Ocean travel Inspiration - Gerard

Santinelli

The oceans are places to sail, snorkel, swim, kayak, dive, and fish generally get lost on. Without oceans

there would be no coast, no islands, no chilly depths nor coral reefs.

They share characteristics, but each is unique in character, with challenges and opportunities for ocean-

loving wanderers.

The Caribbean itself is best explored by boat – take the mail service through St Vincent and the

Grenadines, or tout yourself as crew for a yacht ride, perhaps. But do ’t forget to del e e eath the surface – the pla et’s se o d-longest coral reef skirts the coast of Belize, offering superb diving.

The Indian Ocean hosts more idyllic islands – the Seychelles, home to giant tortoises and coconut crabs;

the Maldives, with more fantastic scuba opportunities; and lemur-rich Madagascar.

The mother of all oceans, though, is the Pacific – a vast blank canvas for ocean-crossing adventurers.

Fro the ildlife o derla d of the Galápagos off E uador’s oast through the ou tless ar hipelagos and specks in this vast ocean, there are names and experiences to make the imagination swim. Surf

Ha ai’i, e plore Gaugui ’s Pol esia, dis o er Fiji’s traditio s, see la d-divers on Vanuatu, and swim

with stingless jellyfish in Palau – uniquely Pacific encounters, all.

So go on – step aboard, snorkel up, hoist the mainsail and dive in to an oceanic adventure.

Top 5 World's wildest cities

1. Malé, Maldives

The 1981 wreck of the Maldive Victory between Malé and Hulhule is encrusted with corals and

busy with fish, while west of the capital Kikki Reef and Lio ’s Head are excellent dive sites.

Topside, keep your eyes open for the acrobatic spinner dolphin. Exuberant super pods several-

hundred strong are not unheard of, but for your best chance of sightings join a live aboard

cruise.

2. Chennai, India

Before visiting, contact the Wildlife Warde ’s office at the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and

rangers may be able to show you these handsome antelopes, along with sambar and spotted

deer, jackal, pangolin, porcupine, palm squirrel, langur monkey, rock python, monitor lizard and

a variety of birds – from night heron to paradise flycatcher.

3. Arles, France

Around 400 bird species have been recorded in the area, including ducks, geese, avocets,

hero s, ar lers a d ki gfishers. It’s the greater fla i go; ho e er, that dra s the ro ds. 4. Chengdu, China

It was founded with a group of six pandas rescued from the ild i 1 , a d the e tre’s captive-bred population now serves as a genetic reservoir for other breeding programmes

around the world. Red pandas, golden monkeys and other threatened species also find

sanctuary here.

5. Victoria, British Columbia

If ou’re lu k ou’ll see or a rea hi g a d sp -hoppi g. Also keep our e es peeled for Dall’s porpoise torpedoing through the waves or the more leisurely passage of a grey or humpback

whale. Sea lio s sighti gs are al ost guara teed, a d it’s orth asti g a o asio al gla e skyward – you never know when a bald eagle might make an appearance.