There’s no doubt that a big reason people love scuba diving is the chance to enjoy incredible marine life encounters. From massive whale sharks in the Maldives to tiny pygmy seahorses in Indonesia, witnessing the amazing marine species that live in our oceans first-hand is truly phenomenal and unforgettable. It’s also one which can’t be rivaled by looking at physical pictures or a screen.
It’s these extraordinary moments that divers (and many non-divers) thrive on, and that’s why we’re sharing some of our divers’ incredible marine life encounters that happen when you #LiveUnfiltered.
Let’s dive in!
Eric and Sonia: Humpback Whales
“There are those moments in life that are difficult to describe. They are so unlike anything else you have experienced that they leave you feeling overwhelmed, emotional, and dazed. They are larger than words or pictures can capture and somehow greater than just a physical encounter.
We recently visited Moorea, a trip we had been dreaming of for years, as it is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with the majestic humpback whale.
We went on a private tour with Moorea Ocean Adventures, a team of marine biologists and experienced boat captains that really put focus on respecting marine wildlife. We saw 3 adult whales traveling together from the boat, blowing rainbows and showing off their beautiful dorsal fins. What we did never imagine is what happened next. Our boat captain heard from another boat that there were 4 more whales traveling in the opposite direction from the other 3. He said he thought there was a chance the 7 of them would meet at the same point, so we were going to join the whale party.
We jumped into the deep blue ocean a few minutes later and swam for over 200 meters. Then a whale came from the abyss, followed by two more. And then 4 more whales joined, floating right underneath our feet. It was the most epic wildlife encounter we could have ever imagined.”
Leila: Whale Shark
“Koh Tao is far from unknown to divers, but its greatest selling point for us – incredibly warm waters apart – was the possibility of seeing a whale shark.
During fun dives each day, the dive masters warned us not to expect “the big spotty fish”! One morning, we ascend after an incredible dive to hear shouts from the boats: shark! We re-board our boat as quickly as possible to learn that the boat captain has heard via radio that the big spotted fish (whale shark) is at the wreck site. We changed our cylinders and re-donned our equipment. Going through the buddy checks, the excitement was tangible, mixed with worry that we would miss it. As we approach the site, other divers are ascending – not a great sign- and as we enter the water, they say it’s gone. My heart sinks until a divemaster shouts out: It’s here! We descend, and among the chaos of bubbles, I see it, the whale shark. Five meters long, its movements in the water are never threatening but rather hypnotic. As I feel tears rolling, I realize how essential diving is. Without it, I couldn’t have connected with nature as I did. We spend twenty minutes with the shark and, as it bids us goodbye, I am truly thankful, then realize I’ve forgotten my camera! But it’s okay. I know I can never forget this”.
By @reira_l15
Marina: Wreck Diving
“As I heard that there is a huge plane wreck lying on the bottom of the Red Sea in Aqaba, I immediately decided that I wanted to go diving there. The plane was undamaged, so it was possible to enter it and swim through it. Even the seats of the plane were still inside. As I was diving through the plane, it was full of marine life, and I even found skeletons in the cockpit and the toilet. Diving there was absolutely an incredible experience”.
Tom: Hammerhead Sharks
“We left the dock early in the morning on a bright March day on San Cristobal Island, one of the three inhabited islands in the Galapagos archipelago. We motored towards Leon Dormido, or Kicker Rock, a 150-meter lava cone composed of ancient volcanic ash towering above the ocean floor. The dive site features a channel that splits two parts of the cone, fostering a strong current and swim route around the site.
As we descended into the surprisingly chilly waters, I was enamored by the vibrant schools of fish, rocking fan corals, and occasionally white tip, blacktip, Galapagos, and hammerhead sharks that peeked at us for a moment before disappearing back into the deep blue.
We were drifting through the channel when gracefully swaying scalloped hammerheads slowly emerged from the blue horizon we were floating into. I was awed by the magnitude and beauty of the apex predators. I started recording mouth agape (at least slightly more open than usual) and adrenaline pumping.
I surfaced from the dive in reverence, grateful to witness one of the great migrations of life in our oceans. To this day, my experience diving with migratory hammerheads is my favorite underwater memory and one of my most stunning life experiences. It was incredible to witness the abundance of marine life supported by strong ocean stewardship practices in the Galapagos”.
By @tom_condon_
Janie: Dolphins
“Riding the zodiac with a group of 5 people and no real expectations, we enjoy the warm sun heating up our wetsuits and the marine breeze, but still no dolphins.
A few minutes before turning back, we suddenly saw a tiny fin near the horizon! I could not believe it. It was my first time seeing a dolphin!
With only our fins, mask, and snorkel, we jumped in the water to observe them. A whole pack of 10 to 12 beautiful dolphins came investigating us, curious!
Carefully, we were watching them with our eyes (*never touch marine life!!*).
They looked unreal. A curious one was swimming belly-up under me, a few meters down. They were swirling all around us and really seemed to be playing! I could hear their sounds, like underwater singing. Suddenly, one came right at me and started to do circles around me, looking at me closely, interested. At that very moment, we were looking at each other, and words cannot describe the connection I felt. I did not move an inch; I just filmed the moment while enjoying this privileged encounter”.
James: Manta Rays
“I love diving for the sensation of existing under the water, but what really brings me back again and again are the encounters with marine wildlife, and in my view, bigger is definitely better. Rays don’t get bigger than mantas, and so a series of encounters with them during a liveaboard in the Maldives absolutely made the trip. Snorkelling alongside mantas feeding on a reef edge was fun; but took a lot of effort swimming through the surge, and required a great deal of care to avoid accidentally harassing the rays, keeping a respectful distance and anticipating their turns.
Imagine the pleasure then of doing a dive that is all reward and no effort.
After a very pleasant meal six of us watched the sun dip below the horizon, then geared up and slipped into the warm caress of the Indian Ocean. Dropping 15 meters down a shot line we checked that there was nothing to disturb and knelt in the soft sand. Then we turned on the torches and waited. The plan was simple; light attracts plankton and the plankton attracts mantas. One after another they came to investigate the light and to get an easy meal, performing a graceful underwater ballet to syphon through the tiny organisms drawn to our torches. Amidst all the backwards rolls and tight turns, the rays would swim round or over the loose circles of divers who were watching them. The whole encounter was on the manta’s terms, and we were simply privileged to sit and watch as they fed, occasionally leaning to the side to avoid getting a wing or whiptail to the face. When the air was over we simply rose to our safety stop, and ascended to the envy of those guests who had decided against another dive.
So many of my greatest marine encounters, and those of my friends, come down to sheer luck that I wanted to share a moment that any diver has a reasonable chance of experiencing. Any trained diver could have undertaken that dive and experienced the magic we encountered, and any diver who attempts that dive has a good chance of replicating or bettering our results. I’m always surprised by divers who’ve never dived at night, there’s a whole other world to explore when the sun goes down, and it doesn’t need to be challenging to be extremely rewarding.”
Sarah: Mobula Rays
“As I dipped my face into the crystal-clear waters off the coast of Baja California Sur, I couldn’t believe my eyes. A massive school of mobula rays was gracefully circling around me. Their streamlined bodies were a sight to behold. The rays were moving in perfect harmony, like a school of fish, but on a grander scale.
I was drawn in by their smooth, almost mesmerizing movement, and I could feel my heartbeat slow down as I descended deeper into the water. I was amazed by the sheer number of rays in the school, and as I (quietly) dove down for a closer look, they seemed to welcome me into their fold.
Back on the surface, with each breath I took, I felt more connected to this awe-inspiring marine world. I watched in wonder as the rays somersaulted, danced and glided through the water, their wingtips moving in a synchronized and rhythmic pattern. It was as if they were putting on a show just for me.
The longer I stayed with them, the more I felt a sense of calmness and tranquility. Being among these gentle rays was a humbling experience, and I knew I would never forget the moment. As I emerged from the water, I realized that these creatures were not only beautiful but also a testament to the importance of ocean conservation. It was a reminder that we need to protect these creatures and their habitat to ensure they continue to thrive in our oceans.”
Have you got some incredible marine life encounters of your own that you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear about them!
You can also teach non-diving friends and family all about the #LiveUnfiltered mindset and the benefits of learning to dive. And, if they’re ready to jump in, sign them up for their PADI Open Water Diver certification.
