Melanesia Collection (page 20)

Red tree coral on a Fijian reef

Stony corals in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Stony corals (Acropora acuminata), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Scalefin anthias fish Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Scalefin anthias fish (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A large tawny nurse shark swims past divers at The Bistro dive site in Fiji
A large tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) swims past divers at The Bistro dive site in Fiji

Whip coral goby, Fiji

Nudibranch feeding on the reef, Fiji

Red goby sitting motionless on whip coral, Fiji

Elephant ear sponge attached to a shipwreck, Solomon Islands
Elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta) green-gray coloured attached to a shipwreck, with diver onlooking with torch, Solomon Islands

Soft coral seascape, Fiji

Blackspotted puffer, Fiji
Blackspotted puffer (Arothron nigropunctatus), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Pink anenomefish on its host anenome, Fiji

A large red gorgonian sea fan, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A school of orange basslets on a healthy Fijian reef
A school of orange basslets (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) on a healthy Fijian reef

A Tiger Shark swims over a group of divers after consuming a large tuna head
A 10 foot Tiger Shark swims over a group of divers after consuming a large tuna head

Divers descend onto a deep wreef with red sea whip corals, Fiji

An underwater photographer films a large bull shark surrounded by hundreds of reef fish
An underwater photographer takes a picture of a large bull shark surrounded by hundreds of reef fish, Fiji

A large Sapphire flatworm on coral, Fiji

Juvenile fish swarm around a coral colony 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

Crinoid and soft coral, Fiji

Longfin spadefish, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Longfin spadefish (Platax teira), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Healthy corals cover a reef in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A pair of Moorish idols dart for cover when divers approach
A pair of Moorish idols (Zanclus cornutus) dart for cover when divers approach, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Orange-finned clownfish and soft corals on colorful reef, Fiji

Deadly south pacific stonefish camouflaged in the reef, Fiji
Deadly south pacific stonefish is beautifully camouflaged in the reef, Fiji

A Lemon Shark gulps down a large tuna head in front of a crowd of divers, Fiji

Tawny Nurse Shark swims away after eating some fish scraps, Fiji

Common lionfish, full body view, Solomon Islands
Common lionfish (Pterois volitans), full body view, Solomon Islands

Orange Mantis Shrimp peering from a burrow, Solomon Islands
Orange Mantis Shrimp (Lysiosquilloides mapia) peering from a burrow, Solomon Islands. This is a spearing species of Mantis Shrimp

Orbiculate cardinalfish swimming underneath a mangrove tree in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia

Soft leather corals grow in the shallow waters in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia. This region, in the eastern part of the Coral Triangle

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

Hovering goby on a green sponge, Fiji

Tomato clownfish in its host anenome, Fiji

Schooling scalefin anthias fish and soft corals of Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Schooling scalefin anthias fish (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) and beautiful soft corals of Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A large tawny nurse shark on a deep Fijian reef
A large tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) on a deep Fijian reef

A pair of Risbecia tryoni nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Divers explore Beqa Lagoons beautiful coral reefs, Fiji

Large red gorgonian sea fan on a Fijian Reef

Chromodoris kuniei nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A school of Golden Trevally follow a Giant Grouper for protection during a shark feed
Fiji - Giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) has a school of golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus) using its size for protection while hundreds of other fish swim about during a shark feed

A diver looks on at schooling Jacks at Mary Island, Solomons
A diver looks on at schooling Jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus) at Mary Island, Solomons

A diver looks on at large gorgonian sea fans, Solomon Islands
A diver looks on at large gorgonian sea fans (Subergorgia sp.), Solomon Islands

A diver explores an underwater cavern known as th Bat Cave, Solomons
A diver explores the underwater cavern known as the Bat Cave, Russell Islands, Solomons

Spotted porcelain crab feeding on plankton, Solomon Islands
Spotted porcelain crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) perched on anemone mantle (Stichodactyla sp), feeding on plankton with feather net arms, Solomon Islands

Pink anemonefish guard their anemone on a coral reef, Fiji
Pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) guard their anemone on a coral reef in the South Pacific ocean near Tavarua Island off the coast of Veti Levu, Fiji

A healthy coral reef grows in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia. This region, in the eastern part of the Coral Triangle, harbors spectacular marine biodiversity and is known for its beautiful reefs

Plate coral in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Plate coral (Acropora hyacinthus) Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Diver swims past a large sea anenome on a Fijian reef

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

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.