We all dream of exploring a vibrant underwater paradise—coral gardens teeming with life, playful sea creatures, and crystal-clear waters. But here’s the thing: those magical places are only pristine because they’re left untouched. In this blog, we’ll dive into why it’s crucial to keep our hands to ourselves when exploring the natural world, how you can enjoy meaningful wildlife encounters without causing harm, and ways you can be part of the solution for a more sustainable ocean experience.

“But… fish are so cute—why can’t I touch them?”

Fish can be super cute (sometimes slightly weird looking) which may interest us to get a little closer. However, Fish actually have an aquatic mucus over their scales which when rubbed off, can be fatal for them. The mucus acts as a barrier between bacteria and their body, kind of like the gooey green stuff we get up our nose! Yuck! Imagine you didn’t have any of that gooey green stuff, we would all constantly be unwell! As humans, we can treat ourselves with remedies but unfortunately Fish have not advanced as far as being able to nip to the Pharmacy just yet! They have adapted to their natural environment and can fight off disease, however, we are not a part of that natural environment for them and therefore it is best to keep our distance. Also, it has been proven that the main cause of hurt to humans from the natural environment is when we get too close! Maybe it is a good idea to keep your distance not only for the fish, but for us! There are many types of fish such as stonefish and scorpionfish etc. that look cool however produce a deadly toxin enough to really hurt us. If you don’t know what you’re looking at and go for a hug, you may not appreciate the aftermath- let’s enjoy from a respectable distance with only our eyes. 

Better Behavior = Better Encounters

The secret to amazing wildlife encounters? Respect and space.

When we give marine animals room to breathe, they’re more likely to approach us on their own terms. That’s when the magic happens.

Take octopuses (aka “Occy’s”), for example- they’re shy and prefer hiding in their little dens. However, if you’re patient and keep your distance, curiosity usually wins, and they’ll most likely come to check you out. Almost like your own ‘My Octopus Teacher’ experience. 

Sea lions and seals are another great example. They can be cautious at first, but give them space and they’ll often become playful and affectionate- like underwater puppies!

Healthy Habits Start Early

If you’re new to diving or snorkeling—amazing! You’re in the perfect spot to build good habits right from the start. Learning to interact passively with marine life not only protects the ecosystem but also gives you more authentic, enriching experiences underwater. 

Eco-tourism: Why does commercial operation matter?

When going on holiday, the last thing you want is to feel guilty after an in-water experience. When moving around the globe, it is important to help the local people as much as it is important to help the local Wildlife. Choosing a sustainable, conservation focused company helps give back to not only the local people and their businesses, but the Reef. 

Across the planet, there are hundreds of outdoor excursions that are not animal focused and only have profit at the heart and soul of everything they do. Take whalesharks for example- there are many tour operators around the world that force these gentle giants into bays where they can only dive 10-15 meters deep and drop 15-20 boat loads of people in. Whalesharks can actually dive to 2km deep and it is thought that under normal circumstances, this is where they spend the majority of their life. Hence when you see a whaleshark, they are actually grey in color, from a lack of sunlight. Putting your money into this kind of tour only promotes more of this unmanageable behavior. 

For eco-friendly Whaleshark interactions, check out Exmouth (Nyingguluu) in Western Australia. 

*I have attached at the end of this blog a list of places to sustainably interact with Marine life. 

Things to look out for when choosing your Eco- friendly activities

Feeding– Are they feeding the animals and disrupting normal behavior?

Group sizes– Is the tour operator going to throw 50 people on top of 1 animal? Or are there restricted ratios for in-water encounters? 

Price– An unusually cheap tour is very often reflective of how much care goes into the tour and the wildlife it is so focused on. Additionally, Sustainability is also measured on social commitment- if you’re paying $15 to swim with Dolphins, the likelihood of Skippers, Guides and Deckhands getting paid a fair wage is often null. 

Guides– Is there someone on board to give a comprehensive briefing before hitting the water, give you information about the wildlife and ensure the safety of all guests? 

You can also look for globally recognized Eco- Certified Dive Operations such as ‘Green Fins’. To be a Green Fins Operator you have to hit a certain list of criteria. Some include- Local Clean Up’s, Providing adequate waste disposal (sounds basic, but very important), providing environmentally friendly training aids and promoting a ‘no touch’ policy. Implementing things such as these promote a bluer, healthier Ocean!

Start with you and Spread the Word

You don’t need to be a marine biologist to make a difference. By choosing to be mindful and respectful during your ocean adventures, you’re already helping protect the reef.

Even better? Share what you’ve learned! Encourage your dive buddies, friends, and family to adopt the same eco-friendly habits. And if you can, connect with local conservation or eco-tourism groups- they’re doing incredible work to preserve our marine environments and always welcome support.

Every action adds up

Respect the ocean, enjoy it fully, and help keep it thriving for generations to come.

*Where are the best places to observe Marine life sustainably?

Manta Rays-

• Exmouth and Coral Bay (Ningaloo Reef), Western Australia

• Lady Elliot Island, Queensland 

• Kona, Hawaii

• Raja Ampat, West Papua

• Hanifaru Bay, The Maldives 

• Yap, Micronesia

Whalesharks-

• Exmouth and Coral Bay (Ningaloo Reef), Western Australia

Tiger Sharks-

• Coral Bay, Western Australia

• Fuvahmulah Atoll, Maldives

Bull Sharks-

• Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Great Whites-

• Neptune Islands, South Australia (viewing only)

Orca-

• Tysfjord or Skjervøy, Northern Norway

• Tromsø, Norway

• New Zealand (viewing only) 

Humpback Whales-

• Exmouth (Ningaloo Reef), Western Australia

• Vava’u , Tonga

• French Polynesia 

• Silver Bank, Dominican Republic

Sperm Whales-

• Dominica

Please note, these are the most sustainable places to swim with megafauna globally. Each company is different. Check with local businesses for code of conducts and ethics when swimming with or viewing wildlife. 

Written by Meg.