Even if the pandemic forces us to spend most of our time within four walls, we can still travel with the imagination . The shots of the Australian Jono Allen – scientist, freediver and photographer – take us to the underwater caves of the Tonga archipelago, to swim with the whales that migrate to Polynesia, face to face with the tiger shark in the Maldives. 

We asked him how he feels when he plunges into the abyss, surrounded by the wildest nature . And if he believes that there is room for a more conscious tourism, a tourism that goes to the discovery of these paradises without plundering them. 

How was your passion for wild spaces born?

For as long as I can remember, I have always felt a connection and a love towards nature. I have always believed that we are all part of the natural world ; the idea that we and the natural world are separate entities has always been a strange concept to me. I believe growing up in Australia , surrounded by nature, had a big impact and helped shape this belief.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from natural environments?

Nature has taught me so much, but I believe the main lesson is to simply be myself and enjoy the miracle of existence . Ah, and not to dwell on things too much!

When I am in the water free diving with a whale, I just know that he is not thinking about what to do today, he is not caring about his appearance, he is not trying to succeed. It just exists and lives in peace , and I believe this is the most valuable lesson I have learned from wild animals.

Have you ever experienced the consequences of mass tourism firsthand?

Yes. I saw lions and cheetahs surrounded by about twenty tour vans, to the point where they could barely move . I saw ten boats or so chasing three humpback whales trying to escape. It’s awful.

In your opinion, what will it be like to travel after Covid-19?

I have the impression that, as tourism picks up, there will be a huge rush towards travel and exploration . It will be great for many destinations that have long been deprived of tourism.

Regarding the environmental impact, on the one hand I wish people were more cautious as a result of Covid-19, but I see no compelling reason why this could actually happen on a large scale. In my opinion, people are creatures of habit and, unfortunately, they will naturally return to their “normal” lifestyle very quickly .

For this, I believe that it is necessary to continue our activity of defense of the environment , to continue to draw attention to the demands of nature and wildlife, and to do it as much as possible as long as people have so much time to listen. The fact that the world has so much time is an educational opportunity that may never happen again in our lives!

What are your next projects?

My next project has just started and it’s exciting! In addition to the launch of my online art gallery scheduled for this year, the main project will be to work with the local community in the Maldives to create a foundation dedicated to the sea .

There is an incredible island south of the Maldives , where I have had some of the best marine life encounters of my life, which today is very little protected  from mass tourism, pollution and resource exploitation. I am really excited to start working on this project which is currently underway.