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Seahorses and Pipefishes

Seahorse is the generalized name given to 45 of the smallest fish species in the Hippocampus genus. Their name is derived from the distinctive, horse-like shape of their head and neck. They spend most of their time anchored by their tails to coral and plants. Each of their eyes can move independently, giving them the ability to watch for predators and search for food simultaneously. These creatures are incredible, mysterious, intriguing animals. They are also very illusive so keep your eyes open and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to dive with seahorses.

© Alamy_Dray van Beeck

Animals in this category

iStock-atese

Pygmy Seahorse
Divesites
78
Sightings
4.6k
Alamy-WaterFrame

Common Seahorse
Divesites
395
Sightings
30k
Alamy-WaterFrame

Spiny Seahorse
Divesites
65
Sightings
3.3k
iStock-Rob Peatling

Weedy Seadragon
Divesites
9
Sightings
462
iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
Divesites
405
Sightings
20k
iStock-MadKruben

Leafy Seadragon
Divesites
4
Sightings
65

Dive sites with this animal

DivePoint Hudhuran Fushi, 20193 Male

HP Reef / Rainbow Reef (★4.6)

One of the most colorful dive sites in North Male Atoll. On the south side of Girifushi island with abundant fish life and very nice soft corals, there are numerous blue soft corals and a swim through. The current can be strong!
One2Dive, 4907 ZK Oosterhout

Kerkweg, Den Osse (★3.9)

Dive site Kerkweg in Den Osse is one of the most famous dive sites in Zeeland. Here you can dive from the jetty on oyster beds, an artificial reef of reefballs and many other hard substrate that is nicely overgrown. The maximum depth is about 30 metres, but you will find most life in the shallow water.
PT. BAHARI INTAN ABADI, 80224 Denpasar Selatan

USAT Liberty Wreck (★4.6)

This is the only historical shipwreck in Bali, ranked #3 in the world for Wreck diving! The wreck is 25 meters form shore at a depth of 4 to 29 meters below the surface with most of it occuring in a shallow area. This dive site does not have strong currents, has clear water, and warm temperatures. Difficult entry!
DIVEMADRID, 28024 Madrid

La Cresta - Isla del Fraile (★4.6)

The Dutch cave is a small hollow located in the southern wall of the lower part of Cabo de Cope in Calabardina. One of three dives on the Isla del Fraile with no or very slight current, you will follow along the wall with a progressive drop from 5 to 25m.
Neil D. (#3039000)

Frederiksted Pier (★4.5)

One of the top macro dives anywhere! Scattered ruins and columns are coral encrusted and provide habitat for many types of shallow sea life. The pier is 1526ft/465m long so lots to discover with a gradual westerly decline. Perfect for snorkeling & non-certified divers too.
Stollis Centro de Buceo, 17212 Tamariu / Girona

Badia de Tamariu (★4.2)

The boat jetty and the entrance to this house reef are only 30 m from the base. The most beautiful part of the bay is reserved for divers and swimmers and secured by a buoy line. This beautiful house reef offers something for everyone down to a maximum depth of 15 m.
TENERIFE DIVE EXPERIENCE, 38660 SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE

El Peñon (Wreck) (★4.5)

El Peñon is one of the best wreck dives in Tenerife. This wreck is perfect for the wreck diver specialty, but also for fun dives. Sea conditions are great for most of the year.
Ducks Diving Superior, Marsa Alam

Marsa Gabal el Rosas (Ducks center) (★4.5)

Narrow entrance with a sandy bottom. Nice coral. A good dive site to make drift dives from the zodiac on the North Anemone City. Good for experienced and beginner divers.
OCEAN SPORTS, 00979 CAROLINA

Crashboat Wall and Anchor (★4.4)

This site is the remnant of an old pier. It is a shallow site, no more than 30-35 feet of depth with a sandy bottom. The wreckage on the bottom provides an artificial reef for a large variety of marine life. Visibility ranges between 10 feet (if it has been raining) to over 50 or 60 feet.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Kata Beach North Reef (★4.2)

Kata Beach North Reef divers can avoid expensive boat trips to remote destinations throughout the diving season as this site is close and easy to get to. Different creatures move into different areas at different times; no two dives on Kata are ever the same.
SSI Service Center Southern Caribbean, Willemstad

Tugboat (★4.2)

Tugboat is Curacao’s most famous dive and snorkel spot due to its shallow depth. It was wrecked just off the shore of Caracasbaai and sits in only 15 feet of water. The tugboat is crawling with marine life and is now covered in sponges and coral growth.
Channel Islands Scuba, 91360 Thousand Oaks

Salt Pier (49) (★4.6)

Active pier for loading salt from the salt works on the island of Bonaire. It can only be dived when no ship is moored, and no maintenance is being performed.
One2Dive, 4907 ZK Oosterhout

Zeelandbrug (★3.9)

Zeeland Bridge can be called the most popular dive site on the Eastern Scheldt. Especially in the sepia season (May-June) this site is very popular among divers from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Meedhupparu House Reef (★4.1)

DivePoint MEP makes here the night dives and sometimes also Current Specialty Dives. The reef goes down from 3-4m to 30m. Some nice Blocks a bit higher are full of clownfish and in the night you will find often a lot of lobsters and shrimps. But its not always possible to dive here. The current can be extreme!!
SSI Service Center Japan, 101-0051 Chiyoda-ku

Koganezaki (★4.3)

Located in Koganezaki Park, you can enjoy various flowers depending on the season, and entry/exit is very easy to do due to the ramps and handrails. When you enter, you’ll see a wide range of gorotas up to a few meters deep, and beyond that, you’ll see an entire surface of the sand.
Centrum Nurkowe Aqarium, 78-100 Kołobrzeg

Salem Express, wreck (★4.6)

Travel time approx. 90 minutes. This wreck sank in 1991 with many casualties. The Salem Express is 110m long and 18m wide. She lies at a depth of 12-33m.
FEET FIRST DIVE PTY LTD, 2315 NELSON BAY

Pipeline (★3.8)

A favourite macro critter diving site; especially for NIGHT divers. Cruising across the sloping seagrass & soft coral beds to find the pipe, which lies in between several coral & sponge encrusted mooring blocks. Easy navigation with tons of macro life. Max depth 16-18m. Best dived on high slack tide.
Mactan Scuba Dive Centre, 6015 Lapu Lapu City

Nalusuan Island (★4.1)

Located just off the bottom of Olango Island the Nalusuan site takes around 30 minutes to reach from Mactan. It offers a large sflat flat descending to a deep wall with superb corals. Also shallow reefs and walls on the southern end of the marine park.
Palm Beach Divers Co., Ltd, 81150 Krabi

Koh Bida Nok (★4.7)

This is one our favourite dive sites since it has the widest range of wildlife. The reef gently slopes down from the island apart from the wall at the south west which drops 22-26 meters.
PLONGEQUILIBRE, 75008 PARIS

Marsa Shagra House Reef (★4.4)

Marsa Shagara is a bay with an easy sand bottom entrance that leads to South or North reef dives. The depth starts at 1m and drops to 40m + outside the bay. It is one of the most pristine house reef dives in the south. This dive is great for entry level and experienced divers.
DIVING CENTER SERVICE NEREO SUB, 17028 SPOTORNO

Capo Noli (★3.9)

Sand esplanade that descends to a depth of 40 m interspersed with rocks and boulders that descend towards the bottom where there is scattered debris. After an initial gradual slope, the esplanade descends steeply to the bottom, almost forming a wall of sand.
Scuba World Arnhem, 6811 CG Arnhem

Zoetersbout (★3.6)

Zoetersbout is an accessible dive site in the Oosterschelde, there is virtually no current here, but it can be felt at the head of the dike. You dive along an overgrown dike wall with eels, lobsters and galatheak lobsters as permanent residents. Dive between the weeds and discover the underwater life here.
Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Bay 1 (★4.5)

Bay 1 is located on the east side of Racha Yai Island. There are three wrecks to be explored at this dive site. Depths are between 5-25 meters and the white sandy beach is calm.
BUCEO SUR, 35118 ARINAGA - AGUIMES - GRAN CANAR

Tufia (★4.5)

Tufia (Playa de Tufia) located just north of the Airport. A small beach/bay is accessed via a well maintained pedestrian road from the upper car park down to waters edge, this is quite a steep hill on the way back up, it will test your aerobic abilities for sure ;-) Depth ranges from 15-21m, recommend Open water +.
iDIVE Komodo, 86554 Labuan Bajo

Siaba Besar (★4.5)

Siaba Besar is a great combination of coral and sandy bottom, and has a gentle slope leading down to a channel. It is a wonderful dive site for all levels of divers, especially for beginners and dive courses, plus those who just want to relax and snorkel in a calm bay.