gee13
Contributor
Myself and MA Took a trip out to the Komodo Islands last week. Topside this area is just past the Wallace line and some of the scenery reminded me of parts of arid South Australia. We were on the Siren Fleet Liveaboard and was treated to some of the most remote diving out there. Being the start of the season I was having reservations about the weather but again the lucky shell I always carry with me delivers again with fine weather, glass off conditions and no swell. Waters generally ranged between 26-29C. Visibility from 10-50m +.
The currents in Komodo are to be respected, Ive dived in many regions famous for strong currents and the sites around Komodo rate highly up there. Theres some very impressive macro sites and wall dives which are amazing in coral growth. Sangeang Hot Rocks traverses a volcanic underwater topography with bubbles from the volcano emanating from the black sand during the dive. Highlights were Shotgun, Tatawa Besar, Castle Rock, Batu Bolong and Pantai Merah night dive. At Manta Alley we were treated to 10+ Mantas circling around a cleaning station then proceeded to a feed in a formation chain.
Most of the sites are very fishy with quite a few smaller pelagics, however there was a lack of sharkiness to most of the sites. We only saw some some resting white tips in Crystal Rock and some early morning hunting in Big Nose. The conditions for sharks are ideal and with the lack of their presence I fear that most have been fished out. Also the pristine corals of the dive sites are not immune to dynamite fishing either which is a shame as it is a World Heritage area. That said this is Indonesia, and Komodo is in a vast and wild country.
More photos in the gallery below:
Zenfolio | Gavin Ee | Komodo April 2012
The currents in Komodo are to be respected, Ive dived in many regions famous for strong currents and the sites around Komodo rate highly up there. Theres some very impressive macro sites and wall dives which are amazing in coral growth. Sangeang Hot Rocks traverses a volcanic underwater topography with bubbles from the volcano emanating from the black sand during the dive. Highlights were Shotgun, Tatawa Besar, Castle Rock, Batu Bolong and Pantai Merah night dive. At Manta Alley we were treated to 10+ Mantas circling around a cleaning station then proceeded to a feed in a formation chain.
Most of the sites are very fishy with quite a few smaller pelagics, however there was a lack of sharkiness to most of the sites. We only saw some some resting white tips in Crystal Rock and some early morning hunting in Big Nose. The conditions for sharks are ideal and with the lack of their presence I fear that most have been fished out. Also the pristine corals of the dive sites are not immune to dynamite fishing either which is a shame as it is a World Heritage area. That said this is Indonesia, and Komodo is in a vast and wild country.
More photos in the gallery below:
Zenfolio | Gavin Ee | Komodo April 2012
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