As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on everything we've experienced and accomplished. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Animal Ocean crew— Lara-hailey Caine ! Samantha Sivewright ! Danny Jegels
and the incredible team Jesse Hearne, Joanne Conradie, Robyn Caine, Jayde McDonald, Jaime Augoustides who have navigated this massive Animal Ocean Safari's business transition with us.
Your unwavering positivity, "grab the bull by the horns" mentality, and ability to turn challenges into solutions have been nothing short of inspiring. Whether tackling crisis meetings, brainstorming outcomes, or making tough decisions, you’ve done it all with smiles on your faces and a shared belief in our mission: to showcase the ocean’s beauty and share our passion for the sea.
From the very beginning, the vision of Animal Ocean has been to share ocean adventures. For a long time, that adventure was primarily snorkeling with seals—a truly special and magical experience. But the ocean holds so much more, and there are countless other adventures to be had. This year marked a pivotal moment for us as we began to share all the other moments we love—the ones that capture the spirit of why we do what we do. While the mechanism for expressing our ethos has shifted, the ethos itself remains unchanged: a deep desire to connect people with the beauty of the ocean and its incredible creatures.
This year hasn’t been easy. We've faced heartache, readjustments, and uncertainties. Closing down our main attraction, a well-established and familiar business, was a daunting step. We were forced to reinvent ourselves, confronting insecurities about whether we were making the right choices. But through all the doubts, we acted swiftly and decisively, embracing the challenges with determination.
Selling the house and putting our plans into action was far harder than I ever imagined. But we did it. Together, we found a new base, built the shelving, installed the showers, and shaped this space into what we dreamed it could be. Each member of the team poured their love and energy into reshaping Animal Ocean. Lara, Sam, Dani, and every other team member—you gave generously of yourselves, supporting and driving this vision forward.
Thanks to your dedication, we’re now operating from our new home, continuing to do what we do best: giving people the opportunity to witness the ocean’s wonders and connect with the incredible creatures that call it home. Providing the boats, facilities, and skills to get people out to sea—especially in sync with the ever-changing weather—is no small feat, but it’s one we excel at because of you.
So, to my amazing team: thank you from the bottom of my heart. None of this would have been possible without your love, hard work, and unwavering commitment. Here’s to 2025—a new chapter full of possibilities, growth, and more magical moments on the ocean.
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