Wetsuits And Wildlife: Diving Around The World

From 20ft long snakes to killer whales, we list a wildlife lover’s must-see water wildlife. I hope you’ve got your wet

Thanks to ever-improving technology we know more about the underwater world than ever before. Beautifully filmed fish flit across our screens in stunning Sunday evening documentaries. However, if watching from the sofa isn’t your jam, pack your wetsuit and take out dive insurancebecause it’s time to uncover what the seas and oceans have to offer - first hand.

Chills and Thrills in Norway

When people imagine a diving holiday they usually picture turquoise, sun-warmed seas, but true explorers know that cold seas have just as much to offer.

Imagine: a sleek black shape passes beneath you, flashes of white catch your eye and you glimpse that iconic, pointed fin. A thrill of terror runs through you – it’s a killer whale.

Known to prey on seals, dolphins, and sometimes even adult whales, thankfully these beasts are not interested in humans. What would you do to swim alongside the undisputed kings of the sea? If the answer is “anything”, grab a decent wetsuit and head to the freezing coasts of Norway – the hunting ground of hundreds of killer whales.

Ma Tai Anyone?

If plunging into icy water isn’t for you then head to the warmer coast of Hawaii. Here you’ll find an equally fascinating example of marine life – the spectacular manta ray!

The distinctive shape of these rays is well known to any nature lover. However, until you get up close and personal, it’s hard to comprehend their size. At Garden Eel Cove, Hawaii you get a chance to do just that. At dusk, a strong light box is placed in the water, attracting plankton and providing an all-you-can-eat buffet for hungry manta rays. So close you could touch them, you’ll experience manta rays in a unique way. And you’ll have time for a celebratory cocktail afterwards!

Hissy Fits in Brazil

Whether we are terrified of them or have three as pets, slithering and silent snakes are endlessly fascinating.

Safe to say, this holiday suggestion is probably not for those who struggle to watch the snake-scenes in Harry Potter without closing their eyes. However, if you’re the fearless type I cannot recommended this Brazilian trip enough. The beautiful green anaconda can be found lurking in the wetlands of the Bonito region and, trust me, is the stuff of nightmares. The ginormous anaconda can grow to a length of 20ft! Wouldn’t you like to touch one?

What Big Teeth You’ve Got Mr Wolf!

Staying with serpentine creatures, the Wolf Eel makes its home in the seas of British Columbia. This funny-looking, wolf fish can easily grow to 10ft but see if you can spot a young one - they are a striking orange colour.

The name Wolf Eel should be taken seriously: these ocean dwellers have sharp teeth and have been known to give humans painful bites! However, they are rarely aggressive and you’ll soon find yourself feeling oddly fond of these ugly fellows.

If, like me, you want to experience as much of the world as possible, don’t forget to take out appropriate insurance to keep you covered wherever you go. Let’s Go Insure’s dive insurance is ideal for the trips when you’ll be spending more time under the waves than relaxing on a sun lounger!

Ethan Bailey is an experienced adventure traveller and insurance expert with the team at Let's Go Insure. Ethan’s passion is to inspire his clients to go just that little bit further, deeper and higher on their travels and his expertise in providing the ideal insurance cover allows them to do just that. If you're looking for the best dive insurance Let's Go works with the most experienced underwriters, intermediaries and insurers to offer a range of competitive insurance without compromising on cover.

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