Ethical ocean retreats
Freedive, dive and swim with wild animals, in groups of six or fewer.
The ocean doesn’t do rush hour. A patient local guide, a small group, and one rule we never break: the animals decide. We don’t chase them, we don’t touch them, so every hello is their idea.
- Six guests at most
- Solo travellers welcome from the first evening
- Local professionals in the water
Ocean Calling Retreats is a small ocean travel company founded by Rocío Ruiz. We plan freediving, scuba and wildlife trips for six guests at most, in places like Coron in the Philippines, Bali, Moʻorea and La Ventana. Local professionals teach and guide in the water. Rocío plans every detail and is there for you before, during and after.
Find the trip that fits you
A few small choices and we show you what matches.
Your choices
Every retreat includes conservation awareness and marine education. That is always true, so it is not one of the choices below.
Where
Month
Year
Vibe
I would love to meet
I want to see
Certification
My path
How adventurous
Shows retreats up to this level.
Also in my free time
A calm island and a busy reef: conservation courses from one day to four weeks.
A quiet local island in the far south of the Maldives, for experienced divers.
The lively island: short conservation courses, reef restoration and island volunteering.
Six quiet days by the Sea of Cortez, in the month the devil rays gather.
Wander through all tripsNot sure? Answer four little questions
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 →
Indian OceanTravel with us
MaldivesResident whale sharks, seasonal reef manta gatherings and open-ocean diving with tiger sharks.3 places · Explore Maldives →
AmericasTravel with us
MexicoA windy Sea of Cortez bay known for large mobula ray gatherings in May.2 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 →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.
Maybe you want to meet a whale, learn to freedive, feel calmer in the water, help a reef, dive a wreck with a story, or just travel alone without being alone.
Local professionals teach, the pace stays slow, and the animals are never a show. You don’t need to arrive fearless. Curious and open is enough.
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.
Meet Rocío, your host
Rocío Ruiz, founder
I grew up by the sea in a family of forest rangers. My grandfather and my uncle protected nature for a living, and they taught me early that wonder and responsibility go together.
I came to the ocean later in life. I learned to freedive in Bali, and a pod of about fifteen pilot whales changed how I think about wildlife tourism. Before Ocean Calling I worked in international operations, travel and events, from boardrooms to boats. Now I put all of it into small trips, so you can just arrive and be there.
“Wildlife is a privilege, never a guarantee.”
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
- Find your tripLook through the trips, or let Help me choose do it with you.
- Message RocíoSend an email or a WhatsApp with the trip and dates. I confirm your place myself.
- I’m hereBefore and after you book, you write to me and I answer you.
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?
A little more ocean in your inbox ✨
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Places you may like
We keep exploring the ocean: 487 places in 194 countries so far. Some come with trusted local partners, others 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 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
AfricaExploring
NamibiaA cold desert coast for watching seals, dolphins and seasonal whales from the boat or shore, still being researched.Explore Namibia →
Europe and MediterraneanExploring
AlbaniaA Mediterranean coast with reefs, wrecks, a protected marine area and good local food.3 places · Explore Albania →
Europe and MediterraneanExploring
TürkiyeA freediving-led coast at Kaş with very warm water, turtles and groupers.Explore Türkiye →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.
Not sure yet? Just say hello.
Send me a message 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.
New: mobula rays in La Ventana, May 2027
CHF 2,450