Marine life profile
Carp
Recorded at 375 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Carp around the world
The term carp (pl.: carp) is a generic common name for numerous species of freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae, a very large clade of ray-finned fish mostly native to Eurasia. Watch before moving closer. Its direction, posture and use of cover reveal whether it is feeding, resting or avoiding attention.
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Look for the body shape, movement and markings that make this animal stand out from its surroundings.
How It Behaves
Watch before moving closer. Its direction, posture and use of cover reveal whether it is feeding, resting or avoiding attention.
Special Ability
Its most striking adaptation is closely matched to the habitat and the way it finds food or avoids predators.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Approach slowly, stay neutrally buoyant and let the animal control the encounter.
Safety
Do not touch, feed or restrain wildlife. Give unfamiliar animals extra space and follow local guidance.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
While carp are prized quarries and are valued (even commercially cultivated) as both food and ornamental fish in many parts of the Old World, they are considered trash fish and invasive pests in many parts of Africa, Australia and most of the United States.
Where to Find
Search the habitat edges where food, shelter and water movement create the right conditions.
Known countries
Sightings map
Carp locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Comfortable entry from the beach in summer hot water up to 12/13 meters with lots of fish: large carp all perch and pike, possibility to see the Pontico Shrimp.
Leybourne Lake
United Kingdom
Scuba Diving at Leybourne Lakes offers a serene and accessible experience for divers, particularly those seeking training opportunities or relaxed dives in a natural setting. Located in Kent, this popular inland dive site is part of Leybourne Lakes Country Park, a scenic area featuring multiple lakes surrounded by lush greenery. The dive lake at Leybourne reaches depths of up to 14 meters, making it an excellent location for beginners and intermediate divers looking to hone their skills. Its clear, calm waters provide ideal conditions for training and leisurely exploration. The lake also features various submerged attractions, including training platforms, small wrecks, and other underwater objects, creating a fun and engaging environment.
Amanzi Harbour
South Africa
This dive site is a great training area for navigation, search and recovery and night diving. This is a private dive site and permission needs to be obtained.
Barragem do Paranoa
Brazil
This dive site entry is normally made via the coast. Thermoclines are present that vary from 26°C, until 9 meters, and 21°C at 18 meters; visibility varies between 2 and 5 meters.
Baza Nurkowa Honoratka
Poland
The flooded lignite pit, is one of the new and interesting diving sites in Poland. Its maximum depth is about 55m. There are excellent conditions for diving here due to the terraced shape of the banks. Visibility reaches up to 15m
Cohen’s Corner
South Africa
This site is found on the east side of the lake. This dive has a very steep drop-off with lots of premises and old trees. One of the more picturesque dives.
Diventura TRQZ Lake
Romania
Lake TRQZ is a nautical base created around a lake located on the site of a former gravel pit. The shores of the lake, except for the pontoon area, are covered with stufaris. The bottom of the lake is covered with fine shore and alluvial deposits. Maximum depth 7m
FALASTOACA Diving Point
Romania
A place for recreational and technical diving, of medium to advanced difficulty, very close to Bucharest. Courses can be organized for diving in conditions of reduced visibility, cave diving, or wreck diving. The place is also known as “Rey’s Lock“.
Fényes-forrás
Hungary
A diving site consisting of 5 lakes, fed by a natural thermal spring, located on the Tatai Fényes-Tanösvény Trail. It can be dived all year round due to the constant hot water spring that feeds it.
Half Moon Beach (Quarry)Not Open to Public
United States
Private quarry NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC in Mitchell, IN. Maximum depth of 55 feet, shore entry, platforms, lines, statues, and sunken boats/objects for training participants to enjoy. This quarry used to be a public beach in the 1960s, and steadily became more exclusive as ownership changed hands.
Jezioro Lubikowskie
Poland
A lake, of the dam type, formed as a result of the post-glacial waters being blocked by hills forming at the same time. With the exception of the relatively low eastern shore, the lake is surrounded by slopes elevated to a height of several m (the length of the lake’s bowl coastline is 12 800 m and the islands 1075 m.
Jezioro Szmaragdowe
Poland
Lake Emerald is a reservoir created after a flooded chalk mine. At the bottom there are remains of mining: a small section of tracks and a wagon. Additionally, you can see a beautiful flooded forest and trees fallen into the water. Visibility is usually very poor. A thick suspension floats below 4m.
Kamionka Piast Parking 1
Poland
A marl quarry, it is the best diving area in Opole. It has 2 descents into the water with good access. Parking lot No.1 is the most popular entrance to the water, allows you to penetrate the shallower part of the reservoir.
Kinghorn (Wreck)
Canada
This is a deep dive in a strong current. The dive should not be attempted from shore. Multiple dive boats are available for hire from the marina. The wreck is located approximatively 90 feet from shore.
Lacul Ferecat (Balta Icoana)
Romania
A unique diving place, very close to Bucharest, near a very good restaurant, with exceptional hosts and chefs: BALTA ICOANA !!! The lake is formed on the former stone mine for the Bucharest-Pitesti highway. Private Open Water Diving Place - BDOds Diving School
Löderburger See
Germany
The Löderburger Lake has a diving base, and diving is only allowed at the base with prior registration at the dive workshop. You can simply contact us via WhatsApp or send an email. The depth reaches up to 30 meters. The first 10 meters are very clear and have drinking water quality.
M & M
South Africa
This dive site has a cliff with a gentle rocky slope dive. It is a dive site that is suitable for both beginners and for the more advanced divers. This is a wall dive.
Nagaragawa River
Japan
This is one of Japan’s three major clear streams and has a high level of clarity. The water depth is often 3-6 meters, but in some places it can be over 10 meters in depth.
Ponte JK
Brazil
Located in the center of Brasilia, with depths of up to 20 meters, and easy access. Entrance from the shore and easy orientation, with visibility between 2 and 5 meters.
Prins Willem V
United States
The Prins Willew V is a 258ft/78m freighter sitting in about 70ft/21m of water. Built in 1948, it sank in 1954 with a cargo of Hides, outboard motors, tv tubes, aluminum kitchen ware, horsetail hair, hog casings, printing press, machine tool parts, canned fish, fruit milk and vegetables. Plus many other items.
Ronnie’s Cove
United States
Ronnie’s Cove, part of Lake Alan Henry in Texas, offers a little better visibility than the other areas on the lake. The lake is still being explored by locals for more potential dive spots. This cove is only reached by boat.
Schladitzer See
Germany
Besides diving Schladitzer See, there are many activities on the water plus an overnight stay area, restaurant, and beach club. Dive site access is only allowed at the diving center. Please register in advance.
Sunken Forest
South Africa
This is a very shallow dive maximum 12 m. Full of tumbled rocks and trees and full of fish. After 12 m a silty slope goes into deeper water and you can reach 30 m very close to the shore.
Tauchbasis Goitzschesee
Location being verified
The Goitzsche is a former open-cast lignite mine that was flooded in 2002 due to high water.The lake is home to all typical freshwater fish as well as crayfish and other animal species.Parking is permitted in designated areas.Please note that a parking ticket must be purchased.