Singapore’s murky waters are home to a surprisingly abundant variety of marine biodiversity.

Our country’s coastal and marine habitats are distributed along the northern coast, and the northern and southern offshore islands including Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. There, you can find more than 250 species of hard corals (32% of hard coral species found worldwide); over 100 species of reef fish; about 200 species of sponges; and 12 seagrass species.

To encourage a deeper appreciation for Singapore’s marine biodiversity, NParks is launching Singapore’s first dive trail at Pulau Subar Laut (Big Sister’s Island) at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park in the third quarter of 2015. Divers can look forward to attempting the Shallow Trail and the Deep Trail.

The Shallow Trail
The Shallow Trail takes divers to a maximum depth of up to 6 m. The marine ecosystem consists mainly of coral reefs and sandy habitats. This trail is characterised by higher light levels and higher hard coral cover as compared to the Deep Trail. Some corals along the Shallow Dive Trail were salvaged from reefs that were threatened or designated for reclamation in Singapore, and relocated to the reef at the Shallow Trail where their condition is currently being monitored.

Biodiversity highlights here include the sea anemone and Clown Anemonefish, giant clams, and schooling fish.

A sea anemone and its resident Clown Anemonefish. These animals have a symbiotic relationship that helps them survive better on the reef. There are four species of giant clams in Singapore. Seen here is the Fluted Giant Clam. Schooling fish – these fishes swim in groups around the reef.

The Deep Trail
Divers attempting the Deep Trail can descend to a maximum depth of about 16 m. The marine ecosystem consists mainly of coral rubble and rocky, silty habitat. It is characterised by lower light levels as compared to the Shallow Trail. Visibility — which is affected by the amount of suspended particles and algae in the water — is also lower at the Deep Trail.

Biodiversity highlights include sea fans, sea stars, nudibranchs and sponges.

Do you see two stars on the Icon Star?

A colourful nudibranch. Nudibranchs are sea slugs that feed on sponges, sea squirts, anemones and other sealife.

A Barrel Sponge – it can be found along the seashore and reef, all the way down to the sea floor.

The Sisters’ Islands Dive Trail will be ready for public access by end-September 2015. Interested members of the public can sign up for the dive trails by contacting the list of approved operators, which will be finalised and announced on the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park website at a later date.

Text by Serene Goh
Photos by National Biodiversity Centre's Marine team