Belize: Snorkeling & Coral Reef Ecology
Snorkel spectacular coral reefs on this guided Belize snorkeling trip to Turneffe Atoll and the Great Blue Hole.
Length: 8 Days || Starting at $4,400
About This Trip
- Explore the largest and most biologically diverse coral atoll in the Western Hemisphere, and visit the legendary Great Blue Hole on this Belize snorkeling trip.
- Gain special insight into reef ecology and learn about the wildlife you see from one of our expert naturalists.
- Visit the TASA Marine Reserve Station to learn about local conservation efforts.
- Stay in oceanside accommodations on the eastern edge of Turneffe Atoll.
Explore the exquisite maze of coral reefs and turquoise waters of Turneffe Atoll and visit the world famous Great Blue Hole on this land-based Belize snorkeling trip. This expedition is one of the best ways for non-divers to discover Belize’s spectacular coral reef systems.
This trip begins with a 90-minute boat ride from Belize City to the eastern side of Turneffe Atoll. You stay at Turneffe Flats Lodge, which offers comfortable air-conditioned villas and cabanas with beautiful views of the surrounding sea. Turneffe Atoll is exceptional for its warm shallow water, which gives snorkelers easy access to an extraordinary underwater paradise. Magnificently adorned with huge yellow tube sponges and myriad tropical fish, the reef offers unmatched snorkeling opportunities. Snorkeling sites include the coral rich reefs of The Canyons, Calabash Cut, and Soldier’s Caye reef. Over 25 species of birds are found around the islands including the magnificent osprey, and we often spot dolphins en route to our snorkeling sites. Participants in this Belize snorkeling trip will benefit from our decades of experience guiding trips in Belize, and gain special insight into the local ecology through the findings of our long-term research efforts.
Baja: Whale Sharks and Snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez
Snorkel with whale sharks near La Paz and visit fish-rich Cabo Pulmo Marine Park.
Length: 8 Days || Starting at $4,200
About This Trip
- Spend 2 days snorkeling with whale sharks in La Paz on the Sea of Cortez. Whale shark snorkeling in La Paz is a truly unique experience!
- Explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Cabo Pulmo Marine Park, which is home to coral reefs that host more than 25% of the fish species in the Sea of Cortez.
- Visit a traditional rancho within the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve and experience authentic Baja.
The primary focus of this expedition is to swim with whale sharks—slow-moving, filter-feeding sharks that are the largest known fish. Whale sharks are threatened with extinction worldwide, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Whale shark snorkeling in La Paz is a wonderful experience because the whale sharks are found close to shore in shallow waters where tourism is well-regulated. On our expedition we will also look for humpback whales and sea lions, and with luck may also see blue and fin whales, dolphins, “flying” mobula rays, and other marine megafauna. You’ll also have the opportunity to snorkel in the waters of Cabo Pulmo Marine National Park where an array of wondrous tropical fish thrive. More than 650 species of tropical and temperate fish inhabit the Sea of Cortez, 90 of them endemic. The bird life in the Sea of Cortez is also spectacular and many tropical seabirds are common. Magnificent Frigatebirds, Brown and Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Pelicans, Heermann’s Gulls, Yellow-footed and Western Gulls, Royal and Elegant Terns, and Red-billed Tropicbirds can all be found here and add to the excellent diversity of this expedition.
Costa Rica Untamed: An Eco Tour of Rainforests and Wildlife
Journey through Costa Rica’s rainforests, cloud forests, and coastal habitats on a 9-day eco tour led by expert naturalists in search of rare wildlife.
Length: 9 Days || Starting at $5,675
About This Trip
- Travel across four distinct ecosystems, from misty cloud forests to lowland rainforests and coastal mangroves, each teeming with life
- Explore the Osa Peninsula, described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth”
- Visit a sea turtle conservation project, with the opportunity to witness or assist in baby turtle releases (seasonal)
- Travel in a small group with expert naturalist guides, gaining insights into wildlife, ecology, and conservation in every ecosystem you visit
Oceanic Society invites you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coast. Renowned for its biodiversity and strong environmental protections, Costa Rica is a global leader in ecotourism—and this 9-day Costa Rica wildlife tour is crafted to connect you with its wildest places.
This conservation-focused expedition goes beyond the typical tourist trail. You’ll visit a protected sea turtle nesting beach, hike through misty cloud forests, search coastal waters for dolphins and whales, and explore the remote Osa Peninsula—called “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic.
Galapagos Islands Cruises
Visit Darwin’s laboratory of evolution and one of the greatest natural history destinations on Earth.
Length: 9 Days || Starting at $5,000
About This Trip
- 8-day Galapagos cruises (9 days with travel days) are offered throughout the year—contact us to check cruise availability and choose your dates.
- Enjoy unmatched wildlife viewing opportunities with the unique terrestrial and marine life of the Galapagos Islands.
- All Galapagos cruises include diverse daily activities such as hiking, bird watching, beach snorkeling, and kayaking.
- Comfortably island-hop to the best parts of the Galapagos on your choice of luxury or first-class yachts.
- Private cruise charters are available for groups of 12 or more.
The Galapagos Islands are one of the greatest nature destinations on Earth. This remote archipelago, 600 miles off Ecuador’s coast, provided seeds for Darwin’s theory of evolution. Galapagos plants and animals differ not only from their continental relatives, but many species vary from one island to another. Most of the reptiles, including the giant Galapagos tortoises, many of the birds, and a third of the shore fish are found here exclusively. The archipelago is considered a living laboratory, and the islands are under constant scientific study. Recognizing the uniqueness of the Galapagos Islands, the government of Ecuador has set aside most of the land as a national park, and tourism is strictly regulated.
The Galapagos offer intimate encounters with wildlife. On our Galapagos cruises you can snorkel with penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles, and walk amid giant tortoises, iguanas, boobies, albatross, and many other species found nowhere else. Our Galapagos cruise partners have been carefully selected for their sustainability practices and quality of service, and all trips are family-friendly. Each expedition is guided by an experienced, Galapagos-trained guide. Our expedition is aboard one of two carefully chosen small Galapagos cruise ships, the luxurious Relais & Chateaux ships, Origin, Theory & Evolve (max 20 passengers), or the first-class Cachalote Explorer (max 16 passengers). Both ships offers participants small group intimacy and expert trip leadership. While island hopping, our focus is on observing and photographing wildlife. Specialized family and SCUBA programs are also available on select dates.
Galapagos Cruise Wildlife Highlights
Galapagos cruises offer some of the most reliable, intimate, and unique wildlife encounters of any destination on Earth. After decades of protection, many Galapagos species are largely unafraid of people, allowing travelers to view their natural behaviors up-close. As we travel throughout the islands you will readily see how natural selection has shaped the unique species found in the unique habitats of each island. Wildlife highlights include endemic species such as Galapagos tortoises, marine and land iguanas, Darwin’s famous finches, Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Hawks, lava lizards, and Galapagos sea lions. Other unique species include Galapagos Penguins, green sea turtles, Great Frigatebirds in courtship, Waved Albatrosses, dolphins, whales, sharks, Blue-footed and Masked Boobies, Greater Flamingos, and many more. All trips yield excellent wildlife sightings, but certain species and behaviors occur seasonally; please inquire if you have a particular wildlife interest.
