Global Dive Team - Stefan Andrews

Stefan Andrews

Location: Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

Occupation: Marine Scientist & Filmmaker 

Scuba Diving Since: 2008

Favorite Local Dive: Port Hughes, South Australia

Favorite Dive Location: Pearson Island, South Australia

About: Stefan Andrews is a marine scientist, filmmaker, and co-founder of the Great Southern Reef Foundation, Australia’s first organization dedicated to protecting its vast temperate reef system. With more than 5,000 dives, he combines scientific diving and storytelling to highlight the value and challenges of kelp-dominated reefs. Through GSRF he has created acclaimed films, using them to connect research, communities, and policymakers. Stefan’s diving and filmmaking continue to drive education, public awareness, and solutions for the future of the Great Southern Reef.

Interview with Stefan

Why did you decide to take the giant stride into the oceans?

When I started studying marine science, I was told that getting my dive certification would be an important first step. I did my open water course with my dad at age 19, and together we logged our first hundred dives around South Australia. His fishing boat quickly became a diving boat, and the opportunities for exploration felt endless. At university I found a close group of friends equally passionate about diving, and we kept pushing each other to get in the water whenever we could. That early mix of family, friendship, and exploration set the foundation for everything I’ve gone on to do in my career. 
 

How has diving changed your life?

Diving is what first sparked my interest in photography and videography. In those early days I carried one of the first digital cameras that could record video, using it to capture what I was seeing underwater and share it with others. It also became a way to study and learn more about the species I was encountering. Since then, diving, whether for science or filmmaking - has taken me all over the world and shaped how I understand the ocean and our place in it. 
Today, diving continues to be at the core of my work. It allows me to document ecological change as it happens, bring research to life through film, and connect communities with the underwater environments that sustain them. Looking ahead, I see diving not only as a way to explore but as a tool for creating solutions - capturing the stories of restoration, resilience, and stewardship that will define the future of our coasts.
 

What kind of diving do you like to do?

Filmmaking is at the heart of my diving, but I also love getting to remote parts of the Great Southern Reef to document places that are rarely visited and share their stories. In recent years I’ve especially enjoyed diving the deeper reefs of the GSR - spectacular sponge garden ecosystems that are a kaleidoscope of colour and striking beauty. These dives remind me that there is still so much hidden life below the surface waiting to be better understood and appreciated.

Tell us about one of the most amazing experiences you have had underwater.

As a research diver, I’ve had the privilege of diving some of the most remote tropical reefs in the world, including the Chagos Archipelago. These reefs are so isolated that even fishing boats can’t reach them, and many may never have been seen by humans. The result was extraordinary. The density of reef fish was off the charts, giving a rare glimpse of how coral reefs could look in their natural state.

Where are some of your favorite places underwater?

I love a good night dive in my local waters around the Yorke Peninsula, especially for the macro life. These dives are incredibly relaxing and thought-provoking - a chance to slow down and notice unusual behaviours and hidden critters. They’ve given me an even deeper appreciation for the complexity and richness of life in local marine ecosystems.

What is your advice to someone considering diving?

Don’t overthink it and  just give it a go. I always encourage people to start in an easy, relaxed setting, like a holiday dive in the tropics, and then follow it up with a full course. While it can seem intimidating from the outside, with the right training and gear it’s a very safe sport. Diving opens a window into some of the most extraordinary environments on the planet, and it’s an experience too valuable to miss.

What would you tell people about the oceans?

The oceans are changing and vulnerable, yet they are also remarkably resilient. The truth is, the ocean doesn’t need us - we need it. Our climate, our food, and our way of life all depend on its health. There is no substitute for immersing yourself in it, because real connection comes from direct experience. And it’s connected people who become stewards, carrying the responsibility to protect the ocean for the future.

What does diving mean to you?

Diving is my meditation, my way to unwind and reset. It’s also my source of adventure and exploration, offering both calm and excitement every time I get in the water.
 

What’s your favourite thing in your dive bag?

My Scubapro Go Sport Fins.  They’re super lightweight, easy to travel with and make it simple to slip them on and get straight into the water.  

Follow Stefan on Instagram: @ocean_imaging

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