By Ben Starkey
I’m one of the skippers for Whale Tales, and I help out on the engineering and maintenance side as well. But more than anything, I’m a mad fan of the ocean. Like, really mad.
I would describe myself as an above-water enthusiast rather than a below-water one. Though I have the utmost respect and love for both!
I love boats. I love people. And I’ve cleverly combined this into my main passion – introducing people to the magic of the water and the great outdoors… via boats!
Growing up on the water
I grew up around the Seaforth area, and the water was a massive part of my childhood.
My buddies and I would rip around Middle Harbour in tinnies. Any spare weekend, we would be out there, whether we were fishing, wakeboarding, cruising or finding new sights. We would have started here at a ripe old age of 12 or 13 years old.
It wasn’t long until I had my own boat, and from there they just got bigger and bigger. Countless days have been spent aboard boats in and out of the harbour as well as annual holidays on houseboats up around the Hawkesbury area. I also really enjoy jet skiing (nowhere near people, boat ramps or whales, of course) and one of my favourite memories is my mate and I jumping in at Long Reef and going all the way down to Coogee, or whipping up to Terrigal. It was a good couple of hours of trusting your planning, your machinery, your mate and being able to see the big outdoors up close. What a stunning coastline!
I have loved the ocean and boats from a young age, and that passion continues to be a defining part of my life.
I’ve done lots of sailing, including the Sydney to Hobart. I love going out with people up and down the coast and discovering our corner of this incredible ocean.
Surfing has always been another passion of mine, and I’ve found that surfers and boaters often share the same connection to the ocean and appreciation for life in or on the water. Today, I live in Allambie Heights on the Northern Beaches.
Finding Whale Tales
Back in 2022, I answered an ad on Seek for the first time. I really wanted the job, so I put a lot of effort into my application. It took them some time to get back to me, but persistence pays off, and I’m stoked to be part of the crew.
During the week, I work with O’Neill Wetsuits and have done for about 26 years. I’m in sales and look after most of New South Wales, as well as the distributor category in South America and Asia.
Then on the weekends, I get to skipper for Whale Tales.
I never really thought that having this mad passion for the water, boats and everything to do with it would mean I’d be getting paid to enjoy the whales in winter or the party charter side of it in summer.
I sort of pinch myself that I’m able to jump on all the different boats and skipper for Whale Tales. It’s really cool.
Captain Good Vibes
I started Captain Good Vibes Enterprise on Instagram a couple of years ago because I wanted to differentiate my boating world from everything else.
For me, it’s about having a smile on your dial and enjoying what you do.
I think about the nerves people get when they’re heading out for the first time, and I can relate to that. I just want to show them the beautiful Tasman Sea.
You never really know what you’ll get on a day out on the water. I’ve learned a lot about weather, swells, and patterns.  I’m super diligent about safety and call myself Safety Officer Starkey. I want to make sure that weather you’re a granny or a grommet who’s out there for the first time, everyone comes home safe, happy and with a little more understanding of our ocean.
More than just driving the boat
One of the things that surprised me when I started with Whale Tales was how much there is to consider when you’re driving.
There’s a lot of anticipation. There’s a lot going on as a captain.
You’re part of the team helping to find active whales, while respecting the distance and making sure you don’t interrupt their activity. That side of it involves a lot of skill.
It’s not just making sure the boat is safe, dry and in good working order. You’re also navigating around an ocean that can be quite unforgiving at times.
The other thing that really struck me was seeing a whale with my own eyes for the first time. I just couldn’t believe the gracefulness, the size and how cruisy they are.
That still surprises me. Seeing someone experience a beautiful whale for the first time, they are literally gasping. They can’t believe how close they are.
I love seeing that excitement on people’s faces.
What whales have taught me
Whales have taught me that the world is incredibly resilient.
Even after being hunted to the brink of extinction, many whale populations have slowly started to recover. Not all whales have recovered to the extent of the humpback, but we’ve given them a chance.
Their story reminds me that healing and hope are possible, even after really difficult times.
They’ve also taught me to slow down and appreciate what’s around me.
Watching whales move so calmly through the ocean reminds me that life doesn’t always have to be rushed. They make me want to be more present, take things in and appreciate the beauty and connection we have with our natural world.
Looking after the place we love
My kids are developing an interest in the ocean, too. My 14-year-old daughter would probably love spending more time at the mall than on the water, but when she saw a whale breach up close and personal, it really did stick with her.
My 11-year-old boy loves being out there. Just this morning we were talking about his favourite boat that he’s been on, and his answer, straight up, was one of the Whale Tales boats.
I don’t push them towards it by any stretch. I just want them to understand that the ocean is super important to the environment, and we’re here to look after it.
I remember the very first day with Whale Tales, looking over the cliff at a tiny little beach in Mosman and seeing the crew walking up and down the beach picking up rubbish. They were doing good stuff outside of their paid hours just to keep their home beach clean.
That really resonated with what I stood for on the environmental side.
Still to this day, if I have a chance to pick up three for the sea or do anything we can for the environment, I think back to that moment.
Plastic in the ocean is never a good thing, but when we manage to rescue it before it causes injury to marine wildlife, that’s a happy moment. We urge you to consider an alternative to helium balloons for your next event. But if someone does let them go, @captaingoodvibesenterprise will be ready to bring them safely home!
A pretty special business
For me, I really support local, and it’s so cool that Whale Tales is a small, family-run business out of Mosman.
I’m part of a family of whale and nature lovers, and I’m stoked to work for a business of that size that is punching well above its weight.
The guides are probably what drives me towards loving working here. Their knowledge and understanding are always different, and they are the best in the business. I haven’t stopped learning and don’t plan to soon…
