Face to Face with Creatures of the Deep

Asia

The Maldives

At the Maldives you can enjoy the wonder of whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. These gentle giants swim among coral reefs of the Maldives archipelago, which has the world’s largest population of whale sharks. You can swim alongside these creatures from May to December, during the southwest monsoon season when plankton blooms and attracts the whale sharks.

Australia

At the Neptune Islands, divers have the experience to come face to face with great white sharks. This is a natural cage diving trip where divers descend in cages to encounter these majestic creatures of the deep. Up close and personal with great white sharks is an adrenaline-pumping challenge.

Get a closer look at the giant cuttlefish migration during May through August, when thousands of Australian giant cuttlefish migrate to breed in the waters around Whyalla, South Australia. These are masters of disguise and impress their partners with a dazzling display of colors, shapes, and textures. It is an amazing spectacle to witness,

Caribbean

Enjoy an underwater light show in St. Croix. A nighttime diver witnessing the most amazing courtships on Earth, male Caribbean ostracods (tiny crustaceans) release a glowing bioluminescent substance into the water to attract females. This “String of Pearls” illuminates the water and makes an enchanting sight.

Oceania

Palau is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. At Jellyfish Lake there are thousands of golden jellyfish. It is possible to be able to swim among them as they migrate across the lake in search of sunlight.

Even though due to a toxic layer at the bottom of the lake scuba diving is not allowed, freedivers and snorkelers can enjoy the jellyfish at the world-famous UNESCO site.

Philippines

At Malapascua Island, you can get up close to thresher sharks with their whip-like tails. In this area you’ll find some of the world’s top shark diving opportunities. When day breaks at Monrad Shoal, pelagic threshers gather around cleaning stations. You’ll get an exciting experience seeing this endangered marine species.

South Africa

Join the Sardine Run during May and July. At this time millions of sardines begin their annual migration up the southeast coast. They are accompanied by frenzied predators among them, gannets and penguins and eager dolphins, sharks, and giant whales.

This is one of the most exciting things to see, and you get to see all kinds of marine life.

South America

Colombia

In Malpelo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off the Pacific coast of Colombia, you can witness a congregation of hammerhead sharks. This forms a corner of the Hammerhead Triangle, and the remote island offers some of the best hammerhead diving. Divers thrill with the encounter.

The UK

At the Farne Islands, you can play with the grey seals. The Farne Islands has one of the biggest colonies of grey seals, who are renowned for their playful nature. They love getting close to and near snorkelers and divers.

These seals don’t mind braving the cold waters of the North Sea.

The United States

California

Enjoy grey whale watching in Baja California during the grey whale migrations. Every year, thousands of grey whales start a journey from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm breeding grounds of Baja. You can witness this spectacle from late December through April. This is also home to humpback and blue whales during the same season, offering divers a rare opportunity to witness multiple species of whales on a single trip.

Florida

See the migrating manatees at Crystal River in Florida. When the temperatures drop in the Gulf of Mexico between November and March, hundreds of manatees migrate to the warmer freshwater springs of the Crystal River.

It is a lot of fun to take a swim with these creatures.

Enjoy encounters with goliath groupers throughout Florida. Known to inhabit the wrecks and artificial reefs scattered along the state’s coastline, these colossal fish are one of the largest species of grouper in the world, weighing up to 800 pounds (363 kg).

Take an exciting underwater dive and get up close with them.

Hawaii

Take part in the excitement of the Moonlight Manta Ballet in Kona. As the sun sets on the Big Island, as many as 30 to 40 manta rays join together for an underwater acrobatic show. Among beams of light, the graceful manta rays glide effortlessly between divers and snorkelers and seem to be taking part in an amazing ballet.

This snorkeling experience lets participants swim with the manta rays by moonlight. Tours begin at sunset, and you can witness the manta rays feeding and performing acrobatics.