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ledgrowlight-aquarium · 4 years ago

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36 Reasons To Go Diving In The Philippines

With over 7,000 islands in the country, the Philippine archipelago offers unlimited opportunities for underwater exploration. The asked a number of dive centers and underwater photographers to share their photos and thoughts about diving in the country.

Are you interested in diving in the Philippines? Buy dive gear.

This is their first-hand knowledge and plus an awe-inspiring photo gallery and a list of reasons that will convince you to pack your suitcase and explore the top-class dive sites of the Philippines.

The Philippines is located at the apex of the coral triangle

The Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity, houses 75% of all known coral species and 40% of the world’s reef fish species. Apart from the Philippines, the region includes Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands.

So you can indulge in 26,000 square kilometers of coral reef anytime

Scuba divers can take the plunge all year round in the warm waters of this tropical country. It’s best to go diving in the Philippines during dry season, from December to May, because it offers the best visibility. However, just like other countries, take note that the Philippines has been experiencing erratic weather conditions these past few years.

You can find a dive shop with less communication issues

Filipinos speak different dialects, depending on the region you visit. However, with English as one of the official languages in the country, it’s easy for divers to communicate with dive shop staff and locals. Newspaper, forms, menus, road signs, forms, and books are usually written in English, so going around the country is pretty convenient.

Experience riding a bangka

Some dive spots can be reached by taking a bangka, a local boat typically made of marine plywood. In most cases, it has two outriggers made of bamboo. Bangka is commonly used for fishing, public transportation, and recreational purposes such as island hopping, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Nemo is easy to find

Native to the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, anemone or clownfish can be easily spotted at the bottom of sheltered reefs in the Philippines. You’ll see them hiding or swimming around a sea anemone.

But you may have to play hide and seek with some beautiful seahorses

Pygmy seahorses can be found in the Coral Triangle region. They are tiny, less than 2 centimeters in height. They live on sea grass, soft corals, and sea fans, but spotting them can be a challenge since they are well-camouflaged.

Subic Bay offers a dozen of USA and Japanese WWII wrecks

Famous when it comes to the history of the Philippines and the US Military, Subic offers a diversity of dive sites in the area. It is a couple of hours away from Manila Bay, the location of the Spanish-American War in 1898. “We have over a dozen USA and Japanese WWII wrecks in Subic Bay and a few aircraft wrecks as well. We have a few nice coral dive sites and some of the best wreck diving anywhere in the world,” says Gary K. Andrews Jr., PADI MSDT Instructor of Arizona Dive Shop.

Anilao, Batangas has more than 800 different species of Nudibranchs

Three hours south of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, you can dive in Anilao, Batangas and enjoy the huge diversity of sea animals. Martin Nussbaumer of Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort said the area has more than 800 different species of nudibranchs. Get lost in the colors, patterns, and forms of these bottom-dwellers. Create a critter list if you wish.

And is truly a paradise for underwater macro photographers

Apart from nudibranchs, you can also find scorpionfish, octopus, pipefish, seahorses, shrimps, and Bobbit worms in Anilao. With these marine animals all over the diving spots, an enormous number of macro photography opportunities await divers.

Puerto Galera has been designated as a marine reserve by UNESCO

From Batangas City, you can take the ferry to another biodiversity hotspot in the country, Puerto Galera.The town’s pocket beaches, marine life,and lively atmosphere have attracted tourists of different nationalities. UNESCO designated Puerto Galera as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1973, a guarantee that marine life in the area has been protected.

And the nearby Verde Island Passage has been named ‘the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity’

Jessica Atienza of La Laguna Beach Club and Dive Center thinks the sea framing of Puerto Galera is ideal for swimming, sailing, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. “The channel between Puerto Galera and Verde Island, known internationally as the Verde Island Passage, is “the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity” according to American scientists–making Puerto Galera’s underwater world a favorite amongst dive enthusiasts,” she adds.

Here you don’t have to go far to see thriving corals and healthy marine life

“Within a kilometer from the coast, schools of Moorish idols, trumpet fish, frog fish, lion fish and leaf fish weave in and out of thriving corals and sea anemones while species of starfish – from the speckled red-and-white to the neon-bluePacific – rest on the sandy floor,” Atienza adds.

Here are the Top 5 Must See Coral Reefs In The World

In Palawan, El Nido’s karst islands and dive spots will take your breath away

On the northern part of Palawan is El Nido, a town loved for its karsts islands as well as its terrific dive spots. Diana Calzadilla, owner of Deep Blue Seafari, thinks the diverse marine species, variety of dive sites, and water visibility make the town a terrific choice for diving. She added many dive sites in El Nido are friendly for beginners and students.

Sea animals tell you the season and month you are in.

Monica Gonzalez of Aquanaut Dive Center said that in January, when the waters get colder, lots of macro life such as Ornate Ghost Pipefish, Robust Pipefish, and various kinds of nudibranchs can be found. Around March and April, you can see frogfish and seahorses. In October, whale sharks can be spotted.Commonly seen sea animals are these typical colorful reef fishes: Titan triggerfish, Scrawled filefish, butterflyfish, mimic filefish, yellow spotted boxfish, common boxfish, leopard wrasse, bird wrasse, and the huge variety of groupers and anemonefish.

Coron’s wrecks will teach you about Japanese history in the Philippines

Coron offers a wide range of dive sites, but the major attraction is the World War II Japanese wrecks sunk in 1944. It has about 10 wrecks in the area, with Irako, a Japanese refrigeration ship, considered as the best wreck dive site the country. Groupers, scorpion fish, tuna, barracudas and other fish live at the wrecks.

Here’s Top 5 Of The World’s Best Wrecks

You can escape from touristy dive areas

If you want to escape from the touristy areas of Palawan, pay a visit to the serene Modessa Island, formerly Coco Loco Island, about 45 minutes away from Roxas municipality by boat. Richard Rumbelow, PADI Instructor of Tarvis Diving Center said the island has two shallow protected coral house reefs, accessed right from the beach for easy fun diving and learning how to dive.

And spend intimate time with swimming creatures in a quiet reef

Among the marine animals divers can find in Modessa Island’s reef are large schools of Jackfish and Chevron Barracuda, sea horse, Hawksbill turtle, reef cuttlefish and beautiful critters.

Tubbataha is a big lover’s paradise

If spending days at sea thrills you, dive the Tubbataha Reefs in Sulu Sea. The general tourists will rarely visit the area due to its remote location and status as a marine reserve. Leticia Sanchis, Worldwide Dive and Sail marketing staff, summarizes what makes Tubbataha a first-rate diving destination. “Tubbataha is a big lover’s paradise. White tip, gray reef, silver tip, leopard, whale and hammerhead shark species are amongst the most commonly sighted, with the occasional guitar, tiger or bull shark putting in an appearance. Expect to see huge schools of trevally, barracuda and snapper as well as many turtles and rays. Healthy coral life supports a vast array of colorful reef fish, crabs, shrimps, mollusks and echinoderms.”

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As well as Donsol, Sorsogon, the playground of whale sharks

Donsol Bay is a protected marine area where you get to see the whale sharks up close and personal. These huge but gentle giants often come to the surface to the snorkelers’ delight. Diving is not allowed in the bay but divers can still see the whale sharks underwater in nearby diving sites.

Tablas, Romblon gives you amazing opportunities to go wall diving

Romblon is an archipelago province in central Philippines. Its largest island, Tablas, is a brand new diving destination. Chloe Wessling, store manager & PADI Instructor of First Buddy Tablas, loves how crystal clear the waters are, and how amazingly abundant and healthy the coral life is. “There are many beautiful wall dives with walls dropping vertically down to +50m with many caverns along the walls to explore. If you are looking to escape the crowds and explore untouched waters then this is the place to dive,” she adds.

Dauinis a muck diver’s heaven

Dauin, a coastal town just about 20 minutes away from Dumaguete City by car, has become famous for muck diving. “Many photographers travel here to shoot much sought after tiny critters such as ornate ghost pipefish, velvet ghost pipefish, blue ring octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorse, pygmy pipefish, frogfish, and harlequin shrimp,” says Hilary Heal, general manager of Salaya Beach Houses.

And Apo Island is a turtle’s haven

Scuba divers who explore Dauin don’t miss Apo Island Marine Sanctuary located off the southeastern coast of Negros mainland. It has pristine coral reefs with an astounding variety of coral species as well as reef fish. It has something to offer for divers of all levels. Even snorkelers can easily spot green turtles at shallow areas.

You’ll see 1,000-year old corals in San Jose

Another dive area you can explore in Negros Oriental is San Jose. Centrally located between the Eastern shore of Negros and the Western shore of Cebu, this area houses a wide range of marine species. Richard Outumuro of Tropico Scuba Diving Resort told DIVEIN.com that scuba divers can see 1000-year old corals at a depth of five meters. You can find frogfish, nudibranch, pipefish and other species perfect for macro photography.

Sipalay, Negros Occidental is a place for beginner and experienced divers

Angela Eder, manager and Open Water Scuba Instructor at Artistic Diving, said the small city of Sipalay on the western part of Negros Island has more than 40 varied dive spots, all reachable within 5 to 30 minutes. This includes the two wrecks in the Campomanes Bay.

It’s where you see a different Disneyland on a magical night dive

Beginners as well as experienced divers will find Sipalay a fascinating diving destination. Sipalay’s dive site called “Disneyland” is quite popular for night diving. Its nocturnal sea animals swim around healthy corals on white sand.

Or say hello to fabulously cute creatures

Most dive sites in Sipalay are marine protected areas with beautiful and healthy coral garden. Reefs are healthy and fish is abundant. In a dive spot called Bulata Pier or Madmax, you can find sea slugs, tiger cowries, starfish, and nudibranchs.

You can’t miss Malapascua, the home of the thresher sharks

Monad Shoal in Malapascua is where you can spot pelagic thresher sharks nearly every day. But the thrill doesn’t stop there. Malapascua also offers reefs, wrecks, walls,macro and night dives.

And whitetip sharks, rays, critters, and even wrecks

In Malapascua, you can also see huge animals such turtles and rays as well as the small ones like nudibranch, pygmy seahorse and ornate ghost pipefish.

Get smitten by huge and tiny sea animals in Moalboal

Moalboal is another dive destination you should place in your bucketlist. Dr. Klaus M. Stiefel, underwater photographer of Savedra Dive Center, explains “You like walls? You like macro? How about turtles the size of a dinner table? An uninhabited rocky island with pristine hard corals just minutes off shore? Then Moalboal is the diving spot for you.

Or chase a hundred thousand sardines

“An attraction you will find in Moalboal but not in many other places is a giant school of sardines (my estimate is several 100,000 animals) right at the Savedra house reef. Watching the animals move in concert is mesmerizing and can keep divers hooked for the better part of a tank. Add to that a vibrant night life in a small & friendly Filipino & expat community, and you have a great destination for your diving holiday,”Stiefel adds.

Wait, did I say thousands?

Do you know What is it like to swim with sardines in Moalboal?

Dive in the visible waters around Badian Island

About 20 kilometers south of Moalboal, you can take a bus to Badian Island. Marlou Guillen, recreation manager of Badian Island Wellness Resort, said visibility is one of the chief reasons why divers love the dive spots around the island. Further, since Badian locals do not practice dynamite fishing, the coral reefs have been well-preserved for the past 33 years. Divers who stay at their resort also have the option to take the 20-minute boat ride to Pescador Island for more underwater exploration.

The pelagic fishes, reef sharks, and wall dives of Bohol will find a way to your heart

While many tourists like to visit Bohol for its old churches, white-sand beaches, tarsiers, and hectares of chocolate hills, divers stay here for pelagic fishes, reef sharks, and wall dives. The popular dive areas are Cabilao, Balicasag, Pamilacan, and Panglao. You can see turtles, barracudas, tunas, and jacks. If luck is on your side, hammerhead sharks may have a special appearance.

Once you go under, you’ll know that Boracay is not just pretty beaches

Famous for its long stretch of dreamy white beach, Boracay draws beach lovers from all over the world. However, if you find the beach too crowded, you always have the option to dive and enjoy the serene underwater life. New Design Diving Equipment

You’ll also be impressed with its fish and wrecks

Andrew Barrett, PADI Master Instructor and Operations Manager at Calypso Diving Center, said the island has a nice variety of dive sites with a mixture of wrecks, deep walls, sloping reefs and coral gardens. “The wrecks were purposely sunk for diving. The Camia 2 Wreck, which is an old Japanese fishing vessel, has been down 15 years and the Tri-Bird Wreck, which is a small Russian passenger plane has been there for 3 years. It is possible to see whitecap reef sharks, grey reef sharks, eagle ray, marble rays at the deep walls (30-35m) such as Yapak 2 and Punta Bunga,” he adds.

And you’ll gaze at its small critters in awe

Barrett also said the walls and sloping reefs at Balinghai, Diniwid and Santos Place offer abundant reef life and small critters.

Tell us which dive site you enjoyed the most. We would love to hear some practical tips, too.

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mrbobgove · 7 years ago

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Best Scuba Diving in Brunei

If you’re looking for a truly unique dive destination, you might consider Brunei. With the largest oil fields and natural gas reserves in Southeast Asia, this tiny sultanate on the north coast of Borneo is also quite wealthy. Here’s an introduction on what to expect both topside and when it comes to the best scuba diving in Brunei.

Where is Brunei?

Brunei is a tiny a country on the island of Borneo, divided into two distinct sections. It’s entirely surrounded by Malaysia and sits on the South China Sea. It is easily accessible by plane, with many direct flights from neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Brunei is best-known for stunning beaches and protected rainforests and reserves. An extremely wealthy sultanate rules Brunei, and the country follows strict Muslim rules. So, if you’re hoping for an after-dive beer in a beach bar, you’ll be disappointed. There’s no smoking allowed in the country either. Setting these quirks aside, you’ll find the best dive sites in Brunei to be well worth the trip.

With over 60 dive sites to choose from — many completely secluded and untouched — your group will often be alone on the reef. You can dive year-round in Brunei, with the dry season between March and October and the best visibility during May and June, often topping 100 feet (30 m). Water temperatures average from 77 to 86 F (25 to 30 C).

So, what is there to see? Brunei appeals to two very different types of divers — the macro enthusiast and the adventurous wreck diver. Brunei’s reefs and corals are teeming with small life, a macro photographer’s dream. And there are more than 30 shipwrecks to choose from, representing different eras and ranging in depth from 46 to 230 feet (14 m to 70 m). With that said, here are our picks for the top five dive sites in Brunei.

Top Five Dive Sites in Brunei

Abana Reef

Where is it: About 15 minutes by boat from the main harbor in Muara. All dive boats leave from this spot.

Details: Abana Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in Brunei. It starts at only 29 feet (9 m) and slopes down to a maximum of 79 feet (24 m). With warm waters and visibility of up to 65 feet (20 m), it is perfect for beginners or advanced divers. There can be strong surface currents, but your dive guide and boat crew will be able to assist should there be currents on your dive. Try Poni Divers, which has some of the most-experienced dive operators, a highly-trained staff and well-equipped boats.

What makes it special: Abana Reef is large and features a vast array of coral and marine life. It evokes an underwater garden, with vibrantly colored soft and hard corals and whip corals. Look closely to spot rare macro critters, such as whip-coral crabs, harlequin shrimp and several species of cowry. Venture off the edge of the reef into the whip-coral field across the sand and you’ll soon come across a group of seahorses as well.

Pelong Island

The small but beautiful Pelong Island is 20 minutes by boat out of Muara harbor.

Details: This dive site is best for novice divers or even snorkelers. It is a very shallow dive site, ranging from three feet (1 m) to a maximum of 59 feet (18 m). Again, like most Brunei dive sites, you’ll find warm water, good visibility and very little to no current. The best way to enter this dive site is to moor the boat further from the island on the sand banks and then swim to the reef. This way beginners can adjust their buoyancy first and then enjoy the reef. The reef surrounds the island, so you can choose from several sites.

What makes it special: Pelong Island is in a protected area. No one can visit the island, so you cannot moor there or set foot on the land. This means it’s a sanctuary not only for the coral and marine life but also for the birds and sea birds. Underwater, a vast array of hard corals make up the reef. You’ll see plenty of small reef fish alongside moray eels, stonefish and pipefish.

Australian wreck

Where is it: The Australian wreck is about 25 minutes by boat from Muara harbor and only 10 minutes from Abana Reef.

Details: This dive is best suited to the advanced diver. It starts at 72 feet (22 m), running to a maximum depth of 111 feet (34 m), at a 50-degree angle, and slowly sinking into the sand. The wreck is 279 feet long (85 m) and 39 feet (12 m) across. The thermocline starts at around 65 feet (20 m) just before you reach the wreck, where the water temperature drops to around 75 F (24 C). The visibility on this site is always slightly less than on other dive sites in Brunei, with a maximum of 33 feet (10 m). Maximum bottom times vary between 20 and 30 minutes.

What makes it special: The Australian wreck is remarkably intact and offers great penetration options. Its history is compelling as well. Theories posited that the wreck was either originally an Australian ship or a Japanese ship, sunk by an Australian torpedo. Although both theories ultimately proved incorrect, the name has stuck. The ship was originally a Dutch passenger and cargo ship called S.S De Klerk and built in 1909.

The Dutch Navy scuttled the ship in 1942 to prevent Japanese forces from capturing it. The Japanese, however, refloated the ship and renamed it the Imbari Maru. In 1944, while sailing between Singapore and Manila, it struck a Japanese mine and sank while carrying cargo of slave labor. All 339 captives were lost as they were chained in the cargo holds below and unable to escape. The ship is thusly treated as a war grave and visiting divers can still see human remains and shackles. Since it’s mostly intact, you can still see the bathrooms and the tiled floors glistening white in the dark depths. With such a ghastly past, colder waters and slightly poorer visibility, it’s no wonder so many divers have claimed to have supernatural experiences and encounters.

American wreck

Where is it: The American Wreck is a 5-minute boat journey from Australian Wreck, which makes for a perfect two-dive combination.

Details: The American wreck, or USS Salute (AM-294), is a World War II minesweeper. It lies between 72 and 105 feet (22 and 32 m), making it an ideal wreck for the advanced diver. The temperature ranges from 75 to 82 F (24 to 28 C), with the visibility reaching up to 50 feet (15 m). There’s lots of marine life here; as you descend you’ll see schools of trevallies and fusiliers. A school of juvenile barracuda hangs just off the descent line. The ship has broken in half and then folded in on itself, which makes it an intriguing exploration. You’ll definitely want more than one dive here.

What makes it special: Built in 1942 and launched in 1943, the ship functioned as a minesweeper and was received five battle stars for its part in World War II. In June 1945, it struck a mine during a pre-invasion sweep of the Brunei Bay with nine lives subsequently lost. As it sank it broke in half and folded in on itself as mentioned. The wreckage is still mainly intact, however, and lots of war artifacts litter the site. As you reach the end of the descent line, you will discover numerous rounds of ammunition.

Oil rig wreck

Location: The oil rig wreck is about 30 minutes by boat out of Muara harbor, just west of Pelong Island.

Details: The oil rig wreck is comprised of nine structures spread over 1,000 square feet (100 square meters). The site goes from 23 to 62 feet (7 to 19 m) making it another ideal spot for beginners. Water temperatures top out around 82 F (28 C) and visibility can reach 80 feet (25 m). The wreck, designed as an artificial reef, holds numerous types of hard and soft coral. You’ll see numerous types of hard and soft coral as the wreck is designed as an artificial reef structure. Schools of barracuda and trevallies, nudibranchs and whip-coral crabs are also abundant.

What makes it special: The oil rig wreck is one of the first sites in Brunei’s “Rigs to Reefs” program, and it’s one of the first in Asia. Some of the first platforms were decommissioned in 1988 with additions in 1994. This site is also ideal for photographers as it offers stunning wide-angle shots of the rig and schooling fish. Macro photographers will appreciate the up-close shots of nudibranchs and tiny cowries. This site is a perfect example of the Brunei government and dive industries’ commitment to protecting their oceans and marine life.

By guest author Beth Alexander

The post Best Scuba Diving in Brunei appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2Ga2o12

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wayneooverton · 7 years ago

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Best Scuba Diving in Brunei

Where is Brunei?

Top Five Dive Sites in Brunei

Abana Reef

Where is it: About 15 minutes by boat from the main harbor in Muara. All dive boats leave from this spot.

Pelong Island

The small but beautiful Pelong Island is 20 minutes by boat out of Muara harbor.

Australian wreck

Where is it: The Australian wreck is about 25 minutes by boat from Muara harbor and only 10 minutes from Abana Reef.

American wreck

Where is it: The American Wreck is a 5-minute boat journey from Australian Wreck, which makes for a perfect two-dive combination.

Oil rig wreck

Location: The oil rig wreck is about 30 minutes by boat out of Muara harbor, just west of Pelong Island.

By guest author Beth Alexander

The post Best Scuba Diving in Brunei appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2Ga2o12

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dbamountaineer · 7 years ago

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Warning!!!

This post describes experience while visiting Georgia Aquarium last November 2015. What I saw at that time may probably different right now as the aquarium went to renovations and improvements for the past two years.

Since it was my last day in Atlanta as the next day was my return flight to my country, I felt like I have to see more as much as I can while I was still in the city. After an hour of leisure walk at Peachtree Street NE, I turned right at Baker Street towards Pemberton Place where Georgia Aquarium is located.

When I visited World of Coca-Cola, I bought Atlanta City Pass which is a bundle tickets for the most popular tourist places to see in Downtown Atlanta and that includes the aquarium, therefore I already have ticket for the Largest Aquarium in Western Hemisphere which is Georgia Aquarium.

Walking at Baker St NW towards Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium at Pemberton Place

It’s past 6:00 PM in Friday evening and I just have around two hours left before Georgia Aquarium will close that day and Friday is the only day in a week that it close late at 8PM, and because of that I was a bit lucky to still have time to sneak around the place.

Because I came two hours before it close, most of the shows inside the aquarium were over, so typically I haven’t seen any shows anymore and all I can do was see what was available for me at that time. But when I walked inside the aquarium I still felt amazed in the surroundings and overwhelm how huge it was.

I will described here the following things and marine species that I saw while wandering inside the former World’s Largest Aquarium.

Cafe Aquaria

While inside the Georgia Aquarium before I get inside of one of the gallery, the first thing to notice was the cafeteria. Cafe Aquaria is located almost at the center of the aquarium. So wherever you are, whether you are in the first or second level, the cafeteria is still visible.

River Scout

The first area that I explored inside Georgia Aquarium was River Scout which according to my brochure it is a place where I will discover the wide diversity of animals found in the rivers and lakes of Africa, South America, Asia and the state of Georgia.

Amazon Exotics

The species exhibited here are came from Amazon River – world’s second’s largest river. As per experience, I saw colourful fishes in this part of River Scout.

Blue Discus

African Cichlids

Lake Tanganyika and Lemon Cichlids

Overhead River

Longnose Gar

Trouts

Fishes of New Guinea

Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish

Southeast Asian Fishes

Harlequin Rasbora

Emerald-eye Rasbora

Archer Fish

Spotted Scat and Banded Archerfish

Banded Archer Fish

Silver Moony

Green striped hermit carb

Freshwater Turtles

River Cooter

Yellow Belly Slider

American Alligator

Piranha

Red Piranha

Red-bellied Piranha

Leaving River Scout

Dolphin Celebration (Dolphin Tales)

Just beside River Scout, there is escalator that goes to Dolphin Celebration area. Since no more shows available, I just took my chance to see the Dolphins at the lobby area where they were playing and swimming.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin

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I saw Dolphins couple of times in different places that I had been with, but their charm towards me are still there. I still stop for a moment just to watch them after I took some photos of them.

Cold Water Quest

The area which just next to Dolphin Tales gallery is Cold Water Quest where the focus of the exhibits are species that lives in waters with cold temperatures and found all over the world.

Beluga Whales

Sea Otters

African Penguins

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Big-bellied Seahorse

Weedy Sea Dragons

Rock Fish and Sea Star

Spotted Ratfish

Giant Plumose Anemone and Japanese Spider Crab

Sea Star, Sea Urchins, and Sea Anemones

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Ocean Voyager

After enjoying the animals in Cold Water Quest, I went to Ocean Voyager where the former World’s Largest Aquarium until 2012 can be found. I do honestly enjoy such kind of aquarium that allows people to virtually walked underneath of it. It is said that this is the only Aquarium in North America to house whale sharks.

Giant Guitarfish and Giant Grouper

Giant Grouper and Golden Trevally

Giant Grouper, Zebra Shark and Doctorfish

Giant Grouper and Doctorfish

Giant Grouper and Zebra Shark

Giant Guitarfish and Smallmouth Grunt

Smallmouth Grunt

Shanks and Rays

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Tropical Diver

One thing that I really enjoyed here were watching some of the Jelly Fishes inside Tropical Diver gallery. Knowing that jelly fishes can sting people in the water but seeing such species on its sea like environment makes them look so beautiful. Below were some of my snapshots captured while exploring the gallery.

Tropical Diver gallery has a look of a biodiversity coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific which commonly called “rainforests of the ocean” which can allow divers to experience such similar environments.

Cuttle Fish

White Spotted Jelly

Japanese Sea Nettle

Weedy Scorpionfish and Warty Frogfish

Flamboyant Cuttlefish

Clown Anemonefish

Striped Eel Catfish

Aquanaut Adventure

Before I totally left the Georgia Aquarium, I still tried to explore other areas that I probably missed and I was correct. When I walked at second level I found Aquanaut Adventure area which in my impression was designed for young at heart (or kids).

Seaside Touchpools

This area allows visitors to touch three different kinds of rays but at the time of my visit, that opportunity is not available anymore as the aquarium nears its time for closing for the day.

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Other things to see inside Georgia Aquarium

Deepo’s Undersea 3D Wondershow

Treasures of the Sea (Gift Shop and Exit)

I left Georgia Aquarium just few minutes after 8PM in the evening. Then, I walked back to my hotel via MARTA Train. And that time I hopped on the train at Peachtree Center Station, therefore, I walked a bit in Peachtree Street and took some photos in that part of Downtown before ending my last night in Atlanta.

Peachtree Center where I took MARTA train going back to my hotel near at the airport.

Notes: 1. Plan to visit Georgia Aquarium ? – Please check latest information here 2. Entrance Fee – Please check here for latest updates Note: If you plan to visit other tourist spots in Atlanta, I suggest to get Atlanta City Pass to get discounted prices. 3. Public Transportation Ticket – Use MARTA Breese Card, here’s the official website, here’s alternative site for the card 4. Directions to Georgia Aquarium using train : If you will ride within Red Line or Gold Line regardless which station you will come from, just remember to get-off at Peachtree Center Station. If you will ride in any of Blue or Green Line, you are required to transfer at Five Points Station and take Red or Gold Line and get off at Peachtree Center Station. At Peachtree Street, turn Right until you reach Baker Street NW and turn left towards Pemberton Place.

It’s all about Georgia Aquarium Warning!!! This post describes experience while visiting Georgia Aquarium last November 2015. What I saw at that time may probably different right now as the aquarium went to renovations and improvements for the past two years.

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vikingnomad-blog · 7 years ago

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Photos from Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto

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Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto

Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, opened to the public in October 2013. The 12,500 square metre (135,000 sq ft) facility holds 5.7 million litres (1.5 million gallons) of water. It holds both fresh and saltwater environments, each tailored to the creatures it houses. There are 13,500 animals from 450 different species housed in the Aquarium of Toronto.

The Aquarium of Toronto took a while to come to fruition. It was originally planned for Niagara Falls in 2007 but was moved to Toronto when things fell through. Construction began in 2011 and took just over two years to complete. The final cost was just under $130 million, $21 million contributed by the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and millions more in property tax incentives from the City of Toronto.

As with any facility of this sort, the Aquarium of Toronto has come under fire by animal rights groups. There has also been a significant criticism of the capture of endangered tiger sharks. Great care was taken when building the aquarium to ensure the safety and health of the animals. For instance, special shielding was incorporated into the construction of the building to protect sharks from electrical fields.

Visit the Waters of the World

Visiting each of the nine exhibits takes you on a journey around the world and into some alien environments. There is a delicate balance struck between recreating a more natural environment for the animals and allowing guests to see creatures they would otherwise not have the chance to see.

The design of the exhibits allows for an immersive experience. Tanks are not just lined up along the walls. They run from floor to ceiling, they are built into stand-alone units, you even walk through a tunnel inside of one huge tank. Many of the tanks have rounded edges and rippled sides, to create a more natural, flowing feeling. The beauty of the building alone is pretty impressive.

In many places, the lighting is very dim (walkways are well defined and lit). This is to protect the animals who live deep in the sea with very little light. For that reason, flash photography is prohibited as well.

Canadian Waters

The first exhibit is Canadian Waters, which features animals from the northern Atlantic, northern Pacific, the Arctic Ocean, and many freshwater species from Canada’s plentiful lakes. Featured Species include a giant Pacific octopus, American lobster, cod, paddlefish, sturgeon, and wolf eel.

The Pacific octopus tank is set in the wall, with a portion that comes out into the walkway. It was fascinating to watch it move from one space to another. Show up at the right time and you will be able to catch octopus enrichment – basically playtime for the octopus.

One of the most impressive parts of this gallery is the massive Pacific kelp exhibit. It contains almost 360,000 litres of water. The huge tank is more than a story tall, with a spiraling walkway around it.

Rainbow Reef

The Rainbow Reef has animals from the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It features coral reefs, home to a huge variety of sea life. Featured animals include the Picasso triggerfish, harlequin tuskfish, lunare wrasse, batfish, unicorn surgeonfish, and sailfin tang. You may even see a scuba diver or two, during one of the dive shows that happen daily.

The gallery is over 200,000 litres of water and contains more than 100 species of fish!

I enjoyed seeing this as I had recently returned from Mexico, where I had snorkeled at coral reefs for the first time. Many of the fish in the exhibit were the same ones I had seen on my trip.

Dangerous Lagoon

Dangerous Lagoon is probably the most awe-inspiring gallery in the Aquarium of Toronto. At 2.9 million litres of water, it is the largest exhibit in the facility. It has a long, winding glass tunnel that works its way through the tank, so you’re surrounded on both sides as well as above as you walk. It is home to some very impressive fish, including green sawfish, sand tiger sharks, green sea turtles, moray eels, lookdowns, and Queensland groupers.

It also has the longest moving sidewalk in North America. A word of warning, if you go to the Aquarium of Toronto during a busy time. There is often a line up to get on the sidewalk. If you are tempted to skip the line and walk under your own power, you can – however, you aren’t allowed to stop in the underwater tunnel. Staff ensured that everyone kept moving, so it’s hard to take photos, even when a huge sawfish swims over your head.

If you are a certified scuba diver over the age of 16, you can book a 30-minute ‘discovery dive’ in the lagoon. Be sure to book in advance, as of this writing, they were booked until the end of 2017.

Discovery Centre

The discovery centre is a hands-on gallery, designed to appeal to younger minds (and those of us who are young at heart). Many of the exhibits are a bit too small for adults, but there are still lots of interesting things to see and do.

Featured species in this area include the clownfish, blacktip reef sharks, wobbegong, zebra shark, and horseshoe crab. You can even reach out and touch the horseshoe crabs in the world’s largest touch tank.

The Gallery

The gallery has much smaller exhibits, containing some of the most delicate species from around the world. I was very excited to see some personal favourites here, including cuttlefish and the weedy sea dragon. Other featured species are a variety of seahorses, piranhas, electric eels, mudskippers, lionfish, and pipefish.

Ray Bay & Shoreline Gallery

A huge, 350,000-litre tank holds rays from four different species and the bonnethead shark. I could sit for hours and watch these graceful animals ‘fly’ through the water. It may not be one of the flashy parts of the Aquarium of Toronto, but it is one of the most tranquil. It provides a much-needed respite from the loud and busy parts of the exhibits.

Shoreline Gallery is the top of Ray Bay, so you can see the exhibit from a different angle. Here, you can interact with rays and sharks in special pools. For an extra fee, you can even get right in the water with them.

Planet Jellies

Planet Jellies was one of my favourite parts of the Aquarium of Toronto. It is dark, with the exhibits lit up in different colours to highlight the jellyfish. The exhibit feels like modern art meets jellyfish tank.

You can see many different types of jellyfish and see their different stages of development, from polyp to medusa. Don’t forget to look up to see the moon jellyfish in an overhead tank.

Life Support System

This gallery offers a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the Aquarium of Toronto. See what it takes to keep all the water clean and the animals alive, with real-time numbers on display for the curious.

If you’re interested in visiting, the Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto website has information on hours, ticket costs, and extra programs. Plan for a full day if you want to take your time or a full afternoon for a quick walkthrough.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto – Ontario, Canada Photos from Ripley's Aquarium of Toronto Ripley's Aquarium of Toronto Ripley's Aquarium of Toronto, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, opened to the public in October 2013.

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