Blue Paradise Bali
Diving Bali Nusa Penida
Blue Paradise Bali |
Diving Bali Nusa Penida
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Nusa Penida
Diving Nusa Penida is the highlight when diving Bali. There is almost everything a diver can dream of. There are the famous sightings of Mola Mola (sunfish) when the water is cold from July to October. There are sharks, even whale sharks and wobbegong. There is a good Manta Point where divers can be close to these gentle giants for a whole dive. There are pristine corals, great underwater formations, all kind of reef fish, from angles to bannerfish, moorish idol, puffer, anthias and so on. There is drift diving of best quality - just like watching a beautiful movie the divers are overwhelmed by the beauty of the pictures.
But the diving around Nusa Penida can be difficult. The currents can be strong. Together with the cold of the water (from July to October) this can get quite nasty. One has to be prepared and bring a warm wet suit. Some dive sites, though, should be left to Advanced and Experts.
Crystal Bay
photo right: Crystal Bay, view to South West. The water in Crystal Bay can be as the name says: crystal clear. The hard coral cover in the shallows belongs to the best in the world, reef fish life is spectacular. But this is not the main reason why divers come to Crystal Bay.
photo left: sunfish crystal bay. The main reason are the sunfish (mola mola) who come to the reefs of Crystal Bay in the months from July to October to be cleaned from parasites. There are plenty of sunfish around. One can see this on the number of the speed boats which are coming over daily from Bali. Divers are hanging around in the Blue waiting for sunfish or swimming towards the friendly giants when they are being cleaned by bannerfish or angles or moorish idol. When the sunfish are present the photo and video sessions begin instantly. Normally they don´t mind even the flash light of the cameras or the lights of the video. But if the divers are getting to many and start showering them with bubbles from underneath they take off and come back when Crystal Bay is quiet again. Another highlight in Crystal Bay are Wobbegong sharks who love the cool water. Hints: Bring a warm wet suit when diving Crystal Bay in the cold season. Stay behind your divemaster because the currents may pick up when you get too far out in the channel (Selat Toyapakeh). Be careful when surfacing. Surface only with a surface marker or close to your divemaster. There are many boats around and you don´t want to hit one.
Manta Point
Already the ride on the speed boat along the rugged coastline of Western Nusa Penida is fascinating. Waves ponder the shores, nature shows the power of its elements. The real attraction at Manta Point is - of course - the Mantas. Unlike Crystal Bay with its sunfish, wobbegong and great coral cover, Manta Point got only Mantas - but plenty of them. The divers come for the mantas and they are happy if the big rays are dancing over the rocks were they got their cleaning sessions. Hints: The water at Manta Point gets really chilly in the "cold season" (from July to October). Use a 5mm wet suit and a hood if you think you need it. Surface in the deeper water only with a surface marker. The visibility at Manta Point is always bad. So don´t lose your group - at least not your buddy with a surface marker. If you wanna watch a video about Manta Point Bali click HERE.
Ped
This dive site is named after a temple. Normally we dive Ped as the last dive of the day. The first dive is usually "Manta Point". But this depends on the tides, too. The best to see sunfish is when the water is cold which is so when it´s high tide. This determines our dive schedule for "Crystal Bay". Ped and the North side of Nusa Penida till Sampalan is very good drift diving. It is a beautiful relaxation with all possible beautiful surprises, like whale sharks who cruise around there sometimes. Hints: The water is warm at Ped, at all the Northern side of Nusa Penida. It is nice to warm up a bit after the cold dives at Crystal Bay or Manta Point. There are some down currents. Normally manageable. If they get very strong you can go for the blue. Away from the reef the currents normally stop. If you got a compass you can find back to the reef later. Because of the drift diving it might be possible to lose the group - have a surface marker ready. The distances between divers and the boat can be considerable.
You can contact Blue Paradise Diving Bali:
081 33 77 55 729 and 0361 87 55 788
mail: michaelhaas75@yahoo.de
PT. Laut Indah, Jl. Danau Poso, Gang Wana Sari 21, 80228 Sanur-Denpasar Bali Indonesia
