“The ocean has no limits.” Divers reveal the secrets of marine life in the Strait of Hormuz in the midst of regional tensions

This region not only represents the world’s vital energy artery and an arena of heated disputes between Washington and Tehran, but also hides behind its geopolitical and environmental risks a special charm that makes it a popular destination for diving enthusiasts.

Our guests: diving instructor Roy Li, and professional divers Shanshan Du and Ji Zhang, will take us on a journey to that hidden sea from the perspective of divers, to explore a hidden world beneath the surface of these waters surrounded by politics and war, and to reconsider the relationship between war and the environment, and between humanity and the ocean.

UN News: What impressed you most about your first dive near the Strait of Hormuz?

Tell me: It was completely different from what I imagined. I thought the Strait of Hormuz was a very tense place, but when I went there for the first time, I felt very comfortable. I was sitting on the boat preparing to dive, and the sea, coral reefs and seabirds were all around me; The atmosphere was incredibly quiet.

They are two: In fact, we had been diving a lot along the coast of the UAE, but we did not venture deeper into the Strait of Hormuz until mid-April 2026. At that time, the war in Iran had been raging for more than a month, and the UAE coast had been closed for about a month and a half. On April 18, we returned to the sea for the first time, diving into the narrowest part of the strait between the UAE and Oman. This was my first time entering the Strait of Hormuz, and it was absolutely amazing. We came across a large group of dolphins right before my eyes.

Ji Chang: My last trip to the Strait of Hormuz was (a few days ago), where I was continuing my diving trip. The underwater world was much calmer compared to the tension on land. But what made a stark contrast was the feeling I had from the dive shops, dive boats, and ocean workers – their concerns about their livelihoods and the environmental impact of war. These things left a deep impression on me.

UN News: You all mentioned your impressions of the Strait of Hormuz and your sightings of dolphins. With the diversity of your experiences, can you describe to us what the underwater world in the Strait of Hormuz is like?

Tell me: In fact, the Strait of Hormuz is not the most biodiverse marine area in the world, but its complex terrain has contributed to the flourishing of an extremely rich marine ecosystem. In the Strait of Hormuz, and along the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, you can see many picturesque coral reefs: there are white corals like silver needles, and purple coral colonies like pine forests, also inhabited by seahorses, in addition to many colorful fish, such as red and green, that are rarely seen in other marine areas. Furthermore, large shellfish are found here, and it is also a frequent habitat for whale sharks.

They are two: In the United Arab Emirates and Oman, we went to the southern end of the Strait of Hormuz. We were a little worried before setting off, given that it was in the heart of a war zone. But after more than two months, we were all thrilled to be able to dive again. We would go to two or three dive sites at a time, and if we were lucky, we would see big sharks and squid, among other sea creatures.

UN News: Gee, you dived here the other day. What changes did you notice compared to your first visit?

Ji Chang: I went to the area adjacent to Musandam, and found there huge numbers of sea turtles, like an environmental reserve. You can see more than a dozen sea turtles together while snorkeling, and you can also see different types of coral when diving deeply. Depending on the terrain, there are soft corals and hard corals. The coral diversity is so amazing that you can see it in such a small area. It’s something I’ve rarely seen after diving in so many places.

Aside from the vast visible world, I prefer the microscopic underwater world, like the cute sea bunny. This rabbit is widely distributed and is distinguished by its bright colors in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking of comparisons, I feel like the bottom of the sea is quiet now because there are fewer people. This calmness is evident in my seeing more schools of fish. This is likely due to ocean management or confinement requirements, which has resulted in reduced catches, damaged coral reefs, ecosystem destruction, and thus the emergence of larger and denser schools of fish. However, I also noticed larger amounts of white debris on the seafloor than before, although I’m not sure where it came from.

UN News: In light of recent regional conflicts, what concerns you more: security concerns or marine environmental concerns first come to mind?

Tell me: I believe that marine environmental security is an integral part of comprehensive security. As humans, we naturally think of ourselves and our friends first. Shanshan and Ji Zhang are two dear diving buddies of mine, and I thought of them first, as well as some other friends and colleagues over there.

But on the other hand, marine environmental security is a very important issue. Regional disputes may lead to the bombing of oil storage facilities and attacks on warships, exposing them to the risk of leakage. In addition, many marine creatures are small and weak. A single attack may be enough to wipe out amazing species that humans have never seen before.

Ji Chang: In fact, I also fear war. I saw interceptor missiles explode above my head and saw smoke, but I didn’t think about leaving or hiding. What worries me most is that environmental protection should not be part of the devastation caused by war – no one can defend the underwater ecosystem; Fish cannot speak, nor can large animals.

Later, when the strait opened, we headed to the eastern side of the Strait of Hormuz and saw a group of dolphins, but where they were swimming, there was a thick layer of green algae, oil fumes, and white waste. I remembered when I was following dolphins, the water was blue. Although it is not entirely due to the pollution of war, seeing this scene with my own eyes is very sad.

Tell me: In this region, I have witnessed first-hand the close connection between many people and marine life. When we were diving together, there was a boat captain whose trips took about thirty minutes; In the middle of each trip, he always slowed down, and then a group of dolphins would float to the surface and greet him.

This leader was not proficient in diving, and had no other way to communicate with the dolphins. However, they seemed to know him completely, and he always succeeded in finding them. We exchanged greetings and then each went on his way. This place is truly magical.

UN News: Logo World Oceans Day This year’s theme is “Reimagining the Relationship between Man and the Ocean”. What problems do you see in the current relationship between humanity and the ocean?

They are two: For us as divers, in addition to satisfying our desire to explore, as observers and recorders, we leave a record of the ocean and disseminate concepts of environmental protection to those who do not yet understand the ocean and have not yet dived – we are first and foremost observers.

Ji Chang: I feel that humanity always holds itself in a very high light, viewing the ocean as a resource reservoir, a transit corridor, and a battlefield, but rarely treating it as one of the equal components of the community of life.

We exploit it for profits and deliberately destroy it in wars; We transfer all the disputes, wars and pollution from the land to the ocean, ignoring the fact that the ocean does not have good capabilities to defend itself, and has no choice but to bear all the conflicts and damage resulting from human activities.

This makes me experience a bitter internal conflict and great contradiction. I believe that humanity and the ocean form one community of life, based on mutual dependence, support and common interest.

Tell me: I believe that the relationship between man and the ocean is somewhat similar to the relationship between father and child. When we were kids, we used to sing “The ocean is our mother” because the ocean takes care of us carefully and holds many elements of the ecosystem.

At the same time, the environment is also like a father, giving us silence, and sometimes being very strict, punishing us when we do not behave. Human beings, like children, always feel that they have grown up and can realize themselves. Now we claim to protect the surroundings, like a child who gradually grows up and wants to do something for his parents, but in reality, what we can do is very little. On the contrary, our parents are still silently waiting for us, helping us, and continuing to take care of us.

UN News: Has diving changed your understanding of national borders and conflicts?

They are two: We three divers are located in UAE. It is a very special place, as you can see people from different countries and regions. Through our diving hobby, we have made many new friends and integrated into a wonderful community. Although we do not speak the same language, we can communicate in a friendly and unhindered way, simply because we can use gestures underwater.

Indeed, while diving, we momentarily forget the troubles of war and conflict, and concepts such as national borders disappear. Thanks to this hobby, and thanks to the ocean embracing us, it has created a wonderful environment for us.

Ji Chang: Diving changed my understanding of national borders and conflicts. On land, people divide the world into different countries across border and political lines, but underwater, the ocean has no boundaries. Ocean currents and schools of fish move freely.

For example, when whale sharks roam, they follow specific paths through different countries to reach different locations – they are free-ranging. Many of the so-called conflicts in this sea are man-made. I believe that humanity should share this blue world, instead of tearing it apart by conflicts.

UN News: In World Oceans DayWhat is your message to those who have never seen the underwater world before?

Tell me: I want to say, always go home. There is still 71% of the Earth waiting for you to explore.

They are two: The ocean is a world worth exploring. I hope that listeners of this interview will take it as a guide or a source of inspiration, and if they have the opportunity in the future – or even now – that they will overcome their fears and explore this new world.

Ji Chang: I would like to share with you from two perspectives. First, for those who have never explored the underwater world: We live in the information age, and I hope everyone will learn more about the secrets of the marine ecosystem through social media or documentaries, and know that fish sleep in crevices at night, and that coral reefs maintain their glow at night. I hope everyone can have those curious minds and discover new worlds.

Secondly, I hope that everyone who learns to dive does not use this skill to overfish or overexploit the ocean. It is an ecosystem, and I especially hope that everyone, as disseminators of knowledge, takes responsibility for protecting the marine environment, so that more people, and future generations, can see the wonderful and colorful ocean.