Stories & guides
How to fly to Tonga for a humpback whale swim: routes from Auckland, Sydney and Nadi into Nuku'alofa, flight times and airport tips.
A day-by-day 7-day Yasawa Islands itinerary: Blue Lagoon, Sawa-i-Lau caves, village visit, manta channel and a bull shark dive.
Hanifaru Bay rules explained: snorkeling only, the entry token, the 45 minute limit, how close you can get and when the mantas feed.
Tromsø to Skjervøy by express boat, bus or car: durations, ferries, the winter Whale Route bus and how our orca expedition handles the trip.
How to get to Raja Ampat: flights to Sorong, the fast ferry to Waisai, what it costs, and why we tell everyone to land a day early.
How to combine Whales of Tonga and Yasawa paradise in one long-haul journey: the Nadi route, the night in between, water temperatures and packing.
Calm seas, 28 to 30 degree water and 15 to 30 metre visibility: what a November liveaboard in Raja Ampat looks like.
Dry-season weather, 25 to 27 degree water and manta season in the Yasawas: what to expect and pack for Fiji in September.
Bigger, livelier calves, 23 to 25 degree water and quieter boats: what a September whale swim in Tonga is like.
How a South Ari Atoll whale shark snorkeling day works, the rules to expect and how it compares with Baa Atoll.
Polar twilight, 4 to 7 degree water and the tail end of the herring run: what a January orca trip in Norway really feels like.
Boat time, drysuits, Arctic logistics and what a quote leaves out: a clear look at what swimming with orcas in Norway costs.
Boat, permit, flights and extras: where the money goes on a Raja Ampat liveaboard and how to budget without surprises.
Certified, not certified or not diving at all: how to see the Kuata bull sharks in Fiji's Yasawa Islands.
From the harbour to the last rinse: what a day swimming with humpback whales in Tonga actually involves.
Why the moon decides when mantas feed at Hanifaru Bay, how full and new moon weeks differ and how to pick your dates.
Wayag vs Misool vs Dampier Strait: what each part of Raja Ampat is best for, how far apart they are and how to pick when you cannot do everything.
How the Yasawa Flyer works, what the ride is like, how to pack for it and how to plan an island hopping route through Fiji's Yasawa Islands.
A practical breakdown of the cost to swim with humpback whales in Tonga: flights, whale days, lodging, meals and the extras people forget to budget for.
How a Maldives local island guesthouse stay compares to a resort when your goal is mantas and whale sharks in Baa Atoll, and what to know before you book.
What swimming level you actually need to snorkel with orcas in Norway, what the water feels like in November, and what non-swimmers can still do.
Raja Ampat vs Komodo diving, compared honestly: reefs, big animals, currents, water temperature, season, cost and how hard each one is to reach.
Yasawa vs Mamanuca islands for snorkeling, mantas, sharks and island life. An honest comparison of Fiji's two island chains from people who run trips up the Yasawas every year.
Vava'u, Ha'apai or Tongatapu for swimming with humpback whales in Tonga? Boats, crowds, flights and whale numbers compared by people who run whale weeks there.
The Maldives in August means monsoon rain and the biggest manta gatherings of the year at Hanifaru Bay. Here is what the weather really does and how to plan around it.
Drysuit or wetsuit for swimming with orcas in Norway? What we put guests in at Skjervoy, what goes underneath, and why the choice matters more than you think.
Arctic orca photography in Norway: camera settings for 4 to 5 hours of winter light, ISO, shutter speed and keeping your gear working in the cold.
Bull shark diving in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji: how the shark feed dive works, which sharks you see, how deep it is and what to know before you go.
When manta ray season in Fiji runs, where the Yasawa manta channels are, and how a snorkel with mantas actually works, from people who swim there every year.
Tonga or French Polynesia for swimming with humpback whales? Same season, very different trips. Our honest comparison of rules, crowds, cost and encounters.
How to get to Baa Atoll and Hanifaru Bay: seaplane, domestic flight or speedboat from Male. Travel times, costs and the honest pros and cons of each.
Is it safe to swim with orcas in Norway? A straight answer from guides who spend every winter in the water at Skjervoy: the orcas are not the risk, the Arctic is.
Everyone eventually asks the same question: should the next trip be Fiji, Tahiti, or the Maldives? All three are world-class. Here is the honest breakdown of which one to pick for which reason.
A lot of travellers assume Fiji is a scuba-only destination. It is not. Some of the country's best wildlife encounters happen at the surface, and one of them is the whole reason to visit.
The Yasawas are the wilder, quieter side of Fiji. Twenty islands lined up in the sun, with manta channels, empty beaches, cave swims and villages you actually get invited into.
Fiji has two seasons, and the underwater year splits cleanly between them. Here is when to book if you want mantas, reef sharks and the clearest water of the year.
Two of the Maldives' most famous atolls sit on opposite sides of the country and run opposite seasons. Here is which one gives you the encounter you want.
The Maldives is warm, wet and remote. Packing for it is not complicated, but a few small items make or break the week. Here is what actually matters.
A common question we get is whether you need to be a scuba diver to enjoy the Maldives. The honest answer is no. And Hanifaru Bay is the reason.
Every serious diver headed to the Maldives faces the same question: liveaboard or resort. Here is the honest breakdown, from someone who runs trips both ways.
Mantas and whale sharks follow the monsoon in the Maldives. Here is which months and atolls to pick, from Hanifaru Bay in Baa to South Ari.
Why winter is the season, how orcas hunt, and what it takes to share the water with them.
In Baa Atoll, the full moon triggers one of the ocean's greatest gatherings. Here's the science behind it.
Every expedition operator advertises small groups. Almost none of them address the real problem small groups are supposed to solve.
Compare Raja Ampat operators and formats: big dive liveaboards, dive resorts and small-group pinisi expeditions. Practical criteria for choosing well.
Compare Tonga humpback whale swim operators: group size, island, boat, guides and the rules that decide your water time. What to ask before you book.
How to choose an orca tour in Norway: in-water access, group size, ethics, gear and how Maui, Arctic Freediving, Waterproof and Insider Divers compare.
Compare manta ray and whale shark operators in the Maldives: Hanifaru Bay vs Ari Atoll, day excursions vs expeditions, and what to ask before booking.
Skjervøy is a small fishing island in northern Norway and one of the best places in the world to swim with orcas. Here's what to know before you go.
Thinking about getting certified? Here's exactly what the Open Water course involves and how to make the process as smooth as possible.
The best snorkeling destinations for marine wildlife aren't always the most obvious ones. Here's where to go if you want genuine encounters with large ocean animals.
You don't need expensive gear to take great ocean wildlife photos. Here's what actually makes a difference for beginners shooting underwater and at the surface.
You don't need to be an athlete to join a marine wildlife expedition. But some preparation makes the experience significantly better.
Going alone on a group wildlife expedition? Here's what solo travelers actually experience, and why many prefer it this way.
A marine wildlife expedition isn't just a dive holiday with better animals. Here's what makes them different and why that difference matters.
Can travel actually help protect the ocean? Here's how responsible wildlife tourism creates measurable conservation outcomes when it's done right.
Open water anxiety is common and manageable. Here's how to work through it practically, so it doesn't stop you from doing the things you actually want to do.
What's the real difference between small group travel and a standard group tour? It comes down to one thing: who you're with.
What is the Coral Triangle and why does it matter? Here's why Raja Ampat sits at the heart of the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on earth.
When is the best time to visit Raja Ampat? This guide breaks down diving conditions, wildlife, and what to expect month by month.
Thinking about a Raja Ampat liveaboard but not sure what to expect? This guide covers everything first-timers need to know before they board.
Planning a trip to Tonga? Here's what to know about getting there, where to stay, what to expect, and how to make the most of your time in the islands.
What are humpback whales actually doing in Tonga? A guide to the behaviors you'll witness and what they mean.
The Lofoten Islands in winter are unlike anywhere else in the world. Northern lights, Sami culture, dramatic landscapes, and orca season right on the doorstep.
Carousel feeding is one of the most sophisticated hunting techniques in the animal kingdom. Here's how orcas use it to hunt herring in Norway's Arctic fjords.
Swimming with humpback whales sounds terrifying until you understand how these animals actually behave. Here's what the science and experience say about safety.
Never snorkeled with manta rays before? This guide covers everything you need to know before your first encounter.
Planning to see the northern lights in Norway? This guide covers the best months, best locations, and what actually improves your chances of seeing them.
Is swimming with whale sharks ethical? We look at the science, the regulations, and what responsible operators actually do to protect these animals.
Choosing between a liveaboard and resort for your marine wildlife trip? Compare the pros and cons of each to decide what fits your budget and travel style.
Compare the Maldives and Raja Ampat for diving. Learn which destination offers better marine life, value, and overall experience for your next trip.
How to choose an ocean wildlife expedition operator: group size, guides, encounter rules, safety, real costs, red flags and the questions to ask first.
New to underwater photography? Learn how to choose the right camera, housing, and accessories for your first setup without overspending.
Should you freedive or scuba dive for wildlife encounters? Compare the pros and cons of each approach for seeing whales, sharks, and marine megafauna.
Planning an Arctic ocean expedition? This complete packing list covers everything you need for cold water wildlife encounters in Norway, Iceland, and beyond.
Discover the world's top whale shark destinations. Learn when to visit the Maldives, Mexico, Australia, and more for swimming with these gentle giants.
Planning to swim with humpback whales in Tonga? Learn the best months to visit, what to expect, and how to maximize your chances of incredible encounters.
Compare the best underwater camera housings for 2026. From iPhone cases to mirrorless camera housings, find the right protection for your gear.
Compare the GoPro Hero 13, Insta360 Ace Pro 2 & X5, and Sony A7SIII for underwater photography and video. Learn which camera fits your needs and skill level.
Orcas follow the herring into northern Norway's fjords every winter. Here is when to go, where to base yourself and what the cold water is really like.
Planning to swim with orcas? This guide covers the practical stuff—what to wear, how to behave in the water, and what actually helps when you're floating in Arctic fjords watching killer whales hunt.
