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The weird and wonderful world of Muck Diving
Muck diving takes you into an exciting new world, with weird and wonderful critters and a staggering array of life. It’s a great way to test your observation and buoyancy skills; hovering above black sands in search of impossibly small life.
If you want to see what whacky creatures’ nature can truly come up with, muck diving is for you.
Where can you go muck diving?
There are some great muck diving destinations to choose from, usually found at volcanic areas and seagrass beds. Here’s our pick of some of the best hotspots to try:
Indonesia
The ‘muck diving capital of the world’, Lembeh Strait has over 60 dive sites to explore and is perfect for muck diving photography, thanks to the black sands found there.
Alor is another Indonesia diving highlight, with black volcanic sands, vibrant reefs, and underwater lava flows.
In contrast, Ambon has white sands and coral bommies teeming with muck critters. Whichever area you choose, you’ll be surrounded by diverse marine life.
If you’re more into coral reefs but want to give muck diving a go, Wakatobi is a good choice. A group of 4 remote islands and UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve, this stunning area has plenty of macro life amongst the corals and seagrass beds.
The Ondina liveaboard is a good choice for muck divers. This traditional phinisi cruises Lembeh, Alor and Ambon (plus other Indonesia dive areas), visiting a variety of muck and non-muck diving sites.
Philippines
Philippines diving offers plenty of muck diving and is an increasingly popular choice, thanks to its diverse macro life and thousands of islands dotted in turquoise waters.
Dauin is known for its exceptional water visibility, perfect for finding critters, and coral reef diving. Cabilao Island at Bohol has vibrant reefs and numerous critters, plus big pelagics and drift dives.
Whilst Moalboal may be known for its sardine run, it’s also great for muck diving and night diving at Pescador Island. If you want to find spooky-looking Bobbitt worms, be sure to dive at Puerto Galera.
Other Philippines muck diving highlights include Southern Leyte and Romblon. Romblon is becoming famous thanks to the abundance of ghost nudibranchs found there, as well as other rare nudibranchs and four types of pygmy seahorses.
The Philippine Siren liveaboard is a popular choice, offering luxurious cruises to Dauin, Cabilao, Pescador and more.
Papua New Guinea
Milne Bay, the iconic home of muck diving, has it all; black sands, coral beds and old tree branches that host diverse and plentiful macro life. There are numerous muck diving sites to explore, including Dinah’s Beach – where muck diving began in the 1980s.
The surrounding coastline and islands don’t just offer black sands. There are also coral dives, wall dives, World War II wrecks and vibrant coral gardens.
If you’re going Papua New Guinea scuba diving be sure to also visit Kimbe Bay. Surrounded by sleepy volcanoes, the colourful coral reefs at Kimbe host hundreds of fish species and there are black sands at Wire Bay.
The MV Chertan liveaboard offers reef and muck trips, plus dedicated muck trips to Milne Bay. The experienced crew are great for spotting critters you might just miss without them.
What can you see muck diving?
Muck diving is truly a feast for the eyes, with an almost endless list of tiny creatures to find.
Fans of octopi can search for blue-ringed, mimic, wonderpus and coconut octopus. Meanwhile, frogfish fans won’t be disappointed with white, black, yellow, giant, orange-painted, psychedelic and hairy frogfish to find.
Pygmy seahorses, sea moths and ghost pipefish are highly sought after in the Philippines, where you can also find waspfish plus grumpy-looking stargazers in the sands.
Mandarinfish are perhaps the most well-known muck diving critter to find. These colourful and easily-recognisable fish are well worth searching for.
If you don’t want to spend all your time searching for tiny critters, you can also find larger life at top muck diving destinations:
- Alor is great for whale and dolphin encounters
- Wakatobi hosts mantas and whale sharks
- Moalboal’s sardine run offers fast-paced pelagic action
Can anyone try muck diving?
Absolutely. There are a variety of shallow and deep muck dives, making it suitable for all. Just remember you need good buoyancy and fin kicking skills to ensure you don’t disturb the fine sands.
What dive gear do you need to try muck diving?
A camera is a must-have item for muck divers. You might also want to carry a muck stick, to stabilise yourself whilst hovering above the sands. A torch is also helpful for spotting small life and highlighting their different colours.
This article was written by divers and writers at LiveAboard.com
Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.
Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities
With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.
Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators
This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.
Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure
Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.
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It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!
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Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
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