Layang-Layang Island

Layang-Layang Island, also known as Swallow Reef, is an elongated atoll that rises out of 6000 foot depths in the Spratly Islands west of Kota Kinabalu in the South China Sea. It is a place of beautiful walls and big fish. Later in the season the hammerhead sharks gather in large numbers, but they were still in very deep water when we were there, early in the diving season, and we were not able to photograph them.

Resort

The reef was filled to make a landing strip. Next to the strip are a military base and a resort. Further along the strip is an area where birds frequently nest.

Fish

The Layang Layang resort exists partly for a political reason. It helps to solidify Malaysia's claim to the island and to the waters around it. But the fish life is prolific and the diving is wonderful. There are many different species!

These are clown fish, which live in a symbiotic relationship with anemones. Just as there are different kinds of clown fish, there are different kinds of anemones.

Crabs, Shrimp, and Clams

There are several kinds of crabs and shrimp. The middle photo is a small squat lobster who is hiding on a crinoid. The third photo shows a tiny shrimp. The last photo shows the mantle of a giant clam. The color comes from algae.

Other reef creatures

There are sea fans and corals here too.

Turtles

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