There are many ways to spend Christmas around the world. If you’re looking for an extreme and memorable way to celebrate the holidays, then why not try scuba diving? Whether you muck dive or wreck dive in rich waters like Milne Bay in PNG, the spirit of Christmas awaits you underwater thru these majestic marine phenomenon & organisms.
When snow starts falling, covering the entire city, you’ll know that White Christmas has already begun. At sea, there is also an occurrence where various materials fall from the top or middle layers of water down to the bottom of the sea. This is called ‘marine snow’.
Marine snow resembles that of an actual snow, however, instead of snow flakes, organic matter, decaying animals, and poop from critters slowly makes their way to the seafloor. Although this may seem disgusting, it’s actually a wonderful sight to behold when you’re ascending from your dive.
The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without candy canes, but did you know that this holiday staple also exists underwater? At the bottom of the sea hides species of shrimp that resembles a candy cane known as Red Banded Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus randalli).
Residing in burrows of sand or mud, this small, almost blind aquatic critter shares its living space with other creatures like gobies. The snapping shrimp and its mate share mutual relationship, often protecting each other from predators with their unique skills.
The Spirobranchus giganteus, or more commonly known as Christmas tree worm, are aquatic species that reside in coral reefs. Twin spirals and hair-like appendages protrude from their bodies resembling a Christmas tree, thus the nickname. Although they are very small, spanning an average size of 3.8 cm, these cone-shaped worms can be easily spotted because of their color, beauty, and shape.
Christmas tree worms come in different colors including white, blue, yellow, and orange. They can be found in various tropical waters around the world such as the oceans of Australia, Gulf of Mexico, and PNG. The next time you wreck dive, watch out for corals attached to shipwrecks and look for these magnificent, bright-colored worms.
From Christmas tree-looking worms, let’s now move on to actual ‘Christmas’ trees that thrive at the bottom of the sea: crayweeds. Well, these seaweed species with scientific name Phyllospora comosa is nothing like a Christmas tree. However, due to the disappearance of this important plant, an operation was initiated last year to restore it along the waters of Sydney’s coastline—an effort to give back to nature this Christmas.
With the said project, Australian researchers have been asking the public to help restore the ‘underwater Christmas trees’. And what’s a better way to spend a meaningful holiday than to volunteer in this replanting drive. To learn more about ‘Operation Crayweed’, you can visit the link here.
Exploring the bottom of the sea offers a unique Christmas experience you’ll never forget. Wreck dive or muck dive—whatever form of diving you do—you’ll get to see these aquatic creatures up-close. In fact, you needn’t be a pro diver to enjoy the underwater activity; simply learning the [basics] is already fun in itself. That said, get your scuba diving gears ready, visit bountiful waters like PNG and feel the spirit of Christmas in a memorable way this year.
White Christmas at the Bottom of the Sea
When snow starts falling, covering the entire city, you’ll know that White Christmas has already begun. At sea, there is also an occurrence where various materials fall from the top or middle layers of water down to the bottom of the sea. This is called ‘marine snow’.
Marine snow resembles that of an actual snow, however, instead of snow flakes, organic matter, decaying animals, and poop from critters slowly makes their way to the seafloor. Although this may seem disgusting, it’s actually a wonderful sight to behold when you’re ascending from your dive.
Candy Cane Shrimp
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| (Candy cane at the bottom of the sea? Image Source: Flckr User Sushi_Girl1995) |
The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without candy canes, but did you know that this holiday staple also exists underwater? At the bottom of the sea hides species of shrimp that resembles a candy cane known as Red Banded Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus randalli).
Residing in burrows of sand or mud, this small, almost blind aquatic critter shares its living space with other creatures like gobies. The snapping shrimp and its mate share mutual relationship, often protecting each other from predators with their unique skills.
Christmas Tree Worms
.
The Spirobranchus giganteus, or more commonly known as Christmas tree worm, are aquatic species that reside in coral reefs. Twin spirals and hair-like appendages protrude from their bodies resembling a Christmas tree, thus the nickname. Although they are very small, spanning an average size of 3.8 cm, these cone-shaped worms can be easily spotted because of their color, beauty, and shape.
Christmas tree worms come in different colors including white, blue, yellow, and orange. They can be found in various tropical waters around the world such as the oceans of Australia, Gulf of Mexico, and PNG. The next time you wreck dive, watch out for corals attached to shipwrecks and look for these magnificent, bright-colored worms.
Underwater Forest of Christmas Trees
From Christmas tree-looking worms, let’s now move on to actual ‘Christmas’ trees that thrive at the bottom of the sea: crayweeds. Well, these seaweed species with scientific name Phyllospora comosa is nothing like a Christmas tree. However, due to the disappearance of this important plant, an operation was initiated last year to restore it along the waters of Sydney’s coastline—an effort to give back to nature this Christmas.
With the said project, Australian researchers have been asking the public to help restore the ‘underwater Christmas trees’. And what’s a better way to spend a meaningful holiday than to volunteer in this replanting drive. To learn more about ‘Operation Crayweed’, you can visit the link here.
Exploring the bottom of the sea offers a unique Christmas experience you’ll never forget. Wreck dive or muck dive—whatever form of diving you do—you’ll get to see these aquatic creatures up-close. In fact, you needn’t be a pro diver to enjoy the underwater activity; simply learning the [basics] is already fun in itself. That said, get your scuba diving gears ready, visit bountiful waters like PNG and feel the spirit of Christmas in a memorable way this year.
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