August 31, 2024:
Beangabang Finale:
Our late morning dive at Beangabang was the final dive of our terrific Alor Region cruise aboard Damai II.
Like all of our previous dives at this productive “muck site” it did not disappoint!
What a privilege it was for me to have spent almost a month aboard Damai II! It’s like a home away from home for me. Thanks, so much, as always, to the vessel’s wonderful crew!
Thanks, as well, to Jen Darby and her Liveaboard Adventures guests for warmly welcoming me into their ranks!
Here are several of my favorite images from our final dive at Beangabang:
Emperor Shrimp; a pair of Ornate Ghost Pipefish; Juvenile Ornate Ghost Pipefish; yet another Ornate Ghost Pipefish; Dwarf Cuttlefish; Threadfin Sand Divers; Orangutan Crab; Nudibranch (Thecacera pacifica); and two parting shots of a somewhat scarred, but nonetheless friendly, Broadclub Cuttlefish.
Following this dive, Damai II hoisted anchor and started sailing towards Kupang, located on the western tip of Timor Island, where we would disembark and begin our long homeward journey.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 30, 2024:
More From Beangabang:
Here are several more of my favorite images from our early morning dive at Beangabang:
Checkered-Eyed Mantis Shrimp clutching an egg mass; Pleurobranch (I think, but I am not certain. Please correct me if indicated. Thanks!); Ornate Ghost Pipefish; two photos of a White-V (or Long Arm) Octopus; and a Clark’s Anemonefish.
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 29, 2024:
Final Morning At Beangabang:
Our diving for the Alor Region cruise aboard Damai II concluded with two morning dives at Beangabang.
True to form, this great “muck site” continued to deliver!
Here are a half dozen of my favorite images from the first of these two dives:
Three photographs of a pair of Robust Ghost Pipefish; Nudibranch (Thecacera pacifica); and two shots of what I think are Sapsucking Slugs, (but I’m not sure. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks!)
In my next post I’ll share several additional images from this dive.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 27, 2024:
Beangabang At Night (Part 2):
Here’s the second set of my favorite images from our night dive at Beangabang, featuring a couple of Cephalopods:
Three photos of a White-V (or Long Arm) Octopus; two shots of a second Octopus of the same species; a pair of Crabs (likely mating); and a Juvenile Leafy Filefish (I think).
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 26, 2024:
Beangabang At Night:
We finished off our tenth diving day with an excellent night dive at Beangabang!
I’ll share half of my favorite images from this dive in today’s post, and the other half in my next post.
Juvenile Lionfish and a Painted Frogfish; two additional shots of the Painted Frogfish; Juvenile Scorpionfish and a small Crab; Harlequin Swimming Crab; Sea Hare; and an Anemone Hermit Crab.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 23, 2024:
More From Beangabang:
During our second dive at the site, Beangabang continued to deliver interesting critters!
Here are several of my favorite images from this dive:
Two photos of a Lisa’s Mantis Shrimp; two shots of a colorful Spiny Devilfish (Inimicus didactylus); a well-camouflaged White-V Octopus (also referred to as a Long Arm Octopus); two images of an Ornate Ghost Pipefish; Large-Spotted Snake Eel; Peacock Mantis Shrimp; and a very cute juvenile Yellow Boxfish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 21, 2024:
Beangabang:
After our early morning dive at Tanjung Kelitetek, Damai 2 moved to the southeast tip of Pantar Island, adjacent to the village of Beangabang.
In front of the village is an iconic “muck site” bearing the same name.
Beangabang, with its sloping silt/sand bottom, has proven itself to be a reliably productive “muck site”, home to a variety of interesting and unusual critters!
So we remained here for the final five dives of our cruise.
Here are several of my favorite images from our initial dive at Beangabang:
Two photos of an Ambon Scorpionfish; Barred Sand Conger Eel (?); Nudibranch (Armina sp.); Blenny (?) perched on a Whip Coral; Ornate Ghost Pipefish; and a Convict Snake Eel.
(I’m not entirely sure that all of these ID’s are correct. Please let me know if you spot any errors. Thanks!)
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 20, 2024:
Tanjung Kelitetek:
We began our tenth, and final, full day of diving with a peaceful early morning dive at Tanjung Kelitetek (Kelitetek Point), located at a corner of Treweg Island.
This dive site comprises a healthy, sloping, predominantly hard coral reef, with associated pinnacles and ridges.
We dove in 77°-79° F water, with 75′ visibility, minimal current, and mild to moderate surge at depth.
Photographically this was a wide angle dive for me, and I mainly shot reefscapes.
Here are several of my favorite images from our dive at Tanjung Kelitetek:
A Spawning Barrel Sponge; and six Reefscapes, the fourth of which features Amanda, one of our two superb cruise directors, who graciously modeled for me.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 14, 2024:
More From Mucky Mosque:
Here is the second set of my favorite images from our excellent night dive at Mucky Mosque:
Three photos of a Painted Frogfish; what I believe are two Nudibranchs “stuck together” (Perhaps Red-Lined Flabellinas?); Leaf Scorpionfish; and two shots of Nudibranchs (Hexabranchus species) (Spanish Dancer) (Notice the tiny Periclimenes Shrimp hitching a ride on the second of these Nudibranchs.)
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 13, 2024:
Back To Mucky Mosque:
We capped off our ninth dive day by returning to Mucky Mosque, located on the west coast of Alor Island, for a great night dive!
Led by our excellent dive guide Yanto, we encountered numerous great photographic subjects during this dive!
Here is the first of two sets of my favorite images from our exciting and productive night dive at Mucky Mosque:
Two photos of a Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias); two shots of Ramose Sea Hares; a large Octopus well hidden in a hole (Can you see it? Hint: look for its eyes.); and three additional Nudibranch shots (I think that they are all Marionia species.)
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 11, 2024:
More From Babylon:
Here is the second set of my favorite images from our dive at Babylon:
Two photos of an Emperor Angelfish; Longfin Bannerfish; Moorish Idol; Clark’s Anemonefish; a pair of Vagabond Butterflyfish; Checkerboard Wrasse (Intermediate Phase); and a pair of Threadfin Anthias (Male & Female).
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 10, 2024:
Babylon:
Our next dive was a drift dive in mild to moderate current at Babylon, located near Pulau Reta (Reta Island).
This dive site comprises a wall, with many small overhangs, and an adjacent sloping and flat reef.
It is not a particularly picturesque site, with numerous derelict fishing nets strewn over the reef.
Photographically, I dove Babylon as a “macro” site, concentrating mainly on fish portraits.
Here is the first of two sets of my favorite images from our dive at Babylon:
Orangutan Crab perched on Bubble Coral; Trumpetfish; Redtooth Triggerfish (Can you see the red tooth?); Longnose Butterflyfish; Clark’s Anemonefish; Regal Angelfish; Pyramid Butterflyfish; Crescent-Tail Bigeye; and a Pearl-Scaled Angelfish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 7, 2024:
More From Bama Wall:
Here are a few additional images from our excellent dive at Bama Wall.
Two Reefscapes; reef fish Feeding Frenzy, where Indo-Pacific Sergeants had laid eggs on the reef; and two additional Reefscapes.
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 6, 2024:
Bama Wall:
We moved to Bama Wall, also located in the Pantar Strait, for our
second dive of the day.
This dive site comprises a beautiful, predominantly hard coral wall with overhangs, and an adjacent attractive and healthy sloping and flat reef.
The visibility was great (100’+), with mild current, and 81°F water.
Halfway through the dive, I encountered a good sized Banded Krait hunting on the reef!
I spent the next half hour swimming with this sea snake as it continued to forage, pretty much oblivious to my presence!
Today’s post is devoted to my favorite images of the Banded Krait.
I’ll add additional images from our dive at Bama Wall in my next post.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 5, 2024:
Crucifixion:
We began our ninth dive day with an early morning dive at Crucifixion, another Pantar Strait dive site.
The dive site’s name refers to the tragic sinking of a ferry boat at this location, which resulted in the loss of 200 lives.
Crucifixion offers a healthy, sloping, predominantly hard coral reef and wall, with two “cracks,” and adjacent small pinnacles.
We encountered relatively cold water (77-79°F), with excellent (100’+) visibility, and variable light current.
Here are a half dozen of my favorite images from our dive at Crucifixion:
Two Reefscapes; a Spawning Sponge; and three additional Reefscapes.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 4, 2024:
Mucky Mosque At Night (Part 2):
Here is the second set of my favorite images from our night dive at Mucky Mosque:
Soft Coral Crab; Sea Hare? (I’m not sure.); Flatworm; a pile of Flowers’ Flatworms (Perhaps having an orgy?); Anemone; and what may be a Nudibranch (Melibe sp.) (I’m not sure.)
If indicated, I welcome any corrections regarding the two ID’s that I’m not sure about.
Thanks!
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 3, 2024:
Mucky Mosque At Night (Part 1):
For me, the central theme of our night dive at Mucky Mosque was Snowflake Moray Eels.
I encountered at least four or five of them hunting out in the open!
But we did find several additional interesting and photogenic critters during the dive.
Here is the first of two sets of my favorite images from our night dive at Mucky Mosque:
Four photos of Snowflake Moray Eels; Black-Blotched Porcupinefish; Lined Sea Hare on an encrusted light bulb; and a Leafy Filefish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 2, 2024:
Mucky Mosque:
Damai II moved to Mucky Mosque for the final two dives of our eighth dive day.
This is a “muck site,” with a sloping sand/silt bottom, located on the west coast of Alor Island, near a village with at least two visible mosques.
We experienced decent visibility of 40′ and minimal current, and encountered numerous interesting critters, during our late afternoon dive at Mucky Mosque!
Here are some of my favorite images from this dive:
Two photos of an Orange-Banded Pipefish; Ramose Sea Hare; shots of two different Broadclub Cuttlefish; Whitebelly Toby; a trio of Squat Shrimp; Ornate Ghost Pipefish hiding in a bright red Crinoid; Nudibranch (Leopard Chromodoris); and an Anemone.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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August 1, 2024:
Cathedral:
Cathedral, a Pantar Strait dive site located along the west coast of Alor Island, was where we dove next.
The site’s underwater topography is interesting and varied, and includes a predominantly hard coral wall, sloping reef with ridges, and boulders.
The 80′ visibility was good, but the water conditions were quite challenging, with strong, changing currents, and surge at depth!
I managed to shoot a few Reefscapes while dealing with the tricky water conditions.
Here are three of my favorite Reefscapes from our dive at Cathedral.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 31, 2024:
School Out:
We began our eighth dive day with an early morning dive at School Out.
This dive site, located in the Pantar Strait adjacent to Pura Island, offers a healthy hard coral wall and sloping reef.
It is named for a school located on the shore nearby.
Shortly before our dive, a large animal, perhaps a shark, breached out of the water.
So we were hoping to encounter sharks during our dive.
The current was quite strong, and the visibility was great, at 100’+!
At the beginning of our dive we “hid” in a crevasse in the reef that was protected from the strong current, hoping to encounter any sharks that might come cruising by.
Divemaster Yanto made scraping noises on a plastic water bottle with his dive stick, attempting to attract curious sharks
But it was not to be!
No sharks appeared.
Subsequently, we drifted along the reef.
As we did, I enjoyed the healthy reef, and took a few photographs.
Here are a handful of my favorite Reefscapes from our dive at School Out, one of which includes a Fish Trap placed on the reef by the locals.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 30, 2024:
Mandarin Wall:
A night dive at Mandarin Wall, located near the shore a short distance to the right of Jan’s Village when facing Pura Island, concluded our seventh dive day.
This attractive dive site comprises a healthy miniwall and sloping coral reef.
We dove in crystal clear water with minimal current, and encountered numerous interesting and photogenic creatures!
Here are my favorite images from our dive at Mandarin Wall:
Mushroom Coral Pipefish; Anemone; Tasseled Scorpionfish; Red Reef Lobster; Black-Blotched Porcupinefish; Dwarf Cuttlefish; Pyramid Butterflyfish; and a Tiger Cowrie.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 29, 2024:
Jan’s Village:
Our next dive was at Jan’s Village, a “muck site” located adjacent to Pura Island, in front of the village of the same name.
The sloping silt, sand, and rubble bottom proved to be home to a variety of interesting critters!
Excellent visibility and no current enhanced our spotting and photographic efforts!
Here are several of my favorite images from our great dive at Jan’s Village:
Two photos of a Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa), a much sought after photographic subject; Spotfin Lionfish; two shots of a male Blue Ribbon Eel; Flat Rock Crab; a pair of Orange-Dashed Gobies; Snowflake Moray Eel; and images of two different Clark’s Anemonefish.
Damai II and the two dive skiffs we were visited by many excited and friendly children from Jan’s Village.
In addition, we made a fun visit to the village following our dive!
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 28, 2024:
Bakalang Jetty:
In the late morning, we dove under Bakalang Jetty, located on the east coast of Pantar Island, adjacent to the village of the same name.
There are actually two adjacent jetties.
I spent most of my dive under the jetty to the right when facing the shore.
In particular, I photographed the prolific and colorful sponges and soft corals encrusting the wooden pilings of this jetty.
Occasionally, a school of Yellowstripe Scad swam under the jetty, providing additional photographic interest.
Towards the end of my dive, I spotted a Helmet Gurnard cruising along the bottom near the jetties!
It was a challenge getting close enough to this somewhat skittish fish, in order to get decent images with a 15 mm fisheye lens.
However, with patience, I was able to get a few.
Here are some of my favorite photos from our dive at Bakalang Jetty:
Eight shots of sponge and coral encrusted Jetty Pilings, two of which include the schooling Yellowstripe Scad; and two images of the Helmet Gurnard.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 27, 2024:
Tanjung Munah:
We started our seventh dive day with an early morning drift dive along the wall and over the reef at Tajung Munah (Munah Channel), located between Pantar and Alor Islands.
We were hoping to encounter schooling Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks.
However, unfortunately the water was relatively warm (82° F).
If any sharks were in the vicinity, they were probably at greater depths in cooler water.
In any case, we didn’t encounter any.
Nonetheless, it was quite an enjoyable dive, featuring mild-moderate current, great 100’+ visibility, a healthy reef, and numerous spesies of schooling fish!
Here are my favorite images from our dive at Tanjung Munah:
Schooling Lowfin Drummers; Schooling Rainbow Runners; Schooling Whitetongue Jacks; Schooling Bigeye Barracudas; and four Reefscapes.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 26, 2024:
Teluk Wolu At Night (Part 2):
Here is the second set of my favorite images from our productive night dive at Teluk Wolu:
Zebra Moray Eel; Toby, (I’m not sure of the exact species), and Zebra Moray Eel; Nudibranch (Flabellina sp. ?); Crab; Juvenile Ornate Ghost Pipefish; well camouflaged Tasseled Scorpionfish; and an Anemone.
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 25, 2024:
Teluk Wolu At Night (Part 1):
To round out our sixth dive day, we remained at Teluk Wolu for an excellent night dive, during which we had numerous interesting encounters!
Here is the first of two sets of my favorite images of highlight creatures from this dive:
Two photos of a very well camouflaged Octopus, (look for the eye); Squat Shrimp; Pleasing Flatworm; Black-Spotted Egg Cowrie; Moustache Conger Eel; Anemone Hermit Crab; and a Threadfin Hawkfish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 21, 2024:
Teluk Wolu:
Teluk Wolu (Wolu Bay), adjacent to Pulau Wolu (Wolu Island), was the site for our third dive of the day.
It is a “muck site” with a gently sloping sandy bottom, dotted with occasional small coral bommies in the shallows.
During our dive we experienced relatively cold water (73-77° F), with modest 25′ visibility, no current, and minimal surge.
Several interesting creatures were encountered during the dive!
Here are a few of my favorite images from our dive at Teluk Wolu:
Two photos of a pair of White-Eyed Moray Eels; Flatworm; three shots of three different Robust Ghost Pipefish; and two images of what I think are Sea Hares, (though I’m not sure).
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 20, 2024:
Batu Bawah:
We dove Batu Bawah, a dive site adjacent to Kambing Island, for our second dive of the day.
Unlike our previous dive at Watu Balu, there was nothing “mellow” about this dive!
The underwater topography comprised a submerged point and a wall.
The water was relatively cold (75° F), with mediocre visibility of 50″.
In addition, we experienced surge, and variable, swirling currents, with occasional relatively strong downcurrents.
Due to the challenging water conditions, I was not particularly enjoying the dive, so I opted to surface after a brief dive of 29 minutes.
I did, however, manage to take a few photos along the way:
Tasselled Wobbegong Shark; Reefscape; and Schooling Longfin Bannerfish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 19, 2024:
Watu Balu:
Our sixth dive day began with a mellow early morning dive at Watu Balu, located near Rusa Island.
The relatively cold water (72° F) woke us up, as did the terrific visibility of more than 100′!
The dive site comprised a lovely, healthy, sloping, predominantly hard coral reef, with scattered small pinnacles and bommies.
In addition to the beautiful reef and great visibility, a highlight of my dive was encountering a Banded Krait hunting on the reef towards the beginning of the dive.
Here are several of my favorite images from our dive at Watu Balu:
Banded Krait hunting on the reef; and seven Reefscapes, (the first of which includes one of the dive skiffs, and the last of which features three tiny divers).
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 18, 2024:
Pulau Soanggi:
Our final dive of day five was at Pulau Soanggi (Soanggi Island), a small island in the Indian Ocean, located just south of the much larger Pulau Lembata (Lembata Island).
Underwater topography at the dive site included walls, coral bommies, and a sandy bottom.
During our dive we encountered challenging conditions, with relatively cold (77-79° F) green-tinged water, diminished visibility of 25′, surge, current, and waves crashing overhead.
Despite these conditions I managed to shoot a few Reefscapes.
Here are a handful of my favorites.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 16, 2024:
Nuhawatu Rocks:
Nuhawatu Rocks, also located south of Solor Island, was the site for our second dive of the day.
Clustered rocks, rising just above the ocean surface, mark the dive site.
They are the tips of associated interesting underwater topography, which includes a long submerged ledge and scattered small hard coral bommies adorned with soft corals, predominantly orange in color.
Nuhawatu Rocks was quite fishy, with schooling Sweetlips and Fusiliers, among other species!
Water conditions were somewhat challenging during our dive, with visibility limited to about 50′, mild-moderate current, and strong surge at depth.
Here is a collection of my favorite images from our dive at Nuhawatu Rocks:
Schooling Ribbon Sweetlips; and nine Reefscapes, several with schooling fish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 11, 2024:
Nuha Witi:
For our fifth dive day, Damai 2 moved south of the main Indonesian island chain.
This put us into nutrient-rich, greener, and cooler Indian Ocean water, with decreased visibility.
Nuha Witi, a “rock” in open water south of Solor Island, was our first dive site of the day.
It offered interesting, boulder-strewn underwater topography.
In addition to limited visibility of about 20′, we experienced surge and strong currents, and encountered large schools of fish during our dive.
With the challenging water conditions, I mainly shot Reefscapes at Nuha Witi.
Here are a handful of my favorite images from this dive.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 10, 2024:
Teluk Konga At Night (Part 2):
Here is the second set of my favorite images from our productive night dive at Teluk Konga:
Starry Night Octopus; Bigfin Reef Squid; Pipefish; two photos of Bobtail Squid; what is most likely a Nudibranch (Melibe sp.), but I’m not sure; three shots of Dwarf Cuttlefish; and a Shortfin Lionfish (Red Variation).
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 9, 2024:
Teluk Konga At Night (Part 1):
Our fourth, and final, dive of the day was a terrific night dive at Teluk Konga (Konga Bay)!
It featured many Cephalopods, including at least three Squid species, at least two Octopus species, and numerous Dwarf Cuttlefish!
In addition, we encountered multiple other strange and unusual critters!
(Disclaimer: I have done my best to identify all of the creatures that we came across on this dive, but it is quite possible that not all of my ID’s are correct.)
In any case, here is the first of two sets of my favorite images from our fun night dive at Teluk Konga:
Four photos of Coconut Octopuses, (the first of which is hiding in a plastic snack bag); probably some sort of a Worm eating something, I’m not sure what (Tunicate? Sea Cucumber? Egg? Other?); two shots of Moon-Headed Sidegill Slugs (Perhaps they are mating in the second image.); two photos of Tropical Bottletail Squid; and a Sea Hare (Bursatella leachii leachii).
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 6, 2024:
Teluk Konga:
Teluk Konga (Konga Bay) was the site chosen for the third and fourth dives of our fourth dive day.
This is another “muck site” near the eastern end of Flores Island, which features a gently sloping silty bottom, and is “home” to a variety of interesting creatures.
During our dive, we experienced no current, limited visibility of about 20′, and a 3°F thermocline at 60′ depth.
Here are several of my favorite images from our first dive at Teluk Konga:
Two different “flower-like” Anemones; Golden Fire Worm; Dwarf Cuttlefish; Crab (I’m not sure what type); Juvenile Puffer (I’m not sure what species); two different upside down jellyfish; and an interesting-looking Unknown Critter.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 3, 2024:
More From Teluk Wotang:
Here are several more of my favorite images from our productive dive at Teluk Wotang:
Orange-Banded Pipefish; Nudibranch (Phyllidia sp.); Ornate Ghost Pipefish; Ocellated Tozeuma Shrimp; Nudibranch (Halgerda batangas); and a Shortpouch Pygmy Pipehorse.
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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July 2, 2024:
Teluk Wotang:
Our second dive of the day was midday at Teluk Wotang (Wotang Bay).
This is a “muck site” with a sloping silt/sand bottom, located in a shallow bay adjacent to Wotang Island, near the eastern tip of Flores Island.
We dove in 79°F water, with no current, and limited visibility of about 20′.
It was a fun dive, during which we encountered numerous interesting critters!
Here are several of my favorite images from our dive at Teluk Wotang:
Peacock Mantis Shrimp clutching an egg mass; a second Peacock Mantis Shrimp, without eggs; Nudibranch (Phyllodesmium briareum); a pair of Rigid Shrimpfish; Thorny Seahorse; and a Striped Puffer.
(Tomorrow I’ll post additional images from this dive.)
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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June 29, 2024:
Serbete Wall:
We began our fourth day of diving at Serbete Wall, a seamount located off the northeast coast of Flores Island.
This dive site comprises a healthy sloping, predominantly hard coral, reef and wall.
The excellent water conditions, with greater than 100′ visibility and minimal variable current, made for an enjoyable and relaxing dive!
Here are several of my favorite images from our dive at Serbete Wall:
Bargibanti Pygmy Seahorse; Spot-Banded Butterflyfish; Male Squarespot Anthias; Female Squarespot Anthias; a pair of Fire Dartfish; Scythe Triggerfish; Teardrop Butterflyfish; and a Regal Angelfish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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June 17, 2024:
Northwest Flores Island Finale:
Three different types of pipefish were my favorite photographic subjects during our second dive at the unamed Northwest Flores Island “muck site.”
But we encountered a variety of additional interesting critters.
Here are several of my favorite images from this dive:
Two photos of an Ornate Ghost Pipefish; two shots of two different Robust Ghost Pipefish; Yellowspotted Pipefish; Horned Helmet Snail; a pair of Anemone Squat Shrimp; Nudibranch (Netted Ceratosoma); Ocellated Tozeuma Shrimp; and a Clark’s Anemonefish.
Once we were back on board after this dive, Damai II resumed its eastward cruise along the north coast of Flores Island.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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June 9, 2024:
Northwest Flores Island (Continued):
The star of the show during the latter part of our first dive at the unamed Northwest Flores Island “muck site” was a very cooperative and photogenic small octopus.
I’m not sure of its species.
In any case, here are a few more of my favorite images from this dive:
Common Lionfish and Radiant Sea Urchins; five photos of the Octopus; Common Seahorse; and a trio of Clark’s Anemonefishes.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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June 7, 2024:
Northwest Flores Island:
During our first day of cruising out of Komodo National Park, we stopped for a couple of dives at an unamed “muck site” with a sloping dark sand bottom, located near an inlet on the northwest coast of Flores Island.
These proved to be enjoyable and productive dives, during which we encountered numerous interesting photographic subjects.
Here is the first set of some of my favorite images from our initial dive at this site:
Painted Frogfish; Porcelain Crab; Cuttlefish; Ocellated Tozeuma Shrimp; Juvenile Scorpionfish; Banded Coral Shrimp; and an Anemone Hermit Crab.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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June 3, 2024:
Tatawa Besar:
Our final dive in Komodo National Park (KNP) was at Tatawa Besar, a gorgeous, sloping mixed hard and soft coral reef, dominated by bright orange soft corals, and located in central KNP.
We had dove this site on the prior cruise, and I considered it the most scenic reef in the Park.
The mild-moderate current, and good visibility of 75′-100′, made for an excellent dive at this beautiful site!
Here are some of my favorite images from our dive at Tatawa Besar:
Four Reefscapes; Tasseled Scorpionfish; Three more Reefscapes; and two photos of a mellow Hawksbill Turtle foraging for dinner on the reef.
After our dive, Damai II began cruising towards the Alor Region.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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May 29, 2024:
Mauan:
Our late morning dive was at Mauan.
This central Komodo National Park dive site comprises a sloping hard coral and rubble reef.
We were hoping to encounter Manta Rays during our dive, and we were not disappointed!
There were at least six or seven Reef Manta Rays seemingly effortlessly gliding through the variable, and occasionally quite strong, currents bathing the dive site!
At the end of my dive, I got caught in a significant downcurrent with a prominent rotary component.
It felt like a whirlpool, was quite disorienting, and definitely got my attention!
It required a concerted effort to surface in this current!
For me, it was a stark reminder of how much stronger than us the ocean can be, and of how much better adapted to this “alien” environment are magnificant and powerful creatures such as Manta Rays!
Here are a few of my favorite images from this memorable dive at Mauan:
Three photos of Reef Manta Rays; Clown Triggerfish; Reefscape; and a pair of Six-Banded Angelfish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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May 28, 2024:
Siaba Kecil:
We remained in Komodo National Park (KNP) for our second dive day.
Siaba Kecil, a lovely, sloping hard coral reef located in central KNP, was the site for our early morning dive.
Terrific visibility of 100’+, and a mild-moderate current, made for excellent dive conditions!
Here are several of my favorite images from our dive at Siaba Kecil:
Two photos of a friendly Hawksbill Turtle; three Reefscapes; schooling Giant Trevally; and four additional Reefscapes.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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May 25, 2024:
Bidadari:
Now that the annual Spring bird migration is winding down, I am finally getting around to reviewing images from the second half of my September 2023 Indonesia trip.
After three days at anchor in Labuan Bajo Harbor following our first cruise, Damai II set sail on a second cruise that would take us from Komodo National Park, through the “Alor Region,” to Kupang in Timor.
The first dive of this cruise was a dusk dive at a “semi-muck” site called Bidadari, located in Komodo National Park, near Labuan Bajo.
Despite somewhat limited visibility of 25′, it was great to get back in the water after three days at anchor with no diving!
Here are several of my favorite images from our dive at Bidadari:
Two photos of an Emperor Shrimp on a Sea Star; Orange-Banded Coralfish; Tasseled Scorpionfish; Painted Spiny Lobster; Keyhole Angelfish: Panda Butterflyfish; Periclimenes Shrimp on a Sea Star; Spotfin Lionfish; and a Long-Beaked Coralfish.
Enjoy!
Stay safe, and have a great day!
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