Even for seasoned enthusiast and/or professional divers, the moment they submerge into the water is still a breathtaking experience. But then, every once in a while, the sea might surprise us with unusual albeit special encounters with its one of many star residents. In this post, we will share with you some special encounters you can experience in Bali.
Mola Mola
Encounter with Mola Mola is a special occasion every diver sought after. This gigantic yet docile fish prefers colder waters as their habitat like the deep waters of Crystal Bay in Nusa Penida. When the water temperature drops, usually from July to October, they will swim to shallower water to get cleaned from parasites, just shallow enough for recreational dive.
Manta Rays
The Manta ray is a majestic and impressive animal, and seeing it for the first time is a transcending and magical experience. To see them, just hop on a short boat ride from Crystal Bay, you will arrive at the famous Manta Point in Nusa Penida. This is the must-see dive site for all divers who come to Bali. The water temperature ranges between 20-24⁰ C and is often rich in plankton.
Banggai Cardinalfish
Compared to the previous creatures, this fish is tiny. But they are a hot commodity in aquarium trades. The demand for them is so high that they are overfished in the wild and are considered endangered. Usually, to see them, you’ll have to visit Sulawesi Island. But in recent years, there has been a population of Banggai Cardinalfish here in Bali, in Secret Bay, Gilimanuk to be exact. This particular diving spot has been known as the favorite of marine biologists as well as macro and muck divers. Other than Banggai Cardinalfish, there are a lot of tiny yet rare sea creatures that reside in this dive site.
School of Goldband Fusilier
At a glance, Goldband Fusilier is a typical colorful tropical reef fish. But it usually travels in a dense pack. When a school of Goldband Fusilier passes, it is as if a wall has been erected underwater. As these fish travel in schools, they are not suitable for aquariums, making the only way to see them is by diving. Along with other marine creatures, schools of Goldband Fusilier can be encountered in Drop Off near Tulamben.
Pygmy Seahorse
Encounter with this particular sea creature is considered a very special moment. Pygmy Seahorse is a master of camouflage as its body is tiny and mimics the polyps of the sea fan it lives in, shape and color wise making it extremely hard to spot. The size of the pygmy seahorses also makes them very vulnerable, and there are numerous dangers that threaten the pygmy seahorse. There are many diving spots in Bali where you can encounter Pygmy Seahorse but Amed, on the east of Bali Island, is the best choice for the highest possibility to spot one.
Frogfish & Rhinopias
Frogfish and Rhinopias are two elusive creatures that took the title “reef fish” a little too literal. Their bodies are the perfect mirror of the corals and reefs they live in. This and their scarcity make them highly sought-after fishes for underwater photographers. They, like all the other creatures mentioned before, can also be found in Bali. To be more specific, you can find them in Padangbai, the small village east of Bali known as the harbor for ferries to and from Lombok and Gilis.
There are many more special encounters you can experience around Bali and Indonesia. So do grab your fins, put on your masks, fill your tanks, and jump into the blue waters where many more encounters wait!
