Sea Creature Spotting from a Superyacht
Few experiences at sea rival that of witnessing a pod of dolphins playing in a yacht’s wake. Peering overboard, you’ll see dorsal fins breach the sea foam to the joyful tune of whistles and clicks, shortly before disappearing back into the deep blue. The beauty here is that it’s entirely uncertain and completely beholden to the whims of nature.
With over 70 per cent of the earth’s surface covered by water, it’s of no surprise that there are entire ecosystems we rarely get the opportunity to view. Chartering a superyacht allows guests to see wild sea creatures in their natural habitat. These are the best places in the world for such sightings – everything from puffins in Iceland to Manta Rays in Indonesia.
WHERE TO FIND SEA CREATURES IN THE WILD?
Whale Watching in The Azores, Portugal
The volcanic Azores islands in the wild Eastern Atlantic Ocean once ran on whale oil, with the lookout towers in Pico used to scout sperm whales. The practice has been banned since 1987, but the region’s historical knowledge of whale migration patterns is now used to celebrate the beautiful species.
Sperm whales are near-permanent residents here, while blue and fin whales, the largest animals on the planet, pass through each spring on their migration north. Charter from Faial or Pico between April and June for the best odds, when up to two dozen species can be spotted in a single season.
Giant Tortoises and Sea Lions in
The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
One of the most renowned archipelagos, the Galápagos Islands’ fantastically diverse wildlife inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. It’s a famously protected area and only a small number of yachts are given access to the National Park each year, making for one of the most exclusive and extraordinary experiences.
Giant tortoises, some over 100 years old, lumber at a prehistoric pace on the Alcedo Volcano on Isabela, while sea lions laze on the rocky Coraline Beach, sliding into the water to cool off. Snorkel just offshore and you may even find yourself circled by a curious penguin or two.
Puffins in The Westman Islands, Iceland
Home to the largest puffin colony on Earth, the Westman Islands turn into
somewhat of a seabird spectacle every summer.
It is estimated that millions nest along the clifftops of Heimaey,
where baby puffins – or pufflings – take their first steps.
Dock in Vestmannaeyjar Harbour or offshore, taking a tender to the island to get as close to the baby puffins as possible. At night, local children take to the streets armed with cardboard boxes to rescue pufflings who’ve been lured astray by the town lights, a tradition known as Puffling Patrol. By morning, the rescued chicks are released back onto the cliffs in what can only be described as one of the most wholesome wildlife experiences in the world.
Manta Rays in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Many sea creatures move with such grace – dolphins at great speed with barely a flick of their tail, whale sharks gliding with an almost indifference to their own size – but move quite like the manta ray. With a wingspan of up to 9 metres they seem to fly through the water like an aquatic butterfly.
Raja Ampat sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle in some of the world’s clearest viridian sea and is one of the best places to witness the manta ray in its native habitat. Nutrient-rich currents converge here to create natural cleaning stations, where mantas circle patiently as smaller fish pick parasites from their skin. Jump off the swim platform to snorkel or dive alongside them at close range.
Great White Sharks in
The Neptune Islands & Port Lincoln, Australia
For thrill seekers and adventure enthusiasts, there is no encounter quite as electrifying or adrenaline-inducing as coming face to face with the ocean’s apex predator: the great white shark. The waters just off South Australia’s Neptune Islands hold one of the densest populations of great whites on the planet, thanks to a thriving colony of seals making it a prime hunting ground.
Cage diving is, of course, an option, however, it’s always safest to admire the sheer size and power of these creatures from the deck of a superyacht. Begin the journey from Port Lincoln, known as Australia’s seafood capital, after enjoying a fresh oyster and tuna lunch at one of the local waterfront restaurants, before cruising to the Neptune Islands at your leisure.
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