The Sea Darwin story began in 2006 on a 40 foot yacht transiting the West Pacific ocean. This was a time of a 12 month family sabbatical where Jim Smith and Heather King and their three children realised how lucky they were to call the Top End of Australia home. In visiting foreign shores and islands, they came to appreciate that the NT coastal and marine environment is comparatively pristine, and that in many parts it is the same now as it has been for thousands of years.
On their return to Australia, the mission was to showcase this special part of Australia to tourists. And so in 2007 the company Mangrove Route was formed, the “Snubfin” a 10 metre vessel was custom built, and Jim and Heather set about a business vision of becoming an icon of experiential tourism in Darwin. Since 2010 the business has been known as Sea Darwin, which still operates from a family business model founded on a commitment to sustainable tourism. Now with added vessels, grown children and an amazing pool of talented local staff, Sea Darwin continues to strive to do different, leading the charge in visitor understanding that where the outback ends, the ocean begins.
Jim is the core of the business, with a background in marine science and a ceaseless saltwater passion, his in depth knowledge of Darwin Harbour and the surrounding marine environments is simply impressive. Jim's disarming charm and his commitment to sustainable tourism has managed to attract a team of other like minded, highly skilled and knowledgeable saltwater souls to the Sea Darwin team. All of the Sea Darwin staff are chosen because of their values, their skills the specific knowledge that they bring to the company.
Aside from mandatory marine qualifications for the skippers and deck hands, our casual guides include those who have tertiary qualifications in marine science, zoology, veterinary science and marine biology. Seven staff have qualifications in recreational diving; we have a number of turtle guides who have been trained as Austurtle researchers, and our fish'n chippers include young fresh faced locals who are passionate and active mariners. Cruising with Sea Darwin is cruising with locals!
One of the lovely things about this business is working with the crew, who are a diverse bunch of passionate, interesting and high achieving locals. Meet some of them here, and you'll find out why.
Jim Smith - Owner, Sea Darwin
