418 Dive Log Australasia JUNE 2026.pdf

Foundation and will be undergoing training with their team and requiring equipment to assist in these rescues. Last season, we encountered a whale entangled in longline fishing gear, a confronting reminder that as the population of Humpbacks increases, this will become more common. Experiences like that reinforce why ethical wildlife tourism matters. When conducted properly, ocean tourism creates advocates. People protect what they feel connected to, and there are few faster ways to build that connection than sharing the water with a whale or locking eyes with a curious seal underwater. That sense of responsibility influences even the smallest details of how we operate. We run small groups, avoid single-use plastics onboard, host community beach clean-ups, and prioritise minimal-impact encounters with wildlife. These aren’t marketing slogans for us — they are simply how we believe ocean businesses should operate. As we move into this next phase with the Woebe-Two and our growing scuba program, the goal remains the same as it was when we first started teaching freediving years ago: help people experience the ocean in a way that changes how they see it. Whether it’s hearing whale song in deep blue water, watching a seal spin through your bubbles, or taking your very first breath underwater on scuba, those moments stay with people long after they leave the boat. And that, ultimately, is why we do it.

Guided scuba dive with the local seal colony. photo by Johanna Renwick

“Can we scuba dive with them?” Now, finally, the answer is yes.

This season marks an exciting new chapter for Woebegone Dive as we officially expand into scuba diving experiences and training. While freediving remains at the heart of what we do, scuba diving opens the underwater world to an entirely different audience and allows for longer, more immersive wildlife encounters. To support this growth, we recently introduced the Woebe Two — our dedicated scuba diving vessel. The Woebe-Two is a catamaran with twin outboards, specifically fitted out for scuba diving operations. Stable, spacious, and fitted out with the necessary safety systems and dive infrastructure, it allows us to comfortably run scuba diving experiences in offshore conditions while maintaining the relaxed atmosphere people have come to associate with Woebegone Dive. The extra stability of the catamaran design is particularly valuable on longer runs out to seal colonies and offshore dive sites, making the experience more comfortable for both new and experienced divers alike. Our scuba operations now include guided seal dives, local reef and wreck dives, introductory experiences for beginners, and full scuba certification courses. For many guests, it is the perfect progression from whale swims and snorkelling into a deeper exploration of the underwater world. Importantly, this expansion into scuba diving has not changed the core values of the business. Safety, conservation and marine stewardship remain central to everything we do. Woebegone Dive works alongside organisations such as ORRCA — the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia — assisting with marine mammal monitoring, welfare, and entanglement response when required. We have recently partnered with the Sea World

Family photo of Lara and Dylan Boag with sons Leon & Zephyr Dylan and Lara Boag Explore- Learn- Protect Woebegone Dive Unit 1/ 3 Erina Rd Huskisson 0423981163

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DIVE LOG Australasia #418 - June’ 26

www.divelog.net.au