Stinging carpets that host clownfish, anemonefish and porcelain crabs. The reef's most photographed neighbourhood.
Sea anemones are stinging-tentacled cnidarians, relatives of jellyfish, anchored to one spot. Their nematocysts paralyse small fish and shrimp, but anemonefish ("clownfish") and a handful of porcelain-crab species have evolved mucus immunity and live unharmed among the tentacles.
An anemone with its anemonefish family is one of the reef's most reliable photo subjects, visit any tropical destination's clownfish dive and you'll find ten different families with personality. Anemones close into tight balls when stressed, reopen as they relax; watching one open after a closure is hypnotic.
Healthy reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. Bleached anemones turn ghost-white and are a serious reef health warning sign, usually paired with coral bleaching events.
Tap a month to highlight it across destinations, or hover any cell for details.
16 destinations across Andamans, SE Asia, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, East Africa, peak seasons vary by location, so plan your trip around the right destination AND the right month.
Tier 2Sea Anemones here: Jan–Apr, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 1Sea Anemones here: Apr–Nov · 35 sites
Tier 1Sea Anemones here: Feb–Sep · 25 sites
Tier 1Sea Anemones here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 40 sites
Tier 2Sea Anemones here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 15 sites
Tier 2Sea Anemones here: Apr–Nov · 25 sites
Tier 2Sea Anemones here: Jan–May, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 2Sea Anemones here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 25 sites
Tier 2Sea Anemones here: Jan–Apr, Sep–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 3Sea Anemones here: Apr–Nov · 40 sites
Tier 3Coming soonSea Anemones here: Jan–Feb, Jul–Dec · 22 sites
Tier 3Coming soonSea Anemones here: Apr–Oct · 12 sites
Tier 3Coming soonSea Anemones here: Jan–May, Nov–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 3Coming soonSea Anemones here: Mar–Oct · 18 sites
Tier 4Coming soonSea Anemones here: Apr–May, Sep–Nov · 30 sites
Tier 4Coming soonSea Anemones here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 50 sites
Real, curated expeditions, or a custom trip built around the best season and destination to encounter sea anemones.
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Tell us when you can travel and your certification level, we'll match the right destination, the right season, and the right trip for diving with sea anemones.
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