Sal's Snorkeling Adventure

Razor Sharp Fish

2009-12-13T04:01:00.000-08:00

A school of Razorfish in Mataking Island. Photo by Sal.Razorfish are nearly transparent and flattened from side to side with long snouts and a sharp-edged belly. Hence the name razorfish :) A thin, dark stripe runs along its body. They swim in a synchronized manner with their heads pointing downwards. Adult razorfish can reach up to20 centimetres long, including their snout. It’s sharp-edged

Rare Giant Fish Found Dead

2009-12-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

Mathew Nicholas with the sunfishRescuers have been unable to save a giant fish washed up on a Norfolk beach."I saw these massive fins waving in the water, I thought it was a seal," said Mr Denniss, 67."I got down and had a look and it was a massive thing. It must have weighed 30lb or 40lb, it took two men to lift it out.""I've been sea fishing for 50 years but I've never seen one in my life," he

Look Before You Dive

2009-12-11T01:54:00.000-08:00

He was very brave. I think next time he will think twice before jumping into the water...

See-through Cucumber - Creature of the Deep

2009-12-10T22:13:00.000-08:00

An odd transparent sea cucumber, Enypniastes, was seen creeping forward on its many tentacles at about 3/4 inch (2 cm) per minute while sweeping detritus-rich sediment into its mouth. At the end, it bloomed into a startling curved shape and swam away to find another meal, which scientists recorded on video at roughly 1.7 miles deep (2,750 meters) on a 2007 voyage in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.At

Starfish Graveyard

2009-12-10T21:39:00.000-08:00

More than 10,000 starfish have died after being washed on to a beach along the Norfolk coast during a storm.The creatures are thought to have gathered in the shallows to feed on mussels, before being swept ashore during high tide.Nigel Croasdale, from Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary, told The Times the starfish would have only survived for a few hours without water."This type of thing may happen

Starfish – not as cute as you think

2009-12-10T17:59:00.000-08:00

Lets us uncover the secret life of a starfish. First of al they are not fish but echinoderms, making their nearest relatives the scary-looking sea urchin and the dreary sea cucumber. Ok this that ‘dreary’ bit is just my personal opinion, my best friend is actually thinks they are cool…. Go figure ;) They should be called seastar then and not starfish because they are not related to any fish.So a

Hard shots – the many many misses

2009-12-05T00:44:00.000-08:00

I love butterflyfishes but I find them very hard to photograph. They are very shy indeed! Butterflyfish has disc-like body. So if you are facing them from the front or from tail, then you will only see one very thin line HAHAHAHA very effective survival strategy!! That’s how most of my photos are….. loads of misses. Here are some fail to pass shots that I took. Ya the last photo there is

Snorkel Sapi Island – Much better than Manukan

2009-12-04T23:38:00.000-08:00

View of Pulau Gaya from Pulau Sapi. Sal's photo.I thought the reef in Sapi is going to disappoint me because a long long time ago (more than 10 yrs) I thought that the reef in Manukan was so much better (it was my fave island). And when I discovered that Manukan reef is not as good as I remembered it to be, I figured Sapi will be much worse. I put on my snorkeling gear and head out to sea. The

Play Music Underwater

2009-12-02T02:22:00.000-08:00

Want to listen to music while swimming or doing water sports?Speedo mp3 in cool colorsThe new NU Dolphin MP3 player is tailored for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts as it can be operated under water. This underwater device is waterproof on every part of its unit, from the headphones to the device itself. The device has a minimalist design – cylindrical in shape with all the buttons and the

Seahorse - Is it a horse, a fish or what?

2009-11-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

Seahorses are truly unique, and not just because of their unusual equine shape.They are indeed a rare fish not a rare horse ;) They are among the only animal species on Earth in which the male bears the unborn young. How cool is that?!! They are also monogamous and mate for life. Awww....such loyal creature. Unlike some human I know :PFound in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the

Snorkeling Southwest Reef, New Providence, Bahamas

2009-11-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

A fantasy underwater world. Beautiful clear water and various marine life. New Province is densely populated and frequently visited by divers but their water is still pristine. Our Tunku Abdul Rahman Park can look better than this if only we take better care of it. I like!

How destructive is snorkeling or diving at a coral reef?

2009-11-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

Yes we should worry!The world's coral reefs are not in such great shape: According to a comprehensive 2008 report from the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, approximately 19 percent of the world's coral reefs are "effectively lost"—meaning that they're so degraded or polluted they can no longer support healthy ecosystems or provide other benefits—and another 15 percent are in serious danger

Fish Attack!!

2009-11-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

Sharks are not the only marine fish that attacks humans. Triggerfish is one of those marine animals that are also aggressive. Titan triggerfish is extremely territorial, especially during the breeding season. They will protect their nest aggressively. During these months the male will guard the nest against all on-comers, including divers / snorkelers; the ‘Protection Zone' goes directly up from

Is it a Shark or a Whale?

2009-11-27T06:57:00.001-08:00

As fearsome as this guy looks, he actually wouldn't harm a hair on your head. They may have big mouths, but it isn't for swallowing people - they're plankton feeders. Plankton are microscopically tiny organisms that thrive in the oceans throughout the world. Scientists have determined that it is a species of shark, because of its skeleton (composed entirely of cartilage), and its tough, leathery,

Learn to snorkel from Jessica Alba

2009-11-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

Just watching Jessica Alba snorkeling is already fun!! hahaha. She looks like she's having fun here but I have a feeling Paul Walker is having more fun ;) There was a scandal with this a few yrs ago when people said Alba was not wearing her bikini bottom in this snorkeling excursion... look closely and let me know what you think.Now i feel like jumping into the blue too

Snorkeling Safety - Things you should know when going on your snorkeling adventure

2009-11-25T01:22:00.000-08:00

The most important safety tip while snorkeling is to never do it alone. An overwhelming number of accidents happen to divers who go it alone, so having a buddy with you is a valuable asset in case of mishap. Choose a buddy who you are comfortable with and stay close together while you are out. Stay close to shore. Beginning snorkelers often misjudge their own capabilities and endurance

Frogfish: Ugly but adorable fish, master of camouflage, uses fins to walk!

2009-11-25T00:49:00.000-08:00

Frogfish imitating red sponge (look at the fins, like hands!). Photo by LanI like frogfish because they are weird looking creature. Their bodies are small and stocky. They have loose prickly skin, limb-like pectoral fins with an elbow-like joint (which looks like hands!!), small round gill openings behind the fins, very large upward directed mouth. Look how it uses its fins to grab hold of the

How Young is Too Young to Snorkel??

2009-11-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

Most kids get very excited when they see water. They are unafraid to jump into the water despite not being able to swim. So I think its better that parents teach them proper way to snorkel for their own safety. But how young is too young to teach them snorkeling? Well it all depends on the child. I have seen a father taking his 4 yrs old daughter snorkeling and they look absolutely cute. The

Snorkel Manukan - not what it used to be

2009-11-13T23:07:00.000-08:00

Photo: Jetty Manukan Island, By SalUpon arriving to Manukan Island, I was a very excited to jump into the water. It has been awhile since I swim here and this time I brought a camera with me to snap all the beautiful underwater creatures. The first thing I noticed was that the fishes under the jetty are less abundant and diverse. There used to me many different types of species there and even the

How to ID Reef Fish

2009-11-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

Fish can be easy to identify if you know what to look for. Just like any plant or animal, we need to understand what features some fish have in common, and what the differences are. When identifying a fish, there are several things that you should be looking for. Here are some tips when observing a fish. You can check your fish online on FishBase or use the many Fish ID books that you can buy in

Malohom Bay - Closed

2009-08-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

Sabah Parks has announced that Malohom Bay in Gaya Island is closed until further notice. It is closed due to construction of new resort within the bay. I am a bit disappointed by this development. I used to snorkel in Malohom Bay at the Hornbill Beach. It is an amazing snorkeling site. The reef was beautiful with lots of marine life and the water was crystal clear. I do hope that the developer

Snorkel Bunaken National Marine Park - Siladen

2009-08-24T19:36:00.001-07:00

Photo: 100% coverage as far as I can see. By SalAnother favorite snorkeling destination of mine. The reef was shallow, making it very suitable for snorkeling activity. The current was very strong and there was no way I could swim against it. So I decided to just go with the flow and just drift.Taking photos was quite tricky while drifting. But after a few tries, I figured out some tricks of my

How to Buy Fins

2009-08-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

Photo: Open-Heel split fins - be sure to buy booties with these.Whether you want to play around or dive amidst coral reefs, your fins will increase your ability to move quickly and efficiently through the water. Swim fins are available in a wide variety of styles, colors and designs. Here are some options you should consider when buying you fins. Size and stiffness largely

How to Care for your Fins

2009-08-13T02:52:00.000-07:00

Photo: Puffed-up pufferfish. By SalYour fins are extension of your legs in the water. Fins need very little in the way of care and maintenance. 1. Always rinse your fins with fresh water after a snorkel adventure. 2. On a snorkeling venture, keep your fins out of direct sunlight as much as possible when not using it. Keep your equipments under a shady tree while you sun bathe ;) 3. Soak fins in

How to Enter & Exit the Sea

2009-08-11T02:09:00.001-07:00

EntriesThere are a few way to enter the sea. It depends on which you are comfortable with and also on the type of reefs. If the reef you are planning to visit is close to shore, then the best way to reach that reef is by swimming from shore. Shore Entry1. Enter the sea water and stop when you are waist deep in the water.Sal's tip: Wear booties if you are on a rocky shore. I stepped on stonefish

How to Care for your Mask

2009-08-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

Photo: Humbug Dascyllus are cute and can always be found hiding between coral branches. By SalA good mask is a valuable asset for any snorkelers. So once you have purchased one that is right for you, it needs proper care. There is nothing more annoying than not being able to see underwater because of a scratch on the lens or fogged mask. Here are some tips to care for your mask.1. Always rinse

How to Buy a Mask

2009-08-10T02:52:00.001-07:00

Photo: Quad-lens mask with clear skirtA mask can make or break a dive. So getting one that is right for you is vital for your satisfaction underwater.1. Size. Pick a mask that fit your face. Women and children usually use mask size small – medium and men medium - large.2. Lens. Single lens mask offers wider view but if you have vision problem, a double lens mask is for you. Corrective lenses for

Snorkel Bunaken National Marine Park - Bunaken

2009-08-09T23:02:00.001-07:00

I love Bunaken! I was there with my friend who was conducting a Snorkeling Marine Education Programme with students from Japan & Indonesia. We stayed on Bunaken Island in a village called Tanjung Parigi. There are many resorts on Bunaken but we stayed at the villagers homes (homestay). I know that Bunaken is famous for scuba divers but it is also a great place for snorkelers. There are lots of

How to Buy a Snorkel

2009-08-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

A basic snorkel that will do the trickSnorkel is a ‘J’ shaped tube that is used to breathe when one is floating on water. It is a simple equipment but there are a few things to think about when buying a snorkel. Keep in mind that comfort is very important when buying snorkeling equipment.1. The first thing to look at is the mouthpiece. This little thing will be in your mouth for hours so a good

How to Snorkel

2009-08-04T01:01:00.000-07:00

Photo: Me! By LanMastering snorkeling skills will open up a new breathtaking world for you. You will find that a snorkeling adventure is unlike anything you have ever experienced on land. Everything in this underwater wonderworld is exciting and exhilarating.It is recommended that you get some basic training for your safety and also safety of other marine life. Also take note of reef

Snorkel Lankayan II

2009-08-03T23:17:00.000-07:00

Lankayan is more of a dive spot rather than a snorkeling haven. The reefs in Lankayan are patch reefs and depths are about 25m average. So not an ideal place to snorkel. The resort on the island will recommend the house reef for snorkelers. There is a sandbar nearby which they bring snorkelers but you would need a boat to reach the area and that means paying more. Photo: Puffed up pufferfish by

Snorkel Lankayan I

2009-08-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

What is Coral Triangle? Coral Triangle is the world's centre of marine life. This region covers an ocean area of 5.7 million sq km. This is where you can find one third of all the world's coral reefs. There are more than 600 species of reef-building corals and over 3,000 species of reef fish can be found