About

Helen Walne is a multifaceted creative professional, widely respected for her work as a writer, editor, and underwater photographer. She is based in Cape Town, South Africa, a city that offers both a rich literary culture and access to the mesmerising underwater landscapes that deeply influence her artistic practice. Over the years, Helen has cultivated a diverse and dynamic body of work that spans journalism, creative nonfiction, and visual storytelling. Her written pieces have been featured in a wide range of both local and international publications, where she has consistently demonstrated a keen eye for detail, emotional honesty, and a compelling narrative voice.

In addition to her accomplishments in journalism and editing, Helen is also the author of The Diving, a deeply personal and lyrical book published by Penguin Random House. The book explores themes of grief, healing, and self-discovery through the lens of her underwater experiences, and has resonated strongly with readers both in South Africa and abroad.

A large part of Helen’s creative inspiration stems from her regular dives into the magical underwater world of the Cape kelp forests. These daily excursions into the ocean serve not only as a meditative practice but also as a rich source of imagery, metaphor, and emotional insight that she brings into both her writing and photography. Through her work, she explores the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world, often reflecting on the resilience of the human spirit and the awe-inspiring persistence that drives us to keep moving forward, even in the face of uncertainty and loss.

Whether she is capturing the silent beauty of marine life through her lens or crafting poignant prose that touches the soul, Helen Walne continues to carve out a unique and powerful space at the intersection of storytelling, nature, and emotional truth.