Winter Wildlife and Marine Life Highlights from the Equator to the Poles

Jan. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- As Water, Wilderness and Wildlife experts from the Equator to the Poles, Aqua-Firma Worldwide can help anybody to experience the World’s best wildlife and marine life, whether on land, on the water’s surface or deep beneath it.  Here is a guide to some Wildlife & Marine Life highlights identified by Aqua-Firma for the first 3 to 4 months of this year:

Antarctica

January and February are peak months in Antarctica for seeing whales.

February and March are particularly good months for observing the continent’s apex predators: leopard seals.  Leopard seals typically spend their days in search of penguin colonies and fledglings and are best seen from now until March when their food source is plentiful and before the big freeze when they migrate north.  With knowledge of their habitats, Aqua-Firma can help these fascinating creatures be observed as part of its expert led Antarctic Wildlife & Marine Life Voyages.

In March, Aqua-Firma’s Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea Voyage will go in search of the largest of all penguins – the Emperor Penguin, which once can expect to see in large colonies on Snow Island.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to the World’s largest marine turtle - the giant leatherback turtle. The largest recorded leatherback turtle weighed approximately the same as an old style mini!  These amazing marine creatures can be witnessed nesting from mid March to early June, with chances to see hatchlings occurring between April and July.  Aqua-Firma’s partner project, situated on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, is one of the best places to observe this awe inspiring phenomenon.

Tanzania

The Great Migration: During the early months of the year, Tanzania hosts the largest migration of large mammals on earth, which stretches from Kenya’s Masai Mara, all the way to the South Serengeti.  Among the 2 ½ million migrating grazers are 1.7 million wildebeest, ½ million Grant’s and Thompson’s Gazelles and approximately 300,000 zebra.  

Mafia is a stunning tropical island and a great place to snorkel with the World’s largest shark: the whale shark, which measures up to an impressive 15 metres in length.  These sharks display a stunning and unique spot pattern, making them arguably the most beautiful of all shark species.

During the early part of the year, large numbers of whale sharks congregate at Mafia Island, providing incredible experiences and marvellous photographic opportunities.  January through to March is also a great time to snorkel and dive on the east and the south of the island, on coral reefs which are full of life thanks to the WWF’s Marine Park Project.

Costa Rica and Panama

The rainforest covered island of Coiba on the Pacific coast of Panama is a great place to witness spectacular congregations of Golden Cow Nose Rays, often in their hundreds. One of the best ways to observe these rays is on one of Aqua-Firma’s boat based trips to Coiba, where one may be lucky enough to snorkel at night amongst hundreds.  Other great places to spot these graceful creatures include Caño Island and the Gulf of Papagoyo in Costa Rica.

Socorro

Mexico’s Pacific Islands of Socorro and Revillagigedo  Archipelago are probably the best locations on earth to see Giant Manta Rays. At full size, these majestic and harmless creatures can measure an incredible 5 metres across.  December through to May are the best months to see them, as well as humpback whales, dolphins and hammerhead sharks.

Trips to Socorro are mainly the reserve of scuba divers who must be willing to take a 36 hour boat trip to these remote Pacific islands.

Seychelles

From now until next month, hawksbill turtles can be observed nesting during daylight hours on Bird Island.  This nesting behaviour is unique to Seychelles Hawksbill turtles and those of the Western Indian Ocean region.  Bird Island is the northernmost Seychelles island, with some of the most idyllic white sand beaches one is ever likely to see.  



Notes to Editors

1. Aqua-Firma specialises in expert led tailor made and small group exploration of wilderness and wildlife where land meets water.  Their modes of exploration include inspiring combinations of:

a. Polar sailing and small ship voyages
b. Wildlife & marine life safaris
c. Expert led photography holidays
d. Canoe and lodge safaris
e. Rafting expeditions
f. Yacht charters
g. Conservation in action experiences
h. Snorkelling & scuba diving
i. Family adventures

2. Aqua-Firma is the only travel company to offset the carbon emissions of its clients' polar voyages, and flights booked through the company in joining its polar journeys. Aqua-Firma does this via a Rainforest4Climate programme set up in partnership with Rainforest Concern. This New Year the company will be donating £4,000 towards the purchase and protection of cloud forest in the Neblina Reserve of Rainforest Concern’s Choco-Andean Rainforest Corridor.

For further press information and photography please contact Ralph Pannell at Aqua-Firma
Worldwide Ltd. on 0844 412 0848 / 01428 620012 or email ralph@aqua-firma.co.uk        


3. Below is a list of some of the trips which include January to April Wildlife and Marine life highlights:

Antarctica: Wildlife & Marine Life Voyages
2011 Dates:      4th – 15th February from €4235
         15th – 26th February €4235
         4th – 15th March from £3290 (includes 25% discount)

Seychelles:   Aqua-Firma can take you to Bird Island on one of the following tailor made holidays to Seychelles:
Islands, Reefs, Mountains & Rainforests from £2355
         Seychelles Natural History Private Yacht & Lodge Safari from £2250
         Seychelles 2 week Inner Islands Holiday from £2150

Tanzania:    Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Indian Ocean Wildlife & Marine Life Safari from £2395

Costa Rica:   Pacific to Caribbean Rainforests, Marine Life & Turtle Conservation from £1795

Panama:   Panama Diving, Kayaking & Wildlife Yacht Safaris £1,895
Malpelo & Coiba Island Dive Liveaboards from £2490

Socorro:   Socorro Giant Manta Ray Dive Liveaboards from $3129

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Aqua-Firma is a travel company driven by a long developed passion for exploring and conserving the best of our planet's wilderness and wildlife - in particular where land and water meet. The areas surrounding the great oceans, rivers, lakes and icecaps can provide some of the most dramatic encounters with wildlife and the natural world.

Our experiences have been created with the input of marine and environmental scientists, professional sailors and divers, conservationists and leading naturalist guides; people who have a passion to communicate the environments they know best. The result is the opportunity to experience wilderness locations in ways which are invigorating, enlightening and responsible.