TRIP GUIDES & CREW:
(check itinerary to confirm guide for your trip)
STEVE DE NEEF
Underwater Cinematographer / Guide
Steve De Neef is a cinematographer, director and photographer specializing in ocean related stories and is equally at home filming below the surface, swimming in big surf or flying drones from boats. As a broadcast cinematographer, Steve has filmed for the BBC Natural History Unit series "Shark", multiple shows for National Geographic including the 2017 documentary "Sea of Hope". Steve most recently worked extensively on the Disney+ and National Geographic series "Secrets Of The Whales", where he filmed multiple behaviours for the first time ever, including a sperm whale calf nursing from it’s mother.
DIEGO A. GARCIA
Producer / UW Camera
At the age of 24, Diego was handed an underwater camera and whisked away on a 10-episode travel show across Southeast Asia. Now with 15 years experience, Diego’s work as a producer and underwater cameraman has appeared on Discovery Channel (eg. Shark Week), National Geographic, Crime & Investigation (AETN), Channel News Asia, etc. He has filmed in more than 25 countries, from whale sharks in Mozambique, to ancient rituals in Indonesia, to prisons in Mongolia. His first love is the ocean, specializing in underwater work as a PADI Divemaster and DCBC cameraman.
COURTNEY MICELI
Producer / Trip Leader
Courtney is where she is today because of an old, dusty National Geographic magazine that she found when she was 10 years old. The vivid images and weighted tales sparked her drive to travel and her love for in-depth storytelling. With a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University, Courtney is currently a freelance writer and producer. Previously, she was an associate producer for Discovery Channel's nightly science news show, Daily Planet, where she worked with subjects from around the world, translating dynamic science content into digestible stories.
Courtney has travelled to 17 countries and has lived and worked as a freelance writer in China. She's a true believer that travel opens the mind and awakens the heart, and she's always on the lookout for her next adventure!
OMAN DHAS
Director / Executive Producer / Guest Instructor
An experienced and versatile filmmaker, Oman Dhas (Malaysia) has honed a visual and storytelling flair that continues to garner accolades. His documentary series Culture X was picked up by National Geographic (Aus) and won the Silver World Award at New York Film Festivals in 2009. The crime documentary series Asia’s Underworld won him Best Director at the 2013 Asian Television Awards. Oman’s first feature film, titled Hotel de Sade (Official Selection 2013 NYCIFF) is a psychological thriller sold worldwide.