First dive trail in Singapore opens at Sisters’ Islands
A shore at the Sisters' Islands Marine Park. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Dive Trail opened today (Nov 8) to the public. Comprising two trails of about 100m in length each, they were developed to showcase and encourage a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s marine biodiversity.
It takes 20 minutes by boat to get to the site, which is located at Pulau Subar Laut, or the Big Sister’s Island.
“Generally, because of the location of the islands itself, currents can be very, very strong,” National Biodiversity Centre deputy director (coastal and marine) Karenne Tun said.
“So what we’ve done is select the site that has the most suitable windows for diving. So in a month, we’d probably have the best opportunity to dive at this site.”
Each diver will be given a booklet that can be taken underwater. It is filled with activities divers can do along the two trails, which are marked by signboards explaining the types of marine life in the area.
The shallow trail is about five to six metres deep. Divers can get up close to the soft coral reef, sea urchins and underwater worms.
The trail leads into the deep trail, with depths of up to 15m.
A diver who manoeuvred through the trails yesterday said: “It was a positive and interesting dive experience. I didn’t expect this in Singapore waters.”
To protect the marine biodiversity, only experienced divers are allowed in the trails.
Also, only dive operators that meet all of the National Parks Board’s critera can organise trips here.
Divers and operators must adhere to certain guidelines, which were set to safeguard the reef. Dr Tun said: “That includes, for example, no touching of animals. Take a photo if you want, but don’t touch them.
“Divers need to have at least an advanced level of certification or above so that they’re more comfortable diving in an environment that might have slightly stronger currents and low visibility. They also need to have good buoyancy control.”
Divers will be guided through 20 stations marked by signs that bring their attention to the variety of marine biodiversity and reef features present in Singapore’s waters.
Registration opened yesterday for the next dive window on Nov 22. CHANNEL NEWSASIA
