Karim Iliya

Founder / Trip Leader / Guide

Karim Iliya is a professional underwater photographer, filmmaker, and whale swimming guide based in Reykjavik, Iceland. With a passion for documenting whales, elephants, big cats, and other threatened species and habitats, Karim is dedicated to protecting Earth's delicate ecosystems.

His film and photography have been featured by the BBC, Netflix, National Geographic Magazine, and other renowned outlets worldwide. At just 33 years old, Karim brings over 18 years of photographic experience, with a strong focus on environmental and wildlife conservation. In 2022, he co-founded the nonprofit organization Kogia to further this mission.

Karim has also collaborated with The Maui Ocean Center on their humpback whale cultural and educational exhibition. Since 2014, he has spent more than 250 days in the water documenting a variety of whale species, including humpbacks, blue whales, sperm whales, orcas, fin whales, sei whales, and more.

Kelsey Williamson

Trip Leader / Guide

Kelsey is an underwater and adventure photographer, cinematographer, SCUBA diver, and free diver, living her dream nomadic life between Hawaii and French Polynesia. A true adventurer at heart, she is passionate about underwater photography and marine life. With years of experience guiding trips to swim with whales and other marine creatures, Kelsey brings expertise and a deep love for the ocean to everything she does.

Cedric Dageville

Trip Leader / Guide

Cedric is a French-American freediver, divemaster, and photographer dedicated to ocean conservation. With a passion for the underwater world, he spends most of his days free diving along the Kona Coast with his camera in hand, often accompanied by his wife, Rachel.

In early 2023, Cedric transitioned from the corporate world to focus full-time on protecting the ocean, supporting organizations at the forefront of conservation efforts. He specializes in diving with large marine animals, including humpback whales, sperm whales, and oceanic mantas, capturing their beauty to inspire awareness and action for their protection.

Arzucan Askin

Trip Leader / Guide

Arzucan is a conservation scientist, sailor/skipper, and National Geographic Explorer specializing in the intersection of human societies and megafauna. She holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Management from the University of Oxford, where her research focused on the impacts of human activities on marine megafauna in the Maldives.

A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG), Arzucan has led numerous research projects and remote marine expeditions, exploring the intricate relationships between humans and the ocean across the globe. Her work has afforded her unique and intimate wildlife encounters in some of the world’s most remote regions, from the Equator to the Polar realms.

As part of the Barba Norway Arctic Sense Expedition, she was a member of a pioneering field team that sailed into uncharted waters beyond 80° North to conduct acoustic surveys of elusive and understudied blue whale populations. A skilled freediver and Extended Range Trimix CCR diver, Arzucan recently completed a year of marine research supported by a prestigious Rolex scholarship.

With a deep passion for marine megafauna, she loves connecting people to wildlife by sharing her scientific knowledge and inspiring awe for the wonders of our oceans.

Jono Allen

Trip Leader / Guide

Jono is an Australian underwater photographer, environmental scientist, wildlife guide, and filmmaker dedicated to capturing powerful visuals that inspire change. His work is driven by a singular motivation: to foster meaningful connections with wildlife and catalyze action for their protection.

With extensive experience working with both terrestrial and marine megafauna, Jono has traveled the globe to destinations including Kenya, Tonga, Mexico, the Maldives, Indonesia, the Azores, Fiji, and the vibrant reefs of his ocean home. A passionate freediver and SCUBA diver, he advocates for non-intrusive research and expedition practices. His photography has been recognized in prestigious underwater photography competitions and featured in renowned publications.

Jono’s life took a pivotal turn when he helped rescue an entangled whale shark in the Maldives alongside “Lonu,” a local dive legend. This transformative experience led him to co-found the Fuvahmulah Marine Foundation, an initiative addressing plastic pollution and wildlife entanglement on the island. He also serves as Media Director for the Miyaru Programme and has been documenting whales and marine megafauna since 2016. As a freedive instructor, Jono continues to share his passion for marine life and inspire others to protect the oceans.