You are leaving nationalgeographic.com. Different terms of use will apply.
A lesser known cousin of the manatee, the dugong (Malay for “lady of the sea”) is said to have inspired ancient mermaid legends. “Seeing dugongs in the wild is an extremely special experience,” says environmental scientist Erina Molina, who got hooked on life under the sea when she snorkeled for the first time at age 15. Now, a decade later, this National Geographic explorer is dedicated to preserving the wonders of the marine world; she enlists fishers of the Philippines to help track dugongs. Here she shares tips on how to encounter this vulnerable herbivore.
Molina recommends two spots where it’s very likely for snorkelers and divers to come face to face with dugongs. In the crystalline waters of Calauit Island, Philippines, locals lead conservation-minded tours that often include an appearance by Aban, a sea cow celebrity. “The best time to see dugongs here is from March to early June, when the water is calm and clear,” Molina says. In Egypt, at the lagoon of Abu Dabbab, abundant seagrass sustains dugongs and giant green sea turtles.
Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society.
Copyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved