Seasons by month
Marine life you can see in December
About this list
This page reads the season tables on the animal pages from the month's side: where to go in December and what you can see there. 48 animal and place pairs are in season in December: 16 animals in 23 places. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays, sharks, whale sharks and tiger sharks, among others, are in season this month. 8 of them are seasons stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator; the rest are months where the program seasons of two or more operators overlap. Hammerhead sharks in Ecuador, manta rays in Koror & Malakal, Palau and manta rays in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand, among others, single out December. 27 pairs that do not depend on the month are listed separately below: resident populations, or operators that list year-round operation. The months are what the source says, not a sighting guarantee. Even within the same month it depends on the sea and migration routes, so ask the operator about recent conditions before you book.
Animals in season in December 48 pairs
Animals and places whose season includes this month. "Source" marks a season stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator; "operators" marks a month where the program seasons of two or more operators overlap. Select a place to see its operators, or an animal to see its season table by country.
Hammerhead sharks4 places
Manta rays5 places
Sharks3 places
Whale sharks7 places
Tiger sharks2 places
Humpback whales4 places
Dolphins7 places
Sea turtles3 places
Sea lions4 places
Orcas2 places
Fin whales2 places
Penguins1 place
Sperm whales1 place
Blue whales1 place
Sardine runs1 place
Thresher sharks1 place
Animals that do not depend on the month 27 pairs
Resident populations, or places where operators list year-round operation. You can meet them this month too, but nothing about this month makes them special, so they come last.
Manta rays4 places
Dugongs2 places
Sharks3 places
Dolphins5 places
Seals1 place
Sea turtles6 places
Sea lions1 place
Sardine runs1 place
Penguins1 place
Sperm whales1 place
Thresher sharks2 places
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Frequently asked questions
What marine life can you see in December?
48 pairs are in season in December, including hammerhead sharks in Ecuador (Dec–May), manta rays in Koror & Malakal, Palau (Dec–Mar), manta rays in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand (Oct–May), sharks in Yonaguni, Japan (Dec–Mar), whale sharks in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand (Nov–Apr) and hammerhead sharks in Fuvahmulah, Maldives (Oct–Apr). Select an animal to see its season table by country, or a place to see its operators.
Who decides these months?
Two kinds of evidence. 8 pairs use a season stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator, with a source link and check date on each page. The rest are months where the program seasons of two or more operators overlap, marked as based on operator listings.
Why are animals that do not depend on the month listed separately?
Resident populations such as manta rays, dugongs, sharks and dolphins can be seen in December too, but nothing about this month makes them special, so they come after the animals in season.
If I go in December, will I definitely see them?
That is not guaranteed. A season is the period its source states, and actual sightings vary each year with the sea, water temperature and migration. Ask the operator about recent sightings before you book.