The strongest punch in nature. Strike at 80 km/h, fast enough to boil water with cavitation bubbles.
Mantis shrimp aren't shrimp, they're stomatopods, an ancient order distinct from true shrimp by 400 million years. The peacock mantis (Odontodactylus scyllarus) is the most photogenic species in the Indo-Pacific.
Two superpowers: their 'smasher' or 'spearer' raptorial appendages strike at 80 km/h, fast enough to create cavitation bubbles that reach 4500°C briefly, and stun prey by shockwave alone. And their eyes contain 16 types of photoreceptors (humans have 3) and detect circularly polarised light, vision unmatched anywhere in the animal kingdom.
Lembeh, Anilao, Bali (Tulamben), Andaman muck sites. They live in burrows, head visible, eyes swivelling independently. Photograph slowly, the strike is too fast to capture intentionally.
Tap a month to highlight it across destinations, or hover any cell for details.
18 destinations across Goa, 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 1Mantis Shrimp here: Jan–May, Oct–Dec · 12 sites
Tier 2Mantis Shrimp here: Jan–Apr, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 1Mantis Shrimp here: Apr–Nov · 35 sites
Tier 1Mantis Shrimp here: Feb–Sep · 25 sites
Tier 1Mantis Shrimp here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 40 sites
Tier 2Mantis Shrimp here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 15 sites
Tier 2Mantis Shrimp here: Apr–Nov · 25 sites
Tier 2Mantis Shrimp here: Jan–May, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 2Mantis Shrimp here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 25 sites
Tier 2Mantis Shrimp here: Jan–Apr, Sep–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 4Coming soonMantis Shrimp here: Jan–May, Oct–Dec · 15 sites
Tier 3Mantis Shrimp here: Apr–Nov · 40 sites
Tier 3Coming soonMantis Shrimp here: Jan–Feb, Jul–Dec · 22 sites
Tier 3Coming soonMantis Shrimp here: Apr–Oct · 12 sites
Tier 3Coming soonMantis Shrimp here: Jan–May, Nov–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 3Coming soonMantis Shrimp here: Mar–Oct · 18 sites
Tier 4Coming soonMantis Shrimp here: Apr–May, Sep–Nov · 30 sites
Tier 4Coming soonMantis Shrimp here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 50 sites
Real, curated expeditions, or a custom trip built around the best season and destination to encounter mantis shrimp.
Browse our curated, small-group dive trips, fixed dates, vetted partner operators, zero agency fee. Or tell us your dates and we'll build a custom trip around the best season and destinations to encounter mantis shrimp.
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 mantis shrimp.
Chat With a Dive ProWe use essential cookies to run iDive. With your consent we also use analytics and our assistant Laila to improve the site. You can change this anytime. See our Privacy Policy.
