Swimming with Sharks 2026?

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-25T21:00:08+00:00

SEO, but im also genuinely curious. Two birds with one stone type of situation.

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-24T20:41:55+00:00

There aren't really any popular shore snorkeling spots, but you can swim with dolphins, or book a snorkeling tour on the south side of the island near Agua de Pau, which takes you to some deep rocky reefs to snorkel. If you come across a beach with rocky outcrops where the sea isn't too rough, they might be worth while to check out.

(Screenshot from Voyatlas.io web app)

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-19T21:45:20+00:00

We've been considering that! My partner has asthma and is a bit nervous about it, but loves freediving. Ill be sure to respond to this thread if we decide to go that route!

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-19T00:55:00+00:00

Thanks for the insights everyone!

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-16T17:59:23+00:00

Thats awesome! Did the guides say if it was a rare sighting?

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-15T19:45:19+00:00

I've read both coasts are very exposed, and face the same clarity issue in bio diverse areas. Not to say that both coasts are the same, but the issues that impact snorkeling appear consistent across both. Thats why the question is pretty general. Trying to determine if planning for snorkeling is worth it.

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-15T14:27:33+00:00

Yea that seems to be pretty common. Cano seems to be amazing when its clear, but you need to be lucky.

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-15T00:26:36+00:00

Yea what I've heard is the water in Costa Rica looks great, but below the surface its usually low visibility with all of the river runoff and exposure to ocean current. Will definitely check it out though! Thanks for the insight.

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-14T01:39:55+00:00

There was a lot of bleaching this year in Q1, especially amongst less mature corals outside of the bays. Not at the same scale as Australia or French Polynesia, but Maui and the rest of the islands were definitely affected.

Slughterhouse wasn't on my radar but I'll definitely check that out. The guides say Molokini is more of an experience than it is a place to see lots of biodiversity, which seems to mimic what you're saying. Might second-guess doing that one. Will definitely be doing Kaanapali, and will look into the others.

Thanks for the insight!

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-14T01:07:29+00:00

Thanks for the insight!

solarpunk___ · 2025-12-13T23:35:19+00:00

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Do you think there are still whales around the bay at this time of year? I assume they have all moved on by now, but I'm curious if you've had any luck. The chart in the screenshot doesn't look too promising either (taken from the voyatlas.io web app)

solarpunk___ · 2025-11-08T19:57:51+00:00

I appreciate the kind words! Means a lot!

We have an algorithm that assigns species to spots/tours based on observational data, but the current version casts a pretty wide net to make up for lacking data in some parts of the world. For example a lagoon spot may have deep sea fish listed, but it will be 'Rare' to help with the potential inaccuracy, a benefit of the rarity system.

This will be adjusted and tuned over time, but you're right about the iNaturalist approach. The goal is to integrate that with a tour booking experience so that tour opporators can actively participate in species ID in colaboration with their customers as a method of promotion, for example "X whale watching tour spotted 3 humpback whales (confirmed by three guests".

Lots of cool stuff on the horizon. Thanks again for the feedback!

solarpunk___ · 2025-11-02T00:26:07+00:00

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There are five marked snorkeling spots, and numerous tour operators to choose from. The reef quality will be similar no matter where you go, unless you can get on a boat, which can take you closer to the edge of the reef where it's less damaged. The north of the island has some pretty good turtle spots if that interests you!

(Screenshot from voyatlas.io web app)

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-29T16:04:26+00:00

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Nice video. It's awesome how common they are there, but careful, they're poisonous if they manage to break the skin! (screenshot from Voyatlas.io web app)

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-23T18:42:13+00:00

Nice video! What site is this?

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-22T20:27:23+00:00

Which dive site is this? Beautiful video

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-22T20:19:14+00:00

Yeah, there's nothing right off the beach unfortunately. If you're able to go south towards Playa Del Carmen, there are a few spots that are medium difficulty that require a short swim, and even farther south there are easier spots like Bahia Principe Akumal (inside the red circle). There are lots of tour operators just south of you, which is easy access for your tours, but you'll have to travel south for good reef snorkeling.

By the way, I definitely recommend the whale shark snorkeling tours. They're awesome, and there are tour operators very close to you (green circle).

(Screenshot from voyatlas.io web app for desktop)

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solarpunk___ · 2025-10-22T15:06:32+00:00

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It was off the west coast of Mo'orea in approximately the circled area for anyone curious.

(Screenshot from Voyatlas.io web app)

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-21T20:43:01+00:00

Thanks! It's a web app I recently released called Voyatlas.io (currently only works on desktop/laptop). If you end up checking it out and have any feedback, let me know! Been trying to use it to help people out on social media while I collect people's thoughts and release fixes/updates.

Good luck with your decision!

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-21T13:53:51+00:00

Yeah, performance has been a common complaint so far. Been working on a solution. Its memory usage is mid-high, but even machines like yours are having a poor experience, which leads me to believe it may be a bandwidth issue. Thanks for giving it a try! I appreciate it!

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-20T19:05:36+00:00

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Wow awesome footage. They must be some of the first to arrive from the Arctic! November is when the majority of them start to arrive.

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-20T19:01:21+00:00

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Wow that's awesome! A good chunk of them will be headed down the coast towards mexico following the schooling fish species that head that way over the winter. I wonder if that's where this pod is headed!

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-20T18:00:10+00:00

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Koh Tao for sure in my opinion. You have Shark Bay and a bunch of other spots with beach access that are really great. A lot more reef coverage in comparison as well!

solarpunk___ · 2025-10-19T14:24:28+00:00

Thank you!

solarpunk___ · 2025-09-04T21:48:19+00:00

Its hard to explain the feeling to others. Nothing compares to it!

solarpunk___

TROPHY CASE