For the ocean lovers...
Never heard of an ocean swimming safari before? There was a time when no one had...
Now, ocean swimming safaris have evolved from a struggling travel niche into a passionate contributor to the thrills of adventure tourism. These days, there's a tour for every activity - from white water kayaking to heli-skiing - and swimming is no different.
Paul Ellercamp and Suanne Hunt started sending swimmers overseas in 2002, and led their first Ocean Swim Safaris in 2003 to Vanuatu. They have been filling their online calendar ever since.
Buoyed by a worldwide interest in open water, they have gradually introduced an increasing number of trips, from Fiji to Spain. Every itinerary is packed with ways to boost those feel-good endorphins, learning new skills and staying active.
What makes our trips special is the wealth of knowledge we have behind us. We are pioneers in this industry, backed by swimmers with decades of experience. We've been spinning the globe, clutching our goggles, since before swimming holidays even existed. In short, we know exactly how to facilitate your enjoyment of the world's best waters.
Paul says: "We take people on adventures to places they're never likely to go otherwise. We don't get hung up about distances or speeds or who's the fastest. We're not forcing you to swim when you don't feel like it. We're there to let you enjoy the place."
"We take people on adventures to places they're never likely to go otherwise..."
Now, after 15 years of taking you to the world's finest swim spots, Paul and Suanne have entrusted the future of Ocean Swim Safaris to their old friend, Simon Murie - Founder of SwimTrek.
Follow the button below to send us an email or keep scrolling to learn more about some of our historic milestones.
1999 to 2009
First Safaris
Paul and Suanne launched Oceanswims.com just prior to Christmas in 1999. They built upon this early venture leading swimming tours from 2003, and began running trips under the Ocean Swim Safaris banner in 2009...
2015
"Whales Ho!" In Tonga
Ocean Swim Safaris swim for the first time with the whales in Tonga. These trips have changed a great deal since our early outings...
2016
First trip to Sulawesi
We first visited Sulawesi in Indonesia in 2016 and have been returning to the unspoilt beauty of the Bunaken National Park ever since...
2019
Operation Dumaguete
Trips launch to Dumaguete as we stay in 5-star accommodation and explore the Philippines (returning again in 2023) with daily reef swims, including Apo Island...
2019
Off To Polynesia
Ocean Swim Safaris visit our much-loved destination of French Polynesia for the first time, raising awareness of incredible local swim locations...
2024
The Next Chapter
After 15 unforgettable years, Paul and Suanne have entrusted the next stage of Ocean Swim Safari's journey to SwimTrek's Founder, Simon Murie.
The safaris you know and love remain, and we will be taking you to more locations than ever before, sharing swims with incredible wildlife and fully immersing ourselves in the cultures of the places we visit.
Simon says: "We are committed to upholding the exceptional reputation for adventurous spirit and unforgettable swimming experiences Ocean Swim Safaris is known for."
Get ready for the next chapter!
Who We Are
Meet our team of swimmers, travellers and adventure enthusiasts. Based on various islands across our Blue Planet, from the British Isles to Australia, these will be the ones keeping you happy and watered as often as possible.
Managing Director / SwimTrek Founder
Simon Murie
Born in Sydney, Simon has spent many years in both New South Wales and Queensland. He founded SwimTrek back in 2003, which has grown into the world’s largest swim tour operator, offering 88 trips in some of the world’s best swimming locations.
Most importantly, Simon is also a past guest of Ocean Swim Safaris, having joined the Tonga trip in 2024 and The Philippines trip in 2025.
OFFICE & CUSTOMER MANAGER
Kelli Rabbitt
Kelli is a travel professional with over two decades' experience in travel and tourism - not to mention three years in swim travel.
Kelli will lead the Australia-based Ocean Swim Safaris office team.
OCEAN SWIM SAFARIS FOUNDER
Paul Ellercamp
A familiar face to many of you, Paul is a pioneer and visionary in the open water swimming world. In 1999, he launched the Ocean Swims website. Then in 2009, he founded Ocean Swim Safaris with Suanne Hunt - the rest is our history!
OCEAN SWIM SAFARIS FOUNDER
Suanne Hunt
Another familiar face! Suanne is a passionate ocean swimmer, who founded Ocean Swim Safaris with Paul back in 2009. She has been happily swimming the world ever since.
Role
Name
Meet The Guides
Our guides are the ones who make your adventures happen! They take you places few have ever swum before you. While always staying close to offer advice and ensure your safety. In escort kayaks and boats, they also scope out the best opportunities to explore your surrounds and meet local wildlife.
Swim Guide
Lucy Claire
Life Before Ocean Swim Safaris
I was obsessed with the water as a kid and would spend hours at the beach, in our family friends' pool or training at our local swim club. As I got older, I joined nippers, then completed my bronze medallion and joined my local surf club. During uni' I taught learn-to-swim lessons, and I loved seeing the progression of kids in the water. 2 years ago, I started coaching with an amazing organisation called CanToo which runs programs to support people (often not experienced swimmers) to work towards completing an ocean swim event whilst raising money for cancer research.
Most memorable swim moment
So many! A lot of my favourite swim memories come from swimming Manly to Shelly beach and seeing all of the incredible marine life in Cabbage Tree Bay: giant cuttlefish, wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks and occasionally Basil the turtle.
Locations guided on
Philippines, Indonesia and Costa Brava.
Top swimming tip
Swim with a buddy! And if you're feeling nervous in the water, take a moment to stop, breathe deep and focus on a long, slow exhale.
Interesting fact
Octopuses have blue blood. This is because they have copper-based proteins in their blood similar to how we have iron!
Swim Guide
Glenn Clark
Life Before Ocean Swim Safaris
I had a long corporate career in sales, training and management at Shell, BP, Coca Cola, Amatil and Fosters.
I left corporate life 5 years ago and have worked for Surf Lifesaving and Royal Lifesaving as a trainer.
Plus, I have also been coaching swimming locally in Sydney.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming in the Costa Brava with Ocean Swim Safaris.
Locations guided on
French Polynesia and Tonga, plus Costa Brava and Heron Island as a participant.
Top swimming tip
Don’t forget your goggles!
Interesting fact
I once swam the Lorne Pier to Pub in Victoria without a wetsuit.
On my bucket list
Complete the Hellespont swim in 2026.
Swim Guide
Ariki Pearson
Life Before Ocean Swim Safaris
I’ve held lifeguard and coaching roles on New Zealand’s wild west coast at places like Piha and Muriwai. My passion for the ocean has taken me from elite-level competition— five national Surf Ironman titles—to training lifeguards, running youth surf sports programs, and performing rescues in surf, rivers and rocky caves. Sharing that knowledge and connection to the ocean has become an unintended lifelong mission.
Most memorable swim moment
Far off the coast of New Zealand - over 120km from land - I jumped overboard into clear, open ocean, and I was hit with something I didn’t expect: absolute stillness. I froze—not from fear, but from absolute awe. I floated there for I don’t know long, feeling completely vulnerable, transparent, and yet more alive than ever. I was mesmerised by the sheer scale of it all.
Top swimming tip
Swimming is highly technical—especially when you add in the movement and unpredictability of the ocean. But here’s the thing: sometimes it’s not about thinking. It’s about feeling. Don’t over-analyse it. Get out of your head, into your body, and trust what it knows. The ocean rewards rhythm, not rigidity.
Interesting fact
My first ocean experience was at just three weeks old. Dad was babysitting (I’m fairly sure Mum didn’t sign off on this plan). He wanted to get in the surf—so he propped me between his legs on a surf ski, paddled out, turned around past the break, and rode a wave back in.
Swim Guide
Guy Waddilove
Life Before Ocean Swim Safaris
I have been professionally involved in watersports and the marine industry since leaving school. My career began as a windsurfing instructor and pool lifeguard/swim instructor and evolved into many years spent sailing superyachts around the world.
Since settling ashore in Sydney, I’ve developed a strong interest in ocean swimming and regularly swim with a group along Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Most weekends, you'll find us swimming from beach to beach, navigating around one of the scenic headlands along this beautiful stretch of coastline.
Most memorable swim moment
I’ve completed a couple of 10 km swims, including the South Head Rough Water event and a self-organised 10 km swim along the Northern Beaches. One of my most memorable swims was a self-organised route from Manly Wharf in Sydney Harbour, around North Head, and into Manly Ocean Beach, a journey of just 400 metres by foot, but 8.5 km through the water!
Locations guided on
I am a patrolling member of South Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club, where I’ve been actively involved with the Nippers program for many years, as well as driving IRB surf rescue boats.
Top swimming tip
Managing risk and ensuring safety in and around the water have always been essential elements throughout my work and leisure activities, and I find that bringing this into the ocean swimming sphere through organised guiding is very rewarding.
Role
Name
We'd love to hear from you
CONTACT US
Swim Trek Australia Pty Ltd, t/a oceanswimsafaris.com
Send us an email: info@oceanswimsafaris.com
Suite 6 Level 2, 29-31 Lexington Drive, Bella Vista NSW 22153, Australia
ABN 45 677 942 040
