Marine life profile
Crayfish
Recorded at 406 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Crayfish around the world
Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans belonging to the infraorder Astacidea, which also contains lobsters. Most stay close to cover, emerging to feed, clean other animals or defend a small shelter.
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Look for a jointed shell, paired antennae and articulated legs adapted for walking, digging or gripping.
How It Behaves
Most stay close to cover, emerging to feed, clean other animals or defend a small shelter.
Special Ability
A tough external skeleton provides portable armor and is replaced as the animal grows.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Settle nearby and wait. Avoid touching antennae, claws or the shelter, especially during a night dive.
Safety
Observe without handling. Claws and defensive spines can injure, and recently molted animals are especially vulnerable.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
Taxonomically, they are members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea.
Where to Find
Search beneath ledges, inside coral heads, around anemones and across rubble after sunset.
Known countries
Sightings map
Crayfish locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Aldermen Islands
New Zealand
The fantastic Aldermen Islands, named by Captain Cook himself in 1769, a popular dive site situated near the picturesque town of Tairua, on the Coromandel Peninsula, with underwater scenery to rival the Poor Knights. With over 30 dive sites to choose from, including the fantastic Honeycomb Caves, there is something for every level of diver to wonder at, nudibranchs, crayfish, stingrays, dolphins, seals, turtles, marlin and the occasional visit by Orca’s together with the myriad of fish found in these waters, diving these here will provide memories to last a lifetime. With the spectacular Marine Reserve at nearby Gemstone Bay in only 8m of water, it really is possible to dive ‘Narnia’.
Mahurangi Island
New Zealand
Mahurangi Island lies on the edge of Coromandel's Te-Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and is home to an abundance of fish species.
Gordon's Bay
Australia
Gordon's Bay is renowned for its accessibility and year-round appeal for divers and snorkelers. The calm conditions and a maximum depth of 14 meters make it a popular spot for all levels of divers. Gordon's Bay is famous for the underwater nature trail, a 600-meter path marked by a chain that guides you through the site. The trail leads to "The Wall," which is home to many Port Jackson sharks and Wobbegong sharks. Along the nature trail, divers also commonly encounter the famous Blue Groper, a local legend and a favorite among divers. Photos by Aquatic Imaging Australia.
Steinbruch Horka
Germany
Pike, perch, crabs and sharks have already been spotted here. The main focus here is definitely the underwater topography of a quarry, which offers a great panorama of the rocky basin from the outside. There is also some old mining equipment and an antique pump house to discover. Everyday objects such as beer benches, a cigarette machine, etc. were also sunk. The lake in Horka is an old quarry that has filled with water over time and has been open to diving for some time now. It generally boasts good visibility and a good infrastructure thanks to the local diving base, which also operates a modern Bauer filling station on site. The lake has mostly vertical walls in which the boreholes from the blasting can still be seen, as well as a beautifully overgrown shallow area.
Barrack Rock
South Africa
Barack rock is a deep dive site only accessible by boat. Barack rock is a pinnacle formation with two different depths, about 25m on the north side and bout 30m on the south side. the peak of the pinnacle is approximately 3m on low tide.
Buford Spring
United States
Buford Spring is located in a swampy area of the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area in Hernando County, FL. Divers must check in at an iron ranger at the main entrance off US 19 and pay a $3.00 daily fee. The maximum depth is about 50 mtr/165 feet at the siphoning downstream end of the main cavern/cave.
Cenote Dream Gate
Mexico
Cenote Dream Gate is world renowned as part of the original Sac Actun system, the largest underground river systems in the world. It also gives you the chance to explore 2 cavern circuits of about 40 minutes each, while observing huge calcareous columns, stalactites and stalagmites.
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
DiveTeam Siecino
Poland
The Dive Team Diving Base on Lake Siecino is a great place to start your diving adventure. There are comfortable piers near the water and special stands prepared for divers to place their equipment. The tank is especially suitable for beginner divers.
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.
jeź. Świętajno - plaża
Poland
The diving site is located on the south-eastern shore of the lake, where you can almost reach the lake by car. The nearest address is Brajniki 13A Pensjonat u Kulasa. Visibility under water around 4-6 m. At the depth of approx. 6 m, there is a platform ideal for exercises during courses.
jeź. Tyrsko - Plaża
Poland
Tyrsko Lake (Żbik) is located in Olsztyn, in the north-west of the Gutkowo housing estate, between Lake Ukiel and Lake Redykajny. The name Żbik was given to the reservoir by local divers. The descent to the water from the sandy beach, the littoral zone is richly developed.
Jezioro Krzemno
Poland
This dive site is commonly referred to as the Polish Dahab. The wonderful nature around the lake and underwater is really worth coming here and diving.
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 Piaseczno
Poland
Just 45 minutes from Lublin, Lake Piaseczno is one of the cleanest in the region. It offers a gentle sandy entry, water visibility of 3–5 meters, and a maximum depth of 36 meters.
Jezioro Wukśniki - Pomost
Poland
The Wukśniki dive site is located on the municipal beach, where a bridge is located. It is possible to drive by car to the shore. Underwater there is a sunken 126p car, there are handrails on 50 m and deeper. A nice and shallow place to dive is the remains of the pier, you have to swim 4 m to the right of the pier.
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.
Lac de Saint LIN
France
Lake Saint-Lin offers freshwater diving in a calm environment, with a seabed featuring a mix of gentle slopes, submerged trees, and natural formations. This site is popular for its easy access, educational value, and the diversity of its underwater landscapes.
Le Pont des Piles
France
The Pont des Piles, submerged in Lake Éguzon in Cuzion, is an ancient bridge whose arches and piers offer a unique dive experience combining submerged heritage and freshwater. Accessible at various depths, the site allows divers to explore the ruins with excellent visibility, depending on conditions.
Summer diving base of Nautica Poznań in Giewartow. Located 13km from Słupca at Powidzkie lake. Maximum depth - 42 meters, parking available. Air-Compressor on site. During summer gear rental available on site. Platforms for training on 4m, 6m, 10m and 20 meters. Underwater training tracks with ropes down to 40m
Markethill Scuba
United Kingdom
This flooded quarry in Markethill, County Armagh, offers sheltered diving conditions with depths reaching approximately 20 metres. The site provides excellent visibility at times, making it suitable for training, skill development, and recreational exploration in a controlled freshwater environment.
Molnár János-barlang
Hungary
János Molnár is a vast underground cave, located right under Budapest. The depth of the cave is approximately 100m and the width is 3km. The cave is made out of thermal karst springs, spewing from the depths and it is one of tje biggest thermal caves in the world. The tepmerature of water fluctuates between 25-27°C.
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.
Nemo Base
Poland
In the center of Giewartów, we turn towards the church on the council. about 200 on the left we have a gate to the “Palace“. We open the gate is usually postponed but not closed. After entering, we go to the “Palace: informing that for diving and the fee is 10 PLN per car. (Not divers 20 PLN)