Lembeh Muck vs. Bali Muck...

[matts1w]

I have always been (and still am) a huge fan of Lembeh muck diving. Having said that, I just returned from a few days doing of doing a photography class in Tulamben. The muck around that area of Bali was pretty freakin' awesome. There was hardly a minute where I didn't have a new subject to tackle. The muck around Tulamben was nothing short of spectacular.

Given Bali's proximity to Lembongan, the Gili's, Lombok, and even the Komodo National Park, I am going to have to rethink my usual plan of attack when dive trip planning.

By the way, the class I took was worth every penny- see Jeff Mullins at reefwreckandcritter.com. I learned a ton.

 

[Luko]

Yep, that's why there are so many Tulamben afficionados... and not for the wreck.
People hardly believe me when I claim that Bali is even better than Lembeh in terms of nudibranchs, but that's the truth.

 

[dirtfarmer]

I Love them both. I been lucky to have been to both twice. They both rock, I think there are advantages to both. I Love my private guide in Tulamben. I am going back to Lembeh for a third time this fall if that says anything.(Before a second trip to KMD). My first time in Lembeh there were nudis galore, but no ornate ghost ipes. My second trip was low on the nudi count but lot's of Ornate ghost pipes. I've always seen blue rings on both places both times. Super lucky to get good photo's of Motatati Octpus in Tulamben this last winter. I've seen more frogfish in Lembeh than Tulamben. Seen Harlequins both trips in Tulamben, struck out both times in Lembeh, my guide looked furiously but we came up empty. I tend to go to Tulamben when I'm going to the Gillis. And I tend to go to Lembeh when I got to Komodo or Raja when I get around to it.

Speaking of Muck in Indonesia, on the Komodo trip the site "better than Lembeh" we did in Bima Bay was spectacular by the way of variety and exotic. It was like three Lembeh sites rolled into one. I do think some of the critters have been brought there to seed it.

 

[Uli Kunkel]

Bali has some really good muck diving, thats for sure. But it all depends on quite a few factors.

Dive guides are one. Ive had some spectacular guides in Bali, but Ive also had quite a few who didn't seem all that interested in finding anything at all.
The time of year and natural cycle of critters is also, if not more, of a factor. Ive gone plenty of times and not seen anything really exciting. Other times, (during the same time of year as previous trips), the critters are there in abundance.

In the spirit of the Bali vs. Lembeh theme, I would argue that Lembeh is more consistent in offering a variety of critters constantly.

 

[Wisnu]

love both, can't say which better; practicaly we visit both at least one a year
don't forget Maumere, kermi house reef is awesome too

 

[Jay_Fish]

muck diving in Bali

I have always been (and still am) a huge fan of Lembeh muck diving. Having said that, I just returned from a few days doing of doing a photography class in Tulamben. The muck around that area of Bali was pretty freakin' awesome. There was hardly a minute where I didn't have a new subject to tackle. The muck around Tulamben was nothing short of spectacular.

Given Bali's proximity to Lembongan, the Gili's, Lombok, and even the Komodo National Park, I am going to have to rethink my usual plan of attack when dive trip planning.

By the way, the class I took was worth every penny- see Jeff Mullins at reefwreckandcritter.com. I learned a ton.

View attachment 186602 View attachment 186603

I've never been to Lembeh.
I visited Bali between January-February of this year and I was surprised to be able to see a few Pigmy seahorses in Tulamben, lots of nemo fish, blue ribbon eel, tiger shrimps, all kind of nudies, cuttlefish, and some of the critters I have never seen anywhere else.
Only in Bali I can get a private guide without extra $$, what could be better?

 

[jake11]

So much Indonesian muck and so little time!!!!!!!!

 

[tangfish]

The jetty at Pemuteran is one of the best muck dive sites I've ever dived. Just a little further from tulamben if you're already all the way to Bali.

On the flipside, I recently did some nice reef dives at Lembeh gotta think outside the box