a lifestyle he wouldn’t trade.
Trip Director James
James first fell in love with Scuba Diving in Ginnie Springs, Florida, which has a very different dive terrain to his home today on Spirit of Freedom.
He joined the Spirit of Freedom team six years ago and now has over 6000 dives under his belt!
Since 2016, North Horn at Osprey Reef has become James’s favourite dive site because “no two dive sites are ever the same”. North Horn is the location of our famous Shark Dive, but this unique site is also home to many of the world’s most spectacular underwater animals; including James’s favourite animal, the Manta Ray.
James has a passion for diving and travelling, he is hoping to lead you on the most amazing dives this year.... and of course, to do some more exploring of his own.
Trip Director and Master Reef Guide Leo
Leo began his diving journey in a lake in Germany with minimal visibility, a challenging start that honed his compass skills and set the stage for his future adventures.
Since moving to Australia in 2019, Leo has logged over 3,000 dives and witnessed unforgettable moments, such as swimming alongside a mature Leatherback Turtle and a Humpback Whale, experiences he likens to stepping into a documentary. His favourite marine animals include Moorish Idol, Queensland Biscuit Starfish, Harlequin Filefish, juvenile Barramundi Cod, and Flying Gurnard. Leo’s favourite dive sites include Pirate’s Cove at Wilson Reef, Dungeons and Dragons at Bougainville Reef, and Spirit Plateau at Osprey Reef.
Outside the water, Leo enjoys hiking, swimming, and camping, and he takes great pride in having built a new life in Australia and earning a place aboard one of the country’s top dive vessels.
Trip Director and Master Reef Guide Maddie
Originally from Washington State, Maddie discovered diving while travelling in Southeast Asia and has worked professionally ever since with thousands of dives logged across various tropical regions.
Maddie is especially fond of dive sites like Snake Pit and Dungeons and Dragons for their unpredictable wildlife and dramatic reef structures. Her favourite marine creatures are octopuses—clever, curious, and full of personality. Maddie’s most unforgettable day on board was when manta rays, a whale shark, and a host of reef life all appeared in one magical current check.
Off the clock, she’s a nature lover and yoga enthusiast with a talent for fire performing. For Maddie, the best part of working on Spirit of Freedom is the tight-knit team, and the unmatched beauty of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.
Dive Instructor and Master Reef Guide Takuma
Since joining the team in 2017, Takuma has logged over 8,500 dives and built a lifelong passion for the ocean. He first fell in love with diving in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, in 2003, and his enthusiasm has only grown since.
His favourite dive site is The Cod Hole, known for the friendly Potato Cod that call it home. As a Master Reef Guide aboard Spirit of Freedom (which he considers his second home after spending half his life with the best crew), he is dedicated to sharing the wonders of the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef.
One of his most unforgettable moments on Spirit of Freedom was swimming alongside a baby whale shark, a rare and magical encounter. Beyond diving, Takuma enjoys underwater photography and takes pride in educating guests about the vibrant and complex world beneath the surface.
Dive Instructor and Master Reef Guide Jamie
Jamie began his diving journey in Colombia and went on to complete his professional training across Indonesia and the Philippines. He has worked extensively on the Great Barrier Reef and brings years of industry experience to Spirit of Freedom. He’s particularly drawn to sites like Crackerjack for their rich macro life and towering pinnacles, which offer excellent conditions for spotting rare nudibranchs and pipefish.
Jamie has a soft spot for shrimp—especially the ornate marbled shrimp found in the reef's darker crevices. When not diving, he enjoys hiking, music, and growing ultra-spicy chillies, which he turns into homemade sauces for the crew. His most memorable moment on board was sharing his first minke whale encounter with a guest mid-safety stop—an unforgettable sight.
Dive Instructor Ryan
Ryan learned to dive in the cold waters of New Zealand, where strong currents and low visibility made for a challenging but rewarding introduction to the underwater world.
Since joining Spirit of Freedom in 2022, he has logged over 3,000 dives, spending most of his time on the Great Barrier Reef teaching courses before shifting his focus to finding rare and elusive marine life. His favourite dive site is The Corner Shop at Bougainville Reef and his favourite marine animal is the ghost pipefish—if you’re lucky enough to spot one!
One of his most unforgettable moments on Spirit of Freedom was encountering a tiger shark off the wall at Osprey Reef, hovering over thousands of meters of open ocean. Outside of diving, Ryan enjoys hiking, wakeboarding, and camping, but what he loves most is life at sea.
Dive Instructor Fernanda
Originally from Argentina, Fernanda is a certified architect who left the construction world to follow her passion for diving. She learned to dive in the cold waters of Argentina and has since gained extensive experience diving across diverse environments.
Known for her calm presence and upbeat personality, she brings a meditative approach to diving and enjoys introducing guests to the reef’s vibrant marine life. Her favourite dive sites include Google Gardens, with its colourful shallow coral gardens, and the swim-throughs at Bougainville Reef.
Fernanda enjoys dancing and yoga during her time off and loves the hands-on learning and close-knit crew that come with working on a liveaboard.
Dive Instructor Song
Originally trained as a diver during military service in South Korea, Song transitioned into the professional dive industry after relocating to Cairns. With over a decade of experience on the Great Barrier Reef, he brings deep knowledge and a calm, focused approach to diving.
Song is especially fond of North Horn, where shark encounters are frequent and exhilarating. Nudibranchs are his favourite marine animals to spot—each site revealing a different variety with distinct features. A standout moment on board for Song was having a minke whale approach him during a safety stop.
Living on a liveaboard suits his love of structure and teamwork, and the time off between trips allows for well-earned rest. What keeps him motivated is the passion for ocean conservation and the chance to dive world-class sites with an awesome team.
Dive Instructor Matt
Originally from Canada, Matt discovered diving over a decade ago while travelling in Honduras and has since explored underwater environments across six countries. After completing his professional training in Utila, he set his sights on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Now a proud member of the Spirit of Freedom team, Matt brings both skill and energy to every trip. He thrives on the physical challenge of liveaboard life and enjoys building connections with guests over multi-day adventures. His favourite dive site is Snake Pit—a remote, moody sea mound known for its sharks, rays, and prehistoric feel. Matt is especially drawn to potato cod, which he describes as “curious, bold, and dog-like in their personality.”
When not diving, Matt enjoys camping, fishing, and golfing.
Chef Joost
Joost is the onboard chef, known for combining international culinary flair with a love for the ocean. He began his diving journey aboard Spirit of Freedom, making it one of the most unique workplaces he’s ever been a part of.
As a chef with a growing passion for the underwater world, he appreciates the remoteness of sites like Osprey Reef and is particularly intrigued by marine life like cuttlefish. Joost brings a strong team spirit to the vessel and enjoys the balance of hands-on guest interaction, daily adventure, and creative work in the galley.
When he's not cooking, he loves motorcycles, being outdoors, and experiencing the camaraderie of life at sea.
Chef Rosie
Originally from Manchester in the UK, Rosie joined Spirit of Freedom in June 2025. With a love for the ocean that began on family holidays far from her landlocked hometown, she eventually left behind a maths degree to work on explorer sailing vessels.
Over four years, she transitioned from galley hand to full-time chef, cooking her way across the Pacific. Rosie learned to dive in Wales (an experience she doesn’t recommend!) before joining a sailing expedition in Fakarava, French Polynesia, later earning her Divemaster in the Galapagos.
Her favourite dive site is Middle Earth at Bougainville Reef, where sharks often appear. Rosie recently met her first potato cod and found it hilarious. For her, the best part of the job is diving straight after cooking, just a short walk from the galley to the sea!
Divemaster & Guide Holly
Originally from Townsville, Holly learned to dive in Colombia and rediscovered her passion years later while volunteering at a dive hostel in Tenerife. She moved to Cairns to complete her Divemaster certification and has since logged over 800 dives across the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
With a background in eco-guiding, she brings a strong focus on marine biodiversity, reef health, and conservation to every trip. Her favourite dive site is False Entrance at Osprey Reef. She regularly guides guests through schooling trevally, barracuda, and manta rays, but one dive stands out above the rest: a sailfish swam directly through her group—an incredibly rare encounter.
Outside of diving, Holly enjoys wildlife photography, birdwatching, and soaking up sunsets at sea.
Divemaster Host and Instructor Annabelle
Annabelle is a marine biologist from Canada with a passion for underwater life and guest experience. She began diving in Southeast Asia and earned her professional certifications in Central America before joining the team at Spirit of Freedom.
Her favourite site is Snake Pit, known for its biodiversity, schooling fish, and frequent macro sightings. Nudibranchs are her favourite animals to find—challenging to spot but always rewarding.
Annabelle enjoys the intensity and pace of liveaboard diving and values the close crew dynamic and constant exposure to marine life that working at sea offers.
Divemaster Host Michelle
Originally from Germany, "Shell" (aka Michelle) discovered diving in Cairns in 2023 and quickly fell in love with it. Since then, she’s become a certified Divemaster with over 300 dives and brings warmth, energy, and a real love for the ocean to every trip aboard Spirit of Freedom.
For Shell, diving feels like stepping into another world—and she loves being able to share that feeling with guests. Her favourite dive site is North Horn at Osprey Reef, where you drop into the water and are immediately surrounded by reef sharks. She has a soft spot for sharks and manta rays. One of her most unforgettable moments was diving alongside a tiger shark on the Spirit of Freedom Far East Expedition—an experience she’ll never forget.
When she’s not diving, Shell enjoys spending time in nature.
Host Cindy
Originally from the Netherlands, Cindy fell in love with Australia and the ocean in 2017 and has since built a life around the water. She learned to dive in Cairns and expanded her skills with dives across the Caribbean, Indonesia, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Cindy's favourite site is Admiralty at Osprey Reef, with its towering coral formations and crystal-clear visibility. Cindy is especially captivated by manta rays and the unique presence they bring to a dive.
When not hosting guests onboard, she enjoys yoga and values the structure of liveaboard life, especially the opportunity to explore remote dive sites while working with a tight-knit team.
Host Fiona
Fiona fell in love with diving in the waters of France and has since completed over 500 dives. Her favourite dive site on the Great Barrier Reef is the legendary SS Yongala Wreck, a ship that tragically sank in 1911 and is now a heritage-listed site teeming with marine life. Fiona is drawn to the Yongala for its extraordinary biodiversity and the thrill of exploring its fascinating underwater history, as she has a deep passion for wreck diving.
Her connection to the ocean comes from a cherished memory of swimming alongside a mother and baby humpback whale. Beyond diving, she enjoys swimming, hiking, travelling, yoga, cooking, reading, and dancing, bringing her adventurous spirit and vibrant energy to the team.
Known for her infectious laughter and warmth, Fiona is an integral part of the Spirit of Freedom crew!
Business Lead Brit
Britney is our fearless leader (aka. Business Lead) here at Spirit of Freedom, taking care of the operational side of the business. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Brit joined the team in 2023 and brings a deep passion for the ocean, adventure, and travel.
An avid hiker and explorer in her spare time, Britney has travelled extensively and has logged over 2,000 dives since learning to dive in Hawaii—where she also fell in love with sharks.
Her favourite Spirit of Freedom dive site is Cod Hole, especially the outer wall where she once watched two manta rays glide overhead in perfect unison. A highlight of her time with Spirit of Freedom was a surprise, close-up encounter with a dwarf minke whale on a deep dive.
Though mainly land-based these days, Britney relishes every chance to return to the water when she can!
Dive Operations Manager Mel
Mel first experienced the wonders of the underwater world in Egypt and an unfortunate leaky mask didn’t stop Mel from falling in love with diving. With a mask full of water and a smile, Mel booked her second dive immediately.
With over 2000 dives, she learnt her trade in New Zealand and is a PADI Master Instructor. Mel joined the Divers Den family over five years ago and has become one of our legendary Entrada Travel Group Ops team members.
The famous Steves Bommie is Mel’s favourite dive site due to the abundance of marine life you have the possibility of meeting there. You can see everything from Stonefish, Pipefish, Nudibranchs and Octopus to Turtle Mantis Shrimp, Nemo and Mel’s favourite underwater animal, Sharks!