The ocean is the most powerful thing on earth, without the oceans we would not exist. The first organisms in the world started in the water, our weather is dependent on it, our food, the oxygen we breath, basically everything we are began in the ocean, and everything in the future is completely dependent on it. We sometimes forget that we share the ocean with every single thing on earth.
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I have lived by the sea for nearly my whole life, I can't imagine not seeing it every day. You might think, why would a girl who has access to the ocean any time she likes explore different seas around the world? Easy answer, because it fascinates me. Being in the water is where I feel the most comfortable, and being around ocean creatures is indescribable. I always try to do my small part in keeping the oceans clean and to avoid any further pollution, I will be doing a post on how some small changes to your daily life can make a big difference.
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Here are my favorite 13 ocean encounters with the underwater locals, I highly recommend experiencing them if you haven't already. Enjoy!
I swam with these gentle giants off the coast of Mexico on my 23rd birthday. Clearly given their size they need deep water, so you will take a boat an hour or so off the coast. Once found the captain of the boat instructs you to jump in, but you better be fast because they may seem slow moving from the surface, I assure you they're not. Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the world. Although their size is intimidating, and they are sharks after all, rest assured, these guys will not be chewing you up any time soon. Their tiny teeth aren't used to eat at all, they are filter feeders, eating mainly plankton.
Where to find them: Mexico, Belize, Philippines, Maldives, Galapagos, Thailand, Tanzania, Mozambique. There are whale sharks seasons, make sure you check out what time of year they'll be around in these countries.
1. Whale Shark
2. Nudibranchs
Have no idea what this is? Neither did I. I discovered these little cuties when I was scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. We went diving just as a huge storm had passed and the first day visibility wasn't great, but you could see them clearly because of their beautiful neon colors.
Where you can find them: Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Belize, Fiji, Cuba, Galapagos, Thailand
The first time I saw a Manta Ray was in Miami while I was doing my Open Water PADI certification, I was 12. I couldn't wait to get back in the water with them, so when I got to Fiji and saw their was a whole island dedicated to them, I didn't even think twice. They would beat the drum when they saw the mantas and you'd have to be ready in your bikini to run down to the boat to go swimming with them. Similar to its distant cousin above, the whale shark, these underwater acrobats are filter feeders. There is no reason to be afraid of them biting you, just enjoy the spectacular show they put on under the surface.
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Where to find them: Fiji, Mexico, Ecuador, Hawaii, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Australia)
3. Manta Rays
4. Sea Urchins
I know what you're thinking, why did this make the list? When I was in Greece, they were what people looked forward to eating in the summer. My boyfriend at the time dove into the water and brought one out and asked me if I wanted a snack, true story. Overall, they're actually very delicious, but the thought of eating one so so fresh kind of freaked me out.
Where to find them: all over the world
Little cliche? I don't care, every time I swim with these animals I love them more and more. They always seem to be playing, eating, or sleeping. In October 2019, I got to go to Playa Ostional in Guanacaste, Costa Rica to see hundreds of sea turtles lay their eggs, it was absolutely beautiful. I had experienced turtle laying in Florida in the middle of the night with just a few turtles, which was a really intimate experience, but never have I seen hundreds of turtles on the beach like in Costa Rica.
Where to find them: Several countries around the world including - USA (Hawaii, Florida are most common), Europe, Mexico, Galapagos Islands, Australia, Maldives, Egypt, Costa Rica, Nicaragua
5. Sea Turtles
6. Seals
The first time I saw these animals was with my best friend in the north of Scotland. They were so funny, all just tanning, well "tanning" it was Scotland at the end of the day, and as we approached they all freaked out and hobbled into the water. I think it's just the way they move on land that is so cute and funny, I don't know.
Where to find them: different species can be found all over the world
When you think of a whale, the Humpback Whale is probably what comes to mind. Made famous by its size and spectacular breaches, these impressive animals can be found in different parts of the world, and at different times of the year. They seasonally migrate, using summers to eat, then migrating to sub-tropical waters to mate and calve. I got to see them in action in Hawaii, and watching the baby calf learn to breach and play along side its mother was extremely special.
Where to find them: USA (Hawaii, Alaska), South Africa, Iceland, Scotland, Dominica, Maldives, Antarctic, Vancouver Island, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, Norway
7. Humpback Whales
8. Hammerhead Sharks
These guys wander around when we kiteboard here in Miami. My brother jumped on top of one once to see what type it was and reported back that it was a Hammerhead, clear as day because of their unique head shape.
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Where to find them: tropical waters including - Galapagos Islands, Bahamas, Colombia, Fiji, Cuba, Malaysia, Tahiti, Panama, Costa Rica
I am so lucky to get to see dolphins every week, it's almost a guarantee that I see them when I go out on my boat. I would expect it to get old, but I still fill up with joy each time.
Where to find them: different types of dolphins are live in every ocean and sea
9. Dolphins
10. Manatees
Allow me to introduce you to the sea cow. These are one of the sweetest animals ever, just look at that face. Growing up in Miami for most of my life, I see manatees on a weekly basis either swimming, paddle boarding, etc. These animals struggle a lot because they are "slow moving" and often have a hard time getting out of the way of speed boats, you can often see them with scars on their backs.
Where to find them: Florida, Amazon, West Africa
If dogs were a sea creature they would be sea lions. These animals are playful, social, and adorable; they are also the main prey for so many big predators. I see them all the time when I got to the north of Chile, they are often on the beach taking sun. Sea lions love playing with each other, surfing waves, or taking in sun on the beach and on top of rocks.
*Shoutout to my friend Doug for the great pic above in the Galapagos
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Where to find them: Galapagos Islands, Chile, Antartica, California, Australia, New Zealand
11. Sea Lions
12. Cow Fish
This one might be a little random, but this was another discovery I had while diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and they were the cutest little fish. They have these sweet little horns and the funny pout that moves when they swim.
Where you can find them: Australia, Japan, South Korea
Contrary to what many people think, corals are in fact, animals, not plants. Coral creates perfect homes for fish and other animals. Nemo made the anemone famous, for example. Up to half of the coral reef on the planet has been severely damaged or killed due to destructive fishing and climate change. The biggest coral reef in the world, The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, has permanently lost between 30% - 50% of its reef. If things continue the way they are it's likely that all the coral will be gone in the next 20 years. If you're wondering how this could affect you, the reefs affect tropical storms, the food chain - yes, your food chain too, drugs used for medicine, and much much more, aside from being stunning to experience with your own eyes.
Where to find them: mainly in the tropics - between the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf. They can be found outside of the tropics in places like Florida and Japan too.
13. Coral
UP NEXT
Plain and simple, this is my number 1 thing on my bucket list. I was meant to see them in South Africa May 2020, thanks to COVID-19, that has been postponed, but I can't wait.
Where to find them: South Africa, Australia, USA (California), Mexico
have recommendations or experiences with an ocean creature?
I want to hear it
@camilaime