Boat and Crew
Welcome aboard the Dolphin Explorer
The ‘Dolphin Explorer’ is a luxury 20 metre (65ft) Powercat that was purpose built to maximise our passenger viewing experience and at the same time make the boat trip around the Hauraki Gulf as comfortable as possible for up to 100 passengers.
With large open decks on two levels and a range of indoor and outdoor seating, you’ll view Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf in comfort. There is a licensed café and bar on board with a range of refreshment options.
Connect with and learn from our highly experienced and knowledgeable crew
Our qualified crew and onboard research scientists provide a fun and educational experience, connecting you with this wonderful planet we all call home.
Rachael
Skipper/First Mate
Rachael is a qualified Skipper and First Mate and has worked in marine tourism for over 10 years, across Australia and New Zealand, from tours in the remote Kimberley region, to the Great Barrier Reef liveaboards, to driving ferries in Northland. Rachael is passionate about Ecotourism and loves sharing the natural environment with people. She is also a certified SCUBA divemaster and enjoys diving to find her favourite animals – nudibranchs!
Jo
Skipper/First Mate
Jo started working on Dolphin Explorer way back in 2002! During her career she’s also skippered superyachts, dodged pirates in the Melacca Straits, and is now also involved in scallop restoration projects throughout the Hauraki Gulf. Jo loves the Gulf and is committed to it’s protection and restoration. She spends her spare time on the water too, sailing around with her young family. Jo’s favourite animals are Orca and Manta Rays!
Graeme
Skipper
Graeme has over 50 years experience sailing, including an epic 193 day solo expedition circumnavigating the globe. He sailed from Auckland to Auckland, covering 28,000 miles – and he’s even written a book about it! Graeme loves seabirds of all types, so he’s very happy here in the Hauraki Gulf! He’s seen some incredible Marine Mammals on his travels including narwhals, blue whales, bottlenose whales and walruses.
George
Skipper/First Mate
George has a Bachelor of Planning (Honours) and is a certified PADI Open Water SCUBA diver. He holds a Deck Crew/First Mate maritime qualification and currently works as both Mate and Guide on board Dolphin Explorer and is a great educator. George’s favourite animal is the mantis shrimp because of its bizarre morphology. He spends his spare time making art, playing football, reading, and spending time in or close to the water in whatever way possible.
Emily
First Mate/Marine Science Guide
Emily has a Master’s degree in Marine Science and holds a Deck Crew/First Mate qualification. She has previously worked for the Department of Conservation as a Marine Ranger and helped breed native species for release including black mudfish and giant wētā. She is a certified PADI Open Water SCUBA diver and Marine Mammal Medic. Emily’s favourite animals are sharks, specifically the shortfin mako, and she aims to educate the world on their importance for ocean health.
Dani
Marine Science Guide
Dani is a current University of Auckland Marine & Biological Science Student and a certified PADI Advanced Open Water and Open Water SCUBA diver. Her favourite marine animals include Australasian Gannets and Zooplankton! Danielle hopes to bring awareness and understanding of Mātauranga Māori of Tangaroa and the importance we play as kaitiakitanga (guardians) here in Tikapa Moana.
Sanaa
Marine Science Guide
Sanaa has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science and is a certified Divemaster. In her spare time, she volunteers for LegaSea, a non-profit organisation, dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity, and health of New Zealand’s oceans – where she assists with research projects and community outreach. Sanaa is also part of the Auckland University of Technology Lab for Cephalopod Ecology and Systematics where she researches microplastics in squid.
Cayla
First Mate/Marine Science Guide
Cayla holds a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Marine Science and Geography, is a qualified skipper, and is also a PADI-certified scuba diver. She also works as a Penguin Keeper at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium. After her recent trip to the Ross Sea in Antarctica, Cayla aims to combine a science and tourism career and dreams of one day working on expedition ships.
Laurie
Marine Science Guide
Laurie has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science, is currently doing a Masters in Marine Science, and is also a PADI-certified scuba diver. She is passionate about the marine environment and has fallen in love with the Hauraki Gulf since moving to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2019. Laurie loves cephalopods and hopes to study them further in the future.
Joseph
First Mate
Joseph joined the team in 2024 as a First Mate. He is a qualified Skipper and has had a long career with the New Zealand Navy in numerous roles including Navy Dive Training officer. Joseph has an affinity for the ocean and the maritime world.
Toni
Marine Science Guide
Toni has a Bachelor of Marine Science where she undertook a project on bottlenose dolphin photo identification. Originally from Germany, Toni is staying in NZ for the incredible wildlife and to pursue her passion. She also works as a Research Assistant at the University of Auckland.
Britney
Marine Science Guide
Has a BSc in Marine Science, is a certified freediver, and scientific PADI Divemaster. She has worked in Indonesia as a manta ray, turtle, and coral dive conservationist and recently returned from Niue working as a humpback whale researcher! In her spare time, you can find Britney running her womens diving community Dive Like a Girl NZ or geeking out over ocean facts.
