Best Places In The World To Learn About Marine Life
Every ocean has a story to tell. There is something magical about the ocean that we keep on revisiting them from time to time. Maybe it’s the calm and soothing atmosphere it offers or its scenic beauty; everyone has reasons to admire the beauty of the ocean. Among the visitors, there is a group much more interested in marine life than its serene beauty. There are lots of mysteries surrounding the ocean, of which the most relevant one is that of its inhabitants.
We can’t stop admiring its wide variety of marine life. Knowing them in person would be a good idea. But for them mugging up thick textbooks is not everyone’s cup of tea. How can we get to know the things related to these creatures? What else, we have the chance to meet them in person and get to know their life in close contact. This article lists a few best places in the world where you can learn more about marine life. These places can turn you into a mini marine biologist as they are energetic and entertaining.
Sea of Cortez, Mexico
The sea of Cortez is fondly referred to as the World’s Aquarium because of its beautiful marine life. Situated between the long Baja Peninsula off the Southern California and Mexico’s West coast, this sea attracts numerous tourists. It is heard that many tourists become poets after visiting this beautiful place. Author John Steinbeck described the beauty of this sea in his book “Sea of Cortez”.
This sea is home to a dozen species of whales, hammerhead sharks, spinner dolphins, sea lions and eagle rays. It is also rich in one of the most curious tropical fish, the Browncheek blenny. It is a long-bodied creature that takes shelter in abandoned tubes. Here you can make arrangements with the authorised bodies, and they will take you on snorkelling, diving and kayaking journeys. It will be the best moment in your life when you will also have the chance to play with the puppies of sea lions. But mind you, don’t get too friendly with female ones. It will agitate the male lions and may attack you.
Utila Islands, Honduras
Utila Islands is just 30 miles away from the land of Honduras. Its main attraction is the giant whale shark, the largest fish in the sea. They are known to grow around 40 feet tall, but you can usually spot ones about 20 to 30 feet tall. If you are lucky enough, you can see a handful of them on the first day of diving or snorkelling at this place.
Your stay at the Utila lodge will be a memorable one as you will have the opportunity to explore the Whale Shark and the Oceanic Research Centre(WSORC), which works in close contact with government authorities for the welfare of the whale sharks situated here. This place will give you immense knowledge of different types of reef fish and whale shark research and show how to feed these creatures while snorkelling.
Komodo, Indonesia
Komodo region, which is almost 230 miles from East Bali, is home to the eight-foot-long dragon, the giant lizard in the World. It is also abundant in other marine species. There are several distinctive creatures here, like skeleton shrimp, boldly-hued sea apples, pygmy sea horses and dugong, a manatee-like animal.
This place comes under the UNESCO World Heritage National park site, making it a beneficiary to all their rights and reservations. This place is known as the Galapagos of the Asia-Pacific because of its diverse marine life. The guides there will help you explore this place to the maximum and also feed you with its historical importance.
Galapagos, Ecuador
Located 600 miles away from the coast of Ecuador, Galapagos is an aggregation of 19 main islands and a dozen smaller ones. Charles Darwin, the father of natural selection, wrote his book The Origin of Species while sitting on one of the islands of the Galapagos. Although the giant tortoises, finches and other land-based creatures took most of its credit, Darwin was also in love with the rich marine life of this place.
During your diving sessions in the sea of the Galapagos, you may encounter curious shark species named after this land where it was first spotted. It is also famous for a rare Iguana feeding in the sea. The Galapagos penguins are the only ones that can live outside Antarctica. It is a feast to our eyes watching them swimming underwater. You may also get in contact with sea lions and dolphins while boating or kayaking. It is a must-visit place for all marine life lovers.
Beqa, Fiji
The Fiji islands are placed like exotic necklaces in the South Pacific. They are fondly named the World’s soft coral capital. You can go diving in Beqa, one of the major islands of Viti Levu. Here, you may encounter different shark species, clown fishes, and colourful sponges and corals. It will be hard to miss out on the boldly-coloured blue ribbon eel because of its attractive yellow fins dazzling on its blue sapphire body.
This place is also famous for the zebra-striped lionfish that spits venom through its spiky dorsal fins whenever enemies attack it. The dive masters there will give you plenty of knowledge about this beautiful place during your diving sessions.
Palau
Palau is a group island located beautifully at the merging point of the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. Around 300 islands live harmoniously with a wide variety of marine species, including 1,300 fish species and different types of coral. Its main attraction is the reefs, as you can touch its surface by diving down 100 feet.
Tourists also come in large flocks to see the jellyfish that float on the vibrant blue salt-water lake in the interiors of Ali Malik island. But they have lost their ability to sting because of the absence of predators. On your visit to this place, you will witness an exciting relationship between the jellyfish and the microalgae as they seem to care for each other by feeding each other.
Visayas, Philippines
The Visayas is a cluster of thousands of islands in the middle of the Philippines. It is famous for its tranquil waters, which are rich in barrel sponges, green and moray eels, snappers, and black corals. It is also home to five varieties of sea horses and a special kind of fish which swim vertically and whose males are the ones who give birth to babies.
Visayas is also rich in Odd Atlantic Stargazer, a bottom-dwelling fish that hides deep inside the mud that you can see only its eyes outside. It can attract prey while hiding out inside the ground. Visayas is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary by arranging fantastic attractions for sea explorers.
Belize
Belize is widespread over the Western Caribbean and neighbouring Guatemala and Mexico and is famous for its 180 miles of coral reef stretch. On its southern tip is the protected Sapodilla Cayes Marine Park which is rich in unique varieties of coral species. The authorities are set to welcome their guests by providing a particular package, including diving and a marine conservation project.
You can take part in their eco projects like reef, conch and lobster check surveys. In the coral sand beach named Hunting Caye, you will likely encounter barracuda, which can be terrifying to watch, but they seldom attack visitors. You can also engage in canoe trips and snorkels, where you can get in close contact with dolphins and sea turtles.
Channel Islands National Park, California
California’s Channel Island National Park comprises five islands off Ventura and Santa Barbara coast. This place is full of dense kelp forests, dark sea caves, stony arches and narrow basalt tunnels, and crystal clear waters that add more to its scenic beauty. During your expedition to this beautiful place, you will likely meet dolphins, sea lions, whales and seals.
It is home to four types of sea lions and seals; tourists come in large numbers during the breeding season to witness uncommon scenes. In addition, this park is visiting place for several rare species, including Grey and Blue whales, spiny lobsters, scallops and abalones. Watching how striking sea fans like a red gorgonian feed themselves in the current rush is soothing.
The Maldives
Almost 400 miles away from the coast of India, the Maldives is rich in islets and coral islands. It is famous for its strong currents and wide varieties of marine life, including soft corals, sea sponges, tropical fishes and multi-coloured anemones. But its main attraction is the manta ray, the largest among the rays, which makes an impressive sweep by stretching its 12 feet wide wingspan.
The Maldives have built particular areas to protect these manta rays and whales. If you connect with their experienced local guides, you will get to know in detail about the natural history of the marine life of this place.
Brothers Island, Red Sea, Egypt
The tiny twin island, Brothers, is almost 30 miles from the coast of El Quseir in the Red Sea. These islands are part of the National Park of Marine Park Island, which protects this place and its inhabitants. It is home to sea fan forests, soft corals, and sharks. Its small sea-sided rocks resemble underwater volcanic mountains.
After signing up with the diving team here, they will take you to various diving sites around the Big and Little Brothers islands, which are hardly half a mile apart in the Red Sea. You can also take the package for better exposure, including snorkelling and diving.
Heron Island, The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The World’s longest reef, The Great Barrier Reef, is spread over 1400 miles along the coast of Queensland, making it visible even from space. Heron Island, located on its southern side, comes under the UNESCO World Heritage site and is rich in coral gardens floating along the beach.
On your snorkelling sessions, you can witness loggerhead turtles, batfish, stingrays and other marine species happily floating beside you. The sea is also rich in large sea fans and soft coral-type species that add more colours to underwater life.
Hawaii, USA
Hawaii island in the USA is home to nine endangered marine species listed by America’s Endangered Species Act. They include loggerhead sea turtles, green sea turtles, olive ridley sea turtles, humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, fin whales, sperm whales, sei whales and blue whales. It is hard to spot all these species on your visit to this place, but you can frequently spot sea turtles underwater.
Moreover, if you plan to travel here in January, February, and March, you may be lucky enough to witness humpback whales as they migrate here during that time. You can also see Hawaiin monk seals on the beach sides, but personal interaction with them is strictly prohibited. It is also the best place for night diving along with manta rays.
Canary Islands, Spain
One of the favourite tourist spots in Europe, the Canary Islands in Spain is also home to angel sharks, one of the most endangered sharks. It protects all three varieties of angel sharks, including the most endangered one, Squatina squatina.
Apart from the sharks, you can also see five common species of rays, including round, common, electric, marbled, butterfly and eagle rays. In addition, Manta rays, bull rays and skate also visit this place occasionally.
South Africa
South Africa will be on every traveller’s bucket list, but you should never leave South Africa without exploring its Southern tip. It is home to over 12,000 marine species, including several endangered ones. You can never see the Kysna Sea horse, African penguin, white steenbras and green sea turtles in huge numbers anywhere around the World other than this area.
Moreover, divers here will have a wholesome experience by watching big sharks to tiny sardines within their proximity.
So, which one you will be visiting in 2023 to unravel the adventure steak in you?