Whether a pool, river, lake or ocean – safety and education is key. Photo: Drawn2Water.
It’s not every day you find yourself snorkeling peacefully with your whole family, enjoying crystal-clear waters while the children happily chase darting fish or point excitedly at a shy octopus – and all while a calm voice offers gentle support, educational tidbits and generally keeps everyone at ease.
That was my recent experience on a snorkeling tour with Drawn2Water, a unique adventure company based on the NSW South Coast that’s rewriting the rules for ocean enjoyment.
Founded by local water enthusiasts Michael Austin and Justine Diacomihalis, their experiences focus on self-regulation, education, and empowerment to help everyone engage confidently with the water.
“We’ve always been in the water, always doing courses and learning more, then bringing that knowledge back to our community,” said Michael.
“That’s where the journey started for us – realising that sharing what we’ve learnt made everyone safer, and it was possible to sustain that.”
From snorkeling tours (day and night) to surf survival, school excursions, and community safety days, Drawn2Water teaches more than ocean exploration – equipping participants with valuable mental tools for life.
“The things you learn in free diving, for example, help you stay calm in uncomfortable situations,” said Michael. “It’s about learning to sit with that discomfort and realise you’re capable of more than you think.
“It’s great to share these mental tools with the kids – it’s stuff they can throw into their toolbox.”
Mental tools and breathwork can help participants enjoy their time in the water with ease. Photo: Drawn2Water.
Justine added, “For free diving and breath holding, the meditation state is incredibly calming. People often associate holding your breath with panic, but it can be one of the most peaceful experiences. That’s something I love teaching.”
Offering a range of experiences for all ages, Drawn2Water’s school holiday programs and partnerships with local schools (like St Peter’s and Moruya High) bring students face-to-face with marine life while building water confidence and vital safety skills.
“We’ve also taken our programs to schools up and down the coast, even reaching South Australia and Western Australia,” said Michael. “It’s something we’re really passionate about – connecting with more remote schools who don’t always have these opportunities.
“Ocean education is so important,” said Justine. “More people are drawn to the coast and having a go at things, like rock fishing or spearfishing, but not everyone has the knowledge to stay safe.”
She’s not wrong. In 2024, 323 people tragically lost their lives to drowning in Australia – a 16 per cent increase on the 10-year average – with a significant number of deaths occurring in regional areas and among older adults.
It’s a statistic Drawn2Water hopes to combat through its free community days, skill building and safety tips which underpin all their sessions.
“We teach safety from day one,” said Justine. “Whether you’re surfing, snorkeling, or just swimming – go with a buddy. Keep eyes on each other. It sounds simple, but it saves lives.”
Beyond water safety, there are impressive personal transformations on offer.
Finding a family-friendly adventure which leaves you feeling calm is no small feat! Photo: Drawn2Water.
“It’s such a mental game in the beginning,” said Mick. “Everyone’s got their fears to overcome, but seeing someone go from holding their breath for 30 seconds to two minutes, just from a five-minute chat and some breathwork – that transformation is everything.
“For us though, the idea isn’t about chasing numbers or depth – it’s about being so comfortable in the water that when you do what you love, you can spend twice as long down there, fully enjoying it.”
Even so, what is the longest these ocean-loving experts have held their breath?
“My best time ever was 5 minutes and 25 seconds. That was during a training block, while lying still above water, but training like this expands your comfort zone so your time underwater can be more relaxed,” said Justine.
“The deepest and longest dive I’ve ever done was to spear a fish in Greece. I felt so proud and competent – I was stoked!”
So, where can you explore ocean wonders in our backyard? Mick and Justine’s local favourites include the Tollgate Islands near Batemans Bay, a sanctuary teeming with grey nurse sharks and vibrant fish, and Brush Island off Bawley Point, home to the historic Great Northern Firth shipwreck. Kioloa features an old boiler structure and chains from the milling days, plus a resident wobbegong shark, while the rock shelves between Bawley and Wilinga offer incredible underwater rock formations, with plenty of fish to discover beneath.
South Coast locals and ocean enthusiasts Mick and Justine love to share their learnings with community. Photo: Hayley Nicholls.
For Justine and Michael, the ultimate reward isn’t just sharing the beauty of these locations – it’s what people take home with them.
“We want people to walk away feeling more confident in the water, respectful of the ocean, and less hesitant to engage with it,” said Mick. “The ocean can be scary – but it doesn’t have to be.”
As someone who watched their youngest child transform from risk-averse observer to curious explorer in a single morning, I can say Drawn2Water delivers on that promise.
If you’re looking for an inclusive, empowering and joy-filled family adventure – don’t hold your breath … or maybe do.
To dive in with Drawn2Water, follow it on Instagram, visit its website calendar, or look out for local notices via Facebook and community boards.
