Seasons by month
Marine life you can see in April
About this list
This page reads the season tables on the animal pages from the month's side: where to go in April and what you can see there. 57 animal and place pairs are in season in April: 15 animals in 24 places. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins and humpback whales, among others, are in season this month. 6 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 Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand and whale sharks in the Philippines, among others, single out April. 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 April 57 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 sharks5 places
Manta rays5 places
Whale sharks6 places
Dolphins11 places
- Izu Islands, JapanApr–NovSource
- MozambiqueJun–AprSingled out2 operators
- EgyptMar–Nov18 operators
- JapanJul–Sep, Dec–Apr5 operators
- South AfricaAug–Oct, Dec–May5 operators
- Sri LankaYear-round5 operators
- PortugalYear-round4 operators
- MexicoOct–Jul3 operators
- GuernseyMar–Oct2 operators
- IcelandMar–Nov2 operators
- IrelandApr–Dec2 operators
Humpback whales4 places
Sea turtles5 places
Sea lions4 places
Sharks3 places
Blue whales3 places
Tiger sharks1 place
Orcas3 places
Penguins1 place
Sperm whales2 places
Thresher sharks2 places
Fin whales2 places
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
Sea turtles6 places
Sharks3 places
Dolphins5 places
Seals1 place
Sea lions1 place
Sardine runs1 place
Penguins1 place
Sperm whales1 place
Thresher sharks2 places
More
Frequently asked questions
What marine life can you see in April?
57 pairs are in season in April, including hammerhead sharks in Ecuador (Dec–May), manta rays in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand (Oct–May), whale sharks in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand (Nov–Apr), hammerhead sharks in Fuvahmulah, Maldives (Oct–Apr), dolphins in Izu Islands, Japan (Apr–Nov) and manta rays in Raja Ampat, Indonesia (Nov–May). 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. 6 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, sea turtles and sharks can be seen in April too, but nothing about this month makes them special, so they come after the animals in season.
If I go in April, 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.