Since the aquarium closed to the public in March, visits to its website have tripled year-on-year. With ten webcams to choose from including sea otters, jellyfish and penguins (“Shark Cam” is my favourite!), Monterey Bay has found a way to connect with the outside world – and receive much-needed donations in the process.

Georgia Aquarium also got in on the act, reporting a 3,000% increase in daily traffic to their 6.3 million-gallon whale shark tunnel webcam when lockdown began in mid-March.

Tourist webcams are nothing new - Monterey Bay’s first one was installed way back in 2001 - but the recent surge in demand points to more than just a remedy for boredom. Engaging with underwater live streams is also thought to be a great stress reliever - something I’m sure we could all benefit from right now.

A 2018 review of the restorative role of aquariums (also referenced in an interesting article by The Guardian) offers further context:

“In today’s increasingly stressful world, quick and easy access to restorative environments that promote positive emotions and help reduce stress may be essential, especially for people who have few, if any, chances to engage with the natural world.”

It doesn’t take a scientist to join the dots.

For many of us, the “stressful” world of 2018 would feel like a spa break in comparison to this year. If watching sardines swirl through gently swaying kelp canopies was considered a useful self-care tool then, it should be made mandatory now... Honey, don’t forget your packed lunch today. Oh, and remember you have 15 minutes of Coral Reef Cam to catch up on before you tackle that inbox…

But if Aquarium Cams don’t float your boat, there are plenty of other options to sink your teeth into…

How about vampire hunting in the Old Town of Brașov? In the historical region of Transylvania and surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, Brașov is dotted with distinctly European architecture that would even leave Dracula thirsty for more. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a bat or two.

If you always preferred Jacob to Edward – or aren’t a tween and just think wolves are cool – then the live stream from New York’s Wolf Conversation Center is worth a watch. You’ll have your pick of the pack – from Red Wolves Tyke & Lava, to Mexican Gray Wolves Valentia & Diego – but you may also have a wait on your hands. Despite various visits to the site, I’m yet to catch a glimpse but I’m sure it’s all part of the fun. It beats watching paint dry after a weekend of DIY, after all!

In an article covering weird and wonderful live streams, Thrillist.com suggest a “treat yo’ self” moment that I hadn’t contemplated before – and never will again:

"Africam features a number of live cams you can choose from, all trained on different wildlife watering holes and other hotspots in South Africa. Bliss out to scenes of wild dogs tearing apart a hippo carcass. You’ve earned it."

I’d rather take the deserted wolf enclosures, thank you very much.

The full article is well worth a read, if only for a chuckle about some of the wacky ideas featured. Forget Apple’s “there’s an app for that” slogan – “There’s a webcam for that” is far more appropriate for today’s audience. From interacting with a Bubble Machine in South Florida, to hunting for Nessie in Scotland, you could easily while away an afternoon without leaving your favourite armchair.