Nudibranches in Andaman sea...

 
I am taking you one more time underwater, as I have to show still few wet beauties:-)) In the underwater kingdom of Similan Islands one may encounter several smaller and bigger nudibranches these colourful (and sometimes so tiny to spot) creatures are fascinating for photographing due to the different shapes, lines and unexpected flashy colours. The flashiness actually indicates that they contains poison, in case some of the other water inhabitants may think of eating them. So the colours is their own protection!

 
The picture with one of my finger is to help you realise the real size...and in order to show you how funny we look when taking picture of small fellows (invisible to the rest) is the pictures of Nico+myself taken by Tim, a fellow diver and uw-photographer:-)

Diving at the Boonsong wreck, next to Similan islands

 

It is always simply amazing how much underwater life a sunken ship may attract. The Boonsong wreck, a tin mining boat  sank in a storm in the 1980s. Since evolved into a fully inhabited coral reef habitat..

To be able to imagine the abundance of fishes, have a look at the video too:-)

Similan Islands from underwater: part 2, underwater temple and more

At the end of 2012 I would love to take you one more time underwater between colours and funny/ cute/ weird looking creatures...On one of our dives around Similan islands we found this stone underwater temple at around 10 meters. Some other fantastic finds were the big white nudibranch, the sea urchin known as "jewel urchin" and the crab recycling rests of other inhabitant as his home....
Wishing you all a good end of the old year and a very good start in the new one! 

Christmas underwater, around the Similan islands, Thailand

 

Merry CHRISTMAS to ALL of YOU :-)))

Today with the underwater reportage from the national park Similan islands in south west Thailand. These islands are located around 50 km from Khao Lak and may be reached in 2-3 hours from the mainland by boat. This park is famous to be a real underwater paradise in the Andaman Sea and a place not to be missed. Our pictures will show you the colourful Christmas trees, the tiny crabs, some beautiful fishes and corals.

 

However even if you may see a lot of colours we have actually spotted more dead coral and destroyed ecosystem than an intact one. It was pretty sad to see that Similan islands (advertised as one of the top10 diving spots in the world) are suffering not only from heavy coral bleaching (due to global warming of the oceans) but also from other distructive natural & especially human activities. We were told that a lot of the big fishes are gone (either to escape the crowd or being fished)...Last but not least one may see the beginning recovery of the underwater world: the growth of new corals. I truly hope that the big tourism industry built around this disappearing beauty (like diving&snorkeling trips) will support and participate in it!

Underwater colours around Tavolara, Sardinia - part 2, nudibranches

 

The tiny nudibranches (from "nacked" (="nudi" in Latin) and "gills" (="branch" in Greek) are some of the most colourful creatures on Earth, and of course underwater. These sea slugs have lost their shell as they have developped other protecting mechanism. They either blend in with the environment they live in or they have striking coloration which is warning that they are distasteful or poisonous...

 

While diving around Tavolara island one may encounter few of them as presented here. However these beauties love cold water and in summer hide into the deep waters...

 
And one big red sea star for a happy end....

Unterwater colours around Tavolara island/ Colori marini d isola Tavolara

Since 1997 the costal area reserve around island Tavolara (called "Area naturale marina protetta Tavolara - Punta Coda Cavallo") exists and promotes the protection&care of the amazing biodiversity underwater as well as above the water. The underwater world can takes one breath away, when one takes the time to looks into the holes and check the tiny details for hidden treasures...The octopusses are not afraid and look curious at you, the moray eel shows off its nice colours, the hermit crab and the colourful slipper lobster came down the wall to greet us!

 
A great starting point for a snorkelling or diving trip is the cozy village Porto San Paolo. If you need a diving club, then dont look any further but pass by Luana&Giorgio at Diving center Porto San Paolo .

 

The underwater world in la Reunion: snorkeling in the Indian ocean

 

Today some pleasant snorkeling in not even 2 meters water, on the beach of St-Leu.
The water warm as it should be (may be 27 degrees:-) and simply amazing colours and abundance of fishes...

 
As you can see there is a lot of dead coral (all the white looking pieces like small stones). For some years a protected area has been created on the west coast of the island with three different access rights: the strongest protection does not allow any activities in it...However unfortunately the rules are not always followed by the people.

 
The scene below pictures the fishes eating a sea urchin crushed in pieces by one snorkler.

The underwater world in Sardinia: fishes and stars

...and after the crustaceans and the nudibranches, today I will present you some charming and some scary fishes:-) Some of them were enjoying being photographed...not the moray eel though!

The sea stars, also know as star fishes, are actually echinoderms and show a wide range of colours.