Marine life profile
Flounder
Recorded at 1404 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Flounder around the world
Flounders are a group of flatfish species. 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
They are demersal fish, found at the bottom of oceans around the world, some species will also enter estuaries.
Where to Find
Search the habitat edges where food, shelter and water movement create the right conditions.
Known countries
Sightings map
Flounder locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
St. Didier Wreck
Turkey
St Didier has been sunked by an English aeroplane in 4th of July 1941 durin WW2. The ship whose real name was "Saint Didier", is lying right under the buoy which is an untired guard of the Antalya yatch harbour, 1 km away from there. With her bow looking to south and stern looking to the north, she is lying between 18 and 34 meters with an 35 degrees angle to the starport side. Her length is around 70 meters. In the studies done between 1946 and 1974 , they salvaged the skeletons and a lot of the ship's cargo. There is nothing much left as an artifact in the wreck becase of the later dives where everyone took some part of the wreck as a souvenier. But still she is getting the interest of the wreck divers.
Carlisle Bay
Barbados
We consider ourselves very lucky to have the most amazing dive site and marine protected area in our backyard. This shallow site hosts more than 7 different shipwrecks ranging from 5m to 15m, most of which you can see on a single dive.
Casa Blanca
Mexico
This is a gorgeous reef named after Casa Gordon, a beachfront house which used to white. The reef very similar in composition and marine life to Paso del Cedral, with a constant drift which helps travel over the reef. A favorite of Cozumel's repeat divers, this dive site is often thriving with sharks, green morays and turtles.
Casino Point Dive Park
United States
One of the most popular dive sites in North America is well worth the acclaim. Featuring enchanting kelp forests, ever-changing marine life and convenient entry, the Casino Point Dive Park is a site you will want to visit again and again.
Gabr el Bint
Egypt
Gabr el Bint ranks among one of the most attractive sites of North Sinai. With the access by boat, 4x4 or by camel, it is less frequently dived than the other dive sites in Dahab which has left this site in pristine condition. Gabr el Bint means 'The Grave of the Girl' in Arabic. There are two dives possible here. The ledge is riddled with exquisite coral heads that attract numerous reef species, including swarms of anthias, scorpionfish, parrotfish, crocodilefish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, trumpetfish, stingrays and very often a turtle. At the end of the ledge usually is home to a shoal of black and white snappers and twinspot snappers hang here between 5m and 10m. One of the truly breathtaking dives in Dahab.
Kandooma Thila
Maldives
Kandooma Thila, or also called Cocoa Thila, is one of the most exciting dives in South Male’ Atoll with great scenery as well as prolific fish life. The west and north side are the most spectacular, with the top at 16m. These are a focal point for schools of Bluefin Trevallies, eagle rays, dogtooth tunas and loose groups of gray reef sharks (50+ in the right current). Cleaning station for grey reef , you can see them going in a vertical position while small wrasses are cleaning them. Currents can be very strong making it a challenging dive. For experienced divers only.
Pelican Rock
Mexico
Pelican Rock is one of Cabo's most famous sites. A pinnacle covered in purple fans rising up above the surface from around 14 meters underwater at its deepest. Just in front of the pinnacle we also have a beautiful wall dive filled with life, and off to its side one of Cabo's famous sand falls. The dive site has something for everyone. The shallows are great for courses & newer divers, while the deep walls make it an incredible spot for tec divers to explore. But the big highlight is the sheer amount of life that inhabits the site all year round, making it a beautiful spot for all levels of divers.
Prospect Wharf
Canada
Certification Level: All levels - easy site Overview Prospect Government Wharf is located in Prospect, Nova Scotia. It is ideal for trunk divers (people who don’t own boats), or just don’t feel like traveling too far, or are new to diving and want to get a nice easy dive under their belt. Please be mindful of the locals and parking is limited; best to car pool is possible. This site is often known for being fairly calm and easy entrance and exit, low tide can be a little more challenging. Around the wharf its mostly silt bottom, try to be careful not to stir up too much silt. Within a short swim the bottom composition starts to change to more solid (sand and small rocks). Around the wharf you may find a large collection of old bottles, shoes, toys, old clay pipes (can sometimes be found all around this site as it was a fairly busy fishing community in the hay day) and general garbage. There have been many attempts at clean up dives and site is improving. The average depth of this site is 15/4.75m to 25ft/7.62m depending on tide. Aquatic life consist of mostly crabs, flounder, lobster and sculpin. While there are few hazards to this site you should be aware of boat traffic at all times.
Abille
Poland
The wreck of the 37-meter-long ocean-going tugboat Abeille. Built in 1936 in Leith, the vessel was later commissioned into the Kriegsmarine in Bénodet in 1940. Records indicate that she sank during the winter of 1945 while rendering assistance to another vessel in distress at the Hel roadstead.
Abrolhos / Chapeirão Faca Cega
Location being verified
The set of coral pinnacles that received the name of “Faca Cega“ (Blind Knife) consists of one of the main diving points of the Abrolhos Archipelago. It has a room that reaches a depth of 25 meters, with almost 20 meters in diameter. The view is impressive, with several passages and burrows.
Abu Dabour
Egypt
The nearby jetty can be used to enter this dive or you can enter from the shore through a very nice small canyon leading you to the clear blue water. This dive starts with a sloping sand bottom where you can choose to head to the north or south reef.
Abu Rashid Wall
Oman
Roughly 1 hour away from Khasab harbour is Abu Rashid wall. This dive site goes to 50+ metres, there can often be strong currents however they vary alot depending on the conditions, tides etc.
Abu Talha
Egypt
15min drive north. Shallowly sloping coral garden with pinnacles, which, when dived north, turns into a sandy slope with table corals. In the shallow area especially beautiful due to massive hard coral blocks.Entrance over the reef top, therefore only diveable at high tide and little wind.
Abwonderdive House Reef
Indonesia
This shore dive ranges from 5m to 30m, featuring a coral reef starting at 3m with soft and hard corals. Artificial reef structures lie between 15m and 18m. The current is usually mild to moderate, making for a manageable dive. The surface is generally calm but can be choppy from May to October.
Acuario
Mexico
Shallow easy reef dive site. Maximum depth 13m. Mixture of sandy areas and reef. Ideal for Basic Diver and Open Water courses, also excellent training dive site with a large sandy area by the boat moooring line.
adam faru
Maldives
Very nice landscape with beautiful coral rock formations between 5 and 20 meters. In between the rock formations are sandy plateaus with leather and soft corals. Torch and camera recommended.
Admiral 1
Maldives
It is one of the channels on the Western side of the atoll that can be crossed with mild current or entered with medium/strong current. Usually found on the outer side: stingrays, grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasses, fusiliers and many more reef fish.
Agia matrona shipwreck
Greece
4 Miles away of Linaria Port, close to diavati islet , is Agia Matrona Wreck. It is a 84 meters Cargo Ship sunk in 1983. The wreck starts from 23 to 55 meters and it lays on her left side in excellent condition.
Agistros
Greece
Ideal for beginner divers and training dives, it combines rocky seabed formations, Posidonia seagrass meadows and sandy patches. With easy shore access and a maximum depth of 7m, it offers a safe and controlled environment for skill development, while excellent visibility enhances the vibrant Mediterranean colors.
AH KONG TONGUE
Malaysia
From Dreamer Island it takes 4 minutes by boat to get there. It’s started the name from a diver who called Ah Kong but the the top reef is looks like a tongue so this dive site become AH KONG TONGUE.
Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck)
Solomon Islands
This site is a fully intact Aichi D3A “Val“ dive bomber wreck. The aircraft rests upside down, at a depth of 10-15m. As well as being a fascinating wreck to explore, the Val is home to a whole host of interesting critters, such as shrimp and lionfish.
Akehama
Japan
Located in the western part of Ehime Prefecture, Akihama is a beautifully scenic sea with a rias-style coast and a fine white sandy beach of about 300m in length. You can enjoy a wide range of life forms, from macro to migratory and rooted large fish.
Al Batinah
Oman
This retired Omani navy wreck was sunk beginning of 2023 to create another dive site in Musandam. This wreck has a few penetrations many of which are more like swim throughs. The ship sits on a sandy bottom at 24m deep, The deck of the ship is 18m deep. The wreck is around 30 metres long.
Al Maqta
Oman
Al Maqta dive site is opposite of Ras Sarkan on the north part of Habalayn Bay. It is a coral wall with some slopes and a beautiful coral garden. Depth: 10–35 meters. Good for the Macro and Night diving. REMARKS: Some current is on the tips of the site, usually coming from inside out.