One of the Most Beautiful Eel Species

The ornately colored dragon moray eel, also known as the leopard or panther eel, is one of the most beautiful eels in the moray family. With vivid white spots set against its reddish-hued skin, the dragon eel is easily distinguishable. During the day, these nocturnal hunters like to hide amongst the rocky reef, so look for them in every crack and crevice during your dive. Thanks to their unique appearance, dragon eels are a favorite amongst underwater photographers.

You can dive with dragon eels throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the Society Islands west to Hawaii and from southern Japan south toward New Caledonia. Their habitat includes coral and rocky reefs from 8 meters to 60 meters deep. Explore the map below to find the best dive spots where you can see dragon eels.