Seahorse is the title given to forty-seven species of marine fish. Pygmy and common seahorses, such as the tiger tail, are sensitive to stress and too much harassment from divers is certainly not good for them. They particularly dislike bright lights and will turn their heads away if a diver shines a dive light at them. Placing a red filter on to a dive light will give a softer diffused light that they will be less sensitive to and should enable photographers to get better pictures.
Seahorses can range in size from 1.5 centimetres to 35 centimetres long. They can live up to 5 years. Unlike most humans but similar to chameleons, seahorses can move their eyes independently of each other. They also have a coronet on top of their head which is distinctive in all seahorses’ species, in the same way that a thumb print is in humans. The largest specie is the Pacific seahorse. Seahorses feed on small crustaceans floating in the water or crawling on the bottom. With excellent camouflage and a lot of patience, seahorses ambush prey that float within striking range. They are among the only animal species on Earth in which the male bears the unborn young.
Seahorses are mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the world, and prefer to live in sheltered areas such as sea grass beds, estuaries, coral reefs, or mangroves.
Seahorse numbers around the world are diminishing. Asian nations consume around 45 tons of dried sea horse per year. This is about 16 million of seahorses each year. One problem is that many of the harvested seahorses are juveniles. They are also being over-collected for the aquarium trade in Europe, North America and Japan. Moreover, seahorse habitat is under threat. Sea grass areas, mangroves and coral reefs are declining worldwide. Seahorses are not yet considered endangered but they are red flagged as 'threatened' on several conservation lists which act as warnings without specifically enforcing any restrictions on their trade.
More detailed information about Seahorses can be found here.
Alor is the last island furthest east and north in the East Nusa Tenggara province, more commonly know in Bahasa Indonesia as Nusa Tenggara Timur or NTT. NTT as a province is most famous for Komodo Island and it’s aboriginal inhabitants the...
Go>The most popular of Belize’s diving destinations, with access to the second largest barrier reef in the World and one of the most famous Blue Holes! Ambergris Caye has some great relaxed, fun diving to match its peoples laid back relaxed attitude. Ambergris...
Go>Set in a tropical scattering of islands, surrounded by the third largest coral reef and some of the clearest water in the world. Andros has a wide range of exciting and beautiful marine life making this an exciting scuba diving location. The...
Go>Anilao is on the island of Luzon, about 3 hours' drive south of Manila, in the Batangas province of the Philippines. It is best known for muck diving. Anilao is known among divers for its macro life and muck diving. There are...
Go>Aqaba lies on the tip of the Red Sea on the border of Israel, and was historically connected to the city of Eilat. Today, this unique Jordanian town is the country’s top diving and snorkelling destination. In addition to offering up sensational...
Go>A high chance of Sharks and Mola Mola’s, shallow coral reefs and steep wall dives, Bali has some spectacular dive sites which cater for everyone. Bali, which is Indonesia’s top tourist destination, is an excellent base to explore all the ocean has...
Go>Barbados is like the black sheep of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands. It lies over 100 km to the east of the arc made up by the Lesser Antilles island chain and is encircled by reefs provided numerous excellent diving spots. Unlike its...
Go>A quiet group of islands with excellent less known reefs, the Berry Islands are great for those who want a quiet holiday but still have access to excellent reefs and large pelagic species. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a...
Go>Bimini lays 81km (53 miles) due east of Miami, just on the other side of the gulf stream. The close proximity to the United States made it the ideal spot for an offshore speakeasy during prohibition. One of the most popular shipwrecks...
Go>Healthy Reefs, excellent macro marine life, world renowned shore diving and remarkably calm sea all contribute to make Bonaire a fantastic divine location. With as many as 60 listed dive sites on the main island of Bonaire and 20 on the nearby...
Go>Bunaken is a tiny island, located just off the northern tip of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It falls within the 900 square kilometer Bunaken National Marine Park, which makes this remote corner of the world absolutely sensational for diving. The region is famed...
Go>The diving is great here, there's no debate, and many sites can be visited year round. Cabo San Lucas has also long been renowned as a playground for the rich and famous and also those looking for sea and spa fun....
Go>Cano Island is a marine reserve located off of the south central pacific coast of Costa Rica. It has clear water as it is offshore and famous for many reef sharks. Wonderfully suited to divers and snorkelers alike, a visit here...
Go>A gem among Caribbean islands; peaceful, quiet and unspoilt. Carriacou is volcanic in origin, with the island featuring rolling green hills, spectacular views of the surrounding sea and reefs and seemingly endless white sandy beaches. People are friendly and you can be...
Go>Home to the highest peak in the Bahamas, a huge 207 feet, Cat Island is a wonderful place to explore above and below the surface of the ocean. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands...
Go>Mexico’s largest inhabited island has exceptional crystal clear water, towering, spectacular coral formations and exciting drift dives along spectacular reefs! All of which have earned Cozumel its reputation as one of the World’s premier diving destinations. Cozumel Island known to the Maya as...
Go>University town Dumaguete is locally referred to as the city of gentle people. Many different bars and restaurants in town, live music at different locations most nights. With modern facilities such as hospitals, doctors, dentists, supermarkets and immigration office, Dumaguete is an...
Go>Diani Beach is a major beach resort[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_resort] on the Indian Ocean[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Ocean] coast of Kenya[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya] in eastern Africa located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mombasa], in the nearby Kwale County[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwale_County]. The white sands of Diani Beach offer facilities and equipment for a holistic water sports holiday, above, on or below the water. The reefs are home to...
Go>Drake Bay is tucked away between rainforests, beaches and rocky cliffs. Isolated in Costa Rica’s less-traveled southern half, this is a favourite destination among people looking to get away from it all. It also has some of the best diving off of...
Go>Eilat is the place that used to serve as a port to King Solomon’s large fleet of ships has now become a significant resort city that now serves as a tourist destination. Located at the northern end of the Bay of Eilat,...
Go>El Nido has been ranked one of the best beach and island destinations in the Philippines. The stunning beauty of the island is perfectly complimented by fantastic dive sites, which vary in intensity and style. El Nido is famed for its...
Go>El Quseir is an ancient Egyptian town, located on the edge of the Red Sea. Today, it is a quiet resort town that draws in guests with its stunning beaches, clear waters, coral reefs and the remnants of the Ottoman Empire....
Go>Elba Island is the largest island in the Tuscan archipelago. This stunning island in the Mediterranean Sea is famed for its archaeological discoveries, its architecture and its marine life – which is protected within Europe’s largest marine park. Fringed with white sand beaches...
Go>The pineapple capital of the Bahamas, Eleuthera has excellent diving on reefs and wrecks with the most natural wrecks of any other island. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the...
Go>Fethiye is a very historical and a beautiful spot on the mediterranean coast of Turkey. Tourist come here to dive due to the great visibility and clarity of water, cavern diving in the famous Aladdins cavern or mexican hat wreck diving...
Go>Flamingo is a stunning and small getaway on south of Gulf of Papagayo. It is famed for its stunning white sand beaches, its vibrant marine life and the variety of on-land activities. With idyllic weather and plenty of lavish amenities, it is...
Go>A trip of a lifetime! The Galapagos is one of the last places in the world where you have the chance of diving with huge schools of Hammerhead Sharks. The Galapagos Islands consist of 13 main islands and 6 smaller isles approx...
Go>Coming alive in the diving community, the Gili Islands are a huge highlight of any scuba addict’s trip through Indonesia. Boasting abundance of sea turtles and coral life, the crystal clear water and shallow white beaches offer the castaway experience many built...
Go>A jewel of the Mediterranean, Gozo has some spectacular underwater topography, wrecks and reefs, all in crystal clear water with diverse marine life providing great dive sites for beginners to advanced technical divers. Gozo is the second largest island in the Maltese...
Go>Gran Canaria was formed by volcanic eruptions and, although there are no active volcanos any more, one can easily recognise the volcanic origin: Canyons, Cliffs, dark rock formations. The north of the island is mainly enjoying the winds and currents coming from the north....
Go>Close up dolphin and shark encounters can be had in the waters around Grand Bahama, including dives at the famous Tiger Beach where you can get up close and personal with the amazing Tiger Shark! The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists...
Go>Grand Cayman is known for it's fantastic wall diving, healthy reefs, world class shore diving, excellent macro marine life and often with cobalt calm seas! There are 270 named dive sites with warm water and generally great visibility year round. Grand Cayman is...
Go>Halkidiki (also known as Chalkidiki) is known for its dense pine forests, its beautiful coastline and its mountain ranges. It is a town extremely popular with Greek and East/Central European vacationers. With plenty of campsites, it is also a great destination for...
Go>The most northerly point on the Vietnamese Coast where you can scuba dive, Hoi An is a beautiful town rich in culture with the old town listed as a World Heritage Site. Hoi An has a tropical climate with a dry...
Go>Remote and truly beautiful the Solomon Islands is a diver’s dream destination. Part of the coral triangle with a staggering diversity of marine species, coral and dive sites, it somehow remains one of the least dived areas of the world. A number of...
Go>Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is a small 5-mile long island, located just across the bay from Cancun. As a former fishing village, the island retains a quaint local charm that sits in pleasant contrast to the development of Cancun. The large...
Go>Kalpitiya is a newly emerging tourism destination in northwestern Sri Lanka. Where diving here is just as sensational as the on land beauty. With minimal developments thus far, it is a stunning coastal escape. The main attraction in Kalpitiya, are the whales...
Go>An unspoilt small tourist town, set in a stunning location at the foot of mountains facing the Mediterranean, Kaş is a popular destination for scuba diving in Turkey. Kaş is located on the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey and is one of the most Southernmost points of Turkey....
Go>Another tropical paradise located in Pingtung, south of Taiwan. It’s hot climate and picturesque location makes Kenting a great summer destination especially if you’re looking for a warm place to spend the rest of the winter. Kenting has some beautiful beaches filled...
Go>Koh Chang, albeit one of the lesser known Thai islands is also one of the largest and most easily accessible from Thailands capital city and travel hub, Bangkok. The island of Chang has so much to offer from the quiet fishing village...
Go>Koh Haa, more of a large dive site than a 'destination' is often dived from Koh Lanta. Koh Haa is also dived from Koh Phi Phi and Phuket (Phuket is significantly further away so these tend to be livaboards). Typically the best visibility...
Go>Koh Kood is an island of peace, tranquillity and relaxation that happens to have some pretty diving. It’s a late developer and feels like the Thailand of yesteryear complete with wide sandy deserted beaches and authentic fishing villages. Tourism hasn’t yet become...
Go>A jewel in the Andaman Sea, Koh Lanta is a laidback, relaxed island close to some of the coasts best dive sites. Koh Lanta is a popular travel destination for a laidback holiday escapade but what really makes it different is...
Go>A small, relatively unknown island on the Thai tourist circuit, Koh Lipe is still considered off the beaten path. There are no cars, you can walk everywhere and the stunning beaches with fine powdery sand are surrounded by numerous, even more stunning...
Go>The second biggest island in the Gulf of Thailand, just north of Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan is ideally placed close to the stunning Ang Thong Marine Park and main dive sites of the area. Quieter and more remote than the...
Go>Koh Tao is considered by many as the main diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand primarily because of its shallow coral reefs teeming with marine life making it a particular favorite amongst beginner divers and snorkelers. Combined with a laid back...
Go>Komodo, located in the Lesser Sunda chain of Indonesia islands, is home to the famous Komodo Dragon, notably the largest lizard on earth. Oh, and there is some pretty spectacular diving too! This island also contains one of only seven worldwide pink sandy...
Go>Kota Kinabalu is located in separate Federal State of Malaysia in the north of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu – KK more commonly – is the rapidly growing capital city of the state of Sabah. Modern, busy and fringed with resorts,...
Go>Krabi has around 160km of coastline and a range of islands, over 32 dive sites and endless snorkeling spots with pinnacles, underwater caves, rock formations, swim-throughs and wrecks. Because the majority of dive locations in Krabi are quite shallow, they are suitable for...
Go>Kupang is located on Timor Island and is the capital city of the East Nusa Tenggara province (more commonly know in Bahasa Indonesia as Nusa Tenggara Timur or NTT) which consists of over 550 islands. NTT province is most famous for Komodo...
Go>La Palma is one of the smallest of the Canary islands, also called “isla bonita”. It is famous for its rough volcanic landscape and the green forests, for the clear sky and the biggest telescope of the world in the observatory on...
Go>Gateway to the magnificent Sea of Cortez, with access to a diverse selection of enjoyable and exciting dive sites, La Paz is a brilliant base to experience some of the best marine life encounters in the area has to offer. La Paz,...
Go>Lissenung Island is a tiny exclusive tropical island in Papua New Guinea. Located within the Coral Triangle, the dives on the doorstep of the island exist amidst one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. The only means of visiting this island is...
Go>The most scenic island in the Bahamas, Long Island has amazing diving including the deepest Blue Hole in all the Bahamas. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the Caribbean above Cuba...
Go>Lord Howe Island is one of seven world heritage listed islands in the world. It is often referred to as “the last paradise”. With no mobile phone reception and limited internet access it offers visitors a chance to get away from their...
Go>Mafia Island is a relatively unknown and unexplored destination. The marine park was opened in 1996 and is in fact the biggest marine protected area in East Africa. Mafia boasts some of the best biodiversity with over 42 genera of corals and...
Go>A popular Mediterranean getaway for divers and holiday makers, Malta is a fascinating island with a lot of history and culture to explore above and below the surface. Malta is based in the South Mediterranean sea between Sicily and Tunisia. The country...
Go>Moalboal is situated on the south western side of Cebu Island, a central Philippine island. Cebu Island is mountainous and covered with areas of dense jungle and is one of the most developed of the Philippine provinces. It is a hot tropical...
Go>Mikindani is a historic coastal trading town with a blend of Swahili, Arabic and colonial influence. It has a rich and colourful past having once been the regional capital of German East Africa, and was also where Dr David Livingstone based himself...
Go>Turquoise water, soft powdery white sand beaches, world-class casinos, duty free shopping, and succulent seafood draw hundreds of thousands to Nassau, Bahamas every year. The Bahamian capital and tourist hot spot is located on New Providence Island, 290km (156 miles) southeast of Miami,...
Go>Nha Trang is Vietnam’s main diving destination. Although not an area known for large marine creatures, the diving offers a wonderful selection of macro life. Nha Trang is a popular seaside town which is quickly becoming a major tourist destination, visited by...
Go>Zanzibar is the chosen destination after climbing Kilimanjaro or as end of the trip after a dusty safari. Because of its beautiful beaches and its charming locals, Zanzibar is the right place to rest and enjoy some of the best diving the...
Go>The Okinawa Prefecture is an archipelago in southern Japan that covers the southern two thirds of the Ryukyu Islands. The islands are divided into three geographical archipelagos called the Okinawa Islands, the Miyako Islands and the Yeyama Islands. The Kuroshio Current...
Go>Palau Sardinia is a dive location based within the protected area of the La Maddalena and Reserve de Lavezzi marine parks. Sardinia is situated on the Emerald Coast. There are many islands to visit with its many beautiful white sandy beaches. The Island...
Go>Pattaya is known for its numerous wreck dive sites and lively nightlife and large expat influence. On the right side of town the accommodation can be clean and reasonable, the food and drinks are some of the more reasonable priced and well...
Go>One of the most beautiful areas in Thailand, the Phi Phi Islands dramatic landscape is just as beautiful underwater as it is above. Perfectly placed to access all the best dive sites of the area, Koh Phi Phi is a very...
Go>Thailand’s largest island and most popular tourist destination provides everything any holiday maker could want, exquisite white sand beaches, warm balmy turquoise sea, a busy nightlife, and more importantly access to the top Thailand diving. Phuket, also known as “The Pearl of...
Go>Playas del Coco is a small beach town in the northern province of Guanacaste. It is known for its great diving and large marine life, along with frequent sightings of Bull Sharks. Set on the northern Pacific coast, Playas del Coco (El...
Go>Ponta D'Ouro is an unspoilt diving location that can be reached easily from South Africa’s main hubs (7hrs from JHB, 4.5hrs from DBN) making it a good location even, for South Africans, for a a weekend diving getaway. Visitors to Ponta can...
Go>The name Puerto Galera means “Port of Galleons”, and was used by the Spanish during colonial times as a safe haven for their ships during the typhoon season. Puerto Galera is located on the northern tip of Mindoro Island in the Philippines. It...
Go>Ranong is the most northerly province on Thailand's Andaman coast and best known for its mangrove forests and hot springs. It's also a gateway to Myanmar, with longboats ferrying people and produce over the narrow divide that separates Thailand and Myanmar. Ranong Province...
Go>Crystal clear waters, abundant tropical fish just 50ft from white sandy beaches, Redang Island is one of largest Island off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. The visibility is 18 metre to 20 metre and the light can penetrated down to 30 metres where...
Go>Rhodes is a beautiful Island with a fantastic coastline more than 250 km long. Rhodes is the largest of the Greek Islands and has some of the most idyllic weather in the country. While known colloquially as the ‘Island of Roses’ due...
Go>The largest of the Bay Islands, Roatan has pristine white sand beaches, amazing tropical jungle covered hills and a unique coral reef close to the shore. Any visitors will easily see why these islands are said to be the “Caribbean’s Best Kept...
Go>World class wall diving, frequent visits by hammerheads and striking topography, San Salvador is a must for divers visiting the Bahamas. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the Caribbean above Cuba...
Go>With year round warm temperatures and an abundance of marine life, the Costa Blanca is not only a sensational and extremely popular tourism destination – it is a great place to learn or continue diving. The town of Santa Pola is located...
Go>Santorini is one of the most famous worldwide destinations for holidays. Its unique geography and geology due to the volcanic explosion, Santorini is built on spectacular cliffs around the volcano caldera. In Santorini you can enjoy romantic sunsets, wine tasting, visiting the beautiful...
Go>The islands off Semporna are world famous for its abundant marine life and tiny islands offering white sandy beaches shaded by lush tropical vegetation. The gateway to those islands is the small seaside town of Semporna where many small hotels and...
Go>Brought back from the ashes of the Khmer Rouge takeover and a subsequent attack from the United States military, Sihanoukville with its formerly famous beaches and deep sea port is once again becoming a Cambodian vacation hotspot. Often referred to as “Snooky”,...
Go>Turtles, Turtles and more Turtles everywhere! Pulau Sipadan is a dream dive location that is on every diver’s wish list! Sipadan is another island that was made famous by legendary Jacques Cousteau when he raved about the diving here and called it...
Go>Sipalay is known as 'jeweled city in Southern Negros,' with a range of dive sites that are suitable for beginners. The 1km-long Sugar Beach is seldom visited and its gentle slope makes it suitable for swimming. Visitors can relax at...
Go>Sodwana Bay has beautiful reefs on planet with huge diversity of marine life with good all year round diving. Located on the north east coastline of South Africa, Sodwana Bay has a rich natural biodiversity both on land and in...
Go>St. Croix is famous for being The Carribean's best kept secret! The an unheard of Gem of Caribbean diving, offering two dramatically different diving experiences only a 20min drive apart. The Wall brings a rich diversity of life, mixing the richness and nutrients...
Go>Small friendly island with no mass tourism less than 100 hotel rooms and only 3000 inhabitants. Sint Eustatius (“Statia”) is a tiny haven in the Caribbean for divers. Immediately off the dock of the island are 7 distinct eco systems, with walls,...
Go>St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a small, often overlooked, island chain located between St. Lucia on the north and Grenada to the south, in what is called the West Indies. Barbados is to the east. Normal 0 ...
Go>A wonderful city packed full of iconic buildings, culture and stunning beaches. Sydney is not only one of the most popular, busiest cities in the world but also has some of the best temperate diving. Sydney is one of the main gateways...
Go>Taganga is a small fisherman village outside of Santa Marta. The last decade has experienced a tremendous tourism boost. It is very close to Tayrona Park which offers all kind of levels dive sites, and is very cheap then it has become the most...
Go>The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and this is no more evident than in the Abacos islands. Arranged along the eastern side of the little Bahamas bank, the Abacos islands cover over 263 square hectares (650 square miles) in the northern portion of...
Go>Great Diving, easy reefs, blue holes and a peaceful scenic setting, the Exumas are a great location in the Bahamas to visit. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the Caribbean above...
Go>As the newest country in Asia, Timor Leste has an amazing natural beauty both above and below the water which is very much unspoilt. Located in the eastern end of the archipelago making up Indonesia and just north of Australia, the...
Go>The largest island on the East coast of the Malay Peninsula, Tioman is a wonderful holiday and diving destination offering a variety of underwater sites such as wrecks, sheltered bays and volcanic rocky pinnacles. The densely forested island is surrounded by numerous...
Go>Tobago is still one of the true Caribbean islands left which have not been spoilt. It features many beautiful beaches around the island with palm trees & blue seas making diving Tobago a true experience. When diving in Tobego there are over...
Go>Tortola is renound for it pristine waters and friendly people and is know as Natures Little Secret. It is also know as the sailing capital of the world. Tortola is famous for the Wreck of the Rhone location of the movie...
Go>Tutukaka is the gateway to the amazing Poor Knights Islands rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world! Tutukaka is on the beautiful Northland coast of New Zealand. Its marina is the perfect departure...
Go>Unawatuna is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, it is close to the Unesco site & world Heritage Galle Fort alond with the international cricket stadium. The area has many budget & boutique accommodation sharing great beaches with excellent restaurants....
Go>The smallest of Honduras’ Bay Islands but most famous for its frequent sightings of the largest fish in the World, the Whale Shark! Utila is part of a group of islands called the Bay Islands located off the north coast of Honduras....
Go>Zihuatanejo is a quiet Mexican fishing town that neighbours the resort centered town of Ixtapa. While it has developed extensively since the 1970s, the town retains an old world Mexican charm alongside modern amenities and, great diving. Zihuatanejo is small fishing village...
Go>