At a whopping 10928 meters (nearly 7 miles!!) the Challenger Deep is the deepest point we know of in the oceans. This point lies at the southern end of the Mariana Trench, the deepest ocean trench in the world. This region of the ocean, known as the hadal zone, is one of the least explored parts of our planet. How do animals from the hadal zone live in such an extreme place? Not only is it utterly black at these depths (sunlight stopped trickling down all the way up at 1000 meters), but the … [Read more...] about Life in Hell: Five Bizarre Animals from the Hadal Zone
Marine Life
Why You Shouldn’t Touch Coral, Fish or Other Sea Life While Snorkeling
There you are, gliding through cool tropical water on a sunny day. Your mask isn't leaking, your snorkel is comfortable, and there's a beautiful coral reef a few feet below you. Fish of all shapes and sizes abound, and then you see it... A sea turtle has come up right beside you! All you have to do is reach out with your hand and... Stop! I know it can be tempting to reach out and pet that sea turtle swimming next to you, or to pick up that cool-looking seashell you spied. Humans are not … [Read more...] about Why You Shouldn’t Touch Coral, Fish or Other Sea Life While Snorkeling
A Quick Guide to Eco-Snorkeling Tours
What to look for and recommendations (operators, programs, locales) How did you come to love snorkeling? If your first time snorkeling is coming up, what made you decide to try it? Was it to check out the beauty of coral reefs first-hand while you still have the chance? Or perhaps it was to see a whale shark with your own two eyes? I bet your reasons for choosing snorkeling have at least something to do with experiencing the majesty of ocean ecosystems and sea life. That was … [Read more...] about A Quick Guide to Eco-Snorkeling Tours
Ethical Snorkeling: Does Your Snorkel Tour Put Ocean Conservation First?
One quick test to find out if your snorkeling tour operator deserves your business! The world seems to get more complicated every year, doesn’t it? When it comes to the choices we make as consumers, it’s stressful to always be wondering if we are making the healthiest, most ethical choices. How was my seafood caught? Were the workers who made my new jeans paid and treated fairly? Do I need to worry about pesticides on these fresh berries? The same kinds of questions also apply to … [Read more...] about Ethical Snorkeling: Does Your Snorkel Tour Put Ocean Conservation First?
Responsible Snorkeling: 10 Tips for a Safe and Sustainable Trip
So, you’ve got a nice tropical vacation lined up and you’re hoping to fit in some snorkeling. Who among us water lovers wouldn’t? But now you’re reading the news and learning about the latest scientific report on the dire state of the world’s oceans. Perhaps you’re wondering, is snorkeling contributing to this degradation? Are all those hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting coral reefs each year just making things worse? Every day, more folks are becoming mindful about the … [Read more...] about Responsible Snorkeling: 10 Tips for a Safe and Sustainable Trip