Tokyo’s Dolphin Island – 東京のイルカ島

200 kilometers (120 miles) south of Tokyo lies an island that’s home to over 100 dolphins. Known as Mikura-jima, this place is nothing short of paradise. Every year between March and October, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins make their home here, and you can swim with them in the clear, blue waters of the Pacific. But the…

Why is the Ocean Salty and Undrinkable?

You ever heard the saying, “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink?” Well, that’s true for most of the world’s water supply. Salty oceans make up nearly 97% of water on Earth while freshwater sources make less than 3%. There are two main reasons for this. When rain falls on land, it erodes…

6 Incredible Shipwreck Survival Stories

For many seafarers, the ocean has been a source of inspiration and bliss, but for others, it has been a source of terror and destruction. Since humanity first set out to sea, the volatile waters have claimed countless lives. Yet, not every maritime disaster ends in despair. Against all odds, there are people who have…

Jaw-Dropping Fish with Surprisingly Human Teeth!

This fish has human-like teeth. I mean, look at this thing! It needs a dental plan!! But, as fake as it looks, this is not Photoshop or AI. This is a 100% real fish, and it’s known as the sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus). Despite their absurd appearance, sheepshead fish are not rare or elusive. They are…

The Wreck of the SS Yongala

23 March 1911. The steamship SS Yongala is nearing the end of her 99th voyage in Australian waters. She departs the town of Mackay at 1340 (1:40 pm) en route to Townsville, Queensland. She’s carrying 49 passengers, 73 crew, and 617 tons of cargo, including the racehorse Moonshine and a Lincoln Red bull. As she…

5 Squid You’ll Only See in the Deep Sea

Thousands of fathoms beneath the ocean waves, there are creatures that are stranger than fiction. You could even say that many of these creatures have inspired fiction. However, among deep sea denizens, squid are in a league of their own. From fascinating to frightening, deep sea squid are a bizarre bunch. Let’s plunge into the…

Are Barracuda Dangerous?

With their sharp teeth and impressive size, barracuda are among the most feared fish in the sea. Some species, such as the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), can grow up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) in length, which is bigger than some sharks! But are these slender, sentient steak knives really as dangerous as they seem?…

My Top 5 Shark Encounters

I’m Tidewater Teddy, and I’ve spent a lot of time above and beneath the sea. In the deep, blue ocean, I’ve seen my share of sea creatures, but of all of them, sharks are my favorite. Over the years, I’ve had some incredible encounters with these toothy fish. Here are my top 5 shark encounters!…

Diving on the Wreck of a WW2 Submarine – U-352

9 May 1942. US Coast Guard Cutter Icarus cruises at 14 knots along the coast of North Carolina en route to Key West. The sea is calm, but the world around them is not. Only five months have passed since the bombing of Pearl Harbor thrust the US into war, and tensions are high among…

This WW II Shipwreck is Home to 100 Sharks – SS Caribsea

11 March 1942. 0200 hours. The merchant ship SS Caribsea is steaming along the coast of North Carolina. She’s carrying 3,600 tons of manganese ore to Norfolk, Virginia from Santiago, Cuba. The night is cold and dark, but nothing is out of the ordinary. Suddenly, an explosion rocks the ship, and seawater starts flooding the…