Where and when to see giant clams
The largest shellfish on Earth, with vividly coloured mantles, found on healthy, protected Indo-Pacific reefs.
This guide documents sightings in 4 Good Dives regions.
Where to plan your trip
Our picks for a trip focused on giant clams, chosen for the encounters below. Calendar peaks describe timing, not a ranking of destinations.
Shallow reef viewing with repeat access
Scuba or snorkeling
WakatobiThe house reef has giant clams on the shallow reef top. Choose this for an accessible reef visit alongside other marine life rather than a promise of exceptionally large individuals.
Target: giant clam
Ask about: Wakatobi House Reef
Giant clams sighting calendar
Calendar months, every year
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WakatobiIndonesia | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| AnilaoPhilippines | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Rowley ShoalsAustralia | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely.
Calendars describe animal presence, not weather or site access; check each region’s dive season. For grouped animals, a marked month may apply to only one member of the group. Sightings vary by site and dive.