Why people are ‘mermaiding’ around the world

Immersive, fantasy-inspired vacations are among the fastest-growing travel trends of 2026 Mermaid Freedive/Brandee Anthony Media I struggle to maintain my dignity in Nagoya, Japan. And also to stay afloat. My legs are wrapped in a violet mermaid tail. I expected to glide with grace, but now, it feels like I’m just splashing water. “Good,” exclaims my instructor at the Japan Mermaid Academy, Shellina Mermaid. “But you swim like an American, like you’re late for a meeting. Swim more slowly, like a Japanese mermaid.” See the videos that are trending on g1 The advice is useful. Soon after, I begin swimming gracefully alongside two fellow local mermaids. My global adventure as a mermaid could be pure whim. But with tensions rising around the world, I’m not the only one looking for an outlet. From fantasy balls to LARPing weekends (where people get together to dress up and role-play, like in a live role-playing game), immersive fantasy-inspired vacations are one of the fastest-growing travel trends in 2026, according to Booking.com. And “mermaiding” — swimming in pools and natural bodies of water using a mermaid tail — is one of the most immersive activities we can do. “For me, it’s getting into the water and getting away from life for a bit,” says blogger James Barrett. “Pretend you live in the ocean and none of your problems are there.” The trend has inspired an inclusive, body-positive subculture. It is spreading across the seven seas, encouraged by conventions like MerMagic Con and certification courses from PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Mermaid classes and photo shoots amid stunning aquatic scenery are incredible ways to take your vacation away from the mundane. From the kelp forests of California’s Catalina Island to the mythological coastline of Cornwall, England, here are six places where people are unleashing their inner mermaid. Florida is the mermaid capital of the world Mermaid Freedive/Brandee Anthony Media Florida Springs, USA The historic underwater mermaid shows and crystal clear waters of Weeki Wachee Springs have cemented the fame of the US state of Florida as the mermaid capital of the world. The State’s almost thousand freshwater springs, concentrated mainly in its central region, offer an average temperature of 22 °C throughout the year and a series of otherworldly experiences. Explore the underwater caves of Devil’s Den in Williston, Alexander Springs with its shallow, sandy bottom, and the cerulean waters of Rainbow Springs State Park. Ginnie Springs hosts an annual meeting called “Spring Splash”, not to mention the Mermaid Summit, which lasts four days in locations throughout the Miami region. To further fuel Florida’s supremacy when it comes to mermaids, the Mertailor Mermaid Aquarium Encounter takes place in Lecanto, just a short distance from Florida’s Gulf Coast. In this immersive exhibition, famous mermaid tail maker Eric Ducharme runs a themed shop where visitors can admire his hyper-realistic tails, watch live performances and even learn mermaid techniques in the venue’s deep tanks. “We’re trying to create an experience where people feel welcome and loved,” says Ducharme. “There are lots of mermaids in their 40s, 50s and 60s swimming on our tails. It’s a magical experience.” The Maldives islands offer warm waters and incredible marine life for mermaids Six Senses Maldives Maldives Islands There is a reason why the Maldives islands are included on any diver’s bucket list. The small independent archipelago located southwest of India is known for its warm, crystal-clear waters, as well as opportunities to spot whale sharks, stingrays, turtles, napoleon fish and schools of colorful fish all year round. A Maldivian legend claims that the reefs are also teeming with sea creatures. So why not join them? If you’re just getting your fins wet, The Pullman Maldives Maamutaa, Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Six Senses Laamu resorts offer beginner certification classes to all guests. They will make you glide along the colorful reefs with unparalleled grace. “Nobody was born a mermaid,” explains Anne Hospital, regional manager of the Six Senses diving center. “Simply relax, go with the flow and enjoy the feeling of being weightless. Each class is a mix of fun, freedom and a little mermaid magic.” For mermaids who want to swim outside the resort, Surf Dive Maldives offers guided tours and mermaid photography in the Rasdhoo and Thoddoo regions, known for their spectacular wildlife. Mermaids from all over the world can sign up for an adventure with Sea Sick Productions, staying on a yacht and learning tips and tricks for how to behave underwater. The Cornish coastline is full of marine life and medieval mermaids. Daan Verhoeven Cornwall, England The salt-dappled landscape of Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, is a living mosaic of ancient folklore and modern adventure. The rugged county is famous for being home to the mythological medieval mermaid of Zennor. It is said that she disguises herself to participate in services at the Santa Senara Abbey. Modern mermaids can get to know these marine legends better at Kynance Cove and Bude Sea Pool, two natural sea rock formations that create easy-to-swim pools perfect for training and photo shoots. Schedule a film session with Kernow Mermaid or perfect your tail movements with Aquacity Freediving classes. After a perfect swim, you can take refuge from the Atlantic breeze for a sip of local Zennor Mermaid beer in the peaceful The Tinners Arms bar, next to the church. It is believed that the legend himself has already visited the place. The coast of Catalina Island, California (USA) is full of kelp forests — and mermaids. Getty Images Catalina Island, USA Located just 35 km off the coast of Los Angeles, in the United States, Catalina Island is often called the “Caribbean of California”. Avalon’s Mediterranean-style waterfront is packed with tourists and golf carts. And the turquoise waters are home to a dense underwater world, where courageous mermaids dive into the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean to find seals, a huge kelp forest and California’s signature fish — the garibaldi, with its striking orange color. “It’s hard to imagine that there is this amazing, beautiful world just below the surface,” says Elaina Garcia, owner of the Catalina Islands Mermaids mermaid training center. For her, swimming there “is like walking through a forest, rather than an open field.” Garcia’s goal is to help the mermaids explore the region further. In addition to training classes, she hosts a free monthly meetup for the rapidly expanding mermaid community. Garcia also promotes photo shoots in the water, on the beach near Casino Point and on the facade of his recently opened store. “Swimming is a learning experience that not everyone can achieve,” she explains. “Photo shoots allow other people to come and connect with the ocean.” “It’s a truly magical moment when you put on a mermaid tail for the first time. People feel like goddesses!” DiveCube turned Taiwan’s ‘City of Culture’ into a pilgrimage site for mermaids Pepe Arcos/Divecube Taichung Taichung, Taiwan Taichung, Taiwan, is the birthplace of bubble tea and is home to the brightly colored Rainbow Village. But since 2017, the “City of Culture” has also become a place of pilgrimage for Asia’s diving community. They head to DiveCube, a complex that has a 21-meter-deep pool and 30 hotel rooms designed with views of the water. You don’t need to stay at the hotel to swim in the pool. The center offers scuba and snorkeling classes and the pool has become a hit with local mermaids who attend the classes. The pool has large windows, a bottom decorated with seasonal motifs (ranging from a sunken fairytale carriage to Halloween skulls) and an artificial reef, designed by the team from the film Life of Pi (2012). It’s the perfect place for a photo shoot, without the unpredictability of ocean currents. Mermaids visit La Paz, in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, to experience the unforgettable experience of swimming with their colony of sea lions Getty Images La Paz, Mexico The sea lions of Los Islotes, about an hour and a half from La Paz, in northwestern Mexico, may simply become your new diving buddies. But the law requires a little practice to be a mermaid in this colony. Mexican law requires snorkelers to wear life-saving clothing. Therefore, mermaids and freedivers can only visit the site with a certified tour operator, such as Hipoxia Freediving or Freefall Academy. Both can accommodate tails on their tours. “There is certainly a lot of curiosity and a lot of joy,” says professional aquatic artist Rachel Novak. “It’s beautiful and definitely breathtaking to see such graceful and elegant creatures in the water. It was kind of a joy and a very special experience to get this opportunity to swim with them.” The interactive nature of swimming with sea lions is certainly the main attraction. But divers can also plan ambitious snorkeling trips to the Fang Ming, a shipwreck that is now inhabited by a fascinating microworld of barnacles. You can also float in the calm waters of Balandra Bay, a semi-isolated beach with a closed sea, which makes swimming easier. Safety First Mermaid candidates need to be comfortable in the water. During the course, you will learn how to move your fin in the water, hold your breath for a minute and a half underwater and how to do a “duck dive” that will allow you to swim safely below the surface of the water. When swimming in natural bodies of water, always be accompanied by an experienced colleague. And look for places where you won’t disturb the natural environment. Always use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid accessories with beads, glitter or sequins, which could fall or come off in the water. Where did you get your tail? Wearing a tail is one of the most exciting parts of “mermaiding.” Because mermaids don’t just have one shape and gender, there is an incredible variety of tails to choose from. Some examples are the ultra-realistic tails from The Mertailor, the fairytale colors and random flourishes from Finfolk, or the custom-made tails from Merrow Fins. No matter where you purchase or simply rent your tail during class, your first concern should be safety. Choose tails made from scuba mesh or silicone materials, which won’t stretch while you swim. Try a Retreat Mermaid retreats, whether on ships or resorts, are opportunities for people with similar interests to come together to snorkel, take photos and vacation together. Many of them are maintained by well-known members of the community. So keep an eye on personalities like Mermaid Kat, Hannah Mermaid and Vero Beach Mermaid, looking for offers. “I have a client who did 12 retreats with us,” says Brandee Anthony, known as the Vero Beach Mermaid. “It’s really fun to create spaces where you can continue to travel with us and have a friend included.”

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