Explore to inspire, a PONANT podcast
PONANT's cruises
Suspended in a world of blue
Travelling through Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia is like being swept up in a whirlwind of colours and sensations! And when you look beneath the surface, a whole new world reveals itself. Manuel Carrère, Head of Marine Operations at PONANT EXPLORATIONS, takes us on a journey of discovery through the underwater world of the Coral Triangle.
Manuel Carrère
A graduate of a prestigious business school and a professional scuba diver, Manuel Carrère discovered scuba diving after moving to Marseille. He soon began collaborating with the CREPS in Aix-Marseille and participated in numerous hyperbaric operations as part of training programs and scientific missions (notably at the Cosquer Cave). His desire to make the ocean accessible to everyone is now put to use at PONANT EXPLORATIONS, where he serves as Director of Marine Operations.
Why is the Coral Triangle considered a diver’s paradise?
The Coral Triangle is one of the world’s two great marine ecosystems — alongside Australia’s Great Barrier Reef — where it is still possible to encounter and explore reefs that remain largely unknown! It is the destination with the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet in terms of underwater flora and fauna.
The Coral Triangle, or “the Amazon of the Seas”
- 6 million km2
- Geographical boundaries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and the Solomon Islands
- More than 2,000 species of coral, representing 30% of all coral species worldwide
- Home to 35% of the world’s reef fish species
- The only region where six of the seven species of marine turtle can be observed
- A major breeding ground for blue whales, sperm whales, whale sharks and tuna
What impact is climate change having on the marine flora and fauna in the region?
Due to rising temperatures and ocean acidification, the ecosystem is not in the best of health; it is estimated that 70% of the corals have experienced bleaching. Fortunately, fish and pelagic species have so far been relatively unaffected. Thankfully, there are still protected areas where coral ecosystems remain intact.
Coral submerged in crystal-clear water
When is the best time to go diving in the Coral Triangle?
Our cruises to the archipelagos of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines take place between October and June, which is the ideal season for scuba diving in the Coral Triangle. The sea is calm with little swell. As this coincides with the dry season, outside the monsoon period, the waters are free from sediment carried by land run-off and remain exceptionally clear, providing excellent underwater visibility. Seasonal marine currents also bring nutrient-rich waters into the region, attracting pelagic species such as manta rays.
Harlequin shrimp
What is your fondest memory of diving in this region?
When I’m diving, I often focus on watching large pelagic fish, gazing out into the blue. A few years ago, in Raja Ampat, whilst searching for a manta ray or a shark as I usually do, I clung to a reef to stop myself from drifting too quickly with the current. And there, right next to my mask, tucked away in a little crevice, was a pair of harlequin shrimp! It was the Holy Grail for an underwater photographer. Two creatures measuring 5cm each, a rarity I will probably never encounter again. I spent ten minutes simply observing them, committing every detail, every movement and every nuance to memory. Then it was time to let the current carry me away once more.
Diving in the Coral Triangle is amazing on every level. Every dive can be a unique experience if you take the time to look around and let go of the routine. It is the perfect place to learn — or relearn – the joy of being surprised!
The sea slug, a star of macro photography
Whether brilliant blue with white edging, covered in lemon-yellow spots, or black with tiny orange horns, sea slugs captivate photographers with their extraordinary diversity of shapes and colours, bringing the Philippine seabeds to life. More than one hundred species have been identified there. Sea slugs are nudibranchs, tiny molluscs that are usually measured in millimetres. Their remarkable adaptability, unusual life cycle (they are born with a shell which they later lose) and hermaphroditic reproduction make them fascinating symbols of marine biodiversity.
Why dive with PONANT EXPLORATIONS?
“The mobility of our ships and the extensive scouting work carried out by our teams is a tremendous asset. It allows us ‘to go where others do not’, accessing exceptional and little-frequented dive sites — and in some cases sites first explored by the two dive instructors on board.” The programme is designed around guests’ interests, whilst complying with French safety standards, which are among the strictest in the world. “Diving” cruises are open to divers of all levels, from complete beginners (with the option of a trial dive) to experienced divers.”
Studio PONANT : Guillaume Robin. Guillaume Duez. AdobeStock : alonanola, Kolevski.V.
PONANT takes you there
Explore the world’s most beautiful seabeds
