The best diving destinations where you can see endangered marine life

If you think that diving is just a hobby, you are very much mistaken. Thanks to this activity, people have the opportunity to preserve some species of marine life that are on the verge of extinction. How exactly? It's very simple!

Every year, businesses destroy rare fish for the sake of money. If diving resorts are set up in the regions where these marine animals live, then fishing becomes more difficult for a number of reasons. So, keep a selection of destinations that you can visit not only for fun but also to preserve unique fauna.

Revillagiguedo Islands (Mexico)

No wonder this resort is so adored by divers. Here, during each dive, you can meet dolphins, sharks, whales, and hundreds of other marine life. But people come here for the sake of a giant that is almost impossible to see anywhere else in the world: the manta ray. These animals are called "sea devils" because of their enormous size, which can frighten anyone. However, in most cases, they are not dangerous to humans.

These stingrays move thanks to their wing-like fins, which can reach a length of seven meters. Thanks to this body structure, the animals can easily cover long distances in search of a good place to hunt. From time to time, they can be spotted near coral reefs.

Hammerhead sharks and other endangered species can also be seen near the islands. The best time to travel is from November to May.

Cocos Island (Costa Rica)

If you like extreme diving, you should choose Cocos Island for your vacation. It is here that you can admire whole schools of sharks that have a strange habit: during the day they swim calmly in these waters and practically do not touch anyone, and at night they go hunting.

Of course, there are risks involved, so think carefully about whether this is a good place to dive. However, don't forget that it is in these places that you can most often see the toothed hammerhead shark, whose population is rapidly declining.

The fact is that Cocos is located in the so-called hammerhead shark triangle, which is home to the world's largest number of this species.

Marsa Alam (Egypt)

Have you ever heard of the herbivorous marine mammals dugongs and manatees? These animals have long been endangered. The fact is that they live in shallow water. Due to environmental problems, the water here is getting dirtier every year, and the vegetation on which these beauties feed is disappearing.

However, divers often spot dune bats and manatees at the Marsa Alam resort. They are not afraid of people and do not pose a threat to them, so you can watch the animals from a fairly close distance.

Canary Islands (Spain)

Every year, this resort receives thousands of tourists, but few of them know that rare angel sharks can be seen right off the coast of the islands. These sea creatures are so unique that they are protected by law. If you try to catch them, you can not only get a significant fine, but also go to jail.

In addition, divers choose this resort to admire five species of stingrays at once: common, round, marbled, eagle, and butterfly stingrays. They also live in other regions of the world, but that doesn't make a meeting with one any less interesting for dive enthusiasts.

Philippines

The warm and picturesque sea of the Philippines makes this destination ideal for divers. Especially when you consider that you can see whale sharks, manta rays, and endangered coral species. So there is no better place to dive.

Molapascua has long been one of the most popular resorts among divers. Here you can dive with a herring shark, whose population is decreasing every year. In general, this destination almost guarantees you a meeting with marine life that is on the verge of extinction.

Maldives

This resort is ideal for many water sports, including diving. The islands are home to so many giant fish that a meeting with them is almost guaranteed. Here you can see whale sharks, which have been listed as endangered since 2016. The fact is that they are illegally caught for their fins, which are considered an incredibly expensive delicacy. So, while there is still an opportunity to enjoy the grace of these sharks, you need to go to the Maldives.

Hawaii (USA)

This resort is home to 9 species of animals protected by the US law. In particular, we are talking about loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, fin whales, sperm whales, blue whales, etc. Of course, you are unlikely to see them at the same time. However, there is a great chance of meeting one of these beautiful marine creatures.

By the way, monk seals often rest right on the beach. But we do not recommend getting close to them, because they may see you as a danger and behave very aggressively.

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