The Frogfish Family

Posted on February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 by Annabel Thomas

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Frogfish Family: Incredible Camouflage, Colourful Species & Hunting Secrets

Frogfish are among the ocean’s most unusual and fascinating creatures. Part of the anglerfish family, they’re masters of disguise, relying on stealth rather than speed to survive. Their lumpy, textured bodies let them blend effortlessly with coral, sponges, or rocks, making them almost invisible to predators and prey alike.

They are ambush predators, using a specialised dorsal spine called an illicium as a lure. With a flick, unsuspecting prey is drawn close — then, in a fraction of a second, the frogfish snaps it up. Adding to their uniqueness, they can “walk” along the seabed using their pectoral fins, moving in a way that almost mimics legs.

Warty Frogfish

The Warty Frogfish gets its name from the small wart-like bumps covering its body. It comes in a range of colours, which it can change to match its surroundings perfectly. Often found resting on coral reefs, this species is a favourite for underwater photographers, thanks to its unusual and striking appearance.

Warty Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)

Freckled Frogfish

Covered in tiny, freckle-like spots, the Freckled Frogfish is a master of camouflage. Preferring rocky reef habitats, it can be extremely difficult to spot unless it moves, making encounters with this species a rare and exciting moment for divers.

Freckled Frogfish (Antennarius coccineus)

Painted Frogfish

The Painted Frogfish is known for its vivid colours and patterns, which resemble the vibrant tones of reef sponges. Its wide range of colour morphs ensures that no two individuals are alike. This species is both fascinating to watch and a popular subject for underwater photography.

Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus)

Giant Frogfish

The Giant Frogfish is the largest species in the group, reaching up to 15 inches in length. Despite its size, it remains a master of disguise, often mistaken for a sponge or coral outcrop. Spotting one is always a highlight for divers, showcasing just how cleverly adapted these fish are to life on the reef.

Giant Frogfish (Antennarius commerson)

Frogfish are a reminder that in the ocean, sometimes invisibility beats speed. Whether you’re diving, snorkelling, or photographing marine life, encountering a frogfish feels like discovering a hidden gem. Their quirky shapes, vibrant colours, and patient hunting techniques make them one of the most intriguing and unusual creatures beneath the waves.

By Hafid, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Intern

Dive Site: Coral Garden

Posted on February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 by Annabel Thomas

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Coral Garden: Tulamben Bay’s House Reef

Coral Garden is located in the middle section of Tulamben Bay and is often referred to as the area’s house reef. The site stretches for approximately 150 metres along the shoreline and is characterised by shallow depths and generally calm conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of divers as well as snorkellers.

Depths start at around 3 metres and gradually slope down to approximately 8–12 metres. Because of this shallow profile, Coral Garden is commonly used for check dives, training dives, relaxed daytime dives, and night dives.

Coral Garden is well suited for:
– beginner and student divers;
– divers looking for an easy, shallow dive;
– underwater photographers focused on macro life;
– night diving enthusiasts.

Its central location also makes it easy to combine with nearby sites, including the USAT Liberty Shipwreck, as part of a single dive day or longer dive programme.

Reef Layout and Coral Coverage

The reef features a mix of hard and soft corals, including table corals, anemones, and sponges. Coral coverage is well established and supports a variety of marine life. An artificial reef structure has also been placed within the area, providing additional habitat for fish and invertebrates.

The seabed is mainly sandy with scattered coral patches, allowing for easy navigation and long bottom times. Visibility is generally good, and currents are usually mild.

Marine Life at Coral Garden

Coral Garden is particularly known for its macro life, making it a popular site for underwater photographers. Divers who move slowly and observe carefully are often rewarded with interesting and varied sightings.

Marine life commonly encountered includes:
– peacock mantis shrimp and other shrimp species,
– blue ribbon eels,
– nudibranchs and other small invertebrates,
– cuttlefish and octopus,
– frogfish and ghostpipefish.

Larger species may also be seen occasionally, including giant groupers, bumphead parrotfish, and sometimes black-tip reef sharks, especially along the deeper edges of the site.

Night Diving at Coral Garden

Thanks to its shallow depth and easy access, Coral Garden is a popular night dive site in Tulamben Bay. After dark, many nocturnal species emerge from the reef, offering a very different experience compared to daytime dives.

Divers may encounter Spanish dancers, hunting octopus, and active crustaceans. The calm conditions make this site especially suitable for divers who are new to night diving.

Tulamben Bay Day Trip

Click below for more Bali Diving Information:

Diving in Bali

2026 Internship Introduction

Posted on January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 by Annabel Thomas

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AquaMarine's 2026 Interns

At AquaMarine Diving – Bali, we are proud to support the development of the next generation of Indonesian dive professionals through our Divemaster Internship Programme. For 2026, we are delighted to welcome two motivated new team members who have begun their professional diving journey with us.

Over the coming months, they will train, gain hands-on experience, and grow under the guidance of our senior Instructors, while exploring some of Bali’s most beautiful dive sites.

Let us introduce our 2026 Interns:

🌊 Annisa

Hometown: Surabaya
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science, University of Brawijaya

Annisa is grateful and proud to be part of the programme and brings a positive, eager attitude to every part of her training. She is excited not only to develop her diving skills, but also to learn how to work effectively within a team and contribute to creating enjoyable and safe experiences for our divers.

With a strong desire to keep learning and improving, Annisa looks forward to growing both personally and professionally throughout her internship.

🐠 Nanda Teguh Junianto

Hometown: Madura
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science, University of Trunojoyo Madura

Nanda begins his journey with a clear professional goal: to become a reliable and confident Divemaster, capable of performing calmly and effectively in a wide range of diving conditions.

Through this internship, he is committed to strengthening his diving fundamentals, situational awareness, and ability to work under pressure, while building the professional standards required in the global dive industry.

Looking Ahead

During the programme, our interns will progress through professional-level PADI training and gain real-world experience in:
– Dive centre operations and guest assistance
– Equipment handling and safety procedures
– Guiding techniques and customer service
– Professional conduct and teamwork

This hands-on development ensures they graduate not only as certified Divemasters, but as confident professionals ready to represent Indonesian diving at an international level.

Supporting the Future of Indonesian Diving

Since 2012, AquaMarine Diving – Bali has been committed to mentoring Indonesian divers and promoting safe, sustainable dive tourism. Our internship programme continues to play an important role in building skilled local professionals for the future.

We look forward to sharing their progress throughout 2026.

Welcome to the team, Annisa and Nanda — happy bubbles! 🫧