Guides

Spearfishing Tonga owner Robert Torelli has been guiding clients spearfishing throughout the South Pacific for the past 25 years. Robert, a former 10 times Australian Open Spearfishing Champion has helped his clients obtain numerous World Records from dogtooth tuna through to sailfish and select reef species. More recently, Robert has helped train a young and enthusiastic team of Tongan spearfisherman as “world class” spearfishing guides.

Robert Torelli is the owner of Spearfishing Tonga and the Blue Water Retreat and whilst he doesn’t spend as much time as he would like to guiding these days he is constantly helping improve his team and the services they can offer their clients.

Mark Tilley is a British freediver, Spearfisherman and awarded underwater photographer with a degree in marine biology.

Mark is also a licenced skipper and whale swim guide. Mark has dedicated 20 years of  his life to global travel for diving and marine life in a wide variety of conditions has culminated in an extensive knowledge of fish species, habitat and underwater terrain.

As a deep freediver (>80m/270ft) and qualified instructor you are in safe hands for all in water activities as well as being able to pick up some useful tips along the way as well.

Seeing people land their target species or fish of a lifetime while learning more about the marine world and their own diving is his aim for your trip to the waters of Tonga.

Spearfishing Tonga’s most senior “local” spearfishing guide is Sione Lea’aetala (AKA Johnny). Sione has been working for the company since it started in 2014 and is also a licensed whale swim guide and a licensed skipper. When he is not working for Spearfishing Tonga he can be found in their local waters spearfishing, putting food on the table for his families. Sione is a very popular guide and an important part of the Spearfishing Tonga team.

Lopeti Scmieser, AKA “Tongan Rob” started snorkeling at aged 8 and has been spearfishing for the past 28 years.

Lopeti, is a licensed Tongan skipper along with a certified whale swim guide and also works as a night time reef spearfisherman when not guiding or skippering at the Blue Water Retreat.

A passionate diver, Lopeti’s favorite fish to hunt is the brown unicorn fish/know as Ume in Tonga.

Lopeti also enjoys blue water spearfishing and loves to share his knowledge with our international guests.

Ethan Yeo is a dedicated spearfisherman, commercial diver, and passionate underwater filmmaker from South Australia. With a life built around the ocean, he has proven to be comfortable in most conditions and can adapt easily to different waters. A two-time South Australian Spearfishing Champion, Ethan’s determination drives him to keep improving, constantly expanding his skills and fish knowledge.

He’s always looking for the next adventure—whether it’s hunting, filming, or exploring new areas. One of his Favorite things about spearfishing is sharing the stoke with others and diving with new people, finding it extremely fulfilling to pass on the experience and help others succeed. There’s never a dull moment around Ethan, and he’s always up for a laugh and a good time, no matter the situation.

Felix is a relatively new guide starting in 2024 as a certified whale swim guide and is also a keen and passionate freediver who is has now graduated to a junior spearfishing guide. Felix commenced spearfishing at 12 years ago, aged 11. He learnt a lot from his brother Vaea who was an experienced spearfishing guide before venturing to the US to live.

Felix commenced shore diving for reef fish around his home in Touliki, Ma’ufunga before more recently venturing off into the blue chasing bigger fish. Felix has fallen in love with blue water hunting and his favourite fish to hunt is Wahoo. Felix is comfortable in 20 meters of water and is excited to start his journey as a junior spearfishing guide under our more seasoned experienced guides. His goal as a junior spearfishing guide is to deliver a great experience to our clients and ensure our clients have a safe and rewarding trip.

Hotili’s information to come soon!

Josh Faulkner is our newest and youngest member of the team. Aged 18, Josh has been around fishing and spearfishing most of his life. Josh was raised on a tropical island in NW West Australia known as Christmas Island. Fishing and spearfishing have always been central to his family’s life and he enjoys these past times with his father and brother.

Josh has spent thousands of hours sportfishing and despite his young age has a vast amount of sportfishing experience in the tropics and is eager to share that with our clients. Josh is completing his Coxswain course at present and is excited at this new opportunity. He is looking forward to guiding and sharing his knowledge of spearfishing and sportfishing with our clients.