Ethical marine wildlife retreats in tropical destinations
Encounter whales, manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles through responsible snorkelling, freediving and diving experiences.
Small-group ocean adventures with trusted local guides, carefully planned trips and time to experience tropical marine wildlife on the animals’ terms.
Local guides, paid local wages. Six guests at most. Why it matters
- Six guests at most
- Solo travellers welcome from the first evening
- Local professionals in the water
Small ocean trips, hosted by Rocío Ruiz
Rocío grew up by the sea in a family of forest rangers, and found her own way into the ocean later in life. She learned to freedive in Bali, and a pod of about fifteen pilot whales changed how she thinks about meeting wild animals.
After more than 12 years in international operations, travel and events, she now plans every Ocean Calling trip herself: six guests at most, local professionals teaching and guiding in the water, and Rocío with you before, during and after.
- 5.00from 33 public reviews
- 6 guestsat most, on every trip
- 12+ yearsin operations, travel and events
- Neverchased, touched or fed: the animals decide
Find the trip that fits you
- Snorkel with Manta Rays in Kona · 14–20 Feb 2027
- Snorkel the Rock Islands of Palau · 14–20 Mar 2027
- Freediving or Scuba Diving Retreat in Coron · 5–11 Apr 2027
- Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Gili Air · 20–26 May 2027
- Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Gili Trawangan · June 2027
- Swim with Whale Sharks in Cancún · 18–24 Jul 2027
- Swim with Humpback Whales in Moʻorea · Sept 2027
- Swim with Tiger Sharks in Oʻahu · 19–25 Sep 2027
Where our trips go
Small groups, the right season and local teams we trust.
PacificTravel with us
French PolynesiaRegulated in-water humpback whale encounters with licensed guides, plus a lagoon with reef sharks, rays and turtles.2 places · Explore French Polynesia →
AsiaTravel with us
IndonesiaMantas, common turtles and extraordinary coral diversity, from relaxed Bali coasts to Raja Ampat.8 places · Explore Indonesia →
AmericasTravel with us
MexicoWhale sharks and sea lions around La Paz, and whale sharks, turtles and the Maya around Cancún.4 places · Explore Mexico →
AsiaTravel with us
PhilippinesTurtle-rich reefs, macro life, wartime wrecks and remote protected reefs for freediving and diving.10 places · Explore Philippines →
Indian Ocean
RéunionA volcanic island with reef diving and regulated in-water humpback whale encounters with licensed guides.Explore Réunion →Real guests, real trips
We could tell you it is magical. We would rather let the people who were there say it.
Real guests on past trips“Joining Ocean Calling Retreats was honestly one of the most special travel experiences I’ve had. It’s so much more than just a trip — it’s a beautiful mix of adventure, connection, and time to truly reset.”
“Oh my, if I could give 6 or 7 stars, I would. She is very lovely, very easy to talk to, and she listens to you.”
Quotes are copied as written from public reviews on BookRetreats. See all guest photos · Read all reviews
5.00 from 33 public reviews on BookRetreats · Google reviews
Been on a trip with us? ✨ We would love to read how it felt. Leave a review
We don’t make magic.
We make space for it.
Choose by the reason you want to travel: a wildlife encounter, a freediving or scuba skill, more confidence in the water, coral and conservation learning, shipwreck history, or a quiet small-group journey as a solo traveller.
Learn with trusted local professionals, move at a calm rhythm and meet marine life without turning the encounter into a performance. You do not need to arrive fearless—only curious and open to learning.
Six principles behind every trip
The animals decide
Every meeting happens on their terms. We don’t chase, stage or force a moment. We wait.
Small groups
Six guests at most. More attention, more calm, more room to be yourself.
Slow travel
The best ocean moments can’t be scheduled, so the days leave space.
Fair local partners
We work with local guides and dive centres we trust, in fair and friendly partnerships.
Safety first
Clear plans, honest expectations and professionals beside you in the water.
Lighter footprint
Small groups and careful practice. Travel still has a cost for the ocean, and we keep learning how to make it smaller.
We travel as guests
The places where we meet the ocean are also home to many faiths, languages and traditions. We want to learn them, not only look at them.
Covering up where it is expected and following the rules of each temple, mosque and sacred site is part of travelling well. Respect for other religions and cultures is part of the journey, not an extra.
Ready when you are
- Book your placeClick Book your place on your trip and choose your room.
- Pay securelyA 30% deposit, then monthly payments. Card fees are included in the price, so there are no surprises.
- Rocío welcomes youShe writes to you personally by email or WhatsApp. Questions first? The booking FAQ answers most of them.
A few things people ask first
Do I need experience?
How close do we get to the animals?
Is travel insurance required?
How do I book?
Get CHF 50 off your 2027 trip
Tell Rocío a little about the ocean experience you are dreaming of. She will send you a CHF 50 discount code for any 2027 retreat, plus a note when new dates open — nothing more.
Places you may like
We keep researching ocean places around the world: 489 places in 194 countries so far. Some are with trusted local partners, and some we are still getting to know.
Trusted referrals
ColombiaTrusted referralMalpeloA remote protected sanctuary for experienced scuba divers, known for hammerheads, silky sharks and other open-ocean life.IndonesiaTrusted referralAmed, BaliA relaxed coast for freediving and diving, with turtles, reef life and the Liberty wreck nearby.IndonesiaTrusted referralKomodoKnown for manta dives, reef sharks and turtles, with Komodo dragons on land.
Micronesia (FSM)Trusted referralChuuk LagoonA quiet lagoon for experienced divers, known for historic wrecks surrounded by reef fish and tropical marine life.PhilippinesTrusted referralPanglao and Balicasag, BoholTurtle-rich reef walls at Balicasag, with dolphins possible from the boat near Pamilacan.PhilippinesTrusted referralSiquijorA quiet island for freediving on living reefs, with turtles, giant clams and schooling barracuda.More to discover
Red Sea and ArabiaExploring
QatarOne of the biggest whale shark gatherings in the world, seen from a boat only, plus a large dugong population.2 places · Explore Qatar →
CaribbeanExploring
Antigua and BarbudaReefs off Antigua’s calm south and west coasts, and on Barbuda one of the largest frigatebird colonies in the Caribbean.3 places · Explore Antigua and Barbuda →
Europe and MediterraneanExploring
AlbaniaA Mediterranean coast with reefs, wrecks, a protected marine area and good local food.3 places · Explore Albania →Explore the Ocean AtlasWork in ocean travel? Partner with us
A little more, before you dive in
Practical answers, responsible travel guidance and stories from the water.
Questions before you book?
Most answers are in the booking FAQ. You can also write to hello@oceancallingretreats.com, and I answer you myself.
Somewhere right now a whale is resting near the surface, a turtle is gliding over a reef, and an old wreck is slowly turning into a garden. One of these small groups might have your name on it. Go and find it.
Not sure where to go? Get your Ocean Match
from CHF 19
All kinds of people. One ocean.
You don’t have to arrive fearless, fit or experienced. Come from wherever you are, with whatever you carry. Every background is welcome, nobody is judged, and you are always free to rest, pause or skip an activity.
Some retreats are just for women, and each one tells you clearly who it is for. Dive schools may ask for a health form — you can read the details in our Planning & FAQ or on the Is it for me? page.
Is it for me?Find Ocean Calling online
Follow our ocean stories, ask a question, or explore what other guests say.
Instagram · TikTok · Facebook · LinkedIn · WhatsApp · Tripadvisor
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