Nature/Wildlife
We live busy lives, often in urban settings, so when the time comes for a vacation, many of us know that the best thing to do is to turn to nature. Nothing blows the cobwebs away more than a trek in the mountains or communing with creatures in the deep forest. Whether peering into a volcano, riding horseback along a trail, or spotting wildlife on a river cruise, something deep within us needs to feel connected to the natural world. All regions of the world present opportunities for enjoying nature.
In cooler temperate climates you may seek out snow-capped mountains such as the Alps, while equatorial regions offer the dense jungles of Asia or the vast plains of Africa. Anywhere animals live free offers us the chance to witness their majesty and understand better our place in the natural order. We can give ourselves privileged memories of seeing lions, elephants and gorillas on safari, or witness orangutans, monkeys and birds in the trees of the rainforest. The oceans and coastlines of the world offer opportunities for encounters with whales, dolphins, penguins, seals and more. Nature is always good for the soul.
Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area – So Good!
Officially established in 2001, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) is situated in the South Sulu Sea, 80 km off the coast of Borneo, and 40 km from Turtle Island Park, covering 467 km² of open sea including 3 main atoll islands: Lankayan, Tegaipil...
Muck Diving in Mabul: A Macro Photographer’s Paradise
Blue-ringed octopus. Photo courtesy of Seaventures Dive Rig. Personally I had never been much of a fan of the smaller stuff that scuba divers look for underwater. Give me schools of chevron barracuda, manta rays, hammerhead sharks and throw in the occasional whale...
Tun Sakaran Marine Park – The Soul of Semporna
Gavin Macaulay talks to Helen Brunt about the establishment of a marine park in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo... Q: What is happening in Semporna and what has been your involvement? 30 years ago this area was identified as an area of outstanding marine biodiversity by Dr...
Hanifaru Bay MPA – Snorkelling with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks
Mantas at Hanifaru Bay. Photo courtesy: EcoPro Divers Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, Northern Maldives, is famous for being a nursery ground for grey sharks, and sting rays. It is also one of the very few places in the world where whale sharks congregate to mate....
Whale Shark Marine Protected Areas of the Maldives
Sanctuary for the World’s Largest Fish There are many reasons to scuba dive in the Maldives; superb visibility up to 40m, teeming biomass in warm waters and exhilarating drift dives are but a few. Near the top of the list must be the excellent opportunities...
A World War II History of Palau: Setting the Scene for Invasion
In early 1944, during World War 2, American sea power was beginning to make inroads on the southern flank of Japan's Pacific frontier territories. The islands of the Pacific were of key strategic importance since they helped to facilitate the protection of the...
Palau’s Impressive History of Marine Protection – On the Frontline
Blacktip reef sharks are protected in Palau. Photo courtesy: Aggressor Fleet Palau is a remote island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and north of West Papua in Indonesia. It is one of the world's smallest countries with only around 20,000...
Red Sea Marine Parks and Protectorates: Safeguarding Egypt’s Miracle of Nature
Diving in the Red Sea marine parks. Photo courtesy: South Moon Although we often hear terms such as "Egypt's marine parks", there is no official national marine park that covers all or even large swathes of the Red Sea. Rather, in addition to the Ras Mohamed National...
Thai National Marine Parks: Beauty and Untamed Nature
There are some 26 marine national parks in Thailand, of which, at the time of writing, 21 are formally legislated, while 5 are in different stages of the process of legislation. The 21 legally-recognised parks cover area about 5,810 km². 4 national parks are proposed...