Annie Van Dinther 1999
Annie’s career as a naturalist guide began on a whale-watching vessel off Cape Cod, where she combined her degrees in biology and geology with her passion for teaching and animal behavior. She quickly rose to head naturalist, leading field courses in marine biology and researching humpback whales in the rich waters of Stellwagen Bank—a perfect open-air classroom.
In 1999, Nat Hab found Annie, and she has been inspiring our travelers ever since. Her boundless curiosity and deep appreciation for the natural world shape every adventure she leads. With a special focus on Canada, she has guided travelers to see polar bears and belugas in Churchill; spirit bears, brown bears, and whales in British Columbia; harp seals in Quebec’s Magdalen Islands; and the diverse wildlife of Newfoundland. Her guiding experience extends beyond Canada to Mexico, the Galapagos Islands and Alaska.
An award-winning writer, Annie lives in Homer, Alaska. She splits her time between guiding, leading sea kayak trips, and writing about the wild places she loves—continuing to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with the world.
What Our Guests Say
Annie was amazing! Her knowledge and passion for Churchill and the polar bears was exceptional. I felt extremely confident that we were in very good hands and were getting the very most out of our time in Churchill. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the night she shared with us her own story about her first time in Churchill and how she became an Expedition Leader. She's a fantastic storyteller and it really was a special story to hear.
Wow, this woman is fantastic. She is so knowledgeable about the animals, the area, the history and the people. I am so glad Annie was our guide—we had a wonderful experience. She knows where to look for the animals, and when to stay out late and watch for the aurora. She was always reachable, always kind and whatever little thing you needed, she was right there. I have never taken a "first class" trip and I will rethink my future trips. Thank you so much, from a very, very satisfied guest.
Annie is very enthusiastic and excited about her work. It's infectious and makes everything a lot of fun. She is also super concerned about all the travelers and makes sure that people are getting exactly what they need.
