Ines Goovaerts is a freelance, award-winning nature photographer and tour leader with a deep love for the ocean and its inhabitants. Her work reflects a particular fascination with cetaceans and other marine megafauna.
With broad experience in marine tourism, she has guided many travelers through meaningful underwater and wildlife encounters, helping people connect more deeply with the natural world.
Combining a strong visual eye with a desire to tell the ocean’s story through imagery, Ines creates photographs that aim to inspire and educate. As part of the Insider Divers team, she leads trips to remarkable ocean destinations around the world.
Awards
- Finalist, Siena Drone Photo Awards 2026, Series
- Nominee, Film Festival Ostend 2026, The Jamie Awards: Skilled Jamie
- 1st place, Belgian Travel Blog Awards 2025, Social Video Of the year
- Finalist, National Geographic Photo Contest 2024, Nature category
- Finalist, Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year Competition 2024, Animal Behaviour category
- Finalist, Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year Competition 2024, Coral Reefs of the World category
- 2nd place, Underwater Photography Guide Ocean Art 2023, Wide Angle category
- 3rd place, United Nations World Oceans Day 2023 photo competition, No Time to Waste category
- 3rd place, Underwater Photographer of the Year 2020, Up&Coming category
Portfolio
Reviews
We had incredible sperm whale encounters for 5 out of 5 days! It was an out of body experience. Insider Divers did a great job with planning of the trip, we didnt have to worry about anything. They even identified the best tour guide, restaurants, and hotel.
A special shout out to our guide Ines! She is super experienced and makes everyone feel very safe. She always has a positive attitude, helped everyone with equipment, and did everything possible to make sure we had a great time. She’s also an expert on whales and provided multiple interactive presentations to help us learn about the behavior we were seeing (and answered lots of questions in real time on the boat!)
After 16 years in the dive industry, it’s rare for me to join a trip without thinking it could be improved — yet that’s exactly how I feel with Insider Divers.
Simon’s patience, Annabelle’s organized communication, and incredible guides like Grant in Norway and Ines in Dominica make everything seamless. From knowledgeable skippers to unforgettable whale encounters, the trips are respectful, professional, and exciting every day.
Ines and Grant made incredible presentations and took amazing photos of us in the water.
Truly the whole package — I’d rate them 10 out of 5.
The Tonga Humpback Whale trip was absolutely phenomenal and magical!
Ines and Insider Divers made this experience wonderful, worry free and safe! They are extremely well organized down to the last detail so that you can arrive and simply enjoy the beautiful nature that you came to see. I especially loved that the team works with ethical skippers/team and respects the whales and their habitat. I highly recommend Insider Divers for an unforgettable ocean life experience!
Q&A
When did you start exploring the ocean and how did your passion develop from there?
I started exploring the ocean shortly after graduating in 2014. After travelling to Australia, I began working as a photographer on a whale-watching vessel in the Great Barrier Reef. Being immersed in the marine environment every day only deepened my connection with the ocean.
What was your best moment in the wild thus far?
One of my most unforgettable recent moments happened in Magdalena Bay in Baja California Sur, Mexico. I was photographing a bait ball being hunted by marlin and sea lions when a Bryde’s whale suddenly surged in and swallowed almost the entire bait ball right in front of my camera.
What do you like about being a group leader?
What I enjoy most is showing people the beauty of the underwater world and of nature more broadly. Helping others reconnect with wildlife and see its value more clearly is incredibly rewarding.
The most important things you are trying to achieve for your guests?
I want to create unforgettable experiences that build a deeper appreciation for the underwater world. I also aim to make guests feel safe and supported, whether they are seasoned travelers or discovering the ocean for the first time, while encouraging a lasting connection with marine life and the need to protect it.