Every naturalist we use is an expert at narrating. They can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about geology, natural history, sea birds, great white sharks, other sharks, whales, dolphin, porpoises, fish, coastal landmarks, and the Farallon Islands. If you aren't sure what you are seeing, feel free to ask. Our trips are meant to heighten awareness and education of all the marine and wildlife around you.

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             212 209 - 3370

Michelle Drake majored in Biological Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz and was an Intern at Zehr Ocean Science Lab Santa Cruz. She is now a teacher at Seymour Center at the Long Marine La.

Carol Keiper is a marine ecologist and naturalist specializing in marine birds and mammals. Her undergraduate degree is in education and recently (2001) she received her Master’s Degree in Marine Science at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in Moss Landing (near Monterey) California. For more than 20 years she has been involved in natural history trips off California, Alaska, and Baja California. Carol has also been involved in at-sea research off California for the past 15 years and has a strong interest in the ecology of the California Current System. She is a founding board member and researcher with Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge (www.oikonos.org ), a non-profit research, conservation, and education organization dedicated to understanding how ecosystems function and evaluating conservation needs. Her current research involves the Black-footed albatross and conservation actions that address impacts of plastic marine debris. For the past six years she has served on the Sanctuary Advisory Council for Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary in California. Her expertise and experience as teacher, naturalist, and scientist enhance what she loves to do best: share the wonders of the marine environment as well as emerging conservation issues with people of all ages.

Annie Bailey received her BS in Zoology at the University of NH. After college Annie worked as a dolphin trainer in Miami for a time and then decided she was more interested in research and conservation of marine mammals and moved west. She now co-owns her own dog training company FabDogz as well as being a passionate member to our naturalist team,educating the public on the abundance of flora and fauna surrounding the Farallon Islands

Steve Wood has been watching whales and birds in the Gulf of the Farallones and off California's coast professionally for ten years. He developed an interest in sea life during college at UC Berkeley and earned a master's degree in marine biology from UCLA in 1999. He has worked for the National Park Service and several non-profit organizations involved in environmental stewardship, including The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. Beyond a deep love for the ocean, whales, and amphipod crustaceans, he also enjoys Henrik Ibsen plays and soccer. Steve also has an interest in community response to emergencies and certified as a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician in 2006.

Melinda Nakagawa

Nicole Lee is the President of San Francisco Whale Tours, as well as a Naturalist. She is a graduate of Beam Reach Marine Science School where she lived aboard the research vessel the Gato Verde focusing on the anthropogenic noise in the Puget Sound, and it's effects on the Southern Resident Orca population.  She also received her degree in Communication and Marine Science from North Carolina State University.  After graduating college, she moved to the bay area for an internship at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito.  A self-described "Whale nut", Nicole enjoys teaching everyone she knows about marine mammals and the necessity to protect marine life. 

Brendan  Laing  Interns for F.M.S.A , Marine Sciences Univ. Boston

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Laura Larson graduated from UC Santa Cruz where she received her BS in Marine Biology. During college Laura volunteered with The Marine Mammal Center as an animal care and rescue volunteer.  She also volunteered as a research assistant with SORAC (Sea Otter Research and Conservation Program) at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  While attending UCSC, Laura worked as a visitor program specialist at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.  All three positions allowed her to interact with the public and educate them about her passion, marine life.  Laura currently is looking to become a classroom science teacher.

Trish Mirabella