Dive sites1
Marine life profile
Manatee (dugong)
Recorded at 1 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Manatee (dugong) around the world
Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. Social and alert, it communicates through movement, sound and close coordination with others in its group.
Countries1
Animal groupMammals
Safety profileGenerally Harmless
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Look for smooth skin, deliberate breathing at the surface and powerful tail-driven movement.
How It Behaves
Social and alert, it communicates through movement, sound and close coordination with others in its group.
Special Ability
Breath control, sensitive hearing and complex social awareness support long dives and precise underwater navigation.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Keep a respectful distance and let the animal initiate any closer pass. Never pursue, touch or separate a group.
Safety
These are strong, protected wild animals. Follow local interaction rules and avoid placing yourself between adults and young.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order Sirenia: the Amazonian manatee, the West Indian manatee, and the West African manatee.
Where to Find
Look in productive coastal water, sheltered bays, channels and offshore feeding areas where food is concentrated.
Known countries
India
Sightings map
Manatee (dugong) locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Tribe Gate
India
Tribe Gate/Oval reef is not one reef, but several patches of reefs around the bigger reef which is, well, you guessed right, oval-shaped! The shallowest part of the reef is about 3 metres / 10 feet and the deepest part is about 15 metres / 50 feet. Schools of juvenile pick handle barracudas, two-spot snappers, and fusiliers are found in this area. In the shallows, you will hear the loud crunching of humphead parrotfish before you see them. Octopuses, colourful nudibranchs, and a variety of anemonefish are also spotted here.