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A green turtle in the great barrier reef swimming over coral under a blue sky.

Luxury Marine Safaris made for you

Expert-led marine safaris across coral reefs, whale migration routes and remote archipelagos

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.

  • Large black marine iguana on volcanic rocks with a blurred tourist taking a photo in the background.
    Found only in the Galápagos, marine iguanas are the world’s only lizards adapted to forage at sea, diving beneath the surface to feed on algae.
  • Blue snorkeling fins splashing above bright turquoise water as a person dives under, with a rocky coast behind.
    Snorkelling offers a close-up view of marine ecosystems, including colourful reef fish, corals and other underwater wildlife.
  • Two sea lions resting on a grassy coastline with the ocean and Elite Galapagos cruise ship in the background.
    While cruising aboard Elite Galapagos, look out for endemic Galápagos sea lions resting on beaches and rocky shores between trips into the water.
  • White yacht named Pikaia I anchored in blue water, framed by blurred green plants with a rocky coast behind.
    The 100-foot Pikaia I takes guests on full-day marine explorations through the Galápagos, with opportunities for snorkelling, guided island visits and wildlife viewing.
  • Aerial view of a red and brown volcanic peninsula meeting the blue ocean, with green mountains inland.
    The Azores are a volcanic archipelago of nine islands, characterised by dramatic coastlines, crater lakes and peaks rising from the Atlantic.
  • Woman snorkeling underwater with yellow fins and blue mask giving thumbs-up among a large school of orange fish.
    The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,600 species of fish and over 450 species of hard coral, alongside sea turtles, sharks and rays.
  • Man and woman on a white boat looking at a massive whale tail breaching the green ocean water.
    For species such as humpback and sperm whales, distinctive markings on the tail flukes can help researchers identify and track individual animals.
  • Coastal town buildings on a cliff at sunset with crashing ocean waves on rocky shores and distant mountains.
    Hermanus’ clifftop path stretches for more than 12 kilometres along Walker Bay, providing excellent vantage points for land-based whale watching.
  • Vibrant yellow and orange iguana standing on dark rocks with a bright blue ocean wave in the background.
    Endemic to the Galápagos, yellow land iguanas can live for up to 70 years and obtain much of their moisture from cactus and other succulent plants.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our marine safari specialists

Watch whale sharks in the Maldives

From Lily Beach in the South Ari Atoll, take a guided speedboat tour for the chance to swim in waters known for resident whale sharks and manta rays.

Explore the Galapagos by Zodiac

Join a small-group excursion by panga or Zodiac boat to spot endemic wildlife such as Galápagos fur seals, penguins and sea lions.

Observe cetaceans in the Azores

Sail out with marine biologists and conservationists to learn about and help document the Azores’ resident and migrating cetaceans, including sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins and sei whales.

Look for the marine big five

In South Africa, take an expert-led nautical safari from the fishing town of Gansbaai in search of the ‘marine big five’: whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins.

Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef

Head out from Port Douglas Marina to visit three different sites on the reef, snorkelling among some of its 400 species of coral and 1,500 species of fish.

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

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Where to go on a luxury marine safari

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

The Best Time to Visit Galapagos Islands: Month-by-Month Guide

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.

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We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

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We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

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Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

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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.

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