Whale watching tours, rare marine wildlife and bespoke underwater adventures on your luxury water safari
Our luxury marine tours and ocean safaris immerse you in destinations where incredible wildlife can be observed above and below water.
Journey around archipelagos and down coastlines with rare and endemic underwater marine creatures, staying in unique lodges or aboard luxury cruise vessels. Dive or snorkel in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef with a skipper who knows the best places to see corals, sharks and parrotfish.
Or embark on an expedition around the remote Galápagos Islands. A cruise or private charter, crewed by marine experts, will take you to the best places to see Galápagos penguins and sea lions. As well as snorkelling spots where green sea turtles and marine iguanas glide through the water.
Some of our favourite places for whale watching include Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, South Africa and the Azores in Portugal. Between December and April, Baja California is a prime location for seeing gray whales and whale sharks. In South Africa, whale season runs from June to November, with opportunities to spot southern right and humpback whales on boat trips or from the clifftops of Hermanus.
The nine volcanic islands of the Azores are another excellent option, particularly for families. Warm Gulf Stream waters meet cooler Atlantic currents, creating a rich marine environment for sperm whales, manta rays and migrating blue whales.
With so many water safari options, start planning your luxury marine tour with one of our travel designers. Their expertise and first-hand experience means they can craft bespoke trips that combine stays in exclusive lodges with unforgettable marine adventures.
Experiences picked by our marine safari specialists
Luxury marine safari accommodation
There are many incredible places to stay on a marine safari or ocean expedition. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our safari experts:
Why book with Jacada?

Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Marine safari trip inspiration
Get inspired with our marine safari example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Where to go on a luxury marine safari

The Azores
This Portuguese archipelago consists of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic. Set out on a family-friendly water safari to spot resident and migratory species, including sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins and sei whales.

Baja California Peninsula
This Mexican peninsula sweeps between the nutrient-rich Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. See migrating pods of gray whales in the warm lagoons, and snorkel among manta rays and iridescent fish. Between October and April, whale sharks feed on plankton in La Paz Bay.

Egypt
The Red Sea is a beach holiday destination that comes with incredible underwater worlds to explore. Boat out for guided scuba diving adventures in the brightest reefs and most fascinating shipwreck sites. Or snorkel closer to the shore to see corals and look for green turtles.

Galapagos
This remote archipelago is crucial habitat for rare animals and marine life. Snorkel in waters where hammerhead sharks and sea dragons can often be spotted. And explore by catamaran or onboard a ship to look for endemic sea lions and penguins.

Great Barrier Reef and Northern Queensland
The world’s largest coral reef system, off Queensland, is best explored with experts who know the best places to view the incredible marine life. On diving tours from Cairns, head to the outer reef to view different species of corals with sea turtles, sharks and stingrays.

Indonesia
With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a prime diving and snorkelling destination. See manta rays and whale sharks from Moyo Island. Or explore the coral slopes and mangroves of the Raja Ampat archipelago, teeming with rare marine life including pygmy seahorses.

Kaikoura
The peninsula village of Kaikoura in New Zealand is the base for incredible marine tours. Observe local fur seal colonies, blue penguins and various species of albatrosses. And explore further on a boat trip, looking for wild dolphins and sperm whales.

Maldives
With 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a prime destination for marine tours. Many luxury lodges have house reefs and onsite marine biologists who can share insights into the rich marine life. The South Ari Atoll is especially known for manta rays and whale sharks.

Norway
Board a hybrid boat in Tromso for a near-silent cruise through fjords to seek orcas and humpback, sperm and fin whales. Or head to Alta Fjord between November and January, when massive shoals of migrating herrings attract sperm whales, hourglass dolphins, orcas and porpoises.

South Africa
South Africa’s land safaris are matched by opportunities to observe marine life along the coast. Go out with a local expert to watch African penguins at Boulders Beach and quieter spots. And take a boat tour to seek southern right whales and great white sharks.
When to go on a luxury marine safari
We arrange marine safaris and ocean expeditions in destinations around the world. For snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef, May to October brings lower rainfall, warm water and excellent underwater visibility.
From May to November, travel to South Africa for whale watching along the coast. We especially recommend visiting during the sardine run, which takes place between May and July and draws dolphins, sharks, whales and other marine life to feed along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
A land and sea safari in the Galapagos Islands should be planned six to 12 months in advance, as visitor numbers are restricted. Ocean cruises, especially small ship expeditions, should also be booked ahead.
Azores whale watching
April–May
South Africa sardine run
May–July
Great Barrier Reef
June–October
Galápagos snorkelling
December–April
Gray whales in Mexico
December–April
Luxury marine safari guides
Plan your marine safari
Whatever you want from your luxury marine safari, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it

Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.


































