Delicate Soft Corals
A diver admires the delicate translucency of the soft coral in the Banda Sea. You will see them in a wide range of colors including red, pink, orange, purple, and yellow. These attractive soft corals belong to the genus Dendronephthya, commonly called tree coral, carnation tree coral, and cauliflower soft coral.
Fuzzy Table Coral at Banda Sea, Indonesia
When you are diving, sometimes you have to remember to stop and look up. Take this image I took in the Banda Sea for example. The surface of the water, with the silhouette of the boat and the sunlight filtering in, becomes a wonderful backdrop for the table coral (Acropora paniculata) with the reef fish swimming above it.
Nemo's Vacation House in Banda Sea
A family of common clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) poses for me. Their home is the brilliantly colored Ritteri anemone (Heteractis magnifica), in the clear tropical waters of Banda Sea, Indonesia. There are many amazing tropical dive destinations in the world, but the density and variety of marine life you find in Indonesia is hard to match. When you dive in Indonesia, be ready to swim from one spot to the next, then another spot, then another, until you are ready to tell the dive guide, "Stop pointing out so many things to me! I can't keep up!!"
Steller Sea Lions
Photo by Gabriel Lu
Steller sea lions creep up on unsuspecting divers on the cold waters of British Columbia. These playful pinnipeds are fast and agile. Hang on to your fins and your hood, they might be waiting for an opportunity to grab on.
Dreamlike Kelp Forests
Photo by Gabriel Lu
Like a captivating dream, gliding through the dense kelp forests of the Southern California Channel islands will leave you breathless. Sunlight filters through the thick canopy, trickling down to the marine life below. These lush forests are among the most dynamic ecosystems on earth.
