As the Aussie summer unfolds and Christmas celebrations wind down, podcasts offer the perfect escape for lazy holiday days. Whether you’re relaxing on a beach, recovering from festive celebrations, or seeking inspiration between adventures, these carefully curated audio stories will transport you from the local coastline to the depths of the world’s oceans.
Recommended by Aussie ocean lovers, these podcasts promise authentic, thrilling journeys that go far beyond your backyard.
Jemima Robinson Ocean Film Festival Founder & CEO
Jemima Robinson is a passionate ocean lover who finds her truest self beneath the waves. Growing up in the sun-drenched landscapes of Far North Queensland, her connection to the marine world was inevitable. As the dynamic Founder and CEO of the Ocean Film Festival, she’s channeled her love for exploration into bringing incredible stories to life, but her heart truly beats to the rhythm of the ocean.
A devoted marine adventurer, Jemima lights up when she talks about swimming with sea lions, or snorkeling by a reef capturing the magic of underwater encounters that most can only dream about. When she’s not curating adventure stories or going for a dip in the ocean, you’ll find Jemima planning her next underwater expedition, her passion for the ocean as vast and boundless as the sea itself. Listening to podcasts is one tool that stokes her fire for exploration and adventure, here are a few of her must-listen-to’s:
This one is a series that will have you hooked from the first episode. Brought to you by the team behind Serial, The Good Whale is the story of a wildly ambitious science experiment to return a captive orca to the ocean.
Lisa Blair, a multi world record-holding Aussie sailor. As you’ll hear, Lisa has faced incredible challenges and achieved extraordinary feats on the open seas. Strap yourself in for this one!
- REAL SURVIVAL STORIES
Trapped inside an Iceberg – Jill Heinerth
Canadian Jill Heinerth has one of the most dangerous jobs on earth. She’s a cave diver – she explores underwater tunnels and caverns. In 2001, she travels to the Southern Ocean, attempting to become the first person to swim inside an iceberg. Needless to say, Jill gets more than she bargained for.
Full disclosure, I am 100% biased in this choice!!! Mike recently asked me a question I get asked a lot. As a long time attendee of the Banff Mountain Film Festival Mike already knew a lot of the films we discussed, so it was great to be able to chat about the film, the adventures and the people in them.
Carmen Ellis- Majestic Whale Encounters
Carmen is the visionary owner of Majestic Whale Encounters, a family-run adventure travel company that transforms extraordinary marine experiences into once-in-a-lifetime journeys.
From swimming with whales and dolphins to exploring pristine beaches and embarking on wildlife safaris across the globe, Carmen curates immersive experiences that challenge, inspire, and deeply move her guests. Whether it’s snorkelling vibrant coral reefs, tracking gorillas in Rwanda, or enjoying a sunset cocktail, Carmen’s commitment is to transform travel into a transformative, soul-enriching experience. Through Majestic Whale Encounters, she invites adventurers to step out of their everyday lives and into extraordinary moments of connection with nature and themselves.
Carmen knows a thing or two about ocean podcasts! Here are a few of her recommendations:
A podcast created by whale enthusiasts, for whale enthusiasts. Join expert guides and whale watch captains Jeff Friedman and Sara Shimazu as they share their deep passion for whales, offering personal stories from recent whale sightings, research updates, news, and interviews.
Hosted by Mike Schibel, founder of the Travel With Meaning community, this podcast centers around authentic storytelling with the aim of inspiring others to explore the world.
Schibel sits down with a diverse range of high-profile guests, from CEOs and entrepreneurs to athletes and entertainers, to discuss the impact of travel on their lives. In each 50-minute, in-depth conversation, guests share unique travel experiences and pivotal moments that have influenced their careers, personal growth, and creative journeys.
Hosted by wildlife filmmaker, zoologist, and broadcaster Hannah Stitfall, Oceans: Life Under Water is a podcast from Greenpeace UK that explores the wonders of the oceans and the incredible life they support.
In each episode, Hannah engages with freedivers, submarine pilots, whale experts, ship captains, marine biologists, and more, sharing captivating stories about the oceans and the extraordinary creatures that inhabit them. With its mesmerising sound design and immersive storytelling, the podcast transports listeners to remarkable locations—from the Lost City to the Galapagos, the Mariana Trench to Antarctica.
Whether you’re lounging on a sun-soaked beach or embarking on your own underwater adventure, these podcasts are your ultimate companions. Packed with gripping tales of marine expeditions, exploration inspiration, and heartfelt conversations that feel like catching up with an old friend, these recommendations from highly credible ocean lovers promise to transport, entertain, and inspire.
So grab your headphones, find your perfect spot, and get ready to be thoroughly entertained—your holiday listening just got an epic upgrade.
