Jeremy Wade doesn't just fish. He interrogates the water. If you grew up watching River Monsters, you remember the drill: a dark shadow, a murky river in the Congo, and Wade looking into the camera with that "I might die today" expression. But Unknown Waters with Jeremy Wade episodes hit different. This wasn't just about finding a fish that eats people. Honestly, it was a pivot born out of a global crisis that almost grounded the world's most famous freshwater detective for good.
You've probably noticed this series feels more like a travelogue than a horror movie. That’s because it is. While River Monsters was about the "who-dun-it" of the underwater world, Unknown Waters is about the "where-are-they-now."
The Pivot: Why These Episodes Exist
Pandemics have a funny way of ruining production schedules. Originally, the plan for Unknown Waters was a massive, sweeping deep dive into the Amazon. But in 2020 and 2021, Brazil wasn't exactly open for business. Wade and his crew at National Geographic had to scramble. They had to find places that were safe, open, and still held a mystery.
That is how we ended up with the Icelandic Giants. It wasn't the first choice, but it turned out to be one of the most visually stunning episodes Wade has ever filmed.
1. Icelandic Giants
In this premiere, Wade hunts for the Atlantic Salmon. Now, if you're a hardcore fan, you might think, "Salmon? Really?" It’s a bit of a step down from a Goliath Tigerfish. But here’s the thing: Wade had never actually caught one. For a guy who has fished every puddle on six continents, that's a massive hole in his resume.
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The episode isn't just about the catch. It’s about the geography. Iceland’s rivers are crystal clear—a total nightmare for a guy used to hiding in the silt of the Mekong. You see him struggling with the visibility. The fish can see him as clearly as he sees them. It’s a game of stealth that feels more like hunting than angling.
2. African Lake Giants
Next, Wade headed to Kenya. This felt more like "classic" Jeremy. He went after the Nile Perch in Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria. This isn't just a fish; it’s an ecological disaster in some places and a lifeline in others.
What makes this episode stand out is the sheer scale. Lake Turkana is the world’s largest permanent desert lake. It’s a weird, alkaline environment that looks like the surface of Mars. Wade’s pursuit of the perch here is less about a monster hunt and more about understanding how these giants survive in a place that wants everything dead.
3. Amazon River Shark
This is the one people kept asking for. Even with the travel restrictions, Wade managed to get back to the Amazon to look for the Bull Shark. We’ve known for years that Bull Sharks can survive in freshwater, but Wade wanted to see how far inland they go and what their presence says about the health of the river.
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Basically, if the sharks are there, the ecosystem is still functioning. If they aren't, we have a problem. It’s a sobering episode that trades the jump-scares of earlier shows for a genuine look at conservation.
Why "Unknown Waters" Is a Different Animal
A lot of people think Unknown Waters is just River Monsters Season 10. It’s not. Not even close.
- The Tone: It’s quieter. Wade spends more time talking to locals about culture than he does talking about teeth.
- The Science: As a trained zoologist, Wade leans much harder into the biology here. He’s looking at DNA, migration patterns, and climate change.
- The Stakes: The stakes aren't "will this fish kill me?" but "will this fish exist in ten years?"
The Missing Episodes Rumor
There’s always talk on Reddit about "lost episodes" or a second season that never materialized. The truth is boring but real: the series was a limited run produced during a specific window of time. While Wade continues to explore, Unknown Waters was a snapshot of a world in flux.
You won't find twenty episodes in a box set. You get three high-production, cinematic deep dives that prioritize quality over the "monster of the week" format.
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The Gear Reality Check
People always ask what Wade uses to land these things. In Unknown Waters, you see him using a mix of heavy-duty Shimano reels and local handlines. Honestly, the handlines are often more impressive. Watching a 65-year-old man fight a Nile Perch with nothing but a piece of nylon and a wooden frame is a masterclass in physics.
$F = ma$ doesn't just apply to textbooks; it’s the difference between landing a 200lb fish and getting pulled out of the boat. Wade uses his weight and the boat's drift to tire the fish out, a technique he’s perfected over four decades.
How to Actually Watch Them Now
Finding these episodes can be a bit of a scavenger hunt depending on where you live.
- Disney+: Since it's a National Geographic production, this is your best bet globally.
- Hulu: Often carries Nat Geo content in the US.
- Amazon/Apple TV: You can usually buy them a la carte if you don't want a subscription.
Don't go looking for them on the Animal Planet app. They won't be there. Different network, different rights.
Actionable Steps for the Wade Superfan
If you’ve binged every second of Unknown Waters with Jeremy Wade episodes and you’re still itching for more, here is how you can actually follow his footsteps without getting arrested for spying in a foreign country.
- Read "Somewhere Down the Crazy River": This is the book Wade co-authored before the TV fame. It’s raw, it’s gritty, and it explains why he does what he does better than any 44-minute episode can.
- Check the "Dark Waters" Series: If you missed it, this was his 2019 series on Animal Planet/Discovery. It fills the gap between the end of River Monsters and the start of Unknown Waters.
- Support Freshwater Conservation: Wade works closely with organizations like the Freshwater Biology Association. If you actually care about the "monsters," start by looking at the health of your local watershed.
The era of the "Monster Hunter" might be evolving into the era of the "River Protector," but Jeremy Wade is still the guy leading the charge. Whether he's in Iceland or the Amazon, the goal remains the same: look beneath the surface before everything down there disappears.