now after diving both raja ampat, bunaken, and wakatobi i have to say...

[WetPup]

Ambon is good, but...We found some pretty strong currents there, and it made macro photography very difficult. Maybe we just had bad luck, but when I visit somewhere specifically to do macro and supermacro, strong ripping currents are not particularly welcome. The wide angle in Ambon was ok, but nothing to really write home about.

I must be the only one here who doesn't like Komodo

 

[dirtfarmer]

Ambon is good, but...We found some pretty strong currents there, and it made macro photography very difficult. Maybe we just had bad luck, but when I visit somewhere specifically to do macro and supermacro, strong ripping currents are not particularly welcome. The wide angle in Ambon was ok, but nothing to really write home about.

I must be the only one here who doesn't like Komodo

when I was there there was some current issues also. We ended up sitting and waiting and waiting till the current ebbed to do our second dive. If I would go back I'd schedule with the moon to alleviate the current issue.

I can't believe you don't like Komodo? Why?

 

[WetPup]

when I was there there was some current issues also. We ended up sitting and waiting and waiting till the current ebbed to do our second dive. If I would go back I'd schedule with the moon to alleviate the current issue.

I can't believe you don't like Komodo? Why?

Task overloading. I like taking photos, it's a large part of why I dive in the first place. While I think the marine life in Komodo is amazing, I found the conditions required a style of diving that I simply didn't enjoy when carrying a big camera setup. I think if I wasn't carrying a big camera with me, I might enjoy it more.

 

[Dan]

But no manta and I can do land based for less $. So I think I might bite the bullet and go back to Komodo. Then again maybe I should stretch my horizons and go to Alor? I wish there was a budget operation that I was completely satisfied with in Ambon. It's got great macro and I haven't even checked out any of its wide angle sites. Or damn maybe I should check out Banka then head to Komodo?

That's the thing with Indonesia so many choices.

Yes there is. You need to take an hour boat ride to Sangalaki.

I rather spend time in Tulamben than going to Alor. It is a bit cumbersome to go to Alor. You need to fly from Denpasar to Kupang & then to Alor with unreliable domestic airlines. Other than Rhinopias and a site with anemones everywhere, the underwater scene is pretty average.

Bangka is quite interesting place. I saw several yellow variation of Bargibanti Pygmy seahorses there. One DM was messing around with his pointer in one of the sea fan then made a big bubbly laugh & showed me what he just did. He made 2 Bargibanti Pymy seahorses to kiss each other. I took the picture of them kissing

 

[anenomefishman]

View attachment 378410

Yes there is. You need to take an hour boat ride to Sangalaki.

I rather spend time in Tulamben than going to Alor. It is a bit cumbersome to go to Alor. You need to fly from Denpasar to Kupang & then to Alor with unreliable domestic airlines. Other than Rhinopias and a site with anemones everywhere, the underwater scene is pretty average.

Bangka is quite interesting place. I saw several yellow variation of Bargibanti Pygmy seahorses there. One DM was messing around with his pointer in one of the sea fan then made a big bubbly laugh & showed me what he just did. He made 2 Bargibanti Pymy seahorses to kiss each other. I took the picture of them kissing

nice pic. we only saw a few pygmy sea horseses on last trip to indonesia.

 

[paulfromharwich]

Just for information I saw that Scuba Junkies are opening a resort on Sangalaki Island in the near future:

Home | Scuba Junkie Sangalaki

Cheers, Paul

 

[Cali_diver]

Totally agree with @Dan_T Wakatobi is pretty meh compared to most places in Indo.

@WetPup I love Komodo but you are right... my hands can get pretty tired trying to hold the SLR in a strong current, but as you know current means tons of fish and critters!!! I think my only complaint about Komodo is the amount of boats there, especially the day boats that drop their divers in crazy situations. but alas I am going back in 2 weeks!!!

 

[Dan]

nice pic. we only saw a few pygmy sea horseses on last trip to indonesia.

Thanks. That's an easy one. I still haven't been able to take a good picture of the smallest Pygmy, Pontohi. Even worst, a hairy shrimp, which requires sharp eyes, steady hand, high shutter speed & pin point accuracy on the focus, all good photographer attributes & DSLR camera qualities that I don't have.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Thanks. That's an easy one. I still haven't been able to take a good picture of the smallest Pygmy, Pontohi. Even worst, a hairy shrimp, which requires sharp eyes, steady hand, high shutter speed & pin point accuracy on the focus, all good photographer attributes & DSLR camera qualities that I don't have.

Oh man Pontohi! They are always flapping back and forth. I'm with you on dslr my s95 can't get a decent focus on a hairy shrimp. I'm currently buying a sl1 and hopefully I'll be able to get a decent focus on a hairy shrimp or skeleton shrimp.

 

[anenomefishman]

I was in WaKaToBi resort in 2009 for 11 days. Nice resort. The diving is average to me. I saw better stuff for half the price. I saw no manta, nor schooling barracudas or jackfish.

saw one of these badboys last time in wakatobi. very cool.