Greeting (& Disclaimer)

Diving in Singapore

Underwater is vast and offers something new with every single dive.

In 2013, I obtained a diving license in Borneo, Malaysia. Since then, I’ve explored diving destinations in Galapagos, Cozumel, Belize, Cayman, Zanzibar, Mozambique, and even my home country, Japan. However, for some reason, I hadn’t had the opportunity to dive in Southeast Asia. After spending about two years in Japan during the pandemic, I finally had the chance to be based in Singapore. Many people don’t consider Singapore as a prime diving location, often viewing it as just a passing point for their final destination.

However, I must say that the underwater experience in Singapore exceeded my expectations. It’s truly fantastic! Each dive offers new species to me, making it an exciting and never boring adventure, even when the sea appears green and visibility is limited.

As not many people explore this area, available information is limited and I decided to establish this page for introducing the biodiversity. Please note that the information here might not be entirely accurate. Also, I won’t delve into distribution or classification details, as Fishbase already serves as an excellent web-based database for that purpose. I’d greatly appreciate any suggestions regarding species identification.

Birding in Singapore

Birding has given me a fresh perspective on observing nature and capturing its beauty through photography.

This small island boasts a remarkable record of 300+ bird species. Thanks to a highly developed public transportation system and a close-knit birding community, there are numerous opportunities to encounter a variety of birds every weekend, especially during migratory seasons.

Interestingly, underwater macro photographers often find themselves drawn to birding as well. I believe it’s because, like underwater wildlife, birds possess a captivating beauty that requires keen attention to appreciate fully. Both activities also share the technical challenge of photographing their subjects. Moreover, the uniqueness of birding lies in the birds’ ability to drastically change their shape as they gracefully take flight.

Birding can be physically demanding, sometimes involving walking over 10km with heavy 10kg equipment, and there’s no guarantee of encountering the birds. However, the freedom to venture out for birding without arranging boats or guides is a significant advantage.

Singapore offers easy access to the surrounding birding areas in Southeast Asia. While it might be challenging to combine birding and diving in a single trip due to the equipment requirements, I am determined to share the outcomes of both incredible worlds through my work.