Frequently asked questions.

Blue Mind Expeditions runs educational, citizen-science diving trips around the world, dedicated to marine conservation. On every trip, two naturalist guides host talks (biology, species encountered, ecology) and photo-identification workshops. It’s a different way to dive: understanding marine life rather than just consuming it.

Citizen science means involving divers in collecting real scientific data. In practice, you photograph and measure the animals you encounter (sharks, rays, cetaceans), and these records are shared with local associations, universities and scientists to study populations, movements and the conservation status of species. You’re no longer a spectator, but an actor in protecting the ocean.

In the mainstream industry, you dive a site then head home, often without understanding what you saw or leaving anything behind but a carbon footprint. With Blue Mind, every dive is part of a process of observation, learning and contribution: daily talks, photo-identification, exchanges with naturalist guides, and data that is genuinely useful to research.

Every animal carries unique markings: the belly pattern of a manta ray, the spots of a whale shark, the notches on a dolphin’s or orca’s fin. By photographing these markings, individuals are identified like a fingerprint and tracked over time. Participants’ shots feed participatory scientific databases.

It’s a contactless measuring technique: a rig projects two laser dots at a known spacing onto the animal, making it possible to estimate its size from the photo without ever touching or disturbing it. It’s used on sharks in particular, to track growth and population structure.

No. Our expeditions are for curious enthusiasts, not just specialists. The naturalist guides teach you everything on site (biology, photo-identification, techniques). The required diving level, however, depends on the destination (see below).

It depends on the expedition. Some happen mostly at the surface, snorkelling or freediving (Baja California with the mobulas, the Sardine Run in South Africa) and are open to anyone comfortable in the water. Others require an experienced level: PADI Advanced Open Water / CMAS** or equivalent, sometimes with a minimum number of dives (up to 100 for Socorro). The exact level is stated on each expedition page.

Yes for several destinations: the freediving / snorkelling trips (Baja California, South Africa) welcome non-divers who are at ease at the surface, and some expeditions offer a companion rate. Get in touch to check feasibility for your destination and profile.

Every trip is led by two Blue Mind naturalist guides (including a marine biologist and a naturalist guide/instructor), alongside local dive guides, and accompanied by a professional videographer who captures the adventure. The approach blends exploration, education and conservation.

Encounters take place with strict respect for the animal and safety protocols, led by experienced local guides. Tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah, hammerheads in the Galápagos, blue sharks in the Azores: intense but controlled experiences. Above all, you learn to observe without disturbing.

We favour small groups for the quality of the experience and its educational impact. Size varies with the boat and destination (for example 8 to 14 divers on a liveaboard). The number of spots is shown on each expedition page.

Our expeditions span three oceans: Malapascua (pelagic thresher shark, Philippines), the Azores (blue shark, Atlantic), Galápagos (schools of hammerhead sharks, liveaboard), Baja California (thousands of mobula rays), Socorro (giant oceanic manta rays), South Africa (the Sardine Run), Timor-Leste (pygmy blue whale), the Maldives (tiger sharks of Fuvahmulah) and soon French Polynesia. New destinations are added every season.

By what excites you (the species or phenomenon you dream of), the season, and your level. Our Expeditions page groups everything by season, and a dedicated page for each destination lists the available years. In doubt, get in touch: we’ll point you to the best-suited expedition.

In the Maldives, in the far south of the archipelago: the island of Fuvahmulah is home to one of the highest densities of tiger sharks in the world, with several hundred individuals identified. Our “Far South of the Maldives” cruise runs in February, with an introduction to tiger-shark photo-identification.

The Sardine Run happens in South Africa (austral winter, June-July), one of the greatest marine spectacles on the planet. Clouds of mobula rays gather in Baja California, in the Sea of Cortez (spring). Schools of hammerhead sharks are seen in the Galápagos, at the legendary sites of Darwin and Wolf (November).

Yes: the Galápagos, Socorro and the Maldives are experienced as liveaboards aboard a chartered boat or yacht. The other destinations are land-based (hotel or private apartment) with day trips out to sea.

Your personal gear (mask, fins, dive computer, and possibly regulator and BCD depending on the destination). Tanks, weights and belts are usually provided. Dive equipment rental is not included in the price. For citizen-science workshops, a camera is useful.

It depends on the destination: warm tropical waters (26-29 °C, 3-5 mm suit) in the Maldives or Timor-Leste, cooler in the Azores or South Africa (5-7 mm full suit, sometimes hood and gloves). The recommended wetsuit and water/air temperatures are shown in the “Good to know” section of each expedition.

On the most demanding outings (such as the Sardine Run), the sea can be rough: bring seasickness tablets and take them as a precaution. Don’t hesitate to mention it to the team on site.

Generally: accommodation, board (depending on the package), dives and supervision, naturalist guides, talks and workshops, and the videographer. The detailed “included / not included” list is on each expedition page, as it varies from one destination to another.

No, international flights are not included (nor, where applicable, domestic flights or certain local taxes). This leaves you free to choose your tickets. On-site transfers, however, are often included — see the details per expedition.

There is no online booking. To register, fill in the contact form of the expedition you’re interested in (or the general form), and we’ll get back to you to plan everything together: availability, terms, questions.

Diving insurance is mandatory on our expeditions. Cancellation and assistance insurance is strongly recommended. Depending on the destination, some local taxes or extra insurance may apply — these are listed under “not included”.

Yes, often. Some destinations offer several departures in a single season, and recur from one year to the next. Each destination’s page lists all editions (2026, 2027…) with their dates, prices and remaining spots.

Yes, we work in small groups, so places are limited and go quickly (some expeditions are already marked “sold out”). Real-time availability is shown on each expedition.

All the data gathered (photos, measurements, observations) — by the team and by participants — is shared with local organisations: associations, universities, scientific collectives, monitoring programmes (for example the Galapagos Whale Shark Project). It serves research and species protection.

It’s the heart of the project: to offer diving that means something, to educate in order to better protect, and to minimise impact. We favour small groups, naturalist guides, respectful observation of animals and returning data to science. The idea: turn every trip into a concrete contribution to the ocean.

Absolutely. No prior knowledge is needed: the talks and workshops give you the keys, and your photos genuinely contribute to species monitoring. That’s exactly the spirit of citizen science — making research accessible to everyone.