Dive Trip To Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort 6th to 11th August 2007

We will be at Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort in Sabah, Borneo from 6th - 11th August 2007.

Please visit our Dive Trips link for more information.

As always we're sure to have a fantastic time and welcome additional souls, so if you wish to join us please email us for more details.

Dive Trip To Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort 6th to 11th August 2007

We will be at Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort in Sabah, Borneo from 6th - 11th August 2007.

Please visit our Dive Trips link for more information.

As always we're sure to have a fantastic time and welcome additional souls, so if you wish to join us please email us for more details.

Nudibranchs - What are they ??

H. kanga. Hoovering up the soft tissue of its
favored sponge.

Nudibranchs ( meaning naked - gill and pronounced NUDI BRANKS) are Sea slugs belonging to the class Gastropoda and are always a popular creature for divers to look out for.

Gills are located at the back of
the animals body

They have soft bodies and in many cases are extremely colourful ranging in size from microscopic to almost two feet long !

They can be found in all our oceans throughout the world at all depths with many remaining undescribed. For more information about the biology of Nudibranchs please visit our Marine Biology Sea Slug page.

When pointing out Nudi's during training dives for novices one of the most frequently asked questions is what do they eat ?? Sea slugs consume a wide variety of foods from Brozoans, Hydroids, Alge and even each other !!

H. kanga. Sensory organs on the
top of their head help locate food.

The most common slugs encountered by divers are from the family Chromodoris they are mainly sponge feeders and represent some of the most colorful of all the families.

On a recent dive we captured some interesting,

descriptive shots of H. kanga feeding on its favored sponge food, image above and right.

We thought this post might interest marine enthusiasts and help them better understand the way Nudi's eat.

As you can see in the first image, the mouth opening extends and it is literally hoovering up the living tissue of the sponge leaving only the white skeleton behind.

These animals use "chemical warfare" as means of defence. Storing toxins from the consumed food within their soft bodies. The toxins are either distasteful or poisonous to their predators. This form of protection has been so successful that many have evolved without a shell, unlike their land cousin the common snail.

Knowing the food source can help identify a species as coloration is often variable.

We have compiled a photographic Sea Slug Field Guide to assist divers in identifying their Nudibranch find, it is presented like a free book for all to use.

Nudibranchs - What are they ??

H. kanga. Hoovering up the soft tissue of its
favored sponge.

Nudibranchs ( meaning naked - gill and pronounced NUDI BRANKS) are Sea slugs belonging to the class Gastropoda and are always a popular creature for divers to look out for.

Gills are located at the back of
the animals body

They have soft bodies and in many cases are extremely colourful ranging in size from microscopic to almost two feet long !

They can be found in all our oceans throughout the world at all depths with many remaining undescribed. For more information about the biology of Nudibranchs please visit our Marine Biology Sea Slug page.

When pointing out Nudi's during training dives for novices one of the most frequently asked questions is what do they eat ?? Sea slugs consume a wide variety of foods from Brozoans, Hydroids, Alge and even each other !!

H. kanga. Sensory organs on the
top of their head help locate food.

The most common slugs encountered by divers are from the family Chromodoris they are mainly sponge feeders and represent some of the most colorful of all the families.

On a recent dive we captured some interesting,

descriptive shots of H. kanga feeding on its favored sponge food, image above and right.

We thought this post might interest marine enthusiasts and help them better understand the way Nudi's eat.

As you can see in the first image, the mouth opening extends and it is literally hoovering up the living tissue of the sponge leaving only the white skeleton behind.

These animals use "chemical warfare" as means of defence. Storing toxins from the consumed food within their soft bodies. The toxins are either distasteful or poisonous to their predators. This form of protection has been so successful that many have evolved without a shell, unlike their land cousin the common snail.

Knowing the food source can help identify a species as coloration is often variable.

We have compiled a photographic Sea Slug Field Guide to assist divers in identifying their Nudibranch find, it is presented like a free book for all to use.

Danger Downbelow !! - Box Jellyfish.

Grain like spots located on each corner
of the bell head are the animals eyes

Whilst conducting a Macro Photo Dive this morning at Palau Mamutik in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP), Kota Kinabalu, Sabah we came upon what is reputed to be the most venomous marine creature on earth, the Box Jellyfish Chironex sp, sometimes referred to as the Sea Wasp.

Known mostly for its presence in Northern Australia for approx. 50 -60 deaths in the past 100 years. In the Asia - pacific region deaths resulting from these creatures are less reported and as a result their existence for most people goes unnoticed. Dr Jamie Seymour, head of the Australia Tropical Stinger Research Center - QLD suggests as many as 100 - 200 deaths per year may take place in Asia Pacific.

Easily recognized by the box shaped head and four clusters of tentacles grouped together at each corner. They are a member of the class Cubozon and scientists today are still deciphering the basic biology of these lethal creatures.

What we do know is each one of their tentacles contain millions of stinging cells and if a person is stung badly death can occur in a few minutes. Fortunately these animals do not target humans but they do inhabit surrounding waters of tropical beaches where we love to swim.

They have eyes at each corner of the box head but no brain, see image left. When they see something as large as a human its thought they stay away.

In more than 400 dives within the TAR Park, we've only ever seen three whilst underwater, one upon exiting a shore dive, one in the surface waters above the reef and today, on an artificial reef in 5m of water, all were within a handful of meters from bikini clad swimmers. We have also seen them cruising the Sutera Harbor region on the mainland more frequently, perhaps they enter the marina and find it difficult to get out. Usually our sightings follow heavy periods of rain, as has been the case here for the past two weeks.

Not all Jellyfish are harmful to humans

Encounters with these animals are very rare here in Sabah, when we first arrived and for several months we were unaware of their presence. We feel however that people should be somewhat vigilant especially those with children, a young girl died from a sting last November just a few hundred meters from where we saw one today. Treatment for stings is to apply acetic acid -household vinegar but most importantly seek medical care immediately.

Its also important to know that not all jellyfish are dangerous to humans, we often encounter other species that are quite stunning in appearance and totally harmless.

Danger Downbelow !! - Box Jellyfish.

Grain like spots located on each corner
of the bell head are the animals eyes

Whilst conducting a Macro Photo Dive this morning at Palau Mamutik in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP), Kota Kinabalu, Sabah we came upon what is reputed to be the most venomous marine creature on earth, the Box Jellyfish Chironex sp, sometimes referred to as the Sea Wasp.

Known mostly for its presence in Northern Australia for approx. 50 -60 deaths in the past 100 years. In the Asia - pacific region deaths resulting from these creatures are less reported and as a result their existence for most people goes unnoticed. Dr Jamie Seymour, head of the Australia Tropical Stinger Research Center - QLD suggests as many as 100 - 200 deaths per year may take place in Asia Pacific.

Easily recognized by the box shaped head and four clusters of tentacles grouped together at each corner. They are a member of the class Cubozon and scientists today are still deciphering the basic biology of these lethal creatures.

What we do know is each one of their tentacles contain millions of stinging cells and if a person is stung badly death can occur in a few minutes. Fortunately these animals do not target humans but they do inhabit surrounding waters of tropical beaches where we love to swim.

They have eyes at each corner of the box head but no brain, see image left. When they see something as large as a human its thought they stay away.

In more than 400 dives within the TAR Park, we've only ever seen three whilst underwater, one upon exiting a shore dive, one in the surface waters above the reef and today, on an artificial reef in 5m of water, all were within a handful of meters from bikini clad swimmers. We have also seen them cruising the Sutera Harbor region on the mainland more frequently, perhaps they enter the marina and find it difficult to get out. Usually our sightings follow heavy periods of rain, as has been the case here for the past two weeks.

Not all Jellyfish are harmful to humans

Encounters with these animals are very rare here in Sabah, when we first arrived and for several months we were unaware of their presence. We feel however that people should be somewhat vigilant especially those with children, a young girl died from a sting last November just a few hundred meters from where we saw one today. Treatment for stings is to apply acetic acid -household vinegar but most importantly seek medical care immediately.

Its also important to know that not all jellyfish are dangerous to humans, we often encounter other species that are quite stunning in appearance and totally harmless.

Whale Shark Sightings

Divers, Swimmers and Snorkelers should stay at least 3m away from
Whale Sharks

This years Whale Shark season in Kota Kinabalu has passed with no credible sightings, which leads us to wonder why?

Every year from February to April the waters surrounding the north western coast of Borneo become cooler with temperatures dropping as low as 24 degrees at diving depths. At the same time, Krill begin to appear along with their predator the Whale Shark Rhincodon typus - the only representative of the Rhincodontidae family.

Although the Whale Shark is the largest fish in the ocean, migration patterns are still poorly understood and their absence this season could be attributed to a number of occurrences. For one, last years giant visitors were harassed and injured by locals and tourists, one young male was hit by a boat propeller.

Fish Bombers photographed in the Tunku
Abdul Rahman Park, Sabah Borneo

Overfishing and ocean pollution is a rising and constant threat to all marine life within the food chain and will no doubt put pressure on already small numbers of Shark visitors to the region. Unknown to most, fish bombing continues in the surrounding waters of Sabah, although an illegal practice law enforcement appears to be weak in this area and we often hear bombs exploding whilst diving.

This years El Nino could also be a factor, studies at the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville indicate that in strong El Nino years Krill numbers are lower, whereas during La Nina years krill abundance proved to be much higher. So perhaps the El Nino phenomenon somehow negatively affects the whale sharks’ food supply in certain areas, thus less or in our case none are seen.

At Ningaloo reef in Western Australia the Department of Fisheries and Calm have developed strict guidelines for human interaction with Whale Sharks. Perhaps in positive anticipation of them returning next year the local authorities of Sabah should introduce a similar enforcement. For more information on these guidelines please CLICK HERE.

For more information on Whale Sharks please visit our Marine Biology Sharks section.

Whale Shark Sightings

Divers, Swimmers and Snorkelers should stay at least 3m away from
Whale Sharks

This years Whale Shark season in Kota Kinabalu has passed with no credible sightings, which leads us to wonder why?

Every year from February to April the waters surrounding the north western coast of Borneo become cooler with temperatures dropping as low as 24 degrees at diving depths. At the same time, Krill begin to appear along with their predator the Whale Shark Rhincodon typus - the only representative of the Rhincodontidae family.

Although the Whale Shark is the largest fish in the ocean, migration patterns are still poorly understood and their absence this season could be attributed to a number of occurrences. For one, last years giant visitors were harassed and injured by locals and tourists, one young male was hit by a boat propeller.

Fish Bombers photographed in the Tunku
Abdul Rahman Park, Sabah Borneo

Overfishing and ocean pollution is a rising and constant threat to all marine life within the food chain and will no doubt put pressure on already small numbers of Shark visitors to the region. Unknown to most, fish bombing continues in the surrounding waters of Sabah, although an illegal practice law enforcement appears to be weak in this area and we often hear bombs exploding whilst diving.

This years El Nino could also be a factor, studies at the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville indicate that in strong El Nino years Krill numbers are lower, whereas during La Nina years krill abundance proved to be much higher. So perhaps the El Nino phenomenon somehow negatively affects the whale sharks’ food supply in certain areas, thus less or in our case none are seen.

At Ningaloo reef in Western Australia the Department of Fisheries and Calm have developed strict guidelines for human interaction with Whale Sharks. Perhaps in positive anticipation of them returning next year the local authorities of Sabah should introduce a similar enforcement. For more information on these guidelines please CLICK HERE.

For more information on Whale Sharks please visit our Marine Biology Sharks section.

Marine Turtle Awareness

Green Turtle dead, having been hit by a speedboat

Making headlines this week in Kota Kinabalu are Marine Turtles - dead ones, illegally caught by poaching boats from China and Indonesia. This frustrating and sad news along with finding a dead Green Turtle, killed by a speed boat engine has inspired us to post a news item reminding readers of the dangers these adorable creatures face in our world today.

Marine Turtles have roamed our oceans for 185 million years with only one natural predator – the Tiger Shark. Amazingly they survived the mass extinction of dinosaurs to face and even greater threat - Man !

WWF’s Endangered Species list includes the Green Turtle, Hawksbill, Kemps Ridley, Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtle.

Sexual maturity comes late, most turtles will not mate until at least the age of 25 years old some much later, and a great number are killed before they reach this age reducing their numbers to the point of critical depletion.

They face numerous threats; their meat, eggs and oil are sought after for human consumption and seen as a delicacy in parts of Asia. Their shells, especially the Hawksbill is beautiful and used to make jewellery and household ornaments. Although they are a protected species in many waters as we've seen this week there is still great demand for their body parts to the point where poachers are willing to risk jail and hefty fines to bring back the catch.

Healthy Turtle in the Surrounding Waters Of Sipadan

Many become entangled in fishing nets, long line nets and drown.  Some are hit by speed boats as they surface for air.

Turtles accidentally swallow plastic bags, which block up their digestive system. Cigarette butts, which are toxic are often thrown into the ocean - even by Divers ! If a turtle swallows one of these they will more than likely die.

In recent years dead turtles have been found with grapefruit size tumors, the cause of which is uncertain but most likely a result of increased chemical pollutants in our oceans.


It’s a sad state of affairs, perhaps awareness and education can help save our Turtles and each of us can make a small difference.

So what can we do ?

Do not buy or support any outlet selling turtle products.

Take a rubbish net diving and collect any plastic bags you might find, ensuring that nothing is living in them before you ball them up. If you don't have a net just put them in your BCD pocket, just one bag can make a difference.

Sought After Shell of Hawksbill Turtle

If you see anyone throw cigarette butts into any body of water, inform them of the consequence should a turtle or other marine creature swallow their butt. Usually when people are educated about the cigarettes toxicity, next time they finish their smoke they'll dispose of it differently.

If you're diving or snorkeling in an area known for turtles and the dive boat you're on is going too fast to avoid an ascending turtle, ask the driver to slow down and explain why.

If you visit a region and rubbish in ocean alarms you, say something, make your thoughts known to the tourist board.

When guests and tourists complain, this is the voice thats heard as this is where the money comes from.

For More Information on Marine Turtles please visit our Marine Biology Turtle page.