Welcome

Annika at the top of Mount Fyffe

Kaikōura, New Zealand

Photo: Allan Cronin

Currently based in Kaikōura, New Zealand working as a naturalist for a whale watching company. New Zealand has an incredibly wide variety of marine life and it is a privilege to be able to go out onto the ocean practically everyday viewing everything from albatross to whales. When I first arrived in New Zealand I had never seen an albatross and now I can see them every day by looking out onto the South Pacific ocean! When I am not working on the boats I often paddle out on our kayak together with my partner to maximize my time out on the ocean.

I have been very lucky to have had some amazing encounters throughout my years. Growing up on the west coast of Sweden I have always had a keen interest for marine life but that quickly developed into passion when I obtained my Open Water scuba diving certificate in Malta (Mediterranean sea). Later I got onto my Advanced Open Water certificate in India, Andaman islands and after this I was properly hooked underwater and started travelling around the world. My passion developed further when I travelled Australia and saw my first whales. These were Dwarf Minke whales along the Great Barrier reef in Australia that we encounter on a onboard multi-day scuba dive liveaboard. Since that trip I have sought out marine life from above and below the surface of the water. Every new place I go to holds new and exciting species.

During my travels I have encountered pristine oceans with endless visibility but I have also seen what human impact has done to our marine environment. Being conservation minded and passionate about our planet I find it important to be aware of what is happening around us and how our life choices can affect our planet. On this website you might get some tips of what you can do to help our planet and an insight into my live as a naturalist, conservationist and wildlife photographer.