8 destinations where you can swim with wild animals

From hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Islands to pigs in the Bahamas
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There’s something about the astounding depths of the ocean covering 70 per cent of the earth’s surface which has always intrigued humans.

And then, of course, there are its inhabitants; the creatures which thrive beneath the waves, inhabiting parts of the ocean we may never reach or even discover, continue to spellbound.

There’s nothing quite like seeing an animal in the wild. Which is why exploring the waters alongside some of them is an absolute must for any bucket list.

To find out how you can make this dream a reality, see below the best places to swim with incredible marine life (and some land mammals too).

1. Swim with wild dolphins in Mexico

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Skip the theme parks and opt for an open ocean encounter with a dolphin.

These playful creatures often swim in groups so once you find a friendly bunch, slide into the water and have a quick swim. The curious creatures will probably come up to say hello.

2. Swim with pigs in the Bahamas

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The Exumas in the Bahamas are now synonymous with their famous swimming pigs.

On the island of Grand Exuma, wild pigs will swim and surf with visitors – just head to the aptly named Pig Beach and you’ll find them splashing around there.

3. Dive with hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Islands

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Not for the faint of heart, the Galapagos Islands are a haven for amazing wildlife and a perfect place to explore for the experienced diver.

Here you will see manta rays and several different kinds of sharks including the hammerhead shark – where schools of up to 300 swim around you.

4. Swim with jellyfish in Palau

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Palau’s saltwater Jellyfish Lake is named so for an obvious reason: it’s filled with thousands of tiny jellyfish.

Called golden cnidarians, there was once thought to be eight million in the lake but their numbers have sadly declined over the years. Visitors are permitted to snorkel on the surface of the lake only – and don’t worry about painful stings, these jellyfish are harmless.

5. Swim with sea turtles in Egypt

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Marsa Alam in Egypt is one of the most famous diving destinations in the Red Sea – and for good reason.

From tropical coral reefs to reef sharks and dolphins – the area is abundant with wildlife. But it’s their sea turtles that make this area a diving hotspot. Giant green sea turtles are often found along this part of the coast, and can make for some spectacular sights.

6. Dive with manta rays in Ecuador

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Isla de la Plata in Ecuador is known as ‘the other Galapagos’ due to the array of wildlife living beneath its waters. Between June and October each year, around 2,000 manta rays arrive at the island. Little wonder it is the location of where the largest manta ray was seen – with a wingspan of over seven metres.

7. Dive with whale sharks in Mozambique

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Tofo Beach, just 400 kilometres north of Mozambique’s capital Maputo, is home to one of the largest concentrations of whale sharks in Africa. For the best sightings, head there between October and March.

8. Dive with humpback whales in Tonga

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There are only a few places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales in the wild and Tonga is one of them. These enormous creatures are best seen between August and September in the sparking clear waters surrounding this Pacific island.

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