One of the great things about scuba diving is that it lets you get up close and personal with some amazing marine life. Sure, you could stop by your local aquarium to see the fish and other sea creatures, but honestly, that does not compare to seeing them in their natural habitat like you can when scuba diving. What is especially amazing is that you can see some of the sea life that is currently considered threatened. Let’s look at some of the underwater animals you should try to see before they’re gone for good.
Endangered Sharks
Scuba diving in shark-infested waters may sound like a bad idea, but the sharks you see while diving are highly unlikely to attack. They are fairly shy and more likely to be afraid of divers than vice versa. Some dive tour companies offer specific dives designed to give divers a chance to spot those elusive sharks. Several species of sharks are currently endangered, and scuba diving may be the only opportunity you have to see one up close before they are gone forever. These include Basking Sharks, Angel Sharks, Thresher Sharks and Hammerheads. These sharks can be found in various locations around the world, so you will have to plan your scuba diving trip accordingly if you want to be in with a chance of seeing them.
Endangered Turtles
Meeting turtles is something of a treat for scuba divers. Anyone who has ever been diving in Hawaii will tell you that the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are amazing. However, these are by no means the only species of turtle that you may encounter while scuba diving. The Hawksbill Turtle is currently on the critically approved list and is native to the Caribbean, Indonesia and Australia. The Leatherback Turtle is not as endangered but is still at risk. They are most likely to be spotted by those diving in Barbados and Indonesia.
Other Endangered Seas Creatures
Aside from sharks and turtles, some other endangered sea creatures you may encounter while scuba diving include the Florida Manatee. This gentle animal is threatened by both a loss of habitat and boating accidents since they are slowly moving and struggling to manoeuvre away from high-speed boats, resulting in them frequently being stuck by propellers. Scuba divers may also encounter Hawaiian and Mediterranean Monk Seals, which are also endangered.
Scuba diving is a great opportunity to see these endangered species in their natural habitat.
Nelly Bee