Short dive trips in Indonesia: healthy corals/fish without too many bubbles!

[charlier]

Hi all
First, a correction. calm seas by my small hotel, a bumpy ride to Nusa Penida (I used to work in Alaska on a small boat, so I have low standards). First site was Crystal Bay. The DM's (Aquamarine) were told that a one dive boat tried to go around the point, but returned due the large swell. Oh well, but best to turn back and visit Manta Point another day. Our boat had 6 people and 4 DM's, so my group of two had own DM - we were the most experienced. fYI, One othe dive boat was in Crystal Bay and perhaps three other boats as well. Ther was a nice swell in the bay, so the water surface was not calm. Our group jumped in first and headed to the north point of Crystal Bay. We were looking at schooling fusiliers, etc., when a Mola-Mola passed by us at about 26.5 m! None of us were expecting to see a M2, about 2 m+ long or so. A successful dive. The corals were so so, but overall a nice experience. Plus, it was sunny.

Second site was Toyapakeh (sp?). This was a better site for the other divers on our boat. For my taste, way too many divers and bubbles. Perhaps the conditions pushed us to this site. I will not go into any detail here, but I still had fun. The third site was SD Point, during a falling tide. A fast drift dive with numerous Bat fish and a nice devil ray. We had this site to our selves (three if us). All in all, We had a very nice day, the trip back to Bali was fine.

My next trip, we might stay on Nusa Penida, perhaps with Twofish? It would be nice to get to know a few dive companies, since they assume (rightly so perhaps) the lowest common denominator for their clients. Plus, sharing a boat with other groups is sometimes a challenge. More later..

 

[zivva]

The DM's (Aquamarine) were told that a one dive boat tried to go around the point, but returned due the large swell. Oh well, but best to turn back and visit Manta Point another day.

No surprise about MP here with today sea conditions ...

Our boat had 6 people and 4 DM's, so my group of two had own DM - we were the most experienced. fYI, One othe dive boat was in Crystal Bay and perhaps three other boats as well. Ther was a nice swell in the bay, so the water surface was not calm. Our group jumped in first and headed to the north point of Crystal Bay. We were looking at schooling fusiliers, etc., when a Mola-Mola passed by us at about 26.5 m! None of us were expecting to see a M2, about 2 m+ long or so. A successful dive. The corals were so so, but overall a nice experience. Plus, it was sunny.

Lucky you to spot a Mola².

Did you actually get to the coral plateau above the drop-off or just stayed close to the drop-off ? Cause coral on the plateau is not so-so IMO Coral on the south-west part of the drop-off is severely damaged by currents & swell + divers / guides hanging on it on a regular basis ... Shallow part of the plateau just 50m past the drop-off is an amazing garden !

Second site was Toyapakeh (sp?). This was a better site for the other divers on our boat. For my taste, way too many divers and bubbles. Perhaps the conditions pushed us to this site. I will not go into any detail here, but I still had fun. The third site was SD Point, during a falling tide. A fast drift dive with numerous Bat fish and a nice devil ray. We had this site to our selves (three if us). All in all, We had a very nice day, the trip back to Bali was fine.

How many boats @ TP ?

Toyapakeh is considered by many as one the best dive sites around Penida ... but I guess cause of today strong swell general dive conditions & viz might not have been at their bests. Same for SD : with big swell at falling tide the viz is B-A-D (compared to what you can get) + you'll need to get back there for a slow drift : many small stuff to check around

My next trip, we might stay on Nusa Penida, perhaps with Twofish? It would be nice to get to know a few dive companies, since they assume (rightly so perhaps) the lowest common denominator for their clients. Plus, sharing a boat with other groups is sometimes a challenge. More later..

Two Fish is one of the reputable DC on Nusa Lembongan but don't except to be by yourself on the boat & on the dive sites on a regular trip at this time of the year : it starts to get busy here.

You might be able to charter a boat for some afternoon dives from any local DC and get the dive sites for yourself, obviously depending of sea conditions that day, but you would need to pay an extra for this (not an insane premium, something like 100,000 RP ... worth it IMO).

 

[charlier]

Hi all - the conditions have calmed down a lot. From my hotel terrace, the swell is much lower today.

One comment - it was really nice to have just two of us with a DM. I am used to four divers/DM. With just three of us, the dive experience seems so much more streamlined and enjoyable.

Did you actually get to the coral plateau above the drop-off or just stayed close to the drop-off ? Cause coral on the plateau is not so-so

The was my first dive at Crystal Bay. I did not get a chance to look at the site map very carefully or long. We entered near the permanent buoy and decended along a sloping sandy slope. On my left, we passed along a sloping reef. I was a bit distracted, since this way my first time here. We poked along looking a small stuff, a cuttle fish, eel snakes, school of fusilers, etc. We angled down along this slope and at about 26 m the Mola² passed us by. We continued to move upwards on this sloping reef and turned around at about 100 bars. We continued back to the sandy bottom with ripples towards the permanent buoy. We ascended with over 60 bars left after 47 min dive.
So to answer your question, we were on the southwest side of the sloping reef on the northern side of the bay??


How many boats @ TP ?[/QUOTE]
Perhaps three or four dive boats. Here, it was not so much the number of boats, but we saw three or four groups of 4-6 divers all tightly grouped, pocking at stuff, fins hitting the reef or sand. Or groups of 4-5 divers following their DM, in a tight cluster, mostly moving along vertical (like riding a bike). Perhaps getting to this site first thing in the morning is the ticket? There was a gentle current.

Same for SD : with big swell at falling tide the viz is B-A-D (compared to what you can get) + you'll need to get back there for a slow drift

I agree after we hit the current, our DM looked at us with some concern, making sure that we were calm and not did not panic. After that look of concern, we just went along for the ride. It was hard to find a rock to hold on to, the current was that strong. If there were large fish or pelagics, I might have wanted to use a reef hook, but there were little places to use it without damaging coral (e.g., not that many exposed rocks). This was a really nice dive and would go back again.

Perhaps, next time I will plan a bit better. Look at the tides and swell first. Then try to request a nice three dive circuit in the area. If we go back with four of us, we would consider chartering a boat. Aquamarine quoted us a price of an additional USD380 for a private dive boat and guide, plu the standard 3 dive trip cost. This is a bit pricey.

FYI, we could go back again, in september and october - this time with my wife. What do you all think about staying on Nusa Lembongan with Twofish, or staying near Candi Dasi, or a nearby low key stretch of beach with nice restaurants?

 

[zivva]

So to answer your question, we were on the southwest side of the sloping reef on the northern side of the bay??

This map is pretty accurate, except upside down

The main mooring buoy is located north-west of the bay (actually about were the 15m depth is noted even if the buoy line only goes to 6-8m depending of the tide), south of the coral plateau.

If you didn't get a chance to get to the plateau and check the boomies you definitely need to come back !

Perhaps getting to this site first thing in the morning is the ticket? There was a gentle current.

3 to 4 boats is pretty standard for a day trip there ... but when conditions are at their best the dive sites (actually there is 2 : the slope & the wall) are big enough to accommodate several boats without seeing other divers once underwater.

Diving Toyapakeh first thing in the morning can be an option ... if timing & conditions permit.

Aquamarine quoted us a price of an additional USD380 for a private dive boat and guide, plu the standard 3 dive trip cost.

Sure, if you charter a boat for a trip from Bali it is pricey as you pay for a full boat actually 1/3 full.

Ask Two Fish how much they charge for an off-schedule (= afternoon) 2 dives trip from Lembongan. With 4 guests, it should be close to the 100,000 RP premium per guest I was talking about (which makes the trip +/- USD90 / guest). Otherwise, you can still PM me ...