Marine life profile
Weedy sea dragon
Recorded at 4 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Weedy sea dragon around the world
The common seadragon or weedy seadragon is a marine fish of the order Syngnathiformes, which also includes the similar pipefishes, seahorses, and trumpetfishes among other species. It glides slowly through kelp and seagrass, relying on disguise rather than speed.
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
A long, delicate relative of the seahorse decorated with leaf-like lobes that mimic drifting seaweed.
How It Behaves
It glides slowly through kelp and seagrass, relying on disguise rather than speed.
Special Ability
Transparent fins provide almost invisible propulsion while the leafy body appears to drift with the plants.
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
Like seahorses, the male carries the eggs, but they are attached beneath his tail rather than enclosed in a pouch.
Where to Find
Search the habitat edges where food, shelter and water movement create the right conditions.
Known countries
Sightings map
Weedy sea dragon locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Henry Head
Australia
No doubt Sydney's premier sponge gardens. Rockley is a site that has a broad variation of sponges and sea squirts, and it possesses a dazzling range of colours. The depth of the site ranges from twelve meters down to approximately twenty-six meters along towards the main shipping channel. There are large boulders at the sand line while many ledges, overhangs and swim-throughs can be found throughout the reef. The extensive fish population includes groper, yellowtail, old wife, mado, morwong, cuttlefish, and if you carefully check over the sponges you will find red Indian fish. If you look under the overhangs, be sure to see the eastern blue devilfish and are indubitably will see some cuttlefish in addition. Keep your eyes open for sea dragons as there are quite a few to be seen. Best dived on an incoming tide.
Magic Point
Australia
Magic Point is synonymous with shark scuba diving! It is best known for its grey nurse sharks, as well as Port Jackson sharks, crested horn sharks and wobbegong sharks. The dive site itself can start as shallow as 8 metres depending on where the boat drops its anchor. From there you cruise east and drop down to 15 metres with the aid of a wall. Along here you will find a larger and a smaller cave where Grey Nurse Sharks hang about. Continue east and the seafloor becomes covered with small boulders, large schools of various fish can be found cruising through and around the various rock formations, at a depth of 24 metres the sand line starts.
Sutherland Point
Australia
Sutherland Point is a perfect destination to find the highly interesting Weedy Sea Dragon, as well as a unique attraction in the form of a small cave which is home to the family of blind sharks. The site has numerous swim-throughs and a small sponge garden and commonly a large variety of schooled fish such as Yellowtail, Giant Cuttlefish, Wobbegongs and Blue Groper may be seen. The site is shielded from southernly swell and can be dived when it's too rough for the other sites in the area. Because of its proximity to the shore of the bay, its visibility is usually not as good. For the best visibility, it’s always best to dive this site on an incoming tide.
The Steps
Australia
The Steps is a great dive site, especially when you want to see weedy seadragons. The site is a favourite location for many divers because of its beautiful sponge gardens. You are likely to find Weedy sea dragons masquerading as Kelp, along with Bream, Old wives, Luderick, Blue gropers, Giant cuttlefish. We recommend diving this site on slack or incoming tide. Once in the water, descend and head North to the sandy line at which point turn east (heading out of the bay). Check the kelp for sea dragons after 40 m. The kelp opens into many rocks covered in sponges with a range of fish life. When you reach your turnaround pressure, head back into towards the shore where you encounter a wall of large boulders which are the home form many cuttlefish. Follow the wall back to your exit/entry point. If you have never observed seadragons then this is the site for you, but we do recommend a guide for the first dive as the guide can show you how to spot the weedy seadragon.