If you’re diving in Lembeh at night, keep an eye on the sand. You might spot five antennae waving from a small hole. That’s your clue, a bobbit worm is waiting. When a fish swims too close, it strikes fast and its jaws snap shut like scissors. It’s one of Lembeh’s most unique hunters. But …
The Lembeh Strait is home to rare marine species. Its volcanic sands support strange and colorful life. Divers visit the area to see creatures found nowhere else. One of the most unique is the Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus). Its bold pattern and bright colors make it stand out on the sandy floor of Lembeh. What is …
Weedy scorpionfish, also known as Rhinopias frondosa, is a slow-moving predator that’s almost too unique to be real. This rare member of the scorpionfish family is notoriously hard to spot unless you’re diving the volcanic black sands of Lembeh Strait, where they’re more commonly encountered. But here’s the twist: this fish doesn’t want to be found. …
Spotting a frogfish for the first time feels like finding something out of this world. At first, it looks like part of the reef or a clump of sponge. Then it moves, and suddenly you’re face to face with one of the ocean’s most unique creatures. Lembeh Strait is one of the best places in …
Imagine gliding over a plain of dark volcanic sand when something odd catches your eye. Was that a lionfish, a sea snake, or… did it just change shape? That’s your first clue you’ve stumbled across one of the ocean’s most unpredictable performers. Meet the Mimic Octopus, a shapeshifting cephalopod that transforms to survive. In this …
Small enough to fit on your fingernail, bright green like a cartoon salad, and sporting tiny “ears” that look like sheep horns, this sea slug is pure underwater joy. Meet Costasiella kuroshimae, affectionately known as the ‘Shaun the Sheep’ nudibranch. There’s something about it that makes you want to know more. What is it? Where does …
For adventurous divers and marine photographers, few underwater encounters are as thrilling as spotting the elusive Wunderpus octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus). With its elegant, rust-and-white patterned arms and hypnotic movements, this rare cephalopod is a living masterpiece that seems almost too magical to be real. Found in the sandy muck sites of Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific, …
Known for its vibrant, mesmerizing colors and extraordinary abilities to change patterns in an instant, the flamboyant cuttlefish is a sight to see in the ocean. If you’re a diver, an underwater photographer, or just a marine enthusiast, you certainly shouldn’t miss the chance to spot this marine critter in the ocean! Aside from its …
In the northeastern corner of Indonesia, the Lembeh Strait welcomes divers into a new world where critters are the main attraction. These rare, small, and often astonishingly camouflaged marine animals are the reason this region is known as the Critter Capital of the World. While other destinations boast coral walls and pelagic marine life, Lembeh offers …
Tiny, yet captivating, the harlequin shrimp is one of the ocean’s most dazzling invertebrates. Highly prized by divers and photographers due to its striking colours and unique behaviour, spotting one can make any dive unforgettable. To help you get started, we’ve created this complete guide to harlequin shrimps, where you can learn more about their …
The Philippines is one of the best places to see whale sharks, thanks to its warm, tropical waters. These gentle giants, known for their distinctive white spots, attract divers and marine enthusiasts year-round. Swimming with whale sharks is an unforgettable experience, but if not done responsibly, tourism can harm both the sharks and the marine …
Have you ever marveled at pictures of sea critters that are taken by underwater photographers? More often than not, these creatures are found during a macro dive, a type of dive that allows us the chance to encounter some of the ocean’s most fascinating marine life. Macro critters are typically much smaller than pelagic species, but …