We are pleased to introduce you to one of our newest corporate supporters — Plaine Products. Founded by two sisters, Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine, Plaine Products is a personal care company that began with a dream to have less plastic waste in the world. To learn more about their work and mission, we sat down for a Q&A with Plaine Products CEO and Co-Founder, Lindsay Delaplaine. Here is what she had to say: What was the catalyst for creating Plaine Products? For 10 years I lived in The Bahamas doing environment education work. In addition to being a gorgeous place to live, it also exposed ..read more

Although the Caribbean may be known for all-inclusive resorts and massive cruise ships, with just a bit of guidance it is easy to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in some of the most diverse—and beautiful—coral reefs in the Caribbean. Are you ready to discover the aquatic wonders of the Caribbean? Get your mask and fins ready as we explore some of the most exciting and under-the-radar Caribbean snorkeling destinations. Cuba: Gardens of the Queen A beautiful reef scene in Gardens of the Queen. © Keoki Stender For many, Cuba remains shrouded in mystique due to its decades-long isolation ..read more

We are delighted to share a new educational video all about sea turtles and plastic pollution. This short film is the first episode in our new “Sea Turtles: Deep Dive” series, an educational YouTube series produced by our State of the World’s Sea Turtles (SWOT) Program with support from Seiko. Our aim through this series is to provide high-quality, factual information about sea turtles and the threats they face in ways that are easy to understand and share. Additional episodes will explore other timely topics in sea turtle biology and conservation. Watch: ‘Sea Turtles: Deep Dive — Plastic Poll ..read more

Fiji may be best known as a honeymoon getaway thanks to its stunning beaches and high-end resorts, but hidden beneath the waves are some of the most beautiful marine ecosystems in the world. Over 4,000 square miles of coral reefs sprawl across more than 300 islands offering unforgettable island hopping adventures brimming with snorkeling opportunities.  Whether you want to snorkel in Fiji’s palm-shaded lagoons or amongst walls of soft-coral plunging to ocean depths, there’s an adventure for all experience levels. Planning for Snorkeling in Fiji Mild year-round climate, refreshing water-te ..read more

Members of the Oceanic Society team recently traveled to Pattaya, Thailand to lead a behavior change training workshop for sea turtle conservation professionals who were gathered from around the world to participate in the 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium. The workshop, titled “Developing Behavior Change Strategies for Sea Turtle Conservation,” was organized and led by Team BEACH, a partnership between Oceanic Society, Human Nature Group, and Disney Conservation. With support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Sea Turtle SAFE program, we c ..read more

We are delighted to announce the publication of the 2024 State of the World’s Sea Turtles Report (SWOT Report, vol. 19), which is now available online and in print. Browse all of the articles or download the entire report as a PDF here. SWOT Report, vol 19 was launched at the 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium in Pattaya, Thailand and online on March 25, 2024. More than 1,000 printed copies of the report were distributed free-of-charge to the hundreds of sea turtle researchers and conservationists who attended the Symposium from all over the world. Published each year since 2006, The Stat ..read more

Back in 2008, plastic pollution threatened both the environment and the economy of Watamu, Kenya, a small and picturesque coastal town renowned for ecotourism, beaches, and ocean wildlife. The 37 tons of plastic pollution washing onto Kenya’s shores per year hit a tipping point, impacting the coral reefs, polluting the beaches, and driving away tourists, damaging businesses that depended on them. To make matters worse, much of the Watamu community competed for the same dwindling natural resources. Local fishermen wanted to fish coral reefs for their own livelihoods, while dive operators sought ..read more

There may be no more humbling reminder of our place in nature than to swim with whales or whale sharks, relics of a time when giants once ruled the earth.  While swimming with whale sharks (the world’s biggest fish) can be done in a number of places, swimming with whales is possible in just a few special locations. Whales are sensitive creatures, and to swim with whales requires careful planning to ensure both the safety of the animals and people.  Oceanic Society has led environmentally sustainable wildlife encounters for the last 55 years, with a deep commitment to ocean conservati ..read more

Many of us dream of the wild places, corners still unmarked by humans. For those, the ocean calls. And there may be no better way to immerse oneself in the wild than to snorkel coral reefs where the ocean—a realm we can only glimpse—leaves its most colorful fingerprints. Looking for the best snorkeling in the world? Oceanic Society is here to guide you. Whether you wish to glide next to whale sharks off the coast of Komodo or float through Palau’s jellyfish lake, in this article we’ll introduce you to some of the best snorkeling options in the world. Though this list is by no means exhaustive ..read more

As we approach the close of 2023, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our dedicated donors, enthusiastic travelers, and invaluable partners who have helped advance our work to deepen the connections between people and nature to build a more oceanic society. Your support enabled us to achieve remarkable milestones in 2023. From combating plastic pollution and safeguarding sea turtles to studying whales and improving access to ocean experiences in San Francisco, together we have left a lasting impact on the health of our oceans. As the end of the year approaches, we invite you to make a tax ..read more