Join us with your dive gear, snorkel, or even without just bring your curiosity, and we will take you straight to the core of the fabulous secrets that the sea hides within. Discover where to find and how to get close to some of the most incredible marine life in the world. Everything from the colorful universe of coral reefs to the mysterious deep where the most elusive of species live.
Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez
Between October and February, whale sharks migrate to the Bay of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. The world's largest fish, whale sharks can grow to over 40′ in length and will live up to 70 years. They are generally between 22′ and 32′. Whale sharks are well-protected, but a La Paz whale shark swim excursion connects you with certified guides who are experienced and know how to swim with whale sharks, and a catamaran designed specifically for this purpose.
Jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, Palau
For those of you who have dreamed of looking at jellyfish from outside the water, now is your time at the Jellyfish Lake of Palau – without the risk of getting stung. The golden jellyfish (Mastigias) and the moon jellyfish (Aurelia) have developed, over the last few thousand years, a light harmless sting, to walk alongside thousands of other unique jellyfish. A local tour company provides entry to the lake. The fees for the permits will be according to the tour package chosen. Combining a scaneering tour of the Rock Islands with a midday meal and a trek to Milky Way creates a full-day trip.
Giant Manta Rays, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
With an awe-inspiring wingspan of up to 15 across, giant manta rays astonish with their bird-like appearance. One of the few places where you have a good chance to see these wonderful ocean dwellers from close range is on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hawaii: Keauhou Bay hosts some of the big giant manta rays, and you'll see these gentle giants on a manta ray night snorkel tour departing from Kona, where you'll float in the dark near a line of lights as plankton clouds gather to attract and feed the reef-dwellers. And the light attracts the plankton, which the manta rays consume. Fortunately, the elegant manta rays aren't too interested in the tourists and continue their nightly feast, encircling snorkelers in their "midnight snack."
Manatees, Crystal River, FL, USA
The cool, spring-fed waters of Citrus County, Florida, make it a popular spot for the slow-moving marine mammals, and one of the few places where you can legally share the water with manatees. Over 1,000 manatees gather in these waters in the winter but the animals are found here all year. You'll never forget swimming with these manatees. A guided manatee snorkel tour in the Crystal River is your best chance to see the gentle creatures in the wild. They will provide you with a wetsuit and snorkel, and teach you how to observe the manatees without scaring them away. You will be fitted with a wetsuit and equipment and guided to access the manatees without harassing them. Manatees appear unconcerned by humans and always respond in kind when swimmers and divers approach them.
Beluga Whales, Churchill, Manitoba
Because they sound like bird-like songs underwater, people have dubbed white belugas "ocean canaries." And you can hear them sing for yourself out here in Hudson Bay, just off the tiny town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Every summer, thousands of the beautiful whales gather in the bay to shed their skin. Why not see the beluga whales from a kayak, or venture out on the water with a local tour company to see the beluga whales in Churchill? The whales seem indifferent or curious toward kayakers and boats, and may even swim up to get a closer look. From the beach, you can observe the incredible whales, who often swim in pods of 8 to 12.
Great White Sharks, Neptune Islands, South Australia
The only spot in Australia where you can get up close to a great white shark in a cage is off the shores of Port Lincoln. The Neptune Islands, which are nearest to Port Lincoln, serve as the only legal area in Australia for great white shark cage diving and one of the most dependable locations in the world. Local operators run full-day trips from the Port Lincoln harbor, offering traditional surface cages for people who'd like to hang out and snorkel, and submersible cages for certified divers who wish to reach deeper. You do not need certification to get in the surface cage. South Australian waters serve as a breeding ground for the sharks, and it is illegal to disturb them, so sharks often appear regularly here, unlike in other locations where the sharks may no longer be a common sight.
FAQ's
1. Where can I swim with whale sharks?
The Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia offers responsible, regulated swims alongside these gentle giants from March to August.
2. Can I dive with great white sharks without a cage?
No, cage diving is the only safe and widely permitted method for experiencing great white sharks up close, available notably in destinations like Gansbaai, South Africa.
3. What is the best spot to see manta rays?
Kona, Hawaii, is world-famous for night dives and snorkels where massive reef manta rays feed on plankton attracted by dive lights.
4. Are there places to touch or feed dolphins in the wild?
While some ethical eco-tours offer structured, non-invasive boat encounters, direct touching or feeding in open waters is generally discouraged to protect natural animal behaviors.
5. When is the best time to visit the Galápagos Islands for marine life?
The warm season from December to May brings calmer waters and abundant hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and playful sea lion pups.
