Fiona Sleight was thrilled last year when she was awarded the prestigious Rainforest Habitat National EcoGuide Award for Excellence for 2003. Selected from a shortlist of finalists by a specialised judging panel, Fiona was flown to South Australia and presented with the award at the 11th National Ecotourism Conference. Fiona is a Cairns based highly successful Certified EcoGuide whose skills and experience demonstrate that they are of an exceptional standard.


Stuart Lennox, Fiona Sleight, and Gary Muir


Displaying a measure of courage beyond the call of duty, Fiona has volunteered to reveal the following insights into her world as the subject GOA's first Guide Profile interview…

What is your occupation and where are you located? 
I worked as senior marine interpreter for Quicksilver Dive, Port Douglas, aboard 'Diversity' a live aboard vessel visiting the world famous 'Cod Hole' and 'Quicksmart' the day vessel that visits sites on Agincourt reefs.

I have recently hung up my fins and am working as the Sales and Marketing Executive for Pro Dive in Cairns.

What does a general day at work involve? 
Prior to becoming a land-based mermaid, my job on 'Diversity' involved Scuba diving instruction and guiding, interpretive briefings, site briefings and customer service aboard a 4 star liveaboard vessel.

I tried to demonstrate the diverse wonderland of the reef encouraging visitors to use their senses to bring the interpretation alive. I had responsibility for designing and testing the delivery of interpretive plans incorporating best environmental practices: policy and care codes. I had particular responsibility for establishing Quicksilver's Minke whale procedures and interpretive resources.

As for a general day at the office, the joy and excitement of working below the waves is always to expect the unexpected!

How did you become involved in guiding? 
I emigrated from London in 2000 and completed the Heritage and Interpretive Tourism Certificate in Cairns. My tour guiding experience has been reef based: delivering interpretive briefings, guided snorkel tours, whale watching tours and scuba tours. I am a qualified dive instructor and I became an accredited EcoGuide in 2002.


Award winning EcoGuide Fiona Sleight and one of her favourites - a spectacular Potato Cod

Where is your favourite 'spot' for Tour Guiding? 
The Great Barrier Reef. I feel privileged to work in far north Queensland, as this is the only area in the world where in winter months dwarf Minke whales visit consistently.

Diversity was granted a permit for guests to experience in-water encounters with the whales. These permits are a world first and programs are delivered under the monitoring of researchers. This allowed for my guiding to be at the cutting edge of establishing minimum impact experiences and allowed me to be part of ensuring a sustainable and interactive future with Minke whales.

Swimming with whales is a once in a lifetime experience: to encounter a wild animal that chooses to maintain contact, on its terms, evokes feelings of empathy and is truly awe-inspiring.

What do you never leave home without? 
My door key!

What has been your best Tour Guiding experience? 
Without doubt, celebrating my Christmas Day birthday diving at the Cod Hole and having a close encounter with a bull shark who decided to gate-crash the Cods' Christmas dinner party!