Sea Turtle Me @ Daymaniyat Islands, Oman

ARNOLD WEISZ (Muscat, Oman) As in the Red Sea the desert goes all the way down to the edge of the water. What seems lifeless above the surface changes drastically below the surface. The first thing that struck me was the numbers of sea turtles. Making life a little bit difficult for an underwater photographer by assembling 3-4 in front of the camera, fighting to be in the strobe lights. A few gentle pushes got them organized, and then the posing on the wet catwalk could begin. Yes, nice...turn around, look to the left...ok, no don't give that look, yes you look fabulous, click, click......

The group of 9 uninhabited Islands which make up the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, form a chain stretching from East to West for 20 km. You have a nice variety of dive sites. From deep to shallow, and from nice and easy to strong currents. One of the not so pleasant surprises was the upwelling of cold water during a couple of dives. The water temperature fell quickly from 28°C to brrrr...cool 18°C. On other hand this brought in an unbelievable amount of fish from the open ocean to the reefs. It was like diving in an aquarium without the glass walls.