Before diving deep into 2017, we want to take a quick minute to appreciate some of the top videos featured on PADI’s social channels within the last year. With 4 out of the 5 clips featuring marine life, we think it’s safe to say that encounters with these amazing creatures under the sea will always be interesting. Enjoy these special moments caught on camera and don’t forget to check out the PADI YouTube channel.
1. Humpback Whales Swim with Dolphins in Hawaii
Marine mammals are some of the most-loved creatures in our ocean. This video was filmed by Uheheu in Hawaii, and it has us ready to board a plane ASAP. These humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins are a big part of why so many people dream of traveling there. For anyone wanting to see it in person, humpback migration season in Hawaii spans from November through May. Humpback whales have one of the longest migrations of any animal, and the ones found in Hawaii travel 6,000 miles/9,656 kilometers round trip from Alaska. It takes nearly two months of nonstop swimming for the whales to reach Hawaii during their migration. And while either animal is exciting to see on its own, the view of whales and dolphins swimming side by side is undeniably special.
2. Mobula Rays in La Paz
While many divers are lucky enough to see various rays on their dives, this video by Brent Durand in La Paz, Mexico shows off hundreds of mobula rays all at once. Although people frequently mistake them for manta rays, mobulas are their own amazing species. They gather in huge numbers in the Sea of Cortez off of Mexico and frequently jump out of the water, sometimes close to 10 feet/3 meters above the surface. Mobula rays also have a larger brain than other rays and sharks, and some divers even say they’ve witnessed mobulas being playful and curious with them. Still, being surrounded by so many animals at once is an experience not everyone would be comfortable with–would you be brave enough to join in?
Video: Brent Durand
Visit the Underwater Photography Guide for underwater video tutorials, settings, and gear reviews.
3. Feather Star in Bali
Next on the list is this video of a feather star captured by Els Van De Eijnden in Bali’s Blue Lagoon. Although it’s only eleven seconds long, it’s truly captivating. The feather star is a type of crinoid, and it’s a relative of sea stars and sea urchins. These animals date back to nearly 500 million years ago. Back then, these animals were incredibly abundant, but became more rare around 200 million years ago. Today we still have around 600 species of crinoid. Even though they’re not as well known as their star and urchin relatives, we think these fascinating creatures deserve some recognition.
4. Octopus in the Red Sea:
Do you think you could beat an octopus in a swimming competition? This amazing octopus clip was captured by Drifting Diver (Jeanette Cortez) while diving in the Red Sea. How awesome are the changing colors?!
5. Never Fall In Love With A Scuba Diver:
He’ll spend every weekend at the beach, and have an uneven tan.
Her hair will never be dry and her kiss will often be salty.
He’ll have a scruffy chin and own more board shorts than ties.
You’ll spend hours flying to places with no mobile reception
and travel miles into the rainforest with people you barely know.
Our recommendation? Never fall in love with a scuba diver.
Check out the Top Diving Photos of 2016 from Instagram.