Electric-blue, gold and green mantles, the reef's biggest invertebrates. Live 100+ years, host symbiotic algae like coral.
Giant clams are the reef's largest invertebrates, up to 1.4 metres across and weighing over 200 kg. The fleshy mantle they display when open is patterned with iridescent blue, gold and emerald-green that comes from symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living inside the tissue, the same partnership that powers reef-building corals.
They're listed Vulnerable due to centuries of harvesting for shells, meat and the aquarium trade. Healthy populations now mostly survive in well-protected reserves and remote reefs.
Reliable: Maldives, Komodo (especially Manta Alley), Sipadan, Raja Ampat, Andaman, Bali. The Bumphead Parrotfish dive at any of these often passes giant clams as a bonus.
Tap a month to highlight it across destinations, or hover any cell for details.
10 destinations across Andamans, SE Asia, Indian Ocean, peak seasons vary by location, so plan your trip around the right destination AND the right month.
Tier 2Giant Clams here: Jan–Apr, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 1Giant Clams here: Apr–Nov · 35 sites
Tier 1Giant Clams here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 40 sites
Tier 2Giant Clams here: Apr–Nov · 25 sites
Tier 2Giant Clams here: Jan–May, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 3Giant Clams here: Apr–Nov · 40 sites
Tier 3Coming soonGiant Clams here: Apr–Oct · 12 sites
Tier 3Coming soonGiant Clams here: Mar–Oct · 18 sites
Tier 4Coming soonGiant Clams here: Apr–May, Sep–Nov · 30 sites
Tier 4Coming soonGiant Clams here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 50 sites
Real, curated expeditions, or a custom trip built around the best season and destination to encounter giant clams.
Browse our curated, small-group dive trips, fixed dates, vetted partner operators, zero agency fee. Or tell us your dates and we'll build a custom trip around the best season and destinations to encounter giant clams.
Tell us when you can travel and your certification level, we'll match the right destination, the right season, and the right trip for diving with giant clams.
Chat With a Dive ProWe use essential cookies to run iDive. With your consent we also use analytics and our assistant Laila to improve the site. You can change this anytime. See our Privacy Policy.
