Sepia apama
What to look for
A broad, finned body with a skirt-like fin all the way around, hovering near the reef or tucked under a ledge. Watch its skin: waves of colour pulse across it as it hunts, hides or signals.
The winter show
Giant cuttlefish breed in winter. Males put on their most intense colour displays to court females and see off rivals, and a small male will sometimes disguise himself as a female to slip past a bigger one.
Diving with them
Cuttlefish are curious and often let divers watch from close by. Move slowly, stay level with them rather than above, and don’t touch.
Where to see it
- Shore dive · Cabbage Tree Bay Shelly BeachMax depth 14 m.
- Shore dive · Cabbage Tree Bay Fairy BowerMax depth 10 m.
- Shore dive · Mosman Clifton GardensMax depth 10 m.
- Shore dive · Watsons Bay Camp CoveMax depth 8 m.
- Shore dive · Freshwater FreshwaterMax depth 20 m.
- Shore dive · Clovelly Shark PointMax depth 25 m.
- Shore dive · Shellharbour Bushrangers BayMax depth 18 m.
- Boat dive · South Maroubra Magic PointMax depth 23 m.
- Boat dive · Collaroy Long Reef (The Apartments)Max depth 25 m.
- Boat dive · Dee Why Dee Why WideMax depth 37 m.
- Shore dive · Kurnell The MonumentMax depth 12 m.
