10 Unique encounters every diver wants to experience at least once
Diving is, of course, all about exploring the underwater world, but some encounters stay with you forever. Not because they’re necessarily big or rare, but because the chance of experiencing them is slim or because the behavior you witness is so extraordinary. Think of a whale shark swimming calmly past you, thousands of mobula rays migrating together, or a tiny pygmy seahorse that blends perfectly into the coral.
But what actually makes an encounter unique? That varies by animal and by destination. Sometimes it involves a species found in only a few places in the world. Sometimes it’s a special natural phenomenon that occurs for only a few weeks a year, such as the sardine run or the spawning of bumphead parrotfish. And sometimes it’s simply a matter of luck, like encountering a dugong while diving in Mozambique.
In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the most extraordinary underwater encounters—from the world’s largest fish to the smallest reef dwellers, and from impressive migrations to unique behaviors. We’ll explain why these encounters are so special, where you’re most likely to experience them, and when it’s best to plan your trip.
1. Whale shark
With a length of up to 18 meters, the whale shark is the largest fish in the world. Despite its impressive size, it is a gentle giant that feeds on plankton and small fish. An encounter with a whale shark is therefore high on many divers’ bucket lists. Although there’s never a guarantee, there are a number of destinations where the chances of an encounter are significantly higher.
Where can you see whale sharks?
- Similan Islands, Thailand: From December through April, whale sharks are regularly spotted at Richelieu Rock, among other locations. This iconic dive site is known for its nutrient-rich currents, which attract not only whale sharks but also manta rays and large schools of fish.
- Baja California, Mexico: In the waters around La Paz, you have a chance to see whale sharks during the right season. This destination is especially special because you can combine the trip with other unique experiences.
- Maldives: Whale sharks are regularly spotted year-round, especially in South Ari Atoll. This makes the Maldives one of the most reliable destinations in the world for an encounter with these gentle giants.
Group trip to the Similan Islands
Group trip to the Similan IslandsIn January 2027, Sebastiaan will lead a group trip to the Similan Islands. This is one of the best times of year to dive there, with the chance to encounter whale sharks, manta rays, and impressive schools of fish. There are still a few spots available.
2. Sperm whales
With a length of up to 16 meters and a weight of about 50 metric tons, the sperm whale is the largest toothed predator in the world. Unlike many other whales, it does not feed on plankton but hunts deep-sea prey such as giant squid. An encounter with these intelligent marine mammals is therefore an experience that very few people ever have the chance to enjoy.
Where can you see sperm whales?
- Dominica: Dominica is one of the few places in the world where sperm whales can be found year-round. Thanks to the deep ocean just off the coast, the whales find plenty of food here. On a limited number of days each year, snorkeling with the sperm whales is permitted under strict conditions and with special permits. Precisely because the number of permits is limited, this is one of the most exclusive wildlife encounters in the world.
3. Orcas (killer whales)
Orcas are among the most intelligent and impressive predators in the ocean. They live in close-knit family groups and are known for their clever hunting techniques and curious nature. An encounter with wild orcas is rare and, for many nature lovers, an experience they’ll remember for a lifetime.
Where can you see orcas?
- Norway: Every winter, orcas follow the massive schools of herring into the Norwegian fjords. During these expeditions, you can observe the animals from the boat and, conditions permitting, snorkel with them. An unforgettable experience in a stunning winter landscape.
- Baja California, Mexico: Orcas are also frequently spotted during the mobula migration. They hunt mobulas, dolphins, and other prey here. An encounter is never guaranteed, but it makes an already spectacular trip even more special.
Incidentally, orcas are sometimes spotted in other places as well, such as the Galápagos, Indonesia, or Oman.
Expedition to Norway
In October 2027, Thomas Van Puymbroeck will lead an expedition to Norway, where you’ll go in search of orcas and humpback whales. A unique journey for lovers of marine life and nature photography. In addition to snorkeling with the orcas, Thomas will also lead workshops on underwater photography and ecology.
4. Dugongs
Dugongs, also known as sea cows, are among the most remarkable marine mammals in the world. They live in shallow coastal waters and feed on seagrass. Because they are shy and found only in a limited number of locations, encountering one while diving or snorkeling is never a given. That is precisely why seeing a dugong is an unforgettable experience for many divers.
Where can you see dugongs?
- Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique: Off the coast of Bazaruto lives Africa’s largest population of dugongs. No special dugong dives are organized, so every encounter depends entirely on luck. That makes spotting one all the more special.
- Abu Dabbab, Egypt: Dugongs are regularly spotted in the bays around Abu Dabbab. They come here to feed on the vast seagrass beds.
- Alor, Indonesia: Dugongs are occasionally spotted in the sheltered bays around Alor. They certainly aren’t seen every day, but an encounter is definitely possible here.
- Coron, Philippines: Dugongs are rarely seen here, so spotting one requires a lot of luck. Anyone who does come across one will have an experience that very few divers can say they’ve had.
5. Sardine Run
A sardine run is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena underwater. Huge schools of sardines move through the ocean as if they were a single organism, attracting predators from all directions. Depending on the location, you’ll have a completely different experience—from millions of migrating sardines being chased by sharks and whales to a permanent school that you, as a diver, can swim right through.
Where can you experience a sardine run?
- South Africa: The Sardine Run along the Wild Coast is without a doubt the most famous in the world. Millions of sardines migrate along the coast, attracting an impressive number of predators, including sharks, dolphins, whales, and gannets. It is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.
- Baja California, Mexico: Large schools of fish attract predators such as sea lions, marlins, and sometimes even orcas. It’s a completely different experience than in South Africa, with good visibility and calm, clear water.
- Moalboal, Philippines: The sardine run in Moalboal is something else entirely. Here, a massive school of sardines lives just off the coast all year round. During a dive, you can literally swim right through the middle of the school, while tuna, jackfish, and sometimes reef sharks lie in wait.
6. Mobula migration
Every year, thousands of mobula rays gather in the Sea of Cortez for a spectacular migration. They swim in enormous groups and regularly leap meters out of the water. This natural phenomenon is one of the most impressive wildlife experiences you can have at sea.
Where can you see the mobula migration?
- Baja California, Mexico: Between spring and summer, huge schools of mobula rays gather in the waters around La Paz. During a snorkeling or boat tour, you can admire these graceful rays up close.
7. Thresher sharks
With their extremely long tail fin, thresher sharks are perhaps the most elegant sharks in the world. They use their tails to stun schools of fish before striking. Because they usually live at greater depths during the day, encounters with them are relatively rare. In a few locations, however, they visit cleaning stations in the early morning, giving divers a unique opportunity to admire them up close.
Where can you see thresher sharks?
- Malapascua, Philippines: This is without a doubt the most famous destination in the world for seeing thresher sharks. They visit the cleaning stations at Monad Shoal almost every morning, making the chances of an encounter exceptionally high.
- There are other places to see these sharks as well; you can even see them in Egypt. But if you want to be absolutely sure, we recommend traveling to the Philippines.
8. Spawning (fish reproduction)
Some of the most extraordinary dives aren’t about a single specific animal, but about behavior. During spawning, hundreds or even thousands of fish sometimes gather to reproduce. These spectacular events often take place around a specific phase of the moon and sometimes last only a few days each month or even each year. For divers, this results in impressive scenes that you can experience in very few places in the world.
Where can you witness spawning?
- Pala: Around the time of the new moon, large groups of bumphead parrotfish gather to spawn. It is one of the most famous spawning events in the world and an impressive sight to behold.
- Palau: Around the time of the full moon, thousands of red snappers gather at specific locations to release their eggs and sperm. These enormous schools also attract many predators.
- Fakarava, French Polynesia: Fakarava is known worldwide for the annual spawning of camouflage groupers. Tens of thousands of groupers gather in the southern pass to spawn. This attracts large numbers of gray reef sharks, creating one of the most spectacular shark dives in the world.
9. Hammerhead sharks
With their distinctive hammer-shaped heads, hammerhead sharks are among the most recognizable sharks in the world. They often swim in schools, which makes an encounter with them even more impressive. Large schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, in particular, are an absolute bucket-list experience for many divers.
Where can you see hammerhead sharks?
- Galápagos, Ecuador: The Galápagos are among the best places in the world to see schools of hammerhead sharks. Hundreds of them are regularly spotted at once, especially near Darwin and Wolf Island.
- Cocos Island, Costa Rica: This remote island in the Pacific Ocean is known for its large populations of hammerhead sharks. The combination of strong currents and nutrient-rich waters attracts large numbers of sharks year-round.
10. Pygmy seahorse
Measuring just one to two centimeters in length, pygmy seahorses are among the smallest seahorses in the world. Thanks to their perfect camouflage, they’re almost impossible to spot, even when looking directly at them. That’s precisely why finding a pygmy seahorse is a highlight for many underwater photographers.
Where can you see pygmy seahorses?
- North Sulawesi, Indonesia: Dive sites such as Lembeh, Bangka, and Bunaken are among the best macro destinations in the world. Various species of pygmy seahorses live here, along with countless other remarkable creatures.
- Philippines: Destinations such as Dauin and Anilao have been among the favorite macro destinations for photographers and critter enthusiasts for years.
There’s still so much more to discover
Of course, this list is far from complete. The underwater world is full of extraordinary encounters that you might only experience once in a lifetime. Think of a blackwater dive, where you descend into deep water in the middle of the night and come face to face with transparent larvae, pelagic animals, and other creatures you never see during the day. Or the spectacular ostracods on Bonaire, which put on an almost otherworldly light show during their mating ritual just after sunset—but only during a full moon.
Some destinations are also unique in their own right. The Lembeh Strait is home to countless extraordinary creatures that you’ll find almost nowhere else in the world. And in the Galápagos, you can come face-to-face with the striking red-lipped batfish and the remarkable marine iguana—the only lizard in the world that forages for food underwater.
Perhaps the best thing about diving is that no two dives are ever the same. You can make hundreds of dives at the same destination and still discover something new every time. That’s exactly what makes the underwater world so special. There’s always another encounter waiting that you didn’t see coming.
On a diving vacation with EWDR
Many of these encounters are seasonal, and some even take place for just a few days a year. That’s why it’s not just the destination that matters, but also choosing the right time to travel. We’d be happy to help you find the diving trip that fits your needs and bucket list.