Curious, Playful, and Cute

Most people think of whales and dolphins as the stars of the marine mammal world but there are more animals to this group than just these fast swimming cetaceans. Pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sea otters, and manatees are some of the other beautiful yet exciting marine mammals to see while scuba diving. These other marine mammal species can be found in a variety of locations throughout the world from the warm tropics all the way to the chilly poles.

Manatees can be encountered by divers and snorkelers alike in both salt and freshwater and are extremely abundant in the rivers and bays of Florida in the United States. Diving with sea lions and seals is always an exciting adventure as they are extremely curious and hardly shy. There is nothing like being buzzed right overhead by a fast swimming sea lion or getting your snorkel chewed on by a friendly seal. If you are looking for a stimulating dive with one of these cute and curious marine mammals then check out our list which includes the elephant seal, fur seal, sea lion, dugong, and manatee to learn more and to explore the best dive sites around the world where you can dive with each one.

Elephant Seal

Elephant seals are classified within their family of pinnipeds, clearly identifiable by their lack of external ears and reduced limbs.

Learn more

Sea lions can be encountered in almost every ocean from tropical to subarctic waters.

Learn more

The northern fur seal, the only species found in the northern hemisphere, occurs in the North Pacific and is the largest of this species.

Learn more

Being good acrobats and very playful underwater makes diving with seals a lot of fun

Learn more

A close relative to the manatee, dugongs are thought by some to be the motivation of seafaring tales of mermaids.

Learn more

Diving with manatees is indescribable

Learn more