Subject: ICYMI: AQUA-FIRMA Research Expeditions - combining scuba diving with science

AQUA-FIRMA Expeditions

Wildlife and marine life travel experts Aqua-Firma is now in its 21st year of operating a worldwide selection of 'Best of Above & Below Water Journeys' & 'Ocean Giant Expeditions'.

AQUA-FIRMA Whale Shark Research Expeditions

Aqua-Firma has been sponsoring global whale shark research for 21 years, providing opportunities to swim with whale sharks in the best locations at the best time of year, in the company of leading local and international whale shark scientists.


You can join Aqua-Firma’s expert teams in action, learning the very latest about these Ocean Giants from a research armoury of satellite tags, DNA analysis, drones and individual spot pattern IDs.

Next up: Madagascar
Whale Shark Research – Islands, Marine Life & Lemurs

October 2026

Click HERE for a gallery of whale sharks in clear blue waters, plus underwater encounters with mobula rays, green and hawksbill turtles, coral reefs and dolphins, and above water; female humpback whales with calves, rare Omura’s whales, up to four species of lemur, chameleons and more.


Next trip: 8th – 15th Oct, 2026 from £2,290 pp

Tanzania
Whale Shark Research & Coral Reefs
December 2026

AQUA-FIRMA’s Tanzania Whale Shark Research & Coral Reefs trip is in the middle of what is usually peak time for whale sharks feeding at the sea surface. Diving is on some of Tanzania’s healthiest coral reefs. Click HERE for last year’s gallery.


Hosts for this trip will be Dr Chris Rohner, Principal Scientist at Marine Megafauna Foundation, and Aqua-Firma's Above & Below Water Photographer, Ralph Pannell.


Immediately after this trip, Ralph will also be hosting a Great Migration Safari incorporating the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater. Click HERE for last year's photo gallery.


Next trip: 2-9 December 2026, from £2,390 pp

Komodo
Manta Ray Research, Coral Reefs & Komodo Dragons

Aqua-Firma focuses its support for manta ray research in Komodo, Indonesia, where the research team has identified more than 1,000 individual manta rays.


In October 2027, Marine Scientist Charlotte Caffrey will be hosting Aqua-Firma's next Manta Ray, Coral Triangle & Dragons in Komodo, Indonesia, alongside a researcher from the Marine Megafauna Foundation.


Encounters were simply incredible last year, with up to 9 mantas sweeping inches above divers' heads, blocking out light to even the widest angle lenses.


The reefs were stunning, as always; reef sharks and turtles on almost every dive; and some lucky encounters with mother & calf dugongs..


Next trip: 19th - 26th Oct, 2027, from £2,590 pp

Humpback Whale Watching - Caribbean

Some of Aqua-Firma's favourite encounters are with humpback whales at the Silver Bank Whale Sanctuary, about 100 miles north of the Dominican Republic.


Next available 27 Feb to 6 March, 2027 when Aqua-Firma Marine Scientist, Charlotte Caffrey, will host the company’s 8th annual Humpback Whale Watching & Snorkel Liveaboard


Here's some guest feedback from the trip in March 2025

  • 'Best experience of my life' - Amy W

  • 'A lifelong dream which surpassed all expectations - I'll remember this forever, an adventure unique to Aqua-Firma! I'll be back' - Fiona M

  • 'Magical' - Lorraine R

  • 'In one word: fantastic!' - Jim K

Next trip: 27 Feb - 6 March 2027, from $4,590 pp

Sea of Cortez

In the Eastern Pacific, Charlotte Caffrey will host a Liveaboard to the Sea of Cortez. The trip's primary focus will be to experience huge schools of Mobula Rays and, with luck, the Orcas which prey on them.


Next trip: 2nd - 9th July, 2027 from £2,860 pp

Cocos Shark Heaven

The remote rainforest island of Cocos is famous for schooling hammerhead sharks. They appear here year-round, but shark numbers increase between June to November, including Tiger Sharks and Galapagos Sharks amongst resident White-tips.


Aqua-Firma director, Ralph Pannell, will be hosting a trip in June 2027, when marine activity should be high, but the seas still kind for the long crossing from Costa Rica.


Next trip: 19th - 29th June, 2027 from US$6,995 pp

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