scubajunky17
Contributor
Hi all, currently in R4, loving it, have been here since 10th August and I have until Sept 12, is Banda worth a side trip. I like big schools and big stuff ?
Banda islands
- Thread starter scubajunky17
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Dan
Contributor
This is the reason I'm going there in November:
OP
scubajunky17
Contributor
Looks amazing I will do some research on August/ September, if anyone else has been fire away please !
Dan
Contributor
Ya, unfortunately August / September is too early for the hammerhead migration in Banda. The right time is more like October/ November.
You'd need to go there by boat too. Most of liveaboards are still crowding the Komodo in August / September.
If you want to see big stuff now, just go to Bali. It's Mola-Mola season in Nusa Penida. You can also see Manta there too. Check out this thread: Epic Dive Today in Crystal Bay...
You'd need to go there by boat too. Most of liveaboards are still crowding the Komodo in August / September.
If you want to see big stuff now, just go to Bali. It's Mola-Mola season in Nusa Penida. You can also see Manta there too. Check out this thread: Epic Dive Today in Crystal Bay...
OP
scubajunky17
Contributor
Yes I saw that, looks amazing. Are good manta encounters guaranteed or is it a bit of a circus ? Would feel odd leaving R4 to go to Bali !
Dan
Contributor
I've been in Manta Point about 5 times & 5 out of 5 I saw at least 2.
Check out this thread too: 2017 Mola Spotting in Bali
Check out this thread too: 2017 Mola Spotting in Bali
Dan
Contributor
Since you are now in R4, have you been to Magic Mountain Manta Cleaning Station in Misool to see the Oceanic Manta? Among all Dive sites in Raja Ampat, for me it is the best one. 2nd one is the Melissa's Garden.
Dan
Contributor
Have you been to Nabucco in Maratua Atoll, East Kalimantan? That's also a cool place to see thousands of schooling Barracudas:
Dan
Contributor
Another option is to fly from Sorong to Manukwari (~45 min flight time) to dive in Cendrawasih bay to dive with whaleshark. This is the only place I know that you can dive with whaleshark.
OP
scubajunky17
Contributor
Thanks Dan, I have seen many whale sharks and would never pay the money they are asking in C, Bay, is that nabira, its like 300 EU per day. Have you dived R4 how does it compare to Nabucca ? Is it just barracuda there ? I love the schools of R4, misool is impossible during August I think.
