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Other Mammals

When most people think of mammals while diving, whales and dolphins come to mind. These fast-swimming cetaceans may enjoy iconic status, but the world of mammals seen while diving is far more diverse and fascinating than many realize. In addition to whales and dolphins, this group also includes pinnipeds such as seals and sea lions, the gentle manatees, and the ever-charismatic sea otters. These animals can be found in a wide variety of habitats—from the sun-drenched tropics to the icy expanses of the polar seas. While most marine mammals live in saltwater, there are exceptions that bring their charm to freshwater ecosystems. Playful freshwater otters and seals can be found in rivers and lakes in many parts of the world. Whether diving in the ocean or exploring freshwater habitats, encountering these animals in the wild is an exciting and unforgettable experience.

© iStock-Marie-Elizabeth Mali

Animals in this category

AdobeStock-buteo

Elephant Seal
Divesites
1
Sightings
8
iStock-Michael Zeigler

Sea Lion
Divesites
58
Sightings
6.2k
AdobeStock-Dmitry Kokh

Fur Seal
Divesites
25
Sightings
1k
Alamy-Alex Mustard

Seal
Divesites
39
Sightings
1.6k
AdobeStock-b neeser

Dugong
Divesites
16
Sightings
1.2k
Alamy/imageBROKER

Manatee
Divesites
6
Sightings
214

Dive sites with this animal

Tauchschule baltic-diver-circle, 18119 Rostock

Hohe Düne (★4.0)

The dive site is located directly at a floating dive center in the area of the harbour. The maximum depth is 5m and varies depending on the water level. There are various underwater objects to explore: telephone booth, desk, Christmas tree, big anchor, training platform etc.
CENTRO DE BUCEO PROSUB, 4270856 Concepción

Pino Huacho (★4.6)

Minimum depth 5 meters up to approximately 18 meters, ideal for Open Water Diver level 1 courses, rocky and sandy bottom, protected from wind and currents.
Dive Newquay Ltd, TR7 1BE NEWQUAY

Carters Rock (★3.9)

Carters Rock is only accessible by boat and is a shallow, rocky kelp reef with a maximum depth of 10m. Kelp runs along the bouldery slope to about 7m where it then turns into a white sandy bottom. Another good site for entry-level diver training.
SB Divers, 15856 Lima

El Chuncho (★4.4)

Just 5 minutes by boat from Pucusana or 20 minutes from Santa Maria, is the most famous diving spot in Lima, where most of the divers in the region learn to dive. It is a sufficiently protected bay so that the diving conditions are almost always optimal.
El Mar Diving Center, 85202 Mesa

South Point - San Pedro (★4.1)

Exposed dive site on the south tip of San Pedro de Nolasco. Can have strong currents, better for advanced and expert divers. Deep drop off and outside pinnacle with large pelagics at times.
CENTRO DE BUCEO PROSUB, 4270856 Concepción

RADA LOBOS (★4.3)

Rock inhabited by sea lions all year round, although it is an observation point for marine mammals, it also houses a great variety of flora and fauna, as well as passages between the submerged rocks and small caves where you can pass and observe the associated encrusting fauna.
Shark Explorers, 7975 Simons Town

Windmill Beach (★4.5)

This site has a very easy and protected beach entry and a small cove with a sandy bottom that is suitable for training exercises, while also having a varied topography, diverse ecology, and large area.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Fish Slate (★4.5)

Remember the small whiteboard carried by instructors? We may need a bigger one to note down the variety of fish that live here. Fish slate features fringing reefs with a blend of branching and table corals with complex structures providing a safe habitat for marine life and a picturesque platform for divers.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Nursery - Neil (★4.6)

Nursery is one of the popular dive sites of Neil, with gentle slopes and diversified coral formations suitable for divers and snorkelers. The site is parallel to the fringing reefs closer to the shoreline, making it easily accessible.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Aquarium - Neil (★4.5)

A festive theme park composed of patch reefs, hard corals, and shallow waters is a relaxing site for divers to chill and observe beautiful aquatic organisms. The exciting array of rocky patches at the bottom holds a network of colorful corals and reef fish complementing each other in perfect sync.
Divemaster Scuba, NG3 1GE Nottingham

St. Abbs (★4.2)

Some of the most famous dive sites of St. Abbs are just 50m away from the wall of the harbour: “Cathedral Rock”, “Big Green Carr”, “Broad Craig” and “Little Carr”. These sites can be dived as a shore dive from the harbour or other sites can be reached by dive boat.
Serenad Dive Center, 35000 izmir

Teos Corner (★4.8)

Teos Corner, in the southwest of Sığacık, is 10 minutes away from the diving centers. This spot is located right on the corner of the ancient city ’TEOS.’
Dive Newquay Ltd, TR7 1BE NEWQUAY

The Gazzle (★4.2)

The Gazzle lies within the Newquay Bay & Gannel Marine Conservation Zone. It is shallow shore dive, max depth - 10m on a high tide. Gradually deepening sandy slope with kelpy reef and an abundance of marine life. Gazzle (North) - Kelp/rocky reef, caverns. Gazzle (South) - Kelp/rocky reef, caverns, old slipway.
Dive 90, GL51 9TA Cheltenham

Lundy Island (★4.4)

The main diving area of Lundy Island is a protected marine nature reserve. The island lies at the mouth of the Bristol Channel and is washed by the Gulf Stream, providing a haven for some of the richest marine life to be found outside the tropics.
Impact Divers, 7975 Cape Town

Ark Rock (★4.2)

Named for the large rock of the same name on the SAN charts. 550m north of Penguin Point. This is the biggest rock close offshore in Simon’s Town area, and it is unmistakable as a landmark.
Scorpio Madeira Diving Center, 9200-031 Caniçal

Scorpio House Reef (★4.8)

Perfect dive site for beginners, diving and snorkeling. The dive site in front of the center has an easy entrance accessible to all starting from 2m to 12-14m with a small wreck on the right side of the tip.
Impact Divers, 7975 Cape Town

Pyramid Rock (★4.4)

About 50-100 meters further out than Millers Point, Pyramid Rock is a kelp dive that also consists of many overhangs and swim throughs. This site was named after a rock formation with a distinct pyramid shape that breaks the surface of the water. This site has a maximum depth of 12 meters and an average of 5-10m.
SSI Service Center Philippines, 6014 Mandaue City

Dugong Watch (★4.5)

It takes about two hours by car from Coron to the village of Quezon, north of Buanga Island, where it takes about an hour to get to the northwest beach of Karawite Island. Around Calauit, north of Buanga Island, a thin 10m deep coral reef is covered with coral sand, and many water plants are growing in this coral.
SB Divers, 15856 Lima

La Lobera (★4.6)

Located on the northwest face of the Galapagos Island of Pucusana. Approximately 25 minutes by boat from Santa Maria and only 10 minutes from the Pucusana pier. It is an area where the sea hits directly, so a quick entry and descent from the boat is needed. Only for advanced divers.
Scuba 2000, PL30 5EL Bodmin

Portmellon (★4.3)

Situated close to Mevagissey, Portmellon is a quiet tidal bay offering fun and easy beach diving for all levels. Portmellon is one of Scuba 2000’s most popular sites, with the left and right sides offering the most interesting dives. Access to the water is via a ramp opposite the car park.
Akdeniz Balik Adamlar Doga Sporlari Tur. Oto. Rekl, 07000 Antalya

Fok magarası- Seal cave (★4.3)

Unfortunately, the habitats of the endangered Mediterranean monk seals are gradually decreasing. We divers do not dive into such caves when there are seals in them or during breeding season.
Ben A. (#3536434)

North Point - San Pedro (★4.5)

North Point is located on the northern tip of San Pedro and is a fantastic dive site for beginners and advanced divers. Due to its location at the tip, the site is exposed to currents at times and offers pelagic species.
Sonoma Coast Divers LLC, 94928 Rohnert Park

Lovers Point (★3.7)

Nice sand entry leading to a mostly protected dive site. Straight out from the beach, you will run across ridges of rock with plenty of fish life. To the north, you will see pinnacles. Depth is moderate for the whole site.
SSI Service Center Egypt, Hurghada

Marsa Abu Dabab (★4.4)

Abu Dabab North is a significant dive site located in the Marsa Alam zone with very easy access from the shore. This site is suitable for all diver levels and snorkelers as well. It can be easily accessed from boat and shore (boats can only access the site from outside the bay).
Todd H. (#2497908)

Cabo San Lucas (★4.2)

Cabo offers diving for all levels of divers and many different types of adventures from easy, calm aquarium like shore diving to deeper water diving off the coast at places like Gordo Banks that offer the possibility of large pelagic sightings like orcas, humpbacks, hammerheads, tuna, and more!