Where and when to see lionfish
Venomous, frilly-finned predators that hover by reef overhangs and wrecks. Native to the Indo-Pacific and invasive in the Caribbean.
This guide documents sightings in 7 Good Dives regions.
Lionfish sighting calendar
Calendar months, every year
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnilaoPhilippines | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| CoronPhilippines | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Lembeh StraitIndonesia | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Tulamben & AmedIndonesia | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Vanuatu (Espiritu Santo)Vanuatu | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| WakatobiIndonesia | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
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.