DIVE SITES BETWEEN BALI AND KOMODO
NUSA LEMBONGAN
Close to Bali (appr. 2 hrs from Benoa). Very popular for daytrips from Benoa harbour. A steep coral covered slope offers a full range of colourful reef fishes. Usually a gentle current make this an excellent drift dive. There have been severeal sightings of Mola-Mola on this site..
GILI ISLANDS
A series of 3 low lying keys situated just off the Northwest coast of Lombok, the Gili’s offer a variety of diving options. The water is generally clear and the currents mild. About 10 dive sites around this group are described in: Diving Indonesia (Periplus Action Guides)
MOYO ISLAND
Located at the entrance to Saleh Bay in North Sumbawa, this island and smaller surrounding islands provide several dive sites. There are three specific areas to choose: Tangung Menangis, Angel Reef and Satonda Island. These sites may offer a variety of fish from pygmy seahorses and ghost pipe fish to frog fish and sharks. Other attractions to this region include a saltwater lake in the middle of Satonda thousands of giant fruit bats and spectacular views of Mt. Tambora (site of the most powerful eruption in recorded history).
BATU PUTIH
This site is 45 minutes from Bima, east-Sumbawa. The feature of this site is a ‘mini wall’ loaded with invertebrates and vertebrates alike. A variety of ghost pie fish and frog fish have been sighted trying to hide amongst the hundreds of chrinoids and sponges, while on a night dive two magnificent Spanish Dancer nudibranchs have been observed mating. The dive site is named ‘Diverzity’ because of how incredibly ‘diverse’ and rich this area is with a broad ragen of marine life.
MENTJENG WALL
Located about 2 hours from Bima, this ‘secret’ dive spot is probably the most productive & popular spot for macro photographers.
A chrinoid and sponge encrusted wall starting at less than 1 meter drops down to a rubble slope at 25 meters. Colonial white anemones decorate the wire corals and sea fans. Many species of nudibranchs may be spotted amongst which ones not to be found in identification books.
Currents can be strong and variable as they pull nutrient rich deep water upwellings across this magic little area.
PULAU BANTA
From Mentjeng Wall, we are about 4 hours from some of the clearest sea water one can imagine. This is the first of the islands in the Komodo Archipelago. Located in North Komodo, this island provides a crescent shaped bay that offers beautiful anchorage from where several dives may be conducted..
The bay itself is a hard coral slope that continues down to a pure white snad slope. ‘Star wars’, ‘Highway to heaven’ and ‘GPS Point’ are just a few of the sites that might be included in a day of dicing at Banta. Frequent manta ray encounters have taken place around this remarkable little island. Every diver visiting Banta will find pygmy seahorses
KOMODO
After our optional trek to see the Komodo dragons we move to the ‘pink beach’.
The site is lush with corals and fishes of all species. One particular coral head/rock is where most of the action takes place a fish congregate around it in the gentle currents. This is the only area around where the Halas mooring Buoy System has been installed to prevent anchor damage to the fragile corals.
MORE KOMODO
Here a variety of dive sites may be frequented that are expertly detailed in Diving Indonesia.
The temperature and visibility vary from North to South Komodo. And the conditions ‘switch’ unpredictably: sometimes warm in the North and cold in the South, then the next week it will be just the opposite. The swift currents that sweep through this unique chain of islands provide nutrient rich upwellings that positively impact the marine life.
‘Pipe Dreams’, ‘Connect the Dots’ and the ‘Yellow Wall of Texas’ are some of the recent discoveries in Komodo that are earning dive cruises to this area most favourable reviews.
From Manta Rays to Pygmy Seahorses and just about everything in between can be found
in and around Komodo
Between Bali and Komodo are more dive sites than in a normal 7 night/8 day schedule could be visited.
The “Komodo Experience” is one that serious divers should place high on their priority list of “must Dive”.
LIVEABOARD PHOTOGRAPHS coming soon.............
Name : Katharina
Cabins : 8 air conditioned cabins with shower/toilet (Capacity 16 passengers)
Flag : Indonesia
LOA : 33 Meters
Deck Length : 26,5 Meters
Beam : 8,5 Meters
Engine : 10 Cyl. Mercedes Benz OM 403
Speed : cruising 7,5 knots / Top 9 knots
Water tanks : 11,200 liters
Fuel tanks : 7,000 liters
Electricity : 49 KVA generator MWM/25 KVA generator, MWM 24 volts emergency supply
Tenders : 2, one small/one large fiberglass
Navigation : Radar (range 24 NM), Furuno depth sounder, GPS – Long / short radio, Satellite phone
Security : 36 life jackets, Flares, Distress beacon, 2 Life rafts (20/25 pax), Outboards : 2, 15 & 40 HP Yamaha
LIVEABOARD SCHEDULE
Bali, Gili's, Moyo, Satonda Island, Banta Island, Komodo Island
DAY 1
Early morning after being transfered from your hotels, we will depart at 09.00 from Padangbai by fastboat and being transferred to the Katharina in Teluk Nara. We have our lunch onboard while having short sail to the Gili’s** off the coast of west-Lombok, where we will have our first dive. With it’s sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs and abundance of iridescent tropical fish, this is a snorkellers/divers paradise. Short sail to Moyo and spend the night at anchor.
Day 2
Early morning in Moyo we will hike through the monsoon forest to a lovely three-tiered waterfall for a dip or a swim in complete wilderness. At noon arrival in Satonda** island, the tip of an ancient volcano; see the huge crater-lake just a few minutes from the beach. Reefs around the island are spectacular and mostly in pristine conditions, excellent for snorkelers.
Day 3
Katharina will anchors in the afternoon in the peaceful bays of Banta Island**. After breakfast, you will be offered up to two dives today to take advantage of this world-class dive region. You will be treated to an enormous array of fish life as well as spectacular above water scenery. A short sail to Padar Island** for another excellent dive. A barbeque under star spangled sky will be the perfect end to a fantastic day of diving.
Day 4
Our second day in the Komodo National Park will start by a dive in Gili Lawa Darat** and Sabalon** famous for their spectacular beauty under water. Night Sailing to Komodo island.
Day 5
Arrival at dawn at Komodo island, monkeys, wild board, buffaloes, deer, megapodes and the famous Komodo ‘dragons’ can been seen during the hike, amidst unsurpassed scenery of savanna, cut by deep blue coves and inlets. In a dry and rugged island of jagged peaks, white-sand beaches and dry shrubs where we could have another fabulous dive in Pink Beach** Midday sail to Tatawa** island for some truly world class snorkeling. Late afternoon sail to Horseshoe Bay** for an evening dive. These dive sites are famous for their diversity in marine life that will be fully appreciated once under the water.
Day 6
Arrival in Sape. We will have a tour to Donggo highlands for visit of traditional villages. At 12.55 we will fly back to Bali, arrival at 14.15
Please email us for further details.
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