Scuba diving Raja Ampat will open you to encounter things, colours and movements you have never experienced before. Here’s a few of the potential sightings that will make you stand out from any other diver at a cocktail party – and we mean it!
PYGMY SEAHORSE
You have to look really close to see a Bargibanti Pygmy Seahorse. They look suspiciously like coral, are only 1cm long and spend most of their time in one outgrowth of a sea fan.
Photo credit: Christian Gloor
These tiny guys only grow to be 2cm in length and can be found on coral and rocky reefs, living with short spined urchins.
Photo credit: Christian Gloor
Also known as a Disco or Fire
Clam, these majestic animals know how to put on a show. It produces flashes of light that at first glance look like flickers of neon or ripples of electricity.
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The Tasselled Wobbegong shark is an ambush predator. A fleshy-beard around its chin breaks up its outline and its camouflaged skin makes it difficult to spot on the seabed. They are one of our most favourite sightings!
Photo credit: Meridian Adventure
These interesting creatures are not only capable swimmers, but can also “walk” between coral heads at low tide, along the seafloor, and even on land when needed.
Photo credit: Jim Capaldi
Ornate Ghost Pipefish have a real knack for camouflage and is notoriously difficult to spot. They have a small long mouth that they use as a vacuum to suck up small
planktonic animals like shrimp.
Photo credit: Meridian on InstagramPhoto credit: Meridian Adventure
These beautiful creatures are actually recognised as one of the world’s most venomous marine animals, despite their small size
(12 to 20cm).
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on Instagram
This crustacean is known to pack a punch and spend most of their time hiding in burrows and holes. Besides
having the fastest punch, they also have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. They can see as many as 12 different colours.
Photo credit: magnusdeepbelow
Keep your eyes on the seabed to see if you can spot a Flying Gurnard. They are bottom dwellers but are reportedly able to glide above the water for short distances on their
outspread pectoral fins.
Photo credit: Beckmannjan
The Signal Goby is an appealing little sand sifter and the twin eyespots on its body create the impression that you’re looking at a
crab scuttling sideways along the ocean floor. Keep your camera close by, because these little guys have fascinating behaviourisms
that need to be captured.
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CHECK OUT OUR IGTV EPISODE ON
DISCOVERING THE UNDERWATER
WORLD OF RAJA AMPAT.
CHALLENGE: LET’S SEE WHO CAN IDENTIFY
THE JUMPING CRITTER AT 00:38
