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Whale Report

Saturday 3rd August 2019

15 Whales

Byron Bay

8-21

SSW 7KN

1.8m

Today there was plenty of action out off the coast of Ballina and Byron Bay. We enjoyed breaching, comp groups, muggings & tail slapping on our Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruises at 8:00am & 11:00am. Conditions are looking good this week, so be sure to book aboard our Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise.

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+61 407 522 422 Why Choose Us

Our Story & Team

From passion grew inspiration

Out Of The Blue Adventures specialise in premier eco cruises & tours, including Whale Watching, Ocean Adventures & River Cruises. All cruises are guided by a passionate Marine Biologist and the business is owned & operated by local Captain, Dean Fox.

Our Mission

“Educate visitors and local community about the areas marine life, ecosystem, vulnerable species while delivering a unique and memorable ocean & river adventure, which allows us to continue supporting and promoting marine research.”

The Team

Skippers

Dean J. Fox

Owner/Captain

Dean has been a Master of multiple commercial vessels for the last 10 years. He has gained extensive knowledge from operating these vessels here in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. During this time, he also lived, breathed and dove the expanse of coast off Brunswick, Byron Bay & Ballina. Over the years, Dean has gained invaluable local knowledge and unparalleled understanding of these waters and bar crossings.Falling in love with the ocean at a very young age, Dean grew up exploring local rock pools and diving the underwater playground he found so fascinating. He has a profound appreciation for this area and the ocean itself. Dean enjoys offering the opportunity to truly connect with the aquatic world and raise awareness of preservation aboard his vessel. He is very proud to live in such a beautiful part of the world and loves sharing incredible oceanic experiences with others. Dean states “I have turned my passion into a way of life.”

Angus Steeles

Captain

An all round waterman born and raised in Ballina, Angus started gaining nautical experience as a chef on various surf charter boats in the Mentawai islands. After discovering an absolute passion for the ocean and marine culture he further pursued his career acquiring his Master >24 & MED3 to become a Skipper/Operations Manager on some of the best and most renowned surf charter boats in Indonesia and the Pacific. After returning home to Ballina due to COVID 19 Angus found his feet securing the absolute dream job amongst the elements with Out of the Blue. There he found his new passion for marine life and conservation. Being brought up right next to the river in Ballina, Angus is highly capable and confident in assessing and tackling the bar on a daily basis using this skill set for Whale watching, dolphin cruises, Byron coastal tours and also as a Volunteer for Marine Rescue. On his days off, you can find Angus still out on the water doing what he enjoys most, amongst the big swells tow surfing or Hydro foiling.

Alessandro Trombin

Captain

Alessandro, originally from Italy, has lived in Australia for several years. In his early twenties Al started sailing in the Adriatic Sea and Venetian lagoon in various size monohulls. Upon moving to Australia, where he fell in love with the underwater world, the next chapter involved becoming a Dive Guide at the prestine ‘Nguthungulli’ Julian Rocks Marine Park. A life-long learner with a curious attitude, and deep admirer of boats, Alessandro then embraced the path of a Skipper. With experience in beach launches and driving through busy well known surf-break ‘The Pass’ in Byron Bay, he has been lucky to learn from numerous highly experienced Skippers in the region, which gives him good knowledge on reading waves and the ocean. When he’s not driving boats, you’ll find him above the water sailing or underneath it diving with sea creatures. In Al’s words, “I’m so lucky and grateful to have found the ocean as my playground, where I can learn and keep growing.”

Marine Biologist Guides

Emily Horton

Marine Biologist

Emily is a passionate ocean enthusiast with a love for the ocean and how it works on a systematic level. Emily is fascinated with the the ecology of marine life and everyday works on expanding that knowledge further. Emily is a free-diver and underwater photographer and has experienced such incredible moments interacting with animals underwater from a young age, which has helped shape her perspective of the duty of care we have to help protect these wild places. She is nearing completion of her double Batchelor degree in Marine and Environmental science and is actively working hard to make her passion her way of life. Emily has owned her own boat and has sailed and explored the northern regions of the East coast all the way down to Byron Bay, she has great experience and knowledge of the ocean and loves sharing that with others.

Liz Hawkins

Marine Biologist

Liz is a marine biologist and passionate conservationist. She has over 20 years’ experience in marine mammal research and environmental education. Liz has a doctorate in cetacean ecology and conservation with much of her work published internationally. She enjoys engaging and educating the community about these animals and immersing people in their world. Liz has been a tour guide with Out of the Blue since 2019 and is also the Founding Director and CEO of local marine conservation charity, Dolphin Research Australia.

Gabrielle Pappas

Marine Biologist

Gabrielle fell in love with Australia at a young age and these early experiences with the ocean and its creatures inspired her passion for the marine world. For the last decade, she has been fulfilling her childhood dreams by working in ecotourism as a naturalist and guide in Australia and overseas. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology in California, she spent 4 years in Maui, Hawaii as a naturalist aboard Humpback whale watching and reef expeditions. There she learned the importance of observing the behavioural and cognitive abilities of these majestic marine mammals in their natural environment as a means of increasing our scientific knowledge and ability to conserve vulnerable species and ecosystems. She continued to share her knowledge and enthusiasm as a reef guide on the Great Barrier Reef. She takes pride in being with Out of the Blue Adventures from its start in 2018.

Merryn Dunleavy

Marine Biologist

Merryn is an Environmental and Marine scientist with a deep passion for the ocean and all its inhabitants. She believes that instilling a love and appreciation for the ocean is our best chance of protecting it. An experienced marine educator, she also works with Dolphin Research Australia as the Community Engagement Coordinator and a Director for the organisation. Merryn is also an avid sea turtle lover, with over 10 years’ experience in marine turtle monitoring and research. Previously she was employed as the Scientific Coordinator with Flatback Turtles, within a monitoring program in Western Australia, leading the scientific Mark-Recapture program for the season. She also coordinated the Citizen Science Turtle Volunteer Program and the nesting turtle tours for the local area, educating on the importance of the conservation of this data deficient species. She is a passionate marine education officer, ecotourism guide and advocate for inspiring and engaging local communities to work towards ocean conservation, by developing our next generation of citizen scientists.

Alice Forrest

Marine Biologist

Alice Forrest is a Marine Biologist and wildlife guide, with a passion for the natural world and the creatures who inhabit it (especially cetaceans). As a researcher but also a divemaster & freediver, she’s a firm believer in the need to communicate the science as well as the intrinsic value of the ocean and what’s beneath the surface. After completing a Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity & Conservation) and Bachelor of Marine & Antarctic Science (with Honours), she has worked on seas and oceans around the world. Her research focused on marine plastic pollution, discovering the most plastic-polluted beach in the world. Since then she has focused on guiding as a way to connect people to wild places & inspire them to want to protect wildlife and the ocean. When she's not guiding with Out Of The Blue, you can find her leading snorkels with whale sharks or manta rays on the Ningaloo Reef, swimming with humpback whales in Tonga, or driving boats and finding penguins on expeditions in Antarctica.

Administration

Della Fox

Chief Morale Officer

Della’s duties tend to go under the radar of our customers. She may spend the majority of the day sleeping under the desk but she is a great team player who provides all important office assistance, by supporting the whole team with her enthusiasm and loving nature.

Kasia Smith

Customer Service

Kasia specialises in Marketing, Operations and Customer Service. Although based in the office assisting Owner, Dean, with the management of our small business, Kasia is also qualified in Environmental Science. After a lifelong passion for the ocean and marine life, she has actively supported Dolphin Research in the Moray Firth, Scotland, volunteered for Seabird Rescue in Australia and the UK, and has grown up and worked on various vessels at sea across Europe, the US and Bahamas. She has lived in the local area for the last 8 years and strives to create more sustainable business practices, as well as ensuring outstanding and memorable experiences for all our customers.

Why Choose Us?

Whale Report

March deals! Snorkeling Byron Bay guided tours now $129 per adult & $109 per child

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