Shark Explorers
(Established 2008)
Shark Explorers offers uniquely customised shark diving, viewing and filming expeditions. We will help you plan and execute your ultimate shark diving experience or shoot, by making sure you are in the right place at the right time with the best chance of successfully encountering your shark of choice.
Mission Statement
At Shark Explorers, our mission is to transform the world’s perception of sharks by creating unforgettable, safe, and ethically led diving experiences. We replace fear with understanding, showcasing sharks as essential and magnificent species worthy of protection. Through adventure, education, and responsible interaction, we inspire a deeper connection to the ocean and empower every guest to become a champion for shark conservation.
Meet The Team
Morne Hardenberg
Underwater filming has been a special passion and documentaries he has worked on include:
• CNN’s Planet in Peril: Battle Lines
• Beyond Fear (Nat Geo)
• Sharkman (Discovery/Animal Planet)
• Great White Shark: a Living Legend (BBC Natural World)
• Shark Night (Nat Geo/Animal Planet)
• History of the Oceans (Nat Geo)
• 60 MIN Australia: Sharkman (CBS)
• The Lab (Nat geo Critter Cam)
• 100 Heartbeats with Jeff Corwin
• BBC Super Giants with Steve Backshall
• BBC SHARK (BBC)
• Predators up close with Joel Lambert
• Killer Whales Mega Hunt (Animal Planet)
• Blue Planet II (BBC)
SHARK WITH STEVE BACKSHALL (SKY TV)
In each, his passion and unique relationship with sharks shines through. A highlight in his career is winning the 2008 Award of Excellence from the Guild of Television Cameraman for his breathtaking great white shark sequences in the film “SHARKMAN”. Still photography is a hobby and his photographs have appeared on the front pages of leading newspapers, magazines and marine books. He believes it’s his unusual insight into shark behavior that gives him an edge.
Morne is an acclaimed diver, shark conservationist and award winning underwater cinematographer. He is a qualified SSI Divemaster, rebreather certified, a class 4 commercial scientific diver, RYA Offshore commercial boat captain, a SAMSA qualified boat skipper, STCW95 certified and is trained in medic first aid (Level III).
Lindy Pieters
With her experience, she is dedicated to ensuring every guest enjoys a smooth and enjoyable experience from their very first enquiry. Whether you’re contacting us by email, over the phone, or visiting our office, Lindy is always happy to assist with professionalism and a warm, personal touch.
Her knowledge, attention to detail, and commitment to outstanding customer service help ensure that every Shark Explorers adventure begins with confidence and peace of mind.
Stephen Swanson
He has conducted studies locally and internationally, on most Top Predators that included seals, whales, dolphins, seabirds and great white sharks. With all his experienced Stephen moved into the cage diving industry and is currently co-owner of False Bay White Shark Adventures trading as Shark Explorers. He oversees all frontline operations and is highly skilled in shark handling, client support and skipper of a commercial registered passenger vessel. Stephen is a qualified tour guide and has a dive endorsement ticket overseeing all shark scuba dive operations for inshore and offshore trips.
In addition, he has co-authorship status in 11 scientific research publications on the various Top Predators, consulted and featured in more than 10 wildlife documentaries for National Geographic, Discovery Channel and BBC amongst others.
In a ground breaking research project, Stephen had the honour of placing the satellite tag, on the now world famous white shark nicknamed Nicole, who swam from Gansbaai (SA) to Australia and back over an 11 month period, the longest ever recorded intercontinental migration of a free swimming white shark!
Stephen’s wide field of experience in the marine environment is of great value to the tourism industry and all clients undertaking a trip with him are sure to have a magical experience.
Lili Wagner
Lili Wagner is native to the Bahamas. She grew up on the island of Nassau and was introduced to scuba diving at a very young age, where her passion for shark diving began. After earning her dive instructors qualification at 18, she spent the next few years working for dive operations globally as well as assisting with research projects at the Cape Eleuthera Institute.
Lili joined the team in South Africa in 2017 and later became a partner In The Bahamas operation. Being able to share her incredible home county with clients is Lili’s favorite aspect of the job. As well as shark diving and captaining, Lili is the on-board chef of sailing vessel Great White. She had a passion for cooking with local produce and freshly caught fish.
Lili is a qualified PADI Master Scuba Diving Instructor, holds a 50 ton Bahamain commercial captains license, and is certified Emergency First Responder and O2 instructor.
Drew Hitchner
Drew began his career as a marine biologist for the Cape Eleuthera Institute and Island School in the Bahamas and the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. He is an avid surfer and freediver with a deep passion for the ocean and its wildlife, especially sharks. Drew is a qualified SCUBA instructor, CPR/First Aid Instructor and Adaptive SCUBA instructor. He has been part of the Shark Explorers Bahamas team since 2019 as a SCUBA instructor, shark safety diver, and full-time crew member on board the Shark Explorers’ liveaboard Bahamas vessel S/V Great White. Drew will make sure that your next trip with us is full of adventure and excitement.
Brocq Maxey
Brocq has worked extensively with the Shark Research Team at the Cape Eleuthera Institute. He has also been involved in research projects connected with the Save Our Seas Foundation.
Brocq is a keen underwater cameraman and has work on films and productions for the BBC, National Geographic, CNN and many others.
Brocq is a SSI dive master, SSI react right qualified, SAMSA certified dive endorsed boat skipper, and a wilderness first responder.
Nina Daniels
Nina has always been drawn to the ocean from a young age, her first free diving or snorkelling experience happened when she was just 5 years old in the waters of False Bay. Since then, Sharks specifically, but all Marine Animals have been a fascination and passion of hers. She have spent her whole life living next to the ocean in Cape Town South Africa and has always aspired to work in this environment.
For the last 7 years she have been actively involved in the shark diving, scuba diving and marine Tourism industry. Nina finds huge fulfilment in sharing her knowledge and passion of the ocean with our clients, giving them unique underwater experiences with sharks. As well as using that experience to pass on valuable knowledge and educate others about the ocean and its animals. Nina is an acclaimed diver, shark activist and environmentalist. She is a qualified SSI Divemaster, an SSI snorkel instructor, a SAMSA qualified Commerical Dive Endorsed Boat Skipper, South African Tour Guide and trained in First Aid CPR O2 provider and AED with SSI React Right course.
Ernest Salima
Ernest, from Malawi, was born in Lilongwe City but raised by the lake in Nkhata-Bay. During his childhood he spent lots of time swimming in the lake after school. He loved being in the water and seeing the all life that made their homes beneath the surface.
After finishing high school he was offered a job at AQUA AFRICA Diving School /Centre in August 2000. Ernest started scuba diving a year later.
Ernest moved to South Africa in January 2011. It was his dream to travel and see sharks, dolphins, and whales. Ernest, upon his arrival in South Africa, immediately became a member of the Shark Explorers team. His first shark dive was with the seven gills cow sharks in the kelp forest. The experience had him instantly hooked on shark diving and all the excitement that the ocean had to offer. Ernest is one of the best dive guides on our team and is by far the most charismatic.
Ernest is a SSI Dive Master, Gear Manager, qualified Mares gear servicing technician, and is SSI react right qualified.
Ria Hardenberg
Cristina Zenato
Bonny Swanson
Bonny’s accomplishments are driven not only by her sharp eye for talent but also by her genuine passion for people. She understands that at the core of any successful marketing endeavor lies a deep connection with the audience. Her ability to engage and inspire others is what sets her apart and ensures that she continues to be a force to be reckoned with
Jason van Rooyen
Jason’s connection to the ocean started young – and quickly grew into a lifelong career built on skill, confidence, and respect for the marine environment.
Bringing a wealth of hands-on diving experience to Shark Explorers, Jason’s background spans commercial and specialist work across multiple sectors. From commercial diving on abalone farms and aquaculture fish farms, to kelp harvesting and shark speciality diving, he’s developed a strong operational understanding of working in dynamic ocean conditions – always with safety and professionalism at the core.
Jason’s journey with Shark Explorers began through our Sardine Run expeditions, where he helped lead and guide these unforgettable ocean adventures along the East Coast of South Africa. From there, his role expanded closer to home – working in False Bay and leading dives with our variety of apex predatory shark species. Calm under pressure and deeply passionate about the ocean, Jason is a natural guide who brings both experience and genuine enthusiasm to every trip.