It is alleged that we all know more concerning the Moon than about our own oceans.
This might be total nonsense. In any case, the Moon is about as interesting as a chilly, hard ball of rock floating in empty space. On the opposite hand, oceans can captivate even probably the most cynical aesthetes. But these are delicate things.
CNN recently posted an article on the ten best diving spots in Asia.
1. Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Pulau Sipadan is the one oceanic island in Malaysia and was the topic of an intense territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia before 2002. It is rated by many diving magazines as probably the greatest diving places on the planet.
2. Similan Islands, Thailand
The white sandy beaches, impressive boulders and sparkling waters of the Similan Islands within the Andaman Sea are the right place to calm down. Their distant location and marine life – including manta rays, whale sharks, turtles and countless other species of fish – also make them a world-class diving destination.
In 1982, the 11 islands of the archipelago became a protected national park of Thailand and are protected by strict regulations.
3. Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Stingless jellyfish are among the more odd creatures present in the seas across the Derawan Islands, which consist of 4 inhabited islands and two uninhabited islands off the eastern coast of Borneo.
The jellyfish within the photo are feeding in Lake Kakaban on Kakaban Island.
Free from natural predators, jellyfish have lost their defense systems over hundreds of years of evolution.
4. Mergui Archipelago, Burma
The Mergui archipelago, made up of around 800 islands, is a largely desolate area, distant from the remaining of the world. Popular with exploration divers, it features huge boulders, caves, tunnels and drop-offs.
In addition to sharks and manta rays, the diver may encounter a red lionfish (pictured). Their spectacular frills conceal poisonous spines on their backs. The spikes are just for defense.
When hunting, lionfish depend on their quick reflexes to swallow their prey whole.
5. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
On the north-western tip of the Indonesian province of West Papua are the Raja Ampat islands, which have the best recorded diversity of fish and corals on the planet – in keeping with The Nature Conservancy, 537 species of coral and 1,074 species of fish will be found here.
Until now, the islands have been relatively proof against coral bleaching and disease. They are credited with replenishing other reefs with coral larvae.
6. Andaman Islands, India
The elusive ribbon Sweetlips is certainly one of the colourful inhabitants of the Andaman Islands. These fish can grow as much as 50 centimeters in length. They live alone in deep waters and feed on crabs, shrimp and sea snails.
Feeding is facilitated by their shiny colours, which mask them against the background of corals.
7. Komodo Island, Indonesia
The diversity of marine life around Komodo Island ranges from sunfish, manta rays, dolphins and rays to fascinating pygmy seahorses, ornamental spireas and blue-ringed octopuses, making it some of the diverse and vibrant diving destinations on the planet.
8. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
The small fishing village of Tulamben is home to certainly one of Bali’s hottest diving spots. During World War II, a Japanese torpedo sank the USAT Liberty, a U.S. Army transport ship.
The 120-meter-long wreck is now home to many species of fish reminiscent of batfish, angelfish, pufferfish and hawksbills.
9. Kerama Islands, Okinawa, Japan
The Kerama Islands are home to 76 dive sites and are relatively well protected because of a local people that has embraced each natural ocean ecosystems and tourism.
10. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Philippines
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park within the Philippines is teeming with marine life. Sharks, turtles and reef fish can often be found across the atoll.
The UN describes the realm as “a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-meter perpendicular wall, vast lagoons and two coral islands.”
