Magic Island Lagoon Snorkeling Snorkeling is a fantastic way to explore the underwater world and get up close and personal with marine life. One of the most popular snorkeling destinations is the Magic Island Lagoon. Located in a tropical paradise, this lagoon offers a unique and magical experience for snorkelers of all skill levels. The Magic Island Lagoon is known for its crystal-clear waters, which provide excellent visibility for snorkelers. The lagoon is teeming with marine life, including colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and even sea turtles. Snorkelers can expect to encounter a wide variety of species and explore a diverse ecosystem.
Snorkelers can expect to encounter a wide variety of species and explore a diverse ecosystem. One of the highlights of snorkeling in the Magic Island Lagoon is the chance to swim alongside sea turtles. These majestic creatures can often be spotted gracefully gliding through the water or resting on the sandy ocean floor.
Snorkeling at Little Magic Island
This Maroon Hermit (Pagurus hempilli) has adopted a blue ringed topsnail shell.
Mostly sunny through mid-afternoon, becoming overcast.
Temperatures got below freezing overnight, but into the 40s today.
I got off to a slow start this morning. I stepped outside for the first time a little after 11am. The accessible roof was in full sun, and I decided to relax there and feel the warmth.
Connor had mentioned the tide was lower than predicted, and the low was at 11:30am. I debated in my mind for a few minutes about whether to keep enjoying the warmth, or get my stuff together and go for a snorkel.
I ultimately decided to take advantage of the weather and the early season clear waters.
It’s been at least a couple of years since I last tried snorkeling, so it took me a little while to get all my stuff together. (Mostly because I didn’t immediately remember where it all was.)
Connor and Rowan ended up coming along, though just to be on the beach.
I intended to go to Sandy Beach. Even though the waves were not big, plenty of surge dissuaded me from that option. Instead I continued out to Little Magic Island. There was still surge there, but not as much, and decided to go for it.
I started in the little cove then snorkeled out ot the smaller rocks beyond the nearer prominent rocky point. I've explored all of this area (at least that gets exposed) at negative tides, but it is a different experience seeing it in the water.
Getting into the water felt a bit awkward. It just didn’t feel right to flop forward and put my face in the water. I found it easier to go in on my back and then roll over.
I’ve been finishing my showers with cold water for years now. I also routinely wade in cold water without boots (sometimes barefoot, but most often with water shoes). I think this contributed to me quickly adapting to the water where my feet were exposed. It leaked into my suit slowly enough that mostly I didn’t find that shocking either.
Although it didn’t feel like the water was especially cold, I could tell I was getting colder. It’s sort of hard to explain. I think maybe it was due to the neoprene preventing much heat transfer through my skin? I don’t know really know.
Red seaweed among green surf grass (or possibly eelgrass) made a nice contrast
Without a weight belt, I was stuck at the surface. When I was in shallow water, things became much more three dimensional. In deeper water, everything was well out of reach, and the experience was a bit more flat. Had I been able to go below the surface, I wonder if the three dimensional experience would have been expanded.
If I had remembered my net at first, I would have tried to catch this one to get better photos for ID.
I found some rocks that I started exploring. I noticed a sculpin that I tried to get pictures of. The surge was enough to keep me moving back and forth. I struggled to stay in place, trying to hook a hand or leg on a rock. With so much buoyancy, the force of incoming water lifting and pushing was more than I could overcome.
After trying for photos of the fish, I remembered I had brought a little aquarium net but left it on the shore. I went back to have Connor get it for me.
I thought it would be a simple matter to return to where the fish had been (hoping that it would still be there). As it turned out, I underestimated the difficulty of orienting while in the water.
I’m sure if I were to spend more snorkeling this place it would become much easier. However, my mind is not used to mapping out space at this scale, and things look different under the water compared to at the surface.
I did not refind the location of the fish (or if I did, I didn’t recognize the spot).
This was one of two photos out of the many I took of this nudibranch which turned out halfway decent.
Despite the constant push and pull of the water, I did manage a few photos. I wonder if having less buoyancy would make it easier to stay still (perhaps just by dropping below the surface briefly). If I keep at this, it would probably also help to have a separate light.
I also so things I couldn’t photograph. A nice heart crab was perched on a vertical rock face, but too deep for me to get to. For some other things I gave up trying to hold still enough to get the picture. (Plus my camera was working differently than I expected – I need to spend a little time understanding the settings a bit better for underwater use.)
Getting out was a bit awkward. My feet didn’t feel uncomfortable, but I think were basically numb (just not painfully so like sometimes happens with cold extremities). I didn’t want to accidentally cut my feet up on barnacles, so I kept the fins on. Of course that made for awkward walking, especially with feet that weren’t giving my mind anything but the coarsest tactile information.
I had poor dexterity with my hands, but did finally manage to get my shoes on.
Connor and Rowan had each found a couple of things on the beach during the 20 minutes or so I was in the water.
Rowan found this Ribbon Snailfish (Liparis cyclopus) under a rock
I got some pictures of those, and we prepared to leave.
Once I was out, it took some time to feel fully warm. I wonder if the best option might be some sort of exercise to generate heat?
One other thing that happened was on my way back to my exit point, I ended up going through sandy shallows where I got sloshed around even more. The sand was churning up, so I could not see much, and going through this section left me feeling not unlike when I’ve been on a boat in waters that are not calm for an extended period of time.
For me this means feeling a little off, not quite a headache, but not good either. The smell of neoprene already bothers my head, and the combination of both was worse than either separately. (Even though I took a shower when I got home, I could still smell the scent of neoprene on my skin. I think this contributed to a longer than it might have been otherwise recovery from the motion-induced disturbance.)
I am considering trying snorkeling without a wetsuit. I suspect I could build a capacity for it. Craig Foster (whose experience was featured in the documentary My Octopus Teacher) was swimming without a wetsuit in waters off South Africa that are similar temperatures to ours. I have a mutual friend, and heard a bit more about Craig’s adaptation to the cold. He apparently got to the point where air temperatures much over 60F seemed hot to him. That shouldn’t too much of a problem for me here.
I checked the channel this afternoon, but didn’t see too many gulls yet.
One swan is still at Swan Lake.
Connor had mentioned the tide was lower than predicted, and the low was at 11:30am. I debated in my mind for a few minutes about whether to keep enjoying the warmth, or get my stuff together and go for a snorkel.
Snorkelers should always remember to respect the natural habitat of these animals and maintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing them. The underwater landscape of the Magic Island Lagoon is truly mesmerizing. Snorkelers can expect to see vibrant coral reefs in all shapes and sizes, with an array of colors that create a breathtaking sight. The lagoon is also home to an abundance of tropical fish, including clownfish, parrotfish, and angelfish. It is like swimming in a living aquarium! For those looking to take their snorkeling experience to the next level, there are guided tours available in the Magic Island Lagoon. These tours provide snorkelers with expert knowledge and guidance, ensuring a safe and informative adventure. Guides will point out different species of fish and coral, as well as share interesting facts about the lagoon and its ecosystem. Snorkeling in the Magic Island Lagoon is not restricted to experienced snorkelers. With calm and shallow waters, beginners can also enjoy this activity with ease. There are plenty of snorkel gear rental shops available near the lagoon, making it convenient for visitors to access the equipment they need. Overall, snorkeling in the Magic Island Lagoon is an unforgettable experience. With its stunning underwater landscapes, rich marine life, and unique opportunities to swim with sea turtles, this lagoon is truly a snorkeler's paradise. So grab your gear and get ready to dive into an underwater adventure like no other!.
Reviews for "Unleash your inner explorer: Snorkeling in the enchanting island lagoon"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with the Magic Island Lagoon Snorkeling experience. First of all, the water was incredibly murky, which made it difficult to see anything underwater. Secondly, the snorkeling gear provided was old and not in the best condition. The fins were uncomfortable and the masks didn't fit properly. Lastly, there were so many people in the lagoon that it felt overcrowded and chaotic. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this snorkeling trip to anyone.
2. James - 2/5 - I would have to say that the Magic Island Lagoon Snorkeling was just average. The location itself was decent, with some interesting marine life to see. However, the water visibility was quite poor, and it was hard to fully appreciate the beauty of the underwater world. Additionally, the staff seemed disinterested and didn't provide much guidance or assistance. It was a mediocre experience, and I think there are better snorkeling options available in the area.
3. Emily - 2/5 - The Magic Island Lagoon Snorkeling tour was a letdown for me. The water was not as clear as I had hoped, and I struggled to see anything beyond a few feet. The equipment provided was also subpar. The mask kept leaking, and the flippers were uncomfortable. Furthermore, the tour felt rushed, and we didn't spend enough time exploring the coral reefs. Overall, I was not impressed with this snorkeling experience and wouldn't recommend it to others.