Macro

Nudibranch

Nudibranchia (order; multiple species)

Sea slugs found across Raja Ampat's reefs in a wide range of colors and patterns, a staple subject for macro photographers on nearly every dive. This entry covers the order generally rather than a single species, given the number of species reported in the region.

Habitat
Reef substrate, rubble, and sponges across most depths

Best places to dive with Nudibranch

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Alor
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Abundant and varied across the walls and muck; Cave Point and the muck sites are particularly good, and rare species such as the Djibouti giant nudibranch have been recorded.

Anilao, Batangas
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Anilao is one of the richest nudibranch areas on earth, with hundreds of species documented; found year-round on nearly every macro dive.

Bunaken
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The walls and slopes hold a wide variety of nudibranchs; Bunaken Timur and the Siladen reefs are good for macro-focused dives.

Coron, Palawan
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Nudibranchs are found on the coral-covered hulls, especially the Kogyo Maru, for divers who slow down and look. Year-round.

Dauin
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A huge variety of nudibranchs, including Costasiella (Shaun the Sheep), are found across the Dauin muck year-round; a mainstay of macro-focused dives here.

Donsol & Ticao Pass
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Common on the reef and muck sites around San Miguel Island and Ticao, which are noted for macro photography.

Gili Islands
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Reliable for macro fans across the reefs and on night dives at Meno Wall; a range of species present year-round.

Koh Chang
Sighting likelihood by month
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Nudibranchs are common macro subjects across the reefs and on the wreck structure.

Koh Lipe
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Common across the soft-coral pinnacles and macro sites year-round.

Koh Tao
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A steady macro subject across the reefs; many species present year-round, popular on training and photography dives.

Komodo
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Year-round, and the southern upwelling sites are where they concentrate — Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall and the Nusa Kode bays are described by operators as holding unusual nudibranchs alongside fire urchins, sea apples and Coleman shrimp. Wainilu in the central park is the accessible muck alternative from a day boat. No seasonality documented.

Lembeh Strait
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Hundreds of nudibranch species are recorded in the strait; found on every dive year-round.

Malapascua
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Diverse nudibranchs year-round across Gato and the macro sites.

Malta & Gozo
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A range of Mediterranean nudibranch species on reefs and wrecks; the artificial-reef wrecks at Xatt l-Ahmar are known for them. Resident year-round, a macro-photography staple.

Moalboal
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Abundant macro subject on the walls and house reefs, especially Tongo Point and the Panagsama wall.

Northern Red Sea
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Diverse nudibranchs and flatworms year-round, best found on night dives. The Spanish dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus) is among the notable Red Sea species.

Phi Phi & Koh Lanta
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A wide range of nudibranchs is present year-round across the reefs, a staple of the region's macro diving.

Puerto Galera
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Dozens of nudibranch species are reliably found across Puerto Galera's macro and muck sites year-round; a core draw for critter hunters.

Raja Ampat
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Resident year-round across most reef and rubble sites; one of the most consistently found macro subjects in the region.

Sipadan
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Diverse nudibranchs year-round on the Mabul and Kapalai muck sites (not subject to the November closure).

Vava'u
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Vava'u's macro is a genuine strength: nudibranchs are reliable on the cave walls and at Split Rock and Sea Fans, year-round.

Wakatobi
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A wide variety of nudibranchs are found across the reefs year-round, a staple for macro shooters here.

Sources & last checked

Checked July 2026

This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.

Note on the data: Modeled as a single order-level entry rather than individual nudibranch species — schema's scientificName field expects a single binomial, so this is a deliberate simplification. Flag whether the schema should support genus/order-level entries more formally, or whether this should be split into a few named standout species instead.