BIG ANIMALS AND LITTTLE CRITTERS
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Kimbe Bay
By MATTEO VISCONTI
With around 70 percent of all Indo-Pacific
marine species to be found in Kimbe Bay,
this jewel of the Bismarck Sea is a world-class
biodiversity hotspot. The most famous dive site here is
undoubtedly “Father’s Reef”, known for its eye-popping
schools of jackfish and barracuda, and seamount dives such
as “Bradford Shoals” reveal pelagics such as fusiliers, bigeye
trevally and dogtooth tuna.
But Kimbe Bay is also home to the spectacular Restorff Island,
where macro lovers will find an endless parade of bizarre critters
of every shape and colour imaginable. Commensal, harlequin and tiger
shrimps as well as countless kinds of colourful crabs come out in the night
from their hiding places to scoop up their fair share of the nutrients carried up
with the currents. Crawling conches diligently inspect the sandy bottom, colourful
Spanish dancers shimmy through the water, emperor shrimps ride piggyback on sea
cucumbers, and squid shave the surface looking for an easy meal.