Andy Burnell
Andy Burnell has a deep love for South Australia's coast, from its wild beaches to its sheltered bays. Despite the challenges of cold and murky winters, he cherishes those clear vis "diamond days" when the waters reveal their beauty.
Image of Andy by Josh Dostal
After working as a dive guide on the Great Barrier Reef and living in Hawaii, Andy returned to Adelaide’s western suburbs where he now explores the coast by kayak, scuba, and freediving. His passion for marine life led to the creation of the Crab.e.cam Facebook page, which began with GoPro footage of crabs and squid and has grown to showcase diverse underwater adventures to over 25,000 followers worldwide.
“I love to visit exotic parts of the GSR but my favourite is close to home. It's the Gulf St Vincent.”
Treasure Seeker
For Andy, photographing the Great Southern Reef is all about the thrill of discovery. Last summer, he finally captured the elusive Hutchins Boarfish, a stunning species he’d been hoping to find for years. He’s also encountered incredible creatures like the Giant Sea Pen and Lightning Volutes on the hunt. One of his favourite moments was spotting a tiny 2-centimeter-long Weedy Sea Dragon, which looked just like a miniature Leafy Sea Dragon. For Andy, it’s the surprises beneath the waves that make every dive special.
But capturing these moments isn’t easy. He often highlights the challenges of South Australia’s waters, where visibility can shift dramatically due to weather and shallow site conditions, often turning murky.
However, he sees this as part of the adventure. When the visibility is perfect, it feels like a reward for all the patience and preparation. Each shot he takes reflects his passion for uncovering and sharing the beauty of the reef.
“Weather is everything. The absolute best dives come spontaneously when you can pick the ideal scenario.”
Manifesting Magic
Andy enthusiastically claims that underwater photography is often full of unexpected magic— and sometimes, even wishful thinking seems to work. On one dive, Andy told the boat crew that he wanted to see a Southern Blue Devil guarding its eggs that day.
Amazingly, that’s exactly what he found. Known for their striking colors and bold personality, these fish are always impressive, but seeing one fiercely defending its nest was next level. With flared gills and bared teeth, the Blue Devil put on an unforgettable display of attitude and determination.
“One time I said to the boat, today I want to see a Southern Blue Devil guarding his egg mass and sure enough I found it.”
Crab E Cam
Andy Burnell’s Crab.E.Cam has become a social media hit, attracting over 26,000 followers on Facebook with its mix of entertaining and educational underwater videos. What began as a simple GoPro zip-tied to a crab net has evolved into a creative homemade system, complete with multiple cameras, lights, and playful props. One spontaneous idea—using a Christmas ornament—sparked a series of quirky underwater clips featuring his Action Man doll, adding humor to the stunning marine footage.
The Waiting Game
The process is as unpredictable as the ocean itself. Andy sets up the cameras, drops them, and waits, never knowing what he’s captured until he reviews the footage later. Sometimes it’s ordinary; other times, it’s extraordinary—like the day he discovered a small Great White Shark had followed his kayak for over ten minutes, completely unnoticed. For Andy, the surprise is the best part, and his innovative videos continue to highlight the wonders of South Australia’s marine life in a unique way.
“The crab.E.cam is just set up and dropped and I never know what I have recorded.”
Capturing Local Wonders
In the end, Andy believes sharing his photos and videos of the Great Southern Reef is about helping others connect with the incredible marine life on their doorstep. He values feedback like parents telling him they show his videos to their kids or comments from people who had no idea such biodiversity existed locally. Using simple gear—a GoPro and a kayak—Andy focuses on capturing and sharing the reef’s beauty in an accessible, authentic way.
Finding Beauty in the Detail
For him, the process of filming adds to the experience. Planning shots, finding unique species, and revisiting the footage during editing helps him notice details he might otherwise miss. One memorable moment came when he turned photos of short-headed seahorses into black-and-white images, allowing their intricate beauty to stand out in a way he hadn’t seen before. Documenting and sharing these moments keeps his passion for the GSR alive.
“I would photograph and film just for me even without the sharing. I get to plan an image or look for a particular species.”
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