Whale Sharks
Madagascar’s Nosy Be was recently identified as a hotspot for whale sharks, which could boost the island’s ecotourism to rival the likes of global whale shark hotspots in Tanzania and Mozambique. One woman – the lead author of the study that identified Nosy Be as a feeding hotspot-- has now introduced a code of conduct to protect the sharks, enhance tourists’ experience and ensure any income to the island generated as a result is sustainable.
Swimming with whale sharks was something I had never contemplated until visiting La Paz, Mexico, a few hours north of Cabo San Lucas in southern Baja California Sur. My immediate response was “no way” until I learned the name “whale shark” is quite misleading. Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish and are not known to nibble on humans. These gentle giants filter plankton and fish from the top of the ocean like a baleen whale and eat eight percent of their body weight per week. After extensive online research, I soon realized that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to swim with this misunderstood creature that scientists just started studying in the 1950s. Donning a wetsuit with some sort of swimmable life jacket plus a mask, snorkel, and fins, I dangled off the side of our small boat that comfortably carried about six. Our crew of ladies already [...]
Join Tonya Fitzpatrick of World Footprints for an enchanting afternoon dive at the Georgia Aquarium. This unique underwater adventure features Tonya swimming gracefully with Nandi the Manta Ray from South Africa, along with several majestic whale sharks and a variety of other marine species.
The Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium, offers one of the most extraordinary scuba diving experiences. Conducted in a very safe and responsible manner, this dive ensures the protection of the animals with a strict "no touch" policy and the presence of three dive masters among the dive party.
