Seadragons (phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is an interesting creature that is unique to Australian waters and Abyss is lucky as we have easy access to see weedy seadragons.
The seadragon camouflage is quite good, and they do resemble seaweed floating on the bottom of the seafloor and rocky reefs. Unless you know what you are looking for, seadragons can be easily overlooked. Once you have found your first weedy seadragon it becomes easier to spot them. As part of the seadragon dive, we train you how to spot them and teach you a little about these unique creatures.
We offer three options for diving with seadragons:
At the moment, we have a number of Free Seadragon-specific dives planned; see the list below
Take a boat dive to Dragon Lair, one of the best locations in the world to see seadragons; see the list below
We also off private guided dives at a premium of $225 for the day, you choose the day, and we organize the diving. Book a Private Seadragon Dive.
WEEDY SEA DRAGON Dives
Dive
Start Date
Places Available
Dragon's Lair - Boat
Saturday 23 Dec 2023
14
Start Date:
Sat 23 Dec 2023 at 12:00
Places Available: 14
Dragon Lair is known for the beautiful weedy seadragon so have your cameras ready.Expect to see soft sponges, nudibranch and plenty of over hangs to look under. This dive can be done at 18m or you can drop over to the 24m mark.
The boat will Depart at the scheduled time from Sans souci public Fishing wharf off River side drive. This location is easy to get to by public transport or you can drive yourself. Please be at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour prior to departure time to collect any gear you need
Dragon Lair is known for the beautiful weedy seadragon so have your cameras ready.Expect to see soft sponges, nudibranch and plenty of over hangs to look under. This dive can be done at 18m or you can drop over to the 24m mark.
The boat will Depart at the scheduled time from Sans souci public Fishing wharf off River side drive. This location is easy to get to by public transport or you can drive yourself. Please be at Abyss Scuba Diving one hour prior to departure time to collect any gear you need
Test your eye site as we head out to spot the ever elusive Weedy Sea dragon. You will get emailed a presentation on the weedy sea dragons to check out before heading out to see them
The weedy sea dragon is native to southern Australia; it lives in seaweed beds on rocky reefs stretching from Sydney on the east coast to Perth on the west. Also, the west side of Tasmania.
The seadragon species are some of the most diverse and unique marine creatures found in the ocean. There are three known species of seadragons: the Weedy Seadragon, Leafy Seadragon, and Ruby Seadragon, which was only recently discovered. Out of all these species, only the Weedy is natively seen in Sydney's waters.
The weedy sea dragon is related to pipefishes and seahorses.
They get their name from their resemblance to seagrasses and seaweeds.
Weedy seadragons can grow up to 48 cm in length.
They are coloured to blend in with their surroundings, with leafy seadragons having the ability to change the colour of their appendages to improve camouflage.
Females lay up to 250 eggs which the male carries until they hatch.
Male weedy seadragons are incredibly adept at parenting as they incubate their eggs beneath the tail. During mating season, females attach brilliantly hued pink eggs to male seadragons brood patch on the underside of their tail, and with that simple act, fatherhood has commenced!
The Weedy Seadragon devours mysid shrimp, tiny crustaceans, plankton and larval fish as its primary sources of sustenance.
Weedy seadragons are poor swimmers and can reach speeds of only 0.2 kilometres per hour. They rely on currents to move them around.
The lifespan of a weedy seadragon is approximately 5-7 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity.
