Melanesia Collection (page 13)

A large coral bommie grows on a reef in the Solomon Islands
A large coral bommie grows on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Soft corals thrive on a reef in the Solomon Islands
Soft corals thrive on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

A fat starfish clings to rocks in the Solomon Islands
A fat starfish clings to rocks on a steep dropoff in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

A Crown Jellyfish gently floating off the coast of Fiji
A Crown Jellyfish (Netrostoma setouchina) gently floating through South Pacific ocean waters off the coast of Tavarua Island, Fiji

Diver and magnificent anemone, Fiji

Huge school of reef fish off the coast of Fiji

A huge bull shark with accompanying remora, Fiji

A colorful coral reef grows in the Solomon Islands
A colorful coral reef grows along a deep dropoff in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

A lionfish swims on a colorful reef in the Solomon Islands
A lionfish (Pterois volitans) swims on a colorful reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

A lionfish swims along the edge of a mangrove
A lionfish (Pterois volitans) swims along the edge of a mangrove in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers

Extreme close-up of a Tiger Cowry, Fiji
A Tiger Cowry, its mantle withdrawn into the shell for protection reveals its beautiful coloration, Fiji

A large Lemon Shark searches for food on the sea floor, Fiji

A school of silversides swim above a shallow reef in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle and harbors more marine organisms than anywhere else on Earth

A black-margined glossodoris nudibranch
A black-margined glossodoris (Glossodoris atromarginata) amongst coral at a depth of 12 metres, Florida Islands, Solomons

Juvenile fish swim above a slope of corals in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle and harbors more marine organisms than anywhere else on Earth

Close-up of gorgonian sea fan polyps feeding, Beqqa Lagoon Fiji

Close-up of a blue Christmas tree worm
Blue Christmas tree worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Coral polyps feeding, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Divers & fish at Beqa Lagoons premier shark dive called the Bistro, Fiji

Gymnodoris ceylonica nudibranch on black background
Gymnodoris ceylonica nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Schooling giant trevally muscle there way in to get fish scrap portions from a shark feed
Schooling giant trevally muscle there way in to get the larger fish scrap portions from a shark feed, Fiji

Soft coral, Fiji

Wandering sea anemone, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Goby on a sponge, Fiji

Freakled hawkfish sits on some Acropora coral on a Fijian reef
Freakled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) sits on some Acropora coral on a Fijian reef

Chromodoris Lochi nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Diver and schooling anthias fish and healthy corals of Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Mimic filefish Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Mimic filefish (Paraluteres prionurus), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A pair of racoon butterflyfish swimming in Fiji waters
A pair of racoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) swimming in Fiji waters

Detailed view of soft coral revealing the spicules that give stability to its form, Fiji

Hypselodoris bullockii nudibranch on coral, Solomon Islands
Bullocks hypselodoris (Hypselodoris bullockii) on coral, Solomon Islands

A velvet ghost pipefish amongst colorful coral
A velvet ghost pipefish (Solenostomus sp.), violet in colour amongst colorful coral, Solomon Islands

A diver explores the wreck of a Japanese Maru warship, Solomon Islands
A diver looks on at an anti-aircraft gun still pointing defiantly at the sky on the wreck of a Japanese Maru warship sunk during during World War 2, Morovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

Anthias fish and soft corals, Fiji, Pacific Ocean

Soft coral and sea fan, Fiji

Sea fans and crinoid, Fiji

Close-up of tree coral on a Fijian reef

A large red gorgonian sea fan and black crinoid, Fiji
A large red gorgonian sea fan and black crinoid, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Orange tree coral on a Fijian reef
Orange tree coral (Dendronephthya) on a Fijian reef

Popcorn Shrmp on an anenome on a Fijian Reef
Popcorn shrmp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) on an anenome on a Fijian Reef

Hawksbill turtle glides over the pristine reefs in Fiji

Fish swarm over a shipwreck that is covered in elephant ear sponge
Fish including bluefin trevally (Caranx melampygus), swarm over a shipwreck that is covered in elephant ear sponge, Solomon Islands

Diver and sea fans, Fiji

School of moorish idols and yellowtail fusiliers, Fiji
School of moorish idols (Zanclus cornutus) and yellowtail fusiliers swim along a coral drop off, Fiji

Cinnamon Clownfish in its host anemone
Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) in its host anemone

A beautiful nudibranch feeds on algae, Fiji

Swarms of small baitfish swim above a large sea anenome, Fiji

Clear waters surround a remote island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Clear, warm waters surround a remote island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This beautiful region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle and harbors more marine organisms than anywhere else on Earth

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Melanesia, a captivating region in the South Pacific, is home to an array of breathtaking wonders. Among them is the magnificent Ornithoptera alexandrae, also known as Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly. Its vibrant colors and graceful flight make it a true gem of Melanesian biodiversity. Venturing into the rainforests of New Caledonia, one may encounter the striking Kagu with its crest erect. This unique bird species showcases its beauty amidst lush greenery, reminding us of the rich diversity found within these pristine habitats. Exploring beneath Melanesia's azure waters reveals another fascinating creature—the Bull Shark in Fiji. Known for their formidable presence and adaptability to both saltwater and freshwater environments, they command respect as one of nature's most impressive predators. In West Papua, Indonesia lies an underwater spectacle that seems straight out of a discotheque—the Electric fileclam or Disco clam (Ctenoides ales). Its mesmerizing light display captivates all who witness it, adding yet another layer to Melanesia's natural marvels. The Western clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) finds solace among the tentacles of the Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica), forming a symbiotic relationship that exemplifies harmony in this aquatic paradise. Delving deeper into Melanesian waters unveils an enigmatic creature—the Bigfin squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). Hovering effortlessly above open water, its portrait evokes wonder and curiosity about what other mysteries lie hidden below. Beyond its awe-inspiring wildlife, Melanesia boasts historical significance too. With cartography at heart—represented by compass roses on maps—it has been intricately linked to navigation across vast oceans like the Indian Ocean. The Mercator projection aids our understanding of this vast region's geography while highlighting Melanesia's place on Earth’s tapestry. Melanesia's cultural tapestry is equally captivating.