Every time we drop anchor and slip into the turquoise waters of Ibiza, something magical happens.

The sea stops being “just water” and becomes a living, breathing world.

Whether you join us on a Family Boat Trip, a school Sea Trip snorkelling adventure, or one of our new Sea Retreats for corporates, marine biodiversity is at the heart of the experience. With our snorkelling guides, guests don’t just swim: they discover.

Here’s a glimpse of the species we most frequently encounter during our trips.

🐙 The Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris)

One of the true stars of our snorkelling adventures.

The common octopus is among the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth. With around 500 million neurons, similar to a dog, it can solve problems, unscrew jars, and even recognise individual people.

In the wild, they are masters of disguise. Their soft bodies allow them to squeeze into tiny rock crevices, and they can change both colour and texture to blend perfectly into their surroundings. Spotting one hiding between rocks is always a thrilling moment. We love to see the faces of adults and children when I, or one of the guides spot them behind their carefully built wall!

Fun fact: each arm has its own mini “brain”, allowing it to move and sense independently. Watching an octopus glide across the seabed is like witnessing underwater poetry.

 
🍳 Fried Egg Jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata)

A favourite among children, for obvious reasons.

Named for its yellow dome and white rim that resemble a floating fried egg, this jellyfish is common in the Mediterranean during the warmer months. Despite their unusual appearance, they are mostly harmless to humans, with only very mild venom.

Small crabs sometimes hitch a ride on top of them to avoid stingers which is a tiny example of marine teamwork happening right before our eyes.

They remind us that even creatures many people fear are essential to the balance of the ecosystem.

 🌿 Neptune Grass (Posidonia oceanica)

This is not seaweed!  It’s a plant. And one of the most important in the Mediterranean.

Neptune grass forms vast underwater meadows around Ibiza, so important that they are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. These meadows absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide: up to 15 times more than a similar-sized area of rainforest, and provide shelter for thousands of marine species.

They stabilise sand, protect beaches from erosion, and serve as a powerful indicator of water quality. When we snorkel above Posidonia, we are floating above the lungs of the Mediterranean.

 🌾 Peacock’s Tail (Padina pavonica)

A delicate fan-shaped seaweed often found in shallow, sunlit waters.

Its curved fronds absorb calcium carbonate, forming tiny crystals that protect it from predators and contribute to coastal sediment formation. It’s also a reliable indicator of clean water.

For young snorkellers especially, discovering the textures and patterns of marine plants is often the first step in understanding ecosystems. Don´t be afraid to feel them gently, they look like sea shells and we´ll point them out!

 
🌸 Sea Anemones

Snakelocks (Anemonia viridis)
Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina)

These flower-like animals are often mistaken for plants.

Snakelocks anemones have long green tentacles with purple tips and rely partly on sunlight thanks to symbiotic algae living within them. Beadlet anemones, often deep red or orange, retract their tentacles at low tide and appear like smooth jelly blobs.

They use stinging cells to capture small prey and defend their territory: they are tiny underwater warriors, and we see them every day as we swim around the Nature Reserve.

 🥒 Sea Cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa)

Not the most glamorous creature at first glance... but one of the most important!

Sea cucumbers are nature’s cleaners. They ingest sediment from the seabed, extract nutrients, and expel the rest, effectively recycling and oxygenating the sea floor.

In moments of danger, they can even eject their internal organs as a distraction tactic (and later regenerate them!).

They teach one of our favourite lessons: never judge an ecosystem hero by its appearance.

 🧽 Sea Sponge (Sarcotragus spinosulus)

Although they look like plants, sponges are animals. And ancient ones at that! Fossil records show they’ve existed for over 600 million years.

They are “filter feeders”, continuously pumping water through their bodies and removing bacteria and particles. In doing so, they help keep the surrounding waters clean.

They may seem simple, but they are fundamental to marine health.

 
⭐ Sea Stars or starfish

Red Sea Star (Echinaster sepositus)
Purple Sea Star (Ophidiaster ophidianus)

Bright red or deep purple, these sea stars are some of the most visually striking species we encounter.

They breathe through small surface structures and move slowly across rocks and reefs using hundreds of tiny tube feet. Watching one move up close is a lesson in patience and quiet persistence. So thrilling to discover one and admire their bright colours!

 ⚫ Sea Urchin (Arbacia lixula)

Recognisable by their round shape and long black spines, sea urchins cling to rocks using specialised tube feet.

They mostly feed on algae, helping prevent overgrowth and maintaining ecological balance. Despite having no visible eyes, they can sense light using cells in their tube feet.

They are small but mighty engineers of the reef.

 🐟 Wrasses

Rainbow Wrasse (Coris julis)
Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo)

Fast, colourful and curious, wrasses bring movement and vibrancy to every snorkelling session.

They live among rocks and Neptune grass meadows, changing colour as they mature. At night, some burrow into sand while others wedge into rocky crevices for protection.

They are often the first fish our younger snorkellers learn to identify. When we pause for a little break during our snorkelling activities, they often come to our feet. Why? Because as we kick up sand we stir all the food they crave and they come for their unexpected lunch!

 More Than Species: A Connection

What makes these encounters special isn’t just biology.

It’s the moment a child spots their first octopus.The silence when a corporate group floats above a Posidonia meadow.
The excitement of a school group identifying a rainbow wrasse correctly.

Marine biodiversity transforms a simple swim into a meaningful experience.

At Meet the Sea, we don’t just show the Mediterranean, we help our guests understand it, respect it, and fall in love with it.

And once you’ve truly met the sea… you never see it the same way again.