More people have walked on the moon than visited many of the places Jill Heinerth has seen on Earth. The pioneering cave diver and underwater explorer has spent decades pushing the boundaries of human exploration. From leading the first dives into underwater caves inside Antarctica’s massive icebergs to mapping previously unknown ecosystems in the world’s most remote aquatic environments, Jill has made a career of going where no one has gone before.
As the first Explorer-in-Residence of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and a fellow of multiple prestigious organizations including the Explorers Club and the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, Jill has been recognized with numerous honours including the William Beebe Award and the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration. She is also the subject of the award-winning documentary, Diving into the Darkness — premiering and available for streaming in North America on Apple TV and Amazon on June 6.
We recently caught up with Jill to learn more about her new film and the challenges she experienced filming in some of Earth’s most dangerous underwater environments, as well as her desire to inspire the next generation of explorers to push beyond their perceived limitations and dive into the unknown.
From Memoir to Screen: The Making of a Documentary
Speakers Spotlight: How did this documentary come about and what was it like exploring your life story on film?
Jill Heinerth: The film took shape after I met the director, Nays Baghai, at a conference in Australia. Following my talk, the young filmmaker approached me with a few thoughtful questions. I’ve always believed in supporting those who take the initiative to connect, and that day marked the beginning of a meaningful friendship.
After reading my memoir, Into the Planet, Nays asked whether the story had been optioned. From there, we began to collaborate on the vision for the documentary. I shared with him my archival footage spanning over 30 years, and together we mapped out plans to travel the globe, recreating key moments from my life that had never been captured on film.
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Field
SpSp: The documentary explores your motivations for cave diving. Can you talk about the woman you “wished you’d met as a child” and how that shaped your path?
JH: As a child, I was drawn to unconventional experiences and often felt like a square peg in a round hole. I encountered numerous gender-based obstacles and was frequently made to feel unwelcome in the spaces I aspired to be in. Even today, few women are involved in the kind of technical diving I do, and fewer still pursue it as a full-time career. That’s why I’m passionate about showing other women that their dreams are achievable. With determination, hard work, and the courage to confront challenges like gender bias, ageism, or racism, anything is possible.
Overcoming the Impossible
SpSp: Some of your dive locations are virtually impossible to film. What were the biggest challenges in capturing your underwater world for the documentary?
JH: Filming in underwater caves is challenging enough on its own, but during our shoot, we encountered a host of additional obstacles — tropical cyclones, severe flooding, and limited visibility — all compounding the inherent dangers of technical diving. More than once, we had to rethink entire sequences or shift locations altogether. In New Zealand, we were stuck for 10 days due to intense flooding, with no option to evacuate as both roads and the airport were underwater.
Yet, it’s often in the face of adversity that unexpected magic occurs. When conditions prevented us from diving at the Poor Knights Islands, we pivoted and developed an entirely new sequence in a remote cave high in the mountains. Not only were the results visually stunning, but the experience also gave my crew a rare opportunity to explore a cave system, something few had done before, even in long filmmaking careers.
Award-Winning Recognition and Global Impact
SpSp: The documentary won Best Documentary Feature at Santa Barbara International Film Festival. What does that recognition mean to you?
JH: I’ve always held a deep respect for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, especially because of its focus on ocean- and water-themed films. Being accepted into this Oscar-qualifying festival — and then winning Best Documentary Award — was an incredibly meaningful experience. While the film has already received more than a dozen special awards, the greatest reward for me is seeing it finally reach a global audience through international streaming.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers
SpSp: How do you hope this film will inspire the next generation of explorers, particularly young women? What do you hope people walk away with?
JH: I hope young women come to believe that anything is possible. I also hope viewers gain a deeper awareness of the extraordinary world beneath their feet — a hidden realm where I swim through the very veins of Mother Earth, immersed in the planet’s lifeblood. Through these visuals, I aim to create a powerful connection between people and the natural world that inspires a sense of wonder and a commitment to protecting it.
Lastly, I hope people understand that without exploration, society cannot move forward. Discovery fuels innovation, and with an explorer’s mindset, anything becomes possible.
Hire Jill Heinerth to Speak at Your Event
Jill Heinerth‘s remarkable journey to becoming one of the world’s most accomplished explorers offers powerful lessons in resilience, innovation, and pushing beyond perceived limitations. Her visually stunning presentations inspire audiences to embrace challenges, overcome fears, and discover what’s possible when you refuse to accept “impossible.”
Ready to bring Jill’s transformative message to your event? Contact us to book this award-winning explorer and bestselling author for your next keynote presentation.
