Everyone has their reasons for traveling. For animal lovers, encountering unique animals in their travel destinations alone can be a source of joy. Indeed, many travel destinations use the presence of animals, which are difficult to see in everyday life, as a selling point. Let’s take a look at some overseas travel destinations that are home to a variety of animals.
Pig Island, Bahamas (Pigs)
Pig Island, a popular tourist destination in the Bahamas, is located about 35 miles southeast of the Bahamian capital, Nassau. The island, made up of 365 smaller islands and reefs, attracts many tourists to see its beautiful sea colors and beaches. The official name of Pig Island is Big Major Cay, and it is home to wild pigs who often swim in the beach’s shallow waters. About 20 pigs live on the island, surviving on food from locals and tourists.
Jellyfish Lake, Palau (Jellyfish)
The Republic of Palau is located in the northeastern South Pacific of Oceania. It has a tropical oceanic climate and is hot and humid all year round. Korea has no time difference, and you can get there via Guam or the Philippines. The main tourist attraction here is Jellyfish Lake, which was initially a sea but got separated from it due to earthquakes. The lake is home to jellyfish, whose tentacles have degenerated and are non-poisonous, allowing tourists to enjoy snorkeling up close with them.
Stingray City in British Grand Cayman Island (Stingrays)
Grand Cayman Island is the largest of the three islands in the Cayman Islands. Here, you can encounter beautiful beaches and unique wildlife. The biggest reason why tourists from all over the world visit here is the stingrays. At Stingray City, located on the island’s northern end, you can see many yellow stingrays that come to feed. In addition to stingrays, you can see and interact with various marine life through snorkeling packages.
South Africa Boulders Beach (Penguins)
Boulders Beach in South Africa is the only penguin habitat in Africa. Boulders Beach, located in Simon’s Town, is known for its warm seawater and beautiful village scenery. Located south of Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach has been a breeding ground for penguins since two pairs settled there in 1982, and now more than 3,000 live there. These are Jackass penguins, which were at risk of extinction due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction. The area is now a park, protecting the penguins.
Dutch Aruba (Flamingos)
Aruba is an autonomous country of the Netherlands, located in the Lesser Antilles in Central America. It is a region boasting world-class excellent security, and its supporting industries are tourism, petrochemicals, and aloe. 75% of the total GDP is associated with the tourism industry, especially the famous “Flamingo Beach.” Walking around the beautiful Aruba Island, you can reach Flamingo Beach, where flamingos are noticeably gathered.
Kuching, Malaysia (Cats)
Kuching is located in the northern part of Borneo Island in Malaysia and is the fourth largest city in Malaysia. The name “Kuching” means “cat” in Malay, and as the name suggests, there are various statues and museums related to cats throughout the city. However, you may be disappointed if you expect a city-wide scene of living with cats like in Turkey. Although it was initially named because there were many cats throughout the city, you can’t see many stray cats on the streets today.
Turtle Island, Bali (Turtles)
In Bali, you can find a place named “Turtle Island” because of the many turtles there. You can enter Turtle Island by riding a glass-bottom boat from the mainland. Located 20 minutes from Tanjung Benoa, Turtle Island offers a package to tour the island, take pictures with the turtles, and then return. The view of the coral reefs and fish you can see while heading to Turtle Island on a boat is also considered spectacular.
Nara Deer Park, Japan (Deer)
In the old capital of Japan, Nara, about 40 minutes away from Osaka, you can find Nara Park, where you can meet about 1,200 deer. It’s a tourist attraction in Nara Prefecture, where you can meet deer at any time of the year. You can buy a Senbei, which is sold in the park, and give it to the deer. Most deer are accustomed to people, but be careful, as female deer with fawns and male deer in a rut can be dangerous.
Maui, Hawaii (Whales)
Maui, also known as Valley Isle, is the second-largest island in Hawaii. The animal you can meet here is a whale. The sea around Maui is a world-class whale-watching spot. Thousands of humpback whales leave the cold sea every winter and come to Hawaii to give birth and raise their young. You can see whales swimming, shaking their tails, and blowing water into the air while playing in the beautiful sea scenery.
Chefchaouen, Morocco (Cats)
Chefchaouen, located northwest of Morocco, is a famous tourist destination. Every summer, tourists from Europe flock to the city, primarily known for its blue-painted buildings. It is also known as the “heaven of stray cats.” You can see cats everywhere, from the city to the desert; unlike other places, they are unafraid of people. Moroccans consider cats friends and treat them kindly rather than drive them away.
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