Diving with Pygmy Seahorses
Masters of Camouflage
Pygmy seahorses are not only the smallest and cutest of the seahorses, but they are the best at blending in with their environment. You really have to hunt for these masters of disguise as pygmies are some of the smallest seahorse species in the world, with adults averaging only 2 centimeters in length! Every pygmy not only imitates the exact color of the sea fan it is living on, but its body is also covered in calcium-rich bumps called tubercles that mimic the fan’s polyps, completely camouflaging the pygmy. These tiny seahorses are truly an amazing sight to see.
If you’ve dreamed about diving with the pygmy seahorse in its natural habitat you will have narrow your travel options to a very specific dive location, as they are only found in the Coral Triangle area of southeast Asia. These amazing little creatures come in nearly every color of the rainbow and develop their color to match the sea fan they call home. Your best bet to see one of it while diving is to go slow and search as many of the soft corals (also known as gorgonians) as you can for these tiny, illusive animals. Check out the map below to find the best dive sites in the Coral Triangle where you can dive with them.
Dive Sites with this Animal View more on map
★★★★★ USAT Liberty Wreck
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!
★★★★★ Pyramid Point
Artificial coral reef placed on the sandy bottom with depths varying from 10 meters to 25 meters. The basis of the coral growth is made of rectangular concrete arranged like a small pyramid. It is one of the best places to witness a successful artificial reef.
★★★★★ Shark Point, Gili Trawangan
An excellent site for viewing larger marine life on the north side of Gili Trawangan. A flat sandy bottom turns into a series of progressively deeper canyons that run parallel to the shore. The Glen Nusa shipwreck is located at the northern part of the site in 28m of water.
★★★★☆ Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida
Located on the west-side of Nusa Penida Island, Crystal Bay has two coral reef formations separated by sand slopes. The combination of slopes and walls that form the topography at this dive site goes down to more than 50 meters and meets with large rock which is an ideal place for a cleaning station for sunfish.
★★★★☆ Seraya Tulamben
Seraya Secret is a great macro dive site, paradise for photographers from all over the world by day and by night. Definitely a must see dive site for macro lovers!
★★★★☆ Japanese Shipwreck (Wreck)
Easy access with porters waiting for you, but the pebble beach can make the entry and exit difficult if there are waves. The small wreck from 1m to 8m deep is nice for snorkelers and freedivers but very limited for scuba divers. The coral scenery is really beautiful. Be careful of upwelling currents.