Whether you’re diving in the crystal waters of the Maldives or exploring kelp forests off the California coast, knowing what fish you’ve just seen can elevate your dive from “cool” to unforgettable. Thankfully, 2025 brings us some amazing apps that help identify marine species quickly and accurately — even underwater (if you’re using a housing 😉).
Here are the top 3 fish identifier apps in 2025, with a special focus on scuba divers.
1. Seabook – The Fish ID App Made for Divers
If you’re a scuba diver or underwater photographer, Seabook is the app you’ve been looking for. It’s built with divers in mind — from the user interface to the species coverage. Seabook offers:
- 🌍 Thousands of marine species with photos, descriptions, and habitat info
- 🤿 Dive-friendly features like logging sightings, creating collections, and offline mode for remote dive sites
- 🧠 AI identification — just upload your photo and let the app match it
- 📍 Option to save sighting details like depth, location, and size
- ✨ Shareable sighting cards (perfect for your post-dive brag on Instagram)
- 🛥️ Offline mode: great choice for vacation, remote locations and dive safari
Seabook is perfect if you want an app that feels like a personal marine life guide that fits in your pocket.
2. Seek by iNaturalist – For Divers Who Love Broader Nature Exploration
Seek is developed by the team behind iNaturalist, and while it covers more than just fish (think plants, insects, birds), it’s surprisingly effective at identifying marine life — especially in popular dive regions.
- 🔍 AI-powered identification using your camera or photos
- 🌱 Works for all kinds of species, not just marine
- 🎖 Earn badges and track your observations
- 🧑🔬 Data feeds into scientific projects (if you opt in)
For scuba divers who are into citizen science or also hike, snorkel, or explore topside nature — Seek is a versatile and fun choice.
3. FishVerify – Designed with Anglers in Mind, But Still Useful for Divers
FishVerify is originally geared toward saltwater anglers in the U.S., with features like catch limits and regulations. However, divers can still benefit from its fish ID feature, especially in U.S. coastal waters.
- 📸 Photo-based fish identification
- 📍 Regulations and legal catch size info by state
- 🇺🇸 Best for U.S. dive locations
- 🐟 Species database covers many commonly seen fish
It might not be as diver-specific, but for spotting reef species in Florida or the Gulf of Mexico, FishVerify gets the job done.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right fish identifier app depends on your goals. If you’re a diver who wants offline access, AI identification, and the ability to log sightings, Seabook is the clear winner. Seek is perfect for all-around nature lovers, while FishVerify offers great regional coverage for those diving in the U.S.
Whichever you choose, don’t just dive — dive curious. 🌊🐡
