Wildlife interaction rules
0 of 3 hands-on
01 Introduction
Seeing a turtle, a manta or a dolphin is often the highlight of a dive. How we behave in that moment decides whether the animal is left unharmed, and whether the next diver gets the same chance. This lesson sets out clear rules that fit nearly every situation.
Objectives
- Explain why touching, feeding, chasing and riding marine animals cause harm
- Recognise signs that an animal is stressed
- Describe how to encounter turtles, sharks, rays and mammals responsibly
02 Watch
Let them come to you
4 min · Video in production
- 1
A turtle feeding on seagrass while divers hold back at a distance, hovering still.
- 2
A contrasting scene of a diver reaching for a turtle, which turns away and swims off.
- 3
A manta gliding past a cleaning station while divers wait quietly on the sand.
- 4
A snorkeller keeping a respectful distance from a dolphin, with the boat in the background.
03 Learn
Four things never to do
| Do not | Why not |
|---|---|
| Touch | Many animals have protective mucus or delicate skin, and a touch can damage it or pass on infection. It can also provoke a defensive response, including bites and stings. |
| Feed | Fed animals learn to expect divers, change their natural behaviour, can become aggressive and can be harmed by unsuitable food. It also upsets cleaning stations and the local balance. |
| Chase | Chasing uses energy and can scare animals away from feeding, resting or breeding. |
| Ride or restrain | Holding on to a turtle or a ray is stressful and can injure both of you. |
Give space
Rules vary by place, but local guidance for turtles is often several metres, and for whales and dolphins it is often much further, sometimes by law. Always follow local regulations and the operator's briefing, because they take account of the species and the site. When in doubt, stay further away.
- Approach slowly from the side, not from above or straight on.
- Stop and hold position if the animal changes behaviour.
- Let the animal decide whether to come closer. Many will, if you stay calm.
- Never block the path of an animal or surround it. Leave a clear route.
- Keep your group small, and give each animal time, so that not every diver crowds in.
Reading stress
Animals cannot tell us they are stressed, but they show it. A turtle that stops feeding and swims to the surface in a hurry, a ray that changes direction, a fish that hides, a shark that arches its back and swims in a stiff, exaggerated way, and a seal that turns away are all showing that you are too close or are not welcome. If you see any of these, back away.
Predict first
A turtle you are watching stops eating and starts swimming quickly away from your group. What does that tell you?
Special cases
- Turtles: stay clear of nesting beaches at night and do not use lights or flash. Do not block a female on her way to or from the sea, and never touch eggs or hatchlings.
- Sharks and rays: stay calm and keep a steady posture. Do not grab or block them, and be aware that feeding and baiting practices vary by place and are controversial. Follow local law and use operators that behave responsibly.
- Whales and dolphins: follow local rules for distance and number of boats, never swim straight at them, and never chase. Many places allow in-water encounters only with licensed operators.
- Cleaning stations: wait nearby and do not disturb them. Visits to a cleaning station are important for the health of many animals.
- Small animals such as seahorses, nudibranchs and octopus: never move them for a photograph, and use any light with care.
Bites, stings and your own safety
Souvenirs
Do not take shells, coral, starfish or other living or dead marine material from the sea or the beach. Removing them damages habitats, and many places forbid it by law. The best souvenir is a photograph.
04 Explore
Try it yourself
Match each situation to the best action.
Match each situation with the best action.
- A turtle swims directly towards you
- A turtle starts to swim off quickly
- A guide offers food to attract fish
- You find a beautiful shell on the sand
- A cleaning station is busy with a large ray
05 Apply
Scenario
You are on a boat tour when a pod of dolphins appears. Another group's boat accelerates towards them, and a snorkeller in your group says, "Let us jump in and swim with them right now."
What is the best response?
06 Check
07 Summary
Key points
- Do not touch, feed, chase or ride marine animals.
- Give space, approach slowly from the side, and let the animal decide.
- Learn to read stress, and back away when you see it.
- Follow local rules and briefings, and leave souvenirs in the sea.
Before you apply this in the water
- Have I been trained by a qualified instructor for this?
- Am I medically fit to dive?
- Do I have a buddy and a plan?
- Am I diving within my training and limits?
Answer every question in the Check section to mark this lesson complete.