Your next trip through Epcot may come complete with a visit from Nemo, Dori, and a few sea creatures that are not of the cartoon nature. That’s right, you can ditch that snorkel and mask but still get an expansive underwater view of all the majesties of the ocean; leave it to Disney to bring it to you in the form of a fun ride!

This latest edition to the Living Seas theme park will take eager and starry eyed children, along with parents who have reported just as much amazement as to the spectacle, on a trip through the depths of the blue to gaze at the turtles and vibrant fish inside of an aquarium that holds six million gallons of salt water.

But because Nemo and his friends are ever present, among those 65 species of sea creatures you will find those cartoon characters also on hand as one female visitor cited, “The Nemo characters superimposed with real fish is a nice touch as are the clam cars. The aquarium you enter after the ride is well worth a visit with a great variety of sea life”. What she is referring to is the subsequent area that further includes even more dolphins, sharks, and eagle rays.

What is remarkable is just how crystal clear all of the sights are because there are no currents to disrupt a view. The ride itself is just the opening and along the way you will find other acts that are set among the aquarium at the end such as Turtle Talk, “Turtle Talk and the exhibits are excellent,” said Joshua Counsil.

And because this is a ride after all, there is a story line that parallels the Finding Nemo feature film, “The Nemo sets are really nice and they cover the story really well. My favourite part is when the vehicle is going through the EAC and then, unlike Disneyland sub’s, the projected Nemo images ‘swim’ with other fish in the tanks”.

And while it is noted that the kids love it, there is some concern that due to the darkened atmosphere some of the smallest once may get a bit frightened. “Consider that it is really dark at times when taking young children on it” noted one mother Amy Tupper.

Yet it appears that overall this latest attraction is a hit among the crowds looking to opt for an underwater venture sans snorkel or fins and also not interested in the faster roller coaster rides also offered in other areas of the park. If this sounds right up your alley and that of the rest of the family, it is just one more reason to head to the magical world of Disney!

For any avid or recreational snorkeller, taking a plunge beneath the surface of the water is all the more thrilling should you be doing so in the pristine waters of the Maldives. This region surrounding the chain of islands that were created from underwater volcanoes is one of the hottest holiday destinations world wide. In fact the economy of these islands revolves around their tourism, and for good reason. Waiting to be discovered are acres upon acres of coral reefs in every conceivable formation and in a variety of colours. What’s even more delightful are the vibrant fish darting between these reefs, the sea anemones waving their slender tentacles, and even a few sea turtles are sure to make your experience unforgettable.

So once you have strapped on your snorkel and snorkelling mask its time to take the plunge into the blue and get set for the holiday of a lifetime. There are plenty of destinations of choice but no matter where you take your snorkel kit to you will want to keep in mind what time of the year it is in order to get the best possible experience. Should you be travelling between November and January that will be the North East Monsoon season and will be accompanied by plenty of sun and calmer waters in the mid and northern atolls. This makes for prime time for snorkelling due to crystal clear viability underwater among the eastward atolls as well as warmer ocean waters. At the same time you may want to avoid the southern atolls for the fact that there will be blustery winds and plenty of downpours that could put a damper on your trip.

During the North East Monsoon Season you will be treated to an array of sea creatures to spot such as whale sharks on the westward side and manta rays gliding through the waters with ease. There will also be dogfish tuna, sweetlips, octopi, and even butterfly fish. You will want to stick to areas closest to the coral reefs as they boast the most bountiful critters and you may even find yourself exploring a cave or cliff as well. Should you head out to one of the lagoons you could be met with a pelagic or two, or in deeper waters you could find company in some eels or perhaps even a friendly shark. No matter where your snorkel and fins take you, when you are among the blue waters of the Maldives you are no doubt in for a special treat!

Humpback whale

While it is always a treat to strap on that snorkel and slip into your fins to explore all the majesties under the water’s surface, should you be in the company of whales the experience could be something made of dreams. These large mammals have often captivated the imaginations of human kind for generations, as they made their way into folk lore across the Globe, and today you will still find plenty who go off in search of a glimpse of these fine creatures. Whales are generally perceived as friendly and inviting sea animals, but at the same time you need to respect that they are still in fact are wild creatures and some may be less happy about being provoked even by the kindest of snorkellers. So if you are itching to go snorkelling among the whales what do you need to know and where can you head off to for such a treat?

 Some of the most genial whales to snorkel amidst are whale sharks and humpback whales. While these humpback whales may grow to be huge at 45 feet long and weight upwards of 50 tons they are gentle giants and in fact highly intelligent and posses a certain grace under the water. They migrate in predictable patterns and because of this there are a few hot spots, it’s easy to suit up in your snorkel kit and dive right in with them. One such place is in Tonga where there are hosted outings to swim next to these humpback whales and you may even find yourself next to a dolphin friend or two. Tonga is perhaps the most popular site as with the warmer ocean waters and array of other glorious snorkelling sights, such as the Swallows Cave or the Mariners Cave, you will have many other ways to spend your time. In order to spy these whales you will want to be there between the 15 weeks of their migration occurring from the beginning of July until the end of October.

 If you are hoping to spot a whale shark from behind your snorkelling mask you can go to a few differing amazing locales such as the Philippine Islands, Holbox Island near Cozumel, and the Sea of Cortez in the Gulf of California. Each destination will provide a different experience and for a relaxing holiday you will find all places will suffice; yet one of the most popular for tourists is the Philippines. For a more secluded holiday you will find that around the Sea of Cortez you can get a little more privacy and have smaller groups on your excursion. However no matter where you choose to venture to in search of a snorkelling trip with the whales you will be met with some gargantuan friends.