Wondering where to go to tick off some bucket list species? Look no further. In this blog we go over our top five marine animals (featuring hammerheads, manta rays, turtles, humpback whales and whale sharks) and talk about the best locations and time of year to dive with them. So, if you want to find out where and when to dive with the top five marine life, then read on...
When & Where to See Hammerhead Sharks
Hammerhead sharks are named after the unusual and distinctive shape of their heads, which are flattened and extended sideways into a 'hammer' shape called a cephalofoil. There is no actual explanation for their strangely shaped heads, but apparently, it's because the positioning of the eyes give the shark improved vision, as well as 360-degree views, meaning they can see above and below them at all times. In terms of their diet, hammerhead sharks are known to eat a wide range of items including fish, squid, octopus and crustaceans, and they usually swim in schools along the bottom of the sea to search for food. If you fancy a dive with these amazing creatures, here is list of when and where to see them:
- January: Rangiroa, French Polynesia
- February: Bimini, Bahamas
- March: Galapagos Islands
- July: Cocos Islands, Australia
- November: Southern Mozambique
To learn more about hammerhead sharks, visit our Top Ten Hammerhead Shark Facts blog.
When & Where to See Manta Rays
Manta rays are highly intelligent creatures, with the largest brain-to-body ratio of all sharks and rays, and many of them show an outstanding skill to interplay with divers and snorkellers. Mantas are the largest of the rays and glide through water much like birds through the air. At feeding time, these gentle giants eat plankton, fish larvae and the like, which is filtered from the water that passes through their gills as they swim. Mantas live in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide and prefer open water close to the surface, where they usually travel alone. Swimming with mantas is high on the priority list of marine life to see for all divers, so if you fancy a go, here is when and where to see them:
- February: South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- April: Bali
- May: Ningaloo Reef, Australia
- June: Baa Atoll, Maldives
- September: The Azores, Europe
To learn more about manta rays read our Top Ten Manta Ray Facts blog.
When & Where to See Turtles
Sea turtles come in many different shapes, colours and sizes (sometimes up to 600kg) yet the most common species you're likely to come across are the hawksbill, greenback or loggerhead turtle. They don't have teeth, but their jaws have modified 'beaks' which fit their particular diet. They don't have visible ears but have eardrums covered by skin, and their sense of smell is outstanding. They can see and move very well underwater, yet their vision and movement is restricted when on land. If you would like to experience a dive with turtles, read below for where and when the best time to do it is:
- July: Green, leatherback and hawksbill turtles in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
- August: Green turtles in Sipadan, Borneo
- October: Green and loggerhead turtles at the Ningaloo Reef, Australia
If you want to learn more about turtles, then read our Top Ten Turtle Facts blog.
When & Where to See Humpback Whales
The humpback whale can reach lengths of up to 50 ft and can weigh up to 36,000kgs - WOW. It's distinctive body shapes, with long fins and tail, allows them to slap the water's surface with force. Their diet consists of mainly krill and small fish, and they tend to use the bubble net feeding technique to trap their prey. Humpback whales can be found in many oceans and seas around the world, read below to find out where to see humpback whales.
- January: Turks and Caicos
- June: Mozambique
- August: The Australian and Tahitian Coast
- October: Ningaloo Reef, Australia
- December: Hawaii
Interested in learning more about humpback whales? Then read our Top Ten Humpback Whale Facts
When & Where to See Whale Sharks
Whale Sharks are by far the largest fish in the sea, with a growth of up to 40ft, a weight of over 30 tonnes and life expectancy of 70 years. This gentle giant's favourite meal is plankton, and in order to feed, it expands its' terrifyingly large jaws and sucks in everything from the surrounding area. Whale sharks can be found in warm waters, in every tropical sea, and divers and snorkelers can swim with them without risk, apart from unintentional blows from the shark's large tail fin. If you fancy hanging out with these human friendly creatures, find out when and where to see whalesharks here:
- February: Similan islands, Thailand
- March: Ninagoloo reef, Australia
- April: South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- June: Darwin and Wolf, Galapagos
- September: Seychelles
- October: Dijibouti
- November: Mafia Island, Tanzania
If you want to learn some new facts about whale sharks, then read our Ten Whale Shark Facts We Bet You Didn't Know blog.
If you would like any more information on the marine life mentioned, or on our tailor-made dive holidays, please contact Original Diving.