Travel

A highly venomous blue-lined octopus at Basalt Island. The blue lines and rings flash a warning to predators to stay away
 

To outsiders, Hong Kong is just a glittering concrete jungle. Local skeptics even say, “香港冇嘢睇”—which translates to: “There is nothing to see underwater.” In reality, however, it is one of Asia’s best-kept secrets, boasting a remarkable diversity of marine life. For photographers, diving here feels like a thrilling game of underwater Pokémon, searching everywhere for all manner of incredible critters. And the underwater scenery changes beautifully with the seasons.

From May to September, clear currents open access to remote sites such as the volcanic Ninepin and Basalt Islands, revealing dramatic walls and dense coral reefs filled with unique local sea fans. Amazingly, Hong Kong is also home to the world’s second-largest population of carpet anemones. In winter, the sheltered bays of Sai Kung transform into a macro paradise packed with rare nudibranchs, frogfishes, and seahorses. Just half an hour from the city center, Hong Kong offers a deeply rewarding diving experience.

Heading to the Southern District reveals another unique ecosystem, but it also brings strong surging currents and dangers that only experienced divers can handle. Even so, Hong Kong stands out as one of the world’s most convenient diving destinations, proving that extraordinary marine life can thrive right beside a major metropolis.

However, this proximity to the city comes with a dark side. Due to weak enforcement against illegal Chinese fishing boats, these fragile reefs face a severe threat from “ghost nets.” These massive abandoned commercial nets become tangled around ancient corals, creating deadly hazards for both marine life and divers alike.

Documenting these waters is no longer just about photography. It is about using our cameras as a voice to protect this hidden frontier before it is lost.
 

A small orange amphipod sits atop a cluster of Octocorallia coral. Hong Kong is the type locality of this coral, meaning this is where the species (Anthogorgia divaricata) was first discovered
 

A colorful nudibranch, “Trinchesia” slowly makes its way across a rocky reef surface
 

Two curious amphipods peek out from inside a pink sponge coral to check on passing divers. These tiny crustacean partners usually spend their days resting inside the protective walls of soft sponges or tunicates
 

A beautiful golden hawkfish, a frequent sight in Hong Kong waters. These curious residents are not afraid of divers, often swimming close by and resting on soft corals just to check on you. This species can change its sex from female to male when needed, if the dominant male in an area dies
 

A tiny goby rests on a hard coral colony from the Acroporidae family. Its intricate patterns match the coral polyps perfectly, making it nearly invisible to predators—and photographers
 

An exciting new record for Hong Kong marine biology. This is Eubranchopsis virginalis, and it is the very first time it has been seen or photographed in Hong Kong waters!
 

Peeking out from inside a discarded glass bottle, a protective fangblenny guards its developing eggs
 

A tiny sea fan crab rests securely on its host sea fan
 

A tiny orange amphipod wanders across a colony of lightbulb tunicates
 

A stark reminder of warming oceans, a hard coral colony experiences severe bleaching
 

Known locally as the “Killer Nudi” for its habit of hunting and eating other nudibranchs, this sea slug usually rests on green leaves in shallow water, waiting for other unfortunate slugs to wander too close
 

Inside a discarded aluminum trash can, a damselfish meticulously tends to its nest and constantly fanning its fins to provide vital oxygen
 

Swimming among the anemones, a vibrant Clark’s anemonefish rests at Basalt Island. This lush underwater garden is famously known as part of the world’s second-largest anemone bed
 

Trapped in a web of marine debris, a lone fish makes its home inside a ghost net. Illegal fishing boats from China leave these abandoned nets all over Hong Kong waters. While local ghost net teams work hard to clear them, some marine life uses these dangerous structures for shelter
 

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