Bali vs. Lembeh vs. Mabul, sipadan etc. for muck diving

[Zippsy]

Okay. Good. It's settled then. Bali it is. Can we change the subject now?

2 types of ribbon eels?

..... 2 types of ribbon eels.........

I didn't know there were two types. It used to be assumed that blue ribbon eels, yellow ribbon eels and, possibly even black ribbon eels were different species. It turns out that the ribbon eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita) starts life as a black juvenile male. As it grows, it changes color to electric blue as an adult male. Then, for some strange reason, it matures further and not only changes color to yellow, it also changes sex to female. Maybe once it's found a good coral home it doesn't have to read maps anymore.




www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/students/focus/rhinomur.htm
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/spe...4&genusname=Rhinomuraena&speciesname=quaesita

 

[LekicINC]

If you wanna change the subject, start a new post! why hijack my thread?Nothing else to do? But you are right there is only 1 species that is a protandrous (sp?) hermaphrodite. Only other thing I know about them is that they do not make good aquairum members. Anyway, thanks to everyone for the help. I believe I will just do Bali. My girlfriend and I are going to do a dive safari, anyone who posted those amazing pics have any recs for a operator that will spot me some great stuff??

 

[scorpiofish]

It really depends on how many days you have. Since you will be in Bali, unless you have a lot of days (as in >7), going to Lembeh will cost you at least a day or day and a half of diving.

Lembeh is the king of muck diving. At the same time, we love Bali. I just had to cancel a trip to Raja Ampat. We could have stuck with the same flight itinerary and dived at Lembeh, but we decided to go to Bali with a week on the Pelagian thrown in.

If you have a week or less, stay in Bali and spend enough time diving the north/northeast and include a day diving at Nusa Penida for a chance at Mantas and Mola Mola.

There is something magical about Bali.

 

[Indonesian_Diver]

As I mentioned above, Lembeh is D' place for muck diving. As far as comparison, you can;t compare to any other spots. It's unique on its own.
you can;t compare price for diving... Diving is priceless

If you can afford it, do both 5 dives in Lembeh and 5 dive in Bali. But since you already travel 1/2 the globe, you have to go to Lembeh. That's my suggestion.

S-

 

[LekicINC]

you can;t compare price for diving... Diving is priceless

True enough. In fact, I cant afford to even think about adding in another couple hundred bucks on flights, but because Lembeh is amazing I considered it. That said...

unless you have a lot of days (as in >7), going to Lembeh will cost you at least a day or day and a half of diving.

I have 7 only, and dont want to loose any from flying. "Settling" for Bali is not the worst thing ever. Perhaps after my marine biology degree pays off and I make millions I will return to Lembeh. I think Bali it is, until then I will pretend Lembeh is just a figment of my imagination

 

[Indonesian_Diver]

Umm, everything thing is depend how soon you will pay off your school. The world is changing.

BTW, do you need any assistant when you paid off you school? LOL!!

S-

 

[mor1703]

One of the richest areas of marine diversity in the world, Lembeh Strait is now a popular dive destination for lovers of all critters great and small! Along the strait's 12 kilometers are packed an uncountable number of rare critters : octopuses, frogfishes, shrimps, nudibranches and seahorses -- at more than 20 dive sites between the mainland of North Sulawesi and Lembeh Island.

My recommend you can see at : http://www.bastianoslembeh.com

 

[jcclink]

Lembeh is getting rather crowded these days. In diving there last Oct I counted 6 liveaboards plus the local boats from 5 resorts all working the area. So you'd better go soon. On most of my muck dives in Bali it was just my guide & me. I will dive Lembeh again next year because it does have great critters, but will always include Bali in my itinerary.

 

[LekicINC]

It seems there is great muck at Bali too. Also MUCH cheaper! I will go to Lembeh eventually, when I do sipadan, Raja Ampat, and PNG!!!!

 

[Allison Finch]

I have also dived all three. I loved the rich culture in Bali, but was less enthusiastic with the diving. I dove the north and south coasts along with Lombongan Island. It was good, but nothing compared to Lembeh. Most people think that there is only muck in Lembeh, and they would be dead wrong. There are pretty reefs there too. You will see things like;