The Ultimate Mermaid Travel Bucket List: 10 Breathtaking Locations for Your Next Video Shoot

From Viral to Visceral: Let’s Talk About Mermaid Video Dreams

Have you ever seen a viral mermaid video and thought,
“Where is that place?!”

Same. And as someone who’s flipped her fins through more than a few of those magical backdrops, I can tell you this — not all mermaid shoots are made equal.

I’m Corinna, founder of MerMapp, and with this blog it’s my mission to help mermaids (of all experience levels) discover the most stunning, fin-tastic, and camera-worthy locations on the planet. Whether you’re a total guppy just starting out or a salty sea queen ready for your next big splash — this list is your ultimate guide to making mermaid video magic in places you’ll never forget.

These aren’t just pretty blue spots. They’re hand-picked based on:

• Their appearance in viral mermaid videos (often without location credits 😒)

• My own mermaid travels (yep, I’ve been to a bunch!)

• How accessible and safe they are — without needing rare animal sightings or underwater film crews
  

And, most importantly — the feeling they give you when you’re in tail, in flow, and fully in your element. So let’s dive in 🐬

🧜‍♀️ First: How to Make Your Mermaid Shoot Count

These locations are great for new mers still getting comfy underwater or wanting low-stress spots with BIG visual payoff.

🫧 1. Three Sisters & Ginnie Springs (Florida, USA)

These freshwater springs are like stepping into a living fairytale — crystal-clear blue water, lush tree canopies above, and white sandy bottoms that make you glow on camera.

Not only are they super mermaid-friendly, but Ginnie Springs regularly hosts Florida Spring Splash events, where mermaids from all over gather to swim, pose, connect, and sparkle together. Trust me: it’s way more magical when you’re surrounded by your pod.

🗓️ Event: Speaking of which, this weekend (from Nov 7-9th), there’s the Florida Spring Splash November edition and on Saturday the MerTailor will even grace them with their presence with some goodie bags from what I’ve read on their Facebook page! So if you’re in the area, don’t miss it!

📸 Pro Tip: Half-in/half-out surface shots look incredible here — even if you’re still working on your breath-holds!

🫧 3. Lava Fields (Maui, Hawaii)

Think black volcanic rock + deep crashing blue waves = instant drama.
This is the spot for your rock-splashing “Part of Your World” moment.

🌊 Safety Note: Always bring a spotter. Surf here can get strong, so know your comfort zone and stick to tide pools if you're a beginner. Even just sitting on the rocks in a tail looks stunning in golden hour light.

🌍 Europe Alternative: In case your travel budget doesn’t allow Hawaii, we’ve just discovered a great place in Malta - the Coral Lagoon - where you’re getting reliably great splashes with a great backdrop as well.

Traveling halfway across the world to swim in a fairytale spot is a dream.
But trust me — if you’re not prepared, it can quickly turn into a splashy disappointment.

So here are a few quick, real-talk tips from someone who's been in tails in tidepools, waterfalls, cenotes, and deep-sea tunnels:

💡 Practice Before You Travel

If you want to look relaxed and graceful on camera, rehearse at home. Grab a friend and film some practice shots in your local pool. Work on your breath holds, hand movements, expressions, and tail flicks. The less you have to “think” about it while shooting, the more magical you’ll look.

💰 On a Budget? Ask Around

Many freedivers and scuba folks LOVE filming underwater and have surprisingly great gear. Ask local dive shops if they know anyone who might enjoy doing a creative shoot with you — it could save you big bucks and open up some great collabs! Also - have a look at MerMapp’s global map to connect with other mers - they probably will know best and can give great recommendations!

📸 Want Cinematic Shots? Go Pro

Hiring a professional underwater photographer or videographer means you can relax, enjoy the experience, and know your footage is going to shine. Worth it — especially in a bucket list location.

🐚 And Don’t Forget to Play

It’s tempting to turn the whole trip into a content mission. But don’t forget to take a few hours to swim just for you. Float. Drift. Laugh underwater. Be in the moment — not just trying to capture it. And again - it’s a lot more fun to go with more mermaids, so don’t forget to contact mers in the area where you’re going via MerMapp’s map a good time a head of before you go to make sure you can meet up.

💙 Beginner-Friendly Magic

🫧 5. Cascada de Fuego (Canaima, Venezuela)

This is a wild card — and possibly the next big mermaid shoot location.
Cascada de Fuego (literally “Waterfall of Fire”) glows in reds, oranges, and golds. It looks like the jungle is spilling actual lava.

Right now, travel to Venezuela can be tricky, but if politics shift — keep your eye on this one. No mermaid has shot here yet (that we know of). You could be the first.

🌊 Intermediate-Level Mers

You’ll want good freediving experience with a decent breath-hold for these to make the most of it it!

🌊 6. Busselton Jetty (Western Australia)

Wooden beams stretch beneath the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. It’s moody. Mysterious. Total Atlantis vibes.

Freediving between the beams with good fin control gives you sweeping, cinematic footage. Come during clear days for the light shafts between the wood.

🌊 7. Deep Dive Dubai (UAE)

This one’s just plain wild. It’s the deepest pool in the world and filled with surreal rooms, sunken houses, and floating furniture.

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a mermaid in a dreamworld — this is it.
Comfort at depth helps here, but the vibe is safe, calm, and incredibly fun to explore.

🧜‍♀️ 8. Harbin Shark Diving (China)

This one is still big on my own bucket list - with a giant triton guaranteeing marvellous mermaid shots, how could it not be?

The great thing is that even though it’s in China, it should be relatively easy to be able to swim and get professional shots as it is a registered PADI diving centre with freediving, mermaid and underwater photography courses under the name of Harbin Shark Diving.

Harbin Shark Diving was established in 2013. It has been teaching full-time diving in the north for ten years and has 1,000 students. It continues to lead the diving market in the north and has rich teaching experience. It is located in Harbin, the northernmost ice city in China. It is the first five-star diving center in the north and has been widely used in recent years.

🧜‍♀️ You’ll Need Vitamin Sea (Special Access Required)

These next two are STUNNING — but not something you just swim into. You’ll need local help and insider connections.

🧜‍♀️ 9. Atlantis Sanya Oceans Dive Resort (China)

Atlantis Sanya is located on Hainan Island, on the coast of the South China Sea. Combined with a fun-filled family resort, the world's largest open-air aquarium is called the Lost Chambers Aquarium, which consists of 28 small exhibits and one large exhibit.

This is where some of China’s famous mermaid competitions were held and also the world record of the biggest mermaid gathering was set. This place is what mermaid dreams are made of - stunning backdrops and ares to dive through that make you feel like you’re in sunken Atlantis. But again — China is tricky to navigate, and this location is no exception.

With the right guide or local dive contact, though? Absolute magic.

📩 Shoot us an email to support@mermapp.com to help you get connected.

⚠️ 10. Cenote Angelita (Yucatán, Mexico)

30 meters deep. A layer of hydrogen sulfide fog. Submerged trees.
This is one of the most surreal underwater landscapes on earth — but it’s NOT for casual swims.

You’ll descend on scuba with your crew, pause at the right moment, remove your gear just long enough for the shot, and then gear back up. Don’t attempt this without serious training and full safety support.

But if you're certified and ready? This footage will blow everyone’s mind — including yours.

⚠️ For Advanced & Certified Freedivers Only

🫧 4. Channel Islands National Park (California, USA)

Swimming through kelp forests feels like moving through an underwater cathedral.
Even if you’re not a strong diver, you can still get beautiful shots here.

📸 Tip: Have your camera buddy or diver shoot from below as you float or twirl near the surface — you'll look like you're dancing through the seaweed.

🌊 Mermaid Video Locations by Experience Level

🫧 2. Benang Kelambu Waterfall (Lombok, Indonesia)

This place is straight out of a jungle mermaid dream — water trickling down through curtains of green vines. You won’t even need to be underwater for these shots to be next level.

🧕 Important: Lombok is a Muslim island. Respecting the culture is key. That means no bikinis or tiny tops — but don’t worry, you can still look amazing in a long-sleeved mermaid top or layered swimwear.

I climbed up in wet pants and changed into my tail right on site. Was it glamorous? Not exactly. But the footage? 100% worth it.

You can also get amazing waterfalls in Bali (the neighbor island), however, there it will be a lot more difficult to get a shot without anyone else at the waterfall trying to get their dream shot! At this particular waterfall in Lombok, that was not an issue at all as it’s a lot further off the beaten tourist path.

Let’s be real — you don’t fly to the other side of the world not to get the shot.

But please, mermaid-to-mermaid, take time to float, feel, and fall in love with the place you're in. Swim without cameras. Drift in the silence. Play.

The best shoots happen when you're connected — to your body, your breath, the moment, and the magic around you.

And wherever you’re headed next… I hope you pack your tail, your courage, and your sense of wonder.

💙 With love and salty hair,
Corinna, CEO & Founder of MerMapp

💬 Final Thoughts: Capture the Magic, But Feel It Too