It’s time for some Christmas critters! As the holiday season approaches, the underwater world of Dauin, Philippines, transforms into a natural Christmas wonderland. From festive “decorations” to delicate “gifts” of the sea, let’s explore some of Dauin’s most enchanting Christmas critters to get you in the festive spirit!
The Iconic Christmas Tree Worm
No holiday display is complete without a Christmas tree, and the ocean delivers its own version with the Christmas tree worm. These tiny polychaete worms create spiralled, tree-like structures in vivid hues of red, green, and gold. Found nestled in coral heads, they unfurl their feathery plumes like miniature holiday ornaments, retracting with a swift motion when approached.
Photo by Daniel Geary
Candy (cane) Crab: Nature’s sweet surprise
A perfect match for the season’s sweet indulgences, the candy crab is a tiny, colourful marvel. With its pink, white, and red hues, it looks like it could belong in a Christmas candy shop. These crabs, which camouflage themselves among soft corals, add a festive charm to the reef’s vibrant palette. Spotting one is like unwrapping an unexpected holiday treat.
Photo by Daniel Norwood
The Snowflake Moray Eel
Slithering through coral crevices like an underwater ribbon, the snowflake moray eel adds a frosty touch to this tropical festive scene. Its white, speckled pattern resembles intricate snowflakes.
Photo by Reiss Bush
Star of the Ocean: The Sea Star
Much like the star atop a Christmas tree, sea stars add a festive touch to the seabed. Dauin is home to a variety of species, from the vibrant cushion star to the intricate brittle star.
Photo by Daniel Geary
Decorator Crabs: Nature’s Ornament Makers
Ever the crafty decorators, decorator crabs take the holiday spirit to heart by adorning themselves with bits of algae, sponges, and coral fragments. These creative crustaceans turn themselves into moving ornaments, blending in with their surroundings while adding a festive flair to the underwater landscape.
Photo by Daniel Geary
Cowries: Nature’s Christmas Baubles
Cowries, with their smooth, polished shells, resemble shiny baubles that might hang on a Christmas tree. These molluscs, often hidden in nooks and crannies, bring a sense of discovery and wonder to every dive, like finding a hidden gift under the tree.
Photo by Stephan Kyutchokov
Nudibranch Eggs: Delicate Holiday Wreaths
Nudibranchs may steal the show with their vibrant colours, but their eggs deserve a special mention during the holidays. Laid in intricate spirals, these delicate structures resemble festive wreaths.
Photo by Daniel Geary
Feather Stars: Oceanic Tinsel
Graceful and vibrant, feather stars wave their arms like flowing tinsel on a Christmas tree. Found clinging to coral reefs or drifting with the currents, these filter feeders come in dazzling shades of red, gold, and green, enhancing the holiday spirit of Dauin’s dive sites.
Photo by Torbjorn Gylleus
Want to learn more about the incredible critters we see here in Dauin? Then the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty is perfect for you! Created by our in-house marine biologist, this specialty is unique to Atmosphere. It lets you into the secrets our guides use to locate even the smallest and most cryptic of critters. For more information, check out our previous blog post about the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty here.
For bookings and enquiries about scuba diving or the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty, please email [email protected]
