Marine life
Dive with 64 marine species
Where and when to meet each animal, ranked by how reliably it turns up. Pick a month to see what is at its peak, or browse them all below.
Based on 320,448 OBIS records within 60 km of 223 dive destinations.
What's in season
The most dependable seasonal animals that month, and the best place to see each one.
Manatee
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Jan–Feb
Humpback whale
Puerto Vallarta / BanderasPeak Dec–Feb
Grey whale
La Jolla / San DiegoPeak Jan–Feb
Sperm whale
DominicaPeak Jan–Mar
Common dolphin
MadeiraPeak Jan–Apr
Bull shark
CozumelPeak Jan–Feb, Nov
Orca
Narvik wrecksPeak Nov–Jan
Reef manta
Dampier Strait, Raja AmpatPeak Jan–Mar, NovOceanic manta
Socorro / RevillagigedoPeak Dec–Feb, Jun
Ocean sunfish
Costa Brava / MedesPeak Dec–Jan, May
Napoleon wrasse
Fakarava, French PolynesiaPeak Jan, Mar, Jul, Sep
Bigeye trevally
Misool, Raja AmpatPeak Dec–Jan, Mar
Manatee
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Jan–FebHumpback whale
Puerto Vallarta / BanderasPeak Dec–Feb
California sea lion
Loreto / Sea of Cortez NorthPeak Feb–Apr
Southern stingray
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Feb–Apr
Bottlenose dolphin
Loreto / Sea of Cortez NorthPeak Feb–MarGrey whale
Catalina IslandPeak Feb–MarSperm whale
DominicaPeak Jan–Mar
Shortfin mako
Poor KnightsPeak Feb–AprCommon dolphin
MadeiraPeak Jan–AprBull shark
CozumelPeak Jan–Feb, NovReef manta
Dampier Strait, Raja AmpatPeak Jan–Mar, NovOceanic manta
Socorro / RevillagigedoPeak Dec–Feb, Jun
Humpback whale
Maui / MolokiniPeak Jan–MarCalifornia sea lion
Loreto / Sea of Cortez NorthPeak Feb–Apr
Blue whale
Loreto / Sea of Cortez NorthPeak MarSouthern stingray
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Feb–AprBottlenose dolphin
Loreto / Sea of Cortez NorthPeak Feb–MarGrey whale
Catalina IslandPeak Feb–MarSperm whale
DominicaPeak Jan–MarShortfin mako
Poor KnightsPeak Feb–AprCommon dolphin
MadeiraPeak Jan–Apr
Whale shark
DonsolPeak Mar–MayReef manta
Dampier Strait, Raja AmpatPeak Jan–Mar, Nov
Zebra shark
Koh Phi PhiPeak Mar–Apr, Oct
California sea lion
Loreto / Sea of Cortez NorthPeak Feb–AprSouthern stingray
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Feb–AprOrca
Scapa FlowPeak Apr–JunGrey whale
AlaskaPeak AprShortfin mako
Poor KnightsPeak Feb–AprCommon dolphin
MadeiraPeak Jan–AprWhale shark
DonsolPeak Mar–MayZebra shark
Koh Phi PhiPeak Mar–Apr, Oct
Spinner dolphin
West (Hikkaduwa), Sri LankaPeak Mar–Apr, Dec
Bumphead parrotfish
Misool, Raja AmpatPeak Dec–Jan, Apr–MayReef manta
Wayag / North, Raja AmpatPeak Feb, Apr–May, Nov
Blacktip reef shark
Chuuk (Truk) LagoonPeak Apr–May
Basking shark
CornwallPeak May–Jul
Minke whale
Scapa FlowPeak May–Jun, AugOrca
Scapa FlowPeak Apr–JunSperm whale
AzoresPeak May, JulBlue whale
Catalina IslandPeak May–Jul
Grey seal
Scapa FlowPeak May–Jun, AugCommon dolphin
AzoresPeak May
Nassau grouper
Key West, Florida KeysPeak May–Jul, SepWhale shark
DonsolPeak Mar–MayBull shark
Beqa Lagoon, FijiPeak Mar, May, Jul
Loggerhead turtle
KasPeak May, Jul, SepOcean sunfish
Costa Brava / MedesPeak Dec–Jan, May
Minke whale
Farne IslandsPeak Jun–AugBasking shark
CornwallPeak May–JulHumpback whale
Byron Bay / Julian RocksPeak Jun–Jul, SepNassau grouper
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Jun–AugOrca
Scapa FlowPeak Apr–JunWhale shark
Cancun / Riviera MayaPeak Jun–AugBlue whale
Catalina IslandPeak May–JulSperm whale
French Riviera / CorsicaPeak Jun, Aug–SepCommon dolphin
Santa Maria, AzoresPeak May–Jun, DecGrey seal
Scapa FlowPeak May–Jun, Aug
Bluespotted ribbontail ray
Nuweiba / Ras Abu GalumPeak Jun, Aug–SepOceanic manta
Socorro / RevillagigedoPeak Dec–Feb, Jun
Humpback whale
Cano Island / Drake BayPeak Jul–SepMinke whale
Farne IslandsPeak Jun–AugBasking shark
CornwallPeak May–JulOcean sunfish
CornwallPeak Jul–AugNassau grouper
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Jun–AugSperm whale
AzoresPeak May, JulNapoleon wrasse
Ribbon ReefsPeak Jul–Aug, Oct, DecWhale shark
Cancun / Riviera MayaPeak Jun–AugBlue whale
Catalina IslandPeak May–Jul
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Santa Maria, AzoresPeak Jul–AugOrca
Vancouver IslandPeak Jul–SepBull shark
Beqa Lagoon, FijiPeak Mar, May, Jul
Humpback whale
Cano Island / Drake BayPeak Jul–SepMinke whale
Farne IslandsPeak Jun–AugOcean sunfish
CornwallPeak Jul–Aug
Blue shark
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–OctNassau grouper
Key Largo, Florida KeysPeak Jun–Aug
Sardine
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–Oct
Common thresher
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–SepBasking shark
Scapa FlowPeak Jul–SepNapoleon wrasse
Ribbon ReefsPeak Jul–Aug, Oct, DecWhale shark
Cancun / Riviera MayaPeak Jun–AugSperm whale
French Riviera / CorsicaPeak Jun, Aug–SepGrey seal
Scapa FlowPeak May–Jun, Aug
Humpback whale
Cano Island / Drake BayPeak Jul–SepOcean sunfish
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–OctBlue shark
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–OctSardine
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–OctCommon thresher
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–SepMinke whale
CornwallPeak Jul–SepBasking shark
Scapa FlowPeak Jul–SepSperm whale
French Riviera / CorsicaPeak Jun, Aug–SepNassau grouper
Key West, Florida KeysPeak May–Jul, SepOrca
Vancouver IslandPeak Jul–SepBluespotted ribbontail ray
Nuweiba / Ras Abu GalumPeak Jun, Aug–Sep
Great white shark
Guadalupe IslandPeak Sep–Nov
Ocean sunfish
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–OctBlue shark
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–OctSardine
Channel IslandsPeak Aug–OctCommon thresher
MontereyPeak Aug–OctNapoleon wrasse
Ribbon ReefsPeak Jul–Aug, Oct, DecNassau grouper
St. CroixPeak Jun, Sep–Oct
Southern elephant seal
Peninsula ValdesPeak Oct–NovGreat white shark
Guadalupe IslandPeak Sep–NovZebra shark
Koh Phi PhiPeak Mar–Apr, Oct
Bump-head sunfish
LombokPeak Aug–Oct
Harbour seal
SilfraPeak Aug, Oct, DecBlacktip reef shark
Wayag / North, Raja AmpatPeak Mar–May, Oct
Southern elephant seal
Peninsula ValdesPeak Oct–NovBull shark
CozumelPeak Jan–Feb, NovOrca
Narvik wrecksPeak Nov–JanReef manta
Dampier Strait, Raja AmpatPeak Jan–Mar, NovGreat white shark
Guadalupe IslandPeak Sep–NovBumphead parrotfish
Wayag / North, Raja AmpatPeak Jan, Mar, Oct–Nov
Sand tiger shark
Byron Bay / Julian RocksPeak Jun–Aug, NovCalifornia sea lion
Cabo PulmoPeak Jan, Mar–Apr, Nov
Short-finned pilot whale
OahuPeak May, Oct–NovBlue shark
Catalina IslandPeak Jan, Jul, NovOcean sunfish
Outer BanksPeak Mar, Nov–DecOceanic manta
Galapagos CentralPeak Mar–Apr, Sep, Nov
Humpback whale
Puerto Vallarta / BanderasPeak Dec–FebNapoleon wrasse
Ribbon ReefsPeak Jul–Aug, Oct, DecCommon dolphin
Santa Maria, AzoresPeak May–Jun, DecOrca
Narvik wrecksPeak Nov–JanOceanic manta
Socorro / RevillagigedoPeak Dec–Feb, JunOcean sunfish
Costa Brava / MedesPeak Dec–Jan, MaySpinner dolphin
West (Hikkaduwa), Sri LankaPeak Mar–Apr, DecBumphead parrotfish
Misool, Raja AmpatPeak Dec–Jan, Apr–MayBigeye trevally
Misool, Raja AmpatPeak Dec–Jan, MarHarbour seal
SilfraPeak Aug, Oct, Dec
Tiger shark
FuvahmulahPeak Feb–Mar, DecBlue whale
MontereyPeak Dec–Jan, Sep–Oct
Sharks
Angelshark
Squatina squatinaBest at Lanzarote, Canary Islands, All year4 destinations →Basking shark
Cetorhinus maximusBest at Cornwall, May–Jul7 destinations →Blacktip reef shark
Carcharhinus melanopterusBest at Moorea / Tahiti, French Polynesia, All year35 destinations →Blue shark
Prionace glaucaBest at Channel Islands, Aug–Oct11 destinations →
Bronze whaler
Carcharhinus brachyurusBest at Gansbaai, All year4 destinations →Bull shark
Carcharhinus leucasBest at Beqa Lagoon, Fiji, Mar, May, Jul17 destinations →Common thresher
Alopias vulpinusBest at Channel Islands, Aug–Sep7 destinations →
Great hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarranBest at Bimini, Bahamas, Jan–Feb7 destinations →Great white shark
Carcharodon carchariasBest at Guadalupe Island, Sep–Nov6 destinations →
Grey reef shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchosBest at Palau, All year21 destinations →
Lemon shark
Negaprion brevirostrisBest at Puerto Rico, All year14 destinations →
Nurse shark
Ginglymostoma cirratumBest at Key Largo, Florida Keys, All year30 destinations →
Oceanic whitetip
Carcharhinus longimanusBest at Abu Dabbab, Nov–Dec6 destinations →Sand tiger shark
Carcharias taurusBest at Outer Banks, All year4 destinations →
Scalloped hammerhead
Sphyrna lewiniBest at Darwin & Wolf, Galapagos, All year18 destinations →Shortfin mako
Isurus oxyrinchusBest at Poor Knights, Feb–Apr6 destinations →
Silky shark
Carcharhinus falciformisBest at Malpelo, Jan–Mar17 destinations →
Silvertip shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatusBest at Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon, May6 destinations →Tiger shark
Galeocerdo cuvierBest at Fuvahmulah, Feb–Mar, Dec19 destinations →Whale shark
Rhincodon typusBest at Cancun / Riviera Maya, Jun–Aug45 destinations →
Whitetip reef shark
Triaenodon obesusBest at Mabul / Kapalai, All year51 destinations →Zebra shark
Stegostoma tigrinumBest at Koh Phi Phi, Mar–Apr, Oct10 destinations →
Rays
Bluespotted ribbontail ray
Taeniura lymmaBest at Strait of Gubal / Thistlegorm, All year43 destinations →
Giant devil ray
Mobula mobularBest at Sardinia, Aug8 destinations →
Munk's mobula
Mobula munkianaBest at Sea of Cortez / La Paz, Mar–May8 destinations →Oceanic manta
Mobula birostrisBest at Socorro / Revillagigedo, Dec–Feb, Jun21 destinations →
Ocellated eagle ray
Aetobatus ocellatusBest at Seychelles, All year37 destinations →Reef manta
Mobula alfrediBest at Lombok, All year21 destinations →Southern stingray
Hypanus americanusBest at Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, All year39 destinations →
Spotted eagle ray
Aetobatus narinariBest at Key Largo, Florida Keys, All year36 destinations →
Whales and dolphins
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Stenella frontalisBest at Santa Maria, Azores, Jul–Aug10 destinations →Blue whale
Balaenoptera musculusBest at Loreto / Sea of Cortez North, Mar11 destinations →Bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatusBest at Cornwall, All year85 destinations →
Bryde's whale
Balaenoptera edeniBest at Loreto / Sea of Cortez North, Mar6 destinations →Common dolphin
Delphinus delphisBest at Cornwall, All year32 destinations →Grey whale
Eschrichtius robustusBest at Catalina Island, Feb–Mar10 destinations →Humpback whale
Megaptera novaeangliaeBest at Cano Island / Drake Bay, Jul–Sep75 destinations →Minke whale
Balaenoptera acutorostrataBest at Farne Islands, Jun–Aug18 destinations →Orca
Orcinus orcaBest at Scapa Flow, Apr–Jun30 destinations →Short-finned pilot whale
Globicephala macrorhynchusBest at Madeira, All year18 destinations →Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalusBest at Azores, May, Jul24 destinations →Spinner dolphin
Stenella longirostrisBest at Fernando de Noronha, All year33 destinations →
Turtles
Seals and sea cows
California sea lion
Zalophus californianusBest at Catalina Island, All year12 destinations →
Dugong
Dugong dugonBest at Abu Dabbab, All year8 destinations →Grey seal
Halichoerus grypusBest at Farne Islands, All year5 destinations →Harbour seal
Phoca vitulinaBest at La Jolla / San Diego, All year13 destinations →Manatee
Trichechus manatusBest at Key Largo, Florida Keys, Jan–Feb10 destinations →Southern elephant seal
Mirounga leoninaBest at Peninsula Valdes, Oct–Nov4 destinations →
Fish
Bigeye trevally
Caranx sexfasciatusBest at Mabul / Kapalai, All year44 destinations →
Blackfin barracuda
Sphyraena qenieBest at Mabul / Kapalai, All year11 destinations →Bump-head sunfish
Mola alexandriniBest at Lombok, Aug–Oct4 destinations →Bumphead parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatumBest at Mabul / Kapalai, All year22 destinations →
Camouflage grouper
Epinephelus polyphekadionBest at Palau, All year10 destinations →
Goliath grouper
Epinephelus itajaraBest at Key Largo, Florida Keys, All year7 destinations →Napoleon wrasse
Cheilinus undulatusBest at Cairns, All year41 destinations →Nassau grouper
Epinephelus striatusBest at Key Largo, Florida Keys, Jun–Aug24 destinations →Ocean sunfish
Mola molaBest at Cornwall, Jul–Aug16 destinations →
Potato cod
Epinephelus tukulaBest at Ribbon Reefs, All year4 destinations →
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterusBest at Aliwal Shoal, Jan–Mar4 destinations →Sardine
Sardinops sagaxBest at Catalina Island, All year9 destinations →
Yellowfin tuna
Thunnus albacaresBest at Protea Banks, All year26 destinations →
Marine life: common questions
- What is the best month to see big marine animals?
- March, when 49 of the 64 species are at their peak somewhere. The thinnest month is November, with 29.
- Where can you dive with the most species?
- Catalina Island (14), Ribbon Reefs (13) and Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat (12). Those counts only include animals that turn up there more often than not.
- Which animals can you see all year?
- angelshark at Lanzarote, Canary Islands, California sea lion at Catalina Island, goliath grouper at Key Largo, Florida Keys, grey seal at Farne Islands, reef manta at Lombok, sand tiger shark at Outer Banks, sardine at Catalina Island and scalloped hammerhead at Darwin & Wolf, Galapagos. Each is at its peak every month at that site.
- How many species does besttimetodive.com cover?
- 64, each recorded at four or more of the dive destinations we score. Smaller animals and rarer visitors are left out until the records are strong enough to give a season.