Frog Fish Farm

Frog Fish Farm is a spectacular advanced muck diving site near Pandanan Island in the Semporna archipelago of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, renowned for its extraordinary concentration of frogfish species that has earned this site legendary status among macro photographers and critter hunting enthusiasts worldwide. The name says it all: this is where frogfish exist in such density and variety that it feels like an underwater farm dedicated to producing these bizarre and wonderful creatures. Frogfish are among the ocean's most remarkable ambush predators, sitting motionless on the substrate and using a modified dorsal spine as a fishing rod to lure prey within striking distance of their enormous, expandable mouths. Their camouflage abilities are extraordinary, with different species and individuals mimicking sponges, algae-covered rocks, and even other marine organisms with astonishing accuracy. At Frog Fish Farm, multiple species can be encountered on a single dive, sometimes including giant frogfish, painted frogfish, and the diminutive hairy frogfish. The site's substrate is the classic muck diving environment of sand, rubble, and scattered coral and sponge growth that provides the varied microhabitats frogfish require. Different species favor different substrates, and the variety of bottom conditions at Frog Fish Farm supports this diversity. Experienced guides know the regular locations of resident individuals and can lead divers to specific animals, though the fun of discovering a previously unknown specimen adds excitement to every visit. Beyond the frogfish, the muck diving community at this site is comprehensive. Cuttlefish and octopuses, including the occasional blue-ringed octopus, hunt through the rubble. Ghostpipefish hover among crinoids and algae, and seahorses cling to holdfasts with their prehensile tails. The variety of nudibranch species is excellent, and mantis shrimp peer from their burrows with their extraordinary multi-spectral vision. The advanced rating reflects the specialized muck diving skills required, including precise buoyancy control near a silty bottom, the ability to spot camouflaged creatures, and the patience to observe without disturbing. Photography at this site demands particular discipline, as the subjects are often small and the lighting challenging. Frog Fish Farm is accessed from Pandanan Island or nearby Mataking Island and represents one of the Semporna archipelago's most unique diving experiences. For macro photographers and critter enthusiasts, this site is nothing short of essential.