While swiping through your social media feed recently, you might have noticed a growing number of people swimming with giant sea creatures on an average Tuesday. At first, you might find the idea of swimming alongside a 100,000-pound adult male sperm whale crazy and irrational—but for adventurous nomads, megafauna tourism is becoming a niche but fast-growing market within the luxury travel space.
But why? The first reason is perception. Historically seen as dangerous (or as a delicacy at the dinner table), marine megafauna are now understood as charismatic, intelligent, and “majestic” animals worthy of protection, thanks to blockbuster TV shows and movies like Planet Earth and David Attenborough’s Ocean. The rise of ethically minded, positive-impact tourism is also another driving force. With more and more hotels and brands around the globe now offering additional nature-based activities that connect travelers with the world around them, the desire to protect larger marine animals like whales and sharks through unique underwater experiences is becoming even more popular.
And then there’s the fact that the world is simply getting smaller. More folk are looking for escapes that take them to the most remote corners of earth—many of which these larger animals like humpback whales, sperm whales, and giant manta rays call home. Swimming with these animals isn’t just an adventure; it’s a profound and humbling off-grid encounter that will make you rethink the relationship you have with the world around you.
If the sound of far-flung escapes and close encounters with a humpback whale floats your boat, read on for some of the world’s most unique marine getaways, from French Polynesia to Panama and Mozambique.
The Brando, French Polynesia
Photo: Courtesy of The Brando
The Brando’s brilliant white sands, secluded villas, and extreme remoteness are everything you would expect from a picture-perfect French Polynesian sanctuary. Once owned by the Hollywood star and heartthrob, Marlon Brando, the remote escape is a favorite of castaway celebrities (Barack and Michelle Obama, Beyoncé & Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio are all fans), high-flung jet set types, and international royals who go gaga for its rustic glam interiors and its unique and storied celebration of Pacific island life. As part of its longstanding collaboration with non-profit the Tetiaroa Society, the island is also a global hub for underwater discovery, bringing together leading marine biologists and scientists who actively promote the protection of biodiversity on and off land.
When it comes to encounters with the creatures of the deep, humpback whale dives were introduced to offer “meaningful encounters in which guests could slow down, reconnect and feel a deeper connection with the ocean,” says Christopher Adam, general manager of The Brando. Swimming alongside the whales all depends on the pod’s mood (among other factors), but once you are in the ocean with them, the true luxury lies in the simple privilege of just being able to observe one of the planet’s biggest animals in its most raw and natural state.
Secret Bay, Dominica
Photo: Courtesy of Secret Bay