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Pipefish amaze in Mauritius

Published

6 years ago

on

Mauritius continues to reveal new and exciting macro marine life.

I have looked through all my fish books and three of these four pipefish species are not described. It’s all the doing of Thomas Vignaud, who sees things that ordinary mortals completely ignore. We have the most amazing pipefish here.

I spotted a pale banded pipefish, heavily pregnant with two others interacting and perhaps fighting over the food supply, and I filmed them. The video below shows something that almost looks like a pipefish baby shower.

Hiding in caves were the flagtail pipefish, ferocious predators and hunters, nailing every little benthic invertebrate microbe in sight while his mate hid behind him egging him on to greater daring. And his landlord, a golden Moray, watched in awe.

Beautiful but elusive are the blue streaked and gold streaked flag tailed pipefish that we find hiding out in the sea urchin spikes. Superbly posed for photographs, you really need to really know your manual focus to catch a shot of these guys as the urchin spikes and can create huge difficulties with focus.

And most romantic of all, the only familiar species, hanging head down and swaying like seaweed the pairs of ghost pipefish, dancing romantically in the current while they wait for their food to arrive. Macro Magic.

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Jill Holloway lives in Mauritius and at Sodwana Bay Isimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa. A PADI qualified Nitrox diver with over 1,500 dives, she is a passionate observer and preserver of the marine environment, and has a database of over 35,000 fish pics and hundreds of Gopro videos on fish behaviour, which she shares with her readers.

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Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet Announces Customer Appreciation Sale for Caribbean Explorer II

Published

25 mins ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

caribbean liveaboard

Buy One, Get One for $999 – Plus Special Savings for Solo Travelers

Explorer Ventures Fleet is celebrating divers and our friends who make it all possible with an exclusive Customer Appreciation Sale aboard the Caribbean Explorer II. This is the liveaboard itinerary that started it all in 1987, and there’s no better way to say thank you than with incredible savings on diving in Saba, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten.

Customer Appreciation Sale Details 

  • Buy one full-price trip, bring a companion for $999
  • Solo travelers receive $800 off retail price
  • Caribbean Explorer II / Saba, St. Kitts & St. Maarten
  • Travel Window: August 1 – November 1, 2025
  • NO Blackout Departure Dates: Book any scheduled departure date within the travel window
  • Booking Deadline: March 31, 2025

Diving in this region offers a mix of dramatic underwater landscapes, intriguing marine life, and historic wrecks. The waters surrounding Saba Marine Park are home to towering pinnacles formed by ancient lava flows, sheer walls, and coral-covered seamounts, where reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and schooling fish are often spotted. Just across the channel, the dive sites of St. Kitts provide a variety of underwater scenery, from gently sloping reefs to spur-and-groove formations, with shipwrecks now serving as habitats for lobster, stingrays, and barracuda. With up to five dives per day, this itinerary offers a mix of exploration and adventure in the heart of the Caribbean.

Between dives, the islands offer even more to discover with Explorer Ventures Fleet’s optional land tours. Stroll through Saba’s Windwardside Village, where red-roofed cottages and lush mountain views create a picture-perfect setting. Take in the breathtaking scenery along “The Road That Couldn’t Be Built”, or visit a local glassblowing and art studio to see island creativity in action. The magic of the Caribbean extends beyond the water, and whether you’re diving beneath the waves or exploring these charming destinations, you’re sure to fall in love with the unique beauty.

This limited-time offer is the perfect excuse to grab a dive buddy and experience the best of Saba, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten at an unbeatable price. Book by March 31, 2025, to take advantage of these exclusive savings. www.explorerventures.com/saba-st-kitts/

Contact Information

Explorer Ventures Fleet

Email: info@explorerventures.com

Phone: 1.800.322.3577 (US/Canada), +1.307.235.0683

Website: www.explorerventures.com

About Explorer Ventures Fleet

Since 1987, Explorer Ventures Fleet has been redefining liveaboard diving, offering exceptional dive experiences across the globe. With a commitment to safety, sustainability, and top-tier service, the fleet provides divers with unforgettable access to some of the world’s most spectacular underwater destinations.

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News

Fire Breaks Out on Emperor Seven Seas in Port Ghalib, Egypt

Published

23 hours ago

on

March 13, 2025

By

seven seas

A fire broke out this morning on the liveaboard vessel Emperor Seven Seas while it was docked in Port Ghalib, Egypt. Emergency services responded to the incident, and efforts to extinguish the fire were undertaken.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any injuries. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and an investigation is expected to take place.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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