Our Eco Promise

Jess has spent over 15 years dedicated to ocean conservation, research, and education, inspiring others to connect with the marine world. Her journey began as a Whale Watching Tour Guide, where she spent three seasons educating guests about Humpback Whales. She then spent a decade at Sea World in the Marine Science department, rescuing and rehabilitating seabirds, turtles, seals, dolphins, humpback whales, and dugongs, while also leading educational programs and presentations.

Now Eco Manager at Ocean Rafting, Jess shares her passion for marine ecosystems with guests and leads key conservation initiatives like the Reef Protection Initiative, Coral Nurture Program, Boats 4 Corals, and Tins 4 Fins—a recycling program funding environmental projects through the Containers for Change scheme.

Jess also initiated Manta Ray research in the Whitsundays, collaborating with Ocean Rafting and Project Manta to create Project Manta Whitsundays. This initiative is uncovering important new data on Manta Ray movement and aggregation sites along Australia’s East Coast.

With her commitment to conservation, education, and storytelling, Jess continues to protect marine ecosystems and inspire others, making her a dedicated advocate for the ocean’s future.

Benny grew up on a farm on Kangaroo Island in South Australia and has always had a huge passion for wildlife and conservation. To start a career in this area he joined programs such as tracking endangered glossy black cockatoos and building nest boxes, and land care tree planting. Being surrounded by the Southern Ocean also allowed him to work closely with national parks at the Seal Bay conservation park introducing guests to the local Fur Seal population and playing a role in the Fairy Penguin eco management program.

His biggest passion by far has always been in and around the ocean with a dream to one day visit and continue this career path within the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. For the last five years he has been part of the team at Ocean Safari in Cape Tribulation/ Daintree Rainforest and also with Ocean Rafting in the Whitsundays.

Benny loves representing these incredible regions by showcasing the fringing reefs, outer reefs, amazing beaches and islands and the importance of understanding the amazing indigenous cultures. Giving them a unique, enjoyable and learned experience.

He enjoys connecting with his guests in a fun and engaging manner to inspire them to learn more about what they can do to make a difference in their daily lives.

“I believe awareness is the key and knowledge is power. We can’t ask people to look after something if they don’t appreciate or understand it, and love it as much as I do.”

Master Reef Guide Bernie is originally from Chile and is an outdoors lover. Even though Chile and Australia share the same Pacific Ocean, the cold-water reefs of her home country remain largely unexplored, with much still to be discovered and understood.

Scuba diving began as a hobby, but it quickly grew into a deep passion for the underwater world and a want to see and understand as much of that new world. Whenever she gets the chance, Bernie is off scuba diving somewhere new. She is especially fascinated by shipwrecks, where history and marine life resilience come together, and every dive tells a story. That passion pushed her to step outside her comfort zone and join Ocean Safari and Ocean Rafting, where she started as a deckhand and now works as one of the skippers.

Her favourite moment of the day is when guests ask questions about the reef and marine life, moments she actively tries to create throughout the day. These conversations allow her to share what she knows, tell good stories, and spark curiosity, hoping to inspire others and help create more ocean lovers along the way.
His biggest passion by far has always been in and around the ocean with a dream to one day visit and continue this career path within the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. For the last five years he has been part of the team at Ocean Safari in Cape Tribulation/ Daintree Rainforest and also with Ocean Rafting in the Whitsundays.

Benny loves representing these incredible regions by showcasing the fringing reefs, outer reefs, amazing beaches and islands and the importance of understanding the amazing indigenous cultures. Giving them a unique, enjoyable and learned experience.

He enjoys connecting with his guests in a fun and engaging manner to inspire them to learn more about what they can do to make a difference in their daily lives.

“I believe awareness is the key and knowledge is power. We can’t ask people to look after something if they don’t appreciate or understand it, and love it as much as I do.”

Merran is a mum to two boys, a devoted partner, and a Master 5 Skipper who calls the Whitsundays home. She works for Ocean Rafting as a skipper and leads the on-water team. The sea and empowering women are her two greatest passions. She aspires to be a lead advocate for the Great Barrier Reef and a lead advocate for women. And by binding these together, she can make a difference. Merran has worked at sea for 17 years and during that time, she found the experience almost completely void of female role models. She is now the sea of change. She hopes to become a frontline Ambassador for the Great Barrier Reef and advocate for its protection and preservation. At the same time, Merran aspires to raise the visibility of women and help create and be a positive female reef role model.

As Head Skipper, Merran is a lead trainer within the team, filtering her knowledge through the team. With Merran at the helm, you can trust that whichever combination of guides you get onboard Ocean Rafting you will have an experience that creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Master Reef Guide Ben believes life is better when you are laughing and creates a fun atmosphere for his onboard guests. Whether this be through an interpretive dance, interesting fact or a story that leaves you on the edge of your seat, all the guests are guaranteed to have a fun and interesting time.

”I am responsible for my guest’s wellbeing and now as a Master Reef Guide I am responsible for imparting factually correct information that will enlighten tourists and protect the reef for many years to come. And there is a certain level of pride associated with wearing a uniform that I have worked hard for, knowing that I am a representative of the Great Barrier Reef”