Nestled in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Anilao is a macro haven famed for its rare critters and is arguably the world’s most iconic destination for Blackwater diving—a surreal experience often described as “night diving on steroids.” Each night, youthful and fragile creatures rise from the ocean’s abyss, drawn to the moonlight or artificial glow. Scientists call this the greatest migration on Earth.

But the journey is perilous. Tiny fish, paper nautiluses, shrimps, and crabs seek refuge within the transparent bodies of drifting oceanic beings like salps and pyrosomes, forming a glittering, otherworldly galaxy in the black sea. I visited in January 2024, witnessing larval forms of sea life that looked straight out of a sci-fi universe—alien-like beings drifting in cosmic harmony. The photography was technically demanding and the pitch-dark open waters were claustrophobic. Yet, overcoming those fears was a personal triumph. I’m grateful I overcame those fears—capturing those images, only few have, especially from India.