Global Dive Team - Elisabeth Lauwerys
Elisabeth Lauwerys
Location: Koh Tao, Thailand (and traveling mostly to Maldives, Mexico, Bahamas, Japan etc)
Occupation: Underwater videographer/photographer
Scuba Diving Since: 1995, professional since 1998…
Favorite Local Dive: Southwest Pinnacle (Koh Tao)
Favorite Dive Location: Sea of Cortez, Mexico
An Interview with Elisabeth
Please write a 3-4 sentence bio summarizing who you are and what you do:
I'm Elisabeth Lauwerys, an underwater videographer, expedition leader, and ocean storyteller based in Koh Tao, Thailand. I founded Oceans Below to create powerful visual stories that raise awareness for marine life and conservation. From filming orcas in Mexico to documenting coral spawning in Thailand, I capture rare underwater moments to inspire, educate, and protect. I also teach underwater video and photography, helping others bring their own ocean stories to life.
Why did you decide to take the giant stride into the oceans?
The ocean has always felt like home… I took the giant stride because I wanted more than just to see the underwater world. I wanted to connect with it, protect it, and share its stories with those who may never get to dive beneath the surface. What started as curiosity turned into a calling.
How has diving changed your life?
Diving completely transformed my path. What began as a passion for the ocean quickly evolved into a lifelong career behind the lens. Filming marine life, creating documentaries, and teaching others how to tell their own underwater stories. It gave me the platform to merge creativity with conservation and turned my love for the sea into a profession that constantly challenges and inspires me. Without diving, I wouldn't be doing what I love or helping others do the same.
What kind of diving do you like to do?
I love story-driven dives… whether it’s freediving with a pod of dolphins, capturing coral spawning at night, or patiently filming tiny critters on a reef. I’m drawn to moments that tell a story, especially the ones that require observation, and connection. Whether I’m on scuba or breath-hold, I lean toward meaningful encounters over depth or technical challenges. For me, the best dives are the ones that leave you speechless and with a full memory card.
Tell us about one of the most amazing experiences you have had underwater?
That’s a tough one… there have been so many, but witnessing coral spawning has to be one of the most magical. After hours of night dives, drifting in silence and anticipation, it finally happened: tiny pink bundles rising like underwater snow, released in perfect synchrony with the moon and the tides. It felt like watching the ocean breathe, like being part of something ancient. Capturing that moment on camera was not just rewarding, it was deeply emotional. A rare reminder of how fragile and extraordinary our reefs really are.
Where are some of your favorite places underwater?
Some of my favorite places underwater are the ones that offer raw beauty and unexpected encounters. Baja Mexico is high on the list for the orcas, mobulas, and the sheer wildness of it all. Koh Tao will always be home, especially during coral spawning season or when baby blacktip reef sharks cruise the shallows. And then there’s the Maldives, with its manta cleaning stations and surreal blue hues. Each location has its own rhythm, its own stories and that’s what keeps me coming back.
What is your advice to someone considering diving?
Start slow, stay curious, and let the ocean teach you. Diving isn’t just about seeing marine life, it’s about learning to be present, and to respect a world that’s not our own. It can be humbling, exhilarating, and completely life-changing. So take that first breath underwater… you might just discover a part of yourself you didn’t know was missing.
What would you tell people about the oceans?
The ocean is full of stories most people will never get to see and that’s what drives me to film it. Every dive is a chance to capture moments of raw beauty, behavior, and connection that would otherwise disappear into the blue. Through my lens, I hope people not only see the ocean, but feel it and understand just how fragile and important it is. If we can show the world what’s at stake, maybe we can inspire more people to care and to protect it.
What does diving mean to you?
Diving, to me, is freedom. It’s silence, focus, and connection all at once. It’s where I feel most alive and most in sync with the world around me. Underwater, everything slows down. It becomes about presence, about observing without disturbing, and capturing fleeting moments that speak louder than words. Diving isn’t just part of my work, it’s part of who I am.
What's your favorite thing in your dive bag?
My favorite thing in my dive bag? Definitely my camera, no surprise there. It’s more than just gear; it’s my way of connecting with the ocean and sharing its stories. But if I’m being honest… a good mask and a pair of comfy fins come pretty close. Because no matter how fancy the setup, if you’re not comfortable in the water, you’re not getting the shot.
