THE
SEAS4LIFE TRIBE

THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE JOB

With meticulous planning and a deep understanding of the Eastern African coast, the Seas4Life team execute unforgettable private-guided safaris that offer a unique and immersive experience for nature enthusiasts. Every member of the Seas4Life team is deeply connected to the region and its bountiful wonders, making their expertise unparalleled. As they work tirelessly to protect the rich biodiversity and support local communities, Seas4Life has established itself as a leader in both conservation and sustainable tourism in the Western Indian Ocean.

SEA SAFARI GUIDES

  • Julie Church

    Sea Safari Guide—Kenya

    She has well over 20 years experience in marine conservation working in Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania and the wider Western Indian Ocean. Julie is dedicated to protecting the ocean and its inhabitants through leading marine conservation research.

  • Ryan Johnson

    Shark Specialist—South Africa

    Ryan is a renowned shark scientist, and specializes in conducting novel research on great white sharks and other shark species around coastal Africa. His research has led to a number of important scientific breakthroughs, including the documentation of Nicole, a 3.6m great white shark that was satellite tracked from South Africa to Australia and back. During his scientific career he has published over 30 scientific articles on sharks, including two publications in the journals ‘Nature’ and ‘Science’.

  • Kristy Strahammer

    Marine Guide Assistant

    I have always had a passion for adventure and exploration. Growing up in Austria, I had a strong connection to the mountains and spent much of my free time hiking and skiing. As I got older, I felt the need to broaden my horizons and expand my knowledge about nature and connected.

  • Kira Evans

    Sea Safari Guide—Kenya

    Born and raised in Kenya, growing up alongside some of the most beautiful terrestrial, and of course - marine life in the world, with a passion for all things WILD, which only continues to grow! She studied zoology at the University of Edinburgh that fueled and encourage her absolute interest, passion and love for wildlife and conservation.

  • Mark Dixon

    Marine Biologist—South Africa

    Mark, a qualified marine biologist, has worked in environmental positions globally as CCAMLR Scientific Observer in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, and on a Jaguar Project with Conservation International in the Pantanal, Brazil.

  • Francisco Paz

    Sea Safari Guide & Dive Master

    One of Seas4Life's greatest partners in the "sea field" is the wonderful Francisco, affectionately known as Cisco, who started his professional scuba diving career back in 2002 working as Dive Master in various diving centres and live-aboard vessels in Sinai, Egypt.

S4L FOUNDATION MARINE EXPERTS

  • Dr. Tim Collins

    S4L Foundation
    Marine Mammal Specialist

    Tim has worked with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) since 2002. Based in Kenya, he has coordinated WCA marine mammal work across Africa for several years. This includes work in in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Republic of Congo and Angola for over 10 years, focusing principally on Critically Endangered Atlantic humpback dolphins and humpback whales as well as working to identify and mitigate threats to cetaceans in general.

  • Dr. Louise Leakey

    S4L Foundation
    Guide, Palaeontologist, Conservationist

    Louise grew up accompanying her parents on paleontological expeditions to the deserts of Northern Kenya thus developing her passion for palaeontology. Louise has a PhD from University College London and is currently a Research Professor of Anthropology at the University of Stony Brook. She is also the Chair of the International Advisory Board of the Turkana Basin Institute. She directs the Koobi Fora Research Project focusing her ongoing paleontological field research on the eastern and western shores of Lake Turkana.

  • Melita Samoilys (PhD)

    S4L Foundation
    Ecological research on fisheries

    Melita is a co-Director of CORDIO East Africa based in Kenya. Her work includes research on coral reefs and small-scale fisheries, management advice, and conservation action in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). She has also worked in the Pacific and Red Sea and contributed to fisheries policy development in Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Australia, Fiji and Solomon Islands, and to regional marine policy development in the WIO.

  • Arthur Tuda

    S4L Foundation
    Marine and Coastal Management Specialist

    Arthur is the Executive Secretary at WIOMSA (Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association) and is a Marine and Coastal Management Professional with a history of working in the marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Western Indian Ocean region. Skilled in MPA management, marine conservation planning, marine spatial planning and ocean governance.

  • JULIE CHURCH

    The Ocean is my home. It’s where I am happiest and I love to share it with you not only because I love it, but also because the ocean influences us all in every breath we take, every drop of water we drink and every bite we consume. We are all inextricably linked to and dependent on the sea. So we need to protect it and the best way to start to do this is to fall in love with it, on a Seas4Life safari.

  • KIRA EVENS

    I started diving when I was 12 and have barely been out of the water ever since! Whether snorkeling, scuba or fee diving - I just feel that I belong in the water. Whether diving or snorkeling, swimming or stand up paddle boarding, Julie & I will dig up the most wonderful ocean creatures to share with you.

  • KRISTY STRAHAMMER

    Ever since I was a little guppy, I’ve been fascinated by the wonders of the sea. Whether it’s swimming alongside dolphins, snorkeling with turtles, diving in the deep blue sea or kitesurfing and sharing these experiences with people – this is what makes me feel alive and connected.

Seas4life Team

  • Julie Church

    Seas4Life Founder & CEO

    She has well over 20 years experience in marine conservation working in Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania and the wider Western Indian Ocean. Julie is dedicated to protecting the ocean and its inhabitants through leading marine conservation research and provided technical advice to marine projects from the Red Sea to South Africa, and has extensively guided sea safaris around Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Reunion, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania.

  • Des Bowden

    S4L Foundation Founder & Trustee

    Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Skilled in Digital Strategy, Advertising, Account Management, Start-ups, and Business Development. Strong professional graduated from Cranleigh school and Chelsea Art School. Now championing marine conservation on the Kenya Coast having been instrumental in starting the first Locally Managed Marine Area in the Western Indian Ocean. Founder of Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare Association and Oceans Alive Trust.

  • Idah Marangu

    Administrator

    Idah is the incredible woman who keeps our office running. She was born and raised in Kenya and has a professional background in management, office operations, finance, and admin. Idah and Julie met at Ocean Sole Africa where Idah worked for 7 years. This is where Idah developed a passion for environmental conservation and our blue planet, so when the opportunity came to jump on board with Seas4Life she couldn't wait. Idah also has an interest in social entrepreneurship and giving back to the community, something that ties in with our sister organization, Seas4Life trust.

  • Dennis Imende

    IT Specialist

    Dennis Ochieng is an IT consultant and a web developer at Seas4life. He graduated from Jomo Kenyatta university with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. He is also the founder of Oakcyden solutions. He is a strong advocate in the power of positive thinking and also a powerful force in the workplace. He is obsessed with all technical-related stuff and spends most of his free time developing websites and software related issues. Outside of work he loves hiking and going on adventures with family and friends around Kenya.