Remaining populations of dugong are greatly reduced, although they once covered all of the tropical South Pacific and Indian Oceans. Groups of 10,000 or more are present on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, at Shark Bay, and in Torres Strait south of New Guinea. Before 1970, it is thought that large populations were also present in Mozambique and coastal Kenya, but these have dwindled. Palau also has a small population. On January 22, 2003, an individual was found (weight 300 kg, length 2 m) off the coast of Tanzania.

Moreton Bay, a large bay on the eastern coast of Australia, is one of many homes to the dugong because it contains clean and clear water at the appropriate depth ranges and suitable food. Access to the sea for warmth is possible and, although strong tidal currents affect the exact times and durations of each visit, the dugong return to the bay for protection from large sharks. This area is very important to the future of the dugong - it is a 200km stretch of high density human habitation, and recreation, with ease of access to study and learn how to best protect the remaining herds. The images show typical dugong habitat and travel paths.


A small number of dugongs are also found in the Straits of Johor, (which separates Johor in Malaysia and Singapore), in the Philippine provinces of Palawan, Romblon, Guimaras, and Davao Oriental, and in the Red Sea near Egypt.

The remaining dugongs in the Persian Gulf were reportedly further endangered by repeated U.S.-Iraq conflicts, because of the Gulf Wars, during which large oil spills occurred as a result of the conflicts. The current population and status of Persian Gulf dugongs are currently not well known.