South America is one of the world’s leading destinations for wildlife spotting and its obvious abundance of coastline makes it one of the best diving and snorkeling locations on earth. Here’s a selection of five of the best destinations to spot everything from sharks to sea lions.
The Galapagos Islands
Famously, the Galapagos Islands are a haven for wildlife, and its giant tortoises are famous all over world. Less well known are the area’s hammerhead sharks. A magnificent week can be spent taking a cruise to view all kinds of marine life and the best way of seeing the hammerheads is by scuba diving, it’s one of the more unique treats the Galapagos has to offer.
Yucatan Peninsula
The Yucatan Peninsula extends into the south east corner of the Gulf of Mexico and is home for a few months of the year to the world’s largest fish: the whale shark. Arriving between May and September ensures the opportunity to see these amazing fish, where expert crews can safely locate the sharks without unduly aggravating them. It is also possible to see other species such as dolphins and various turtles in the warm tropical waters.
Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Green Turtles return to nest along the coast of Tortuguero. The chance to get up close and personal with these unique creatures is one that can't be missed. Tortuguero National Park was set up with the intention of protecting these turtles after their population was very nearly wiped out a number of years ago, so you can be sure the turtles are the number one priority in the park. That said, the park’s biodiversity is massive and it is possible to see many species of monkey, reptile and bird.
Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole in Belize is one of the earth’s most famous dive sites. Jaques Cousteau rated it as one of the top ten diving sites and for many, it offers the chance for a deep dive in very clear water. An abundance of marine life combines to give any diver the thrill of a lifetime whether they are expert or novice - although it is strongly advised that inexperienced divers do not descend more than 100 feet, as the experience can be dangerous. Belize is something of a divers’ paradise and certainly worth a visit to enjoy its waters and marine life.
Amazon River
The Amazon Rainforest, given its size, is home to a vast array of wildlife. One of the most unique creatures that lives in its waters is the Amazonian river dolphin. A trip through the rainforest by canoe is exciting in itself and is possibly the best way of getting a chance to see the dolphins. Sightings are increasingly rare, although Iquitos in Peru is a noted spot for dolphin watching and their survival status is listed as endangered.
South America is a truly fantastic place to see marine life, while many populations have suffered at the hands of human intrusion, it is hoped that concerted conservation could help many majestic creatures survive and be enjoyed by new generations of wildlife enthusiasts.
This article was brought to you by Journey Latin America specialists in travel to South America, including Galapagos tours and trips to other major wildlife destinations.
No comments:
Post a Comment