Otters are some of the cutest aquatic mammals on the planet. Their unique personalities shine through as they swim about the lakes and rivers they inhabit, searching for fish, crabs, mussels, crayfish, and frogs to eat. There are 11 freshwater otter species, referred to as river otters, found throughout the world. Getting to dive with otters is an experience unlike any other, as they are fairly elusive animals that like to hide in underground holes, dense aquatic vegetation, and underground holes. Most otter sightings occur on the surface while they slip and slide down mud or snowbanks.

Cousins to the weasel family, the cute, charismatic otter is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. They are easily recognizable by their elongated bodies, long tails, short ears, soft fur, and curious expression. The North American river otter is the most abundant otter species and lives in the streams, lakes, ponds, and rivers of North America from the Rio Grande north to Alaska. Other common otter species include the Eurasian otter, otherwise known as the European otter, found throughout Europe and Asia, the giant otter which inhabits the South American Amazon river basin, and the African clawless otter found in the permanent water bodies of sub-Saharan Africa. Explore the map below to find where you can go diving with otters.