Incredible Manta Rays in Paradise

Posted on September 13, 2024September 13, 2024 by Annabel Thomas

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Incredible Manta Rays in Paradise

Manta rays are one of the world’s most exotic marine creatures! They are the largest rays and are highly intelligent. Mantas are found in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate waters around the globe.

There are two kinds of Mantas: The (pelagic) giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris), and the (coastal) reef manta ray (Manta alfredi).

Actually, a 2017 taxonomy study found that mantas are actually mobula rays (aka devil rays) – so Giant manta would be Mobula birostris, and Reef manta, Mobula alfredi – but everyone knows them as mantas 🙂

Manta rays in Indonesia

In 2014, the Indonesian government placed a country-wide ban on fishing and trade in Manta rays based on the simple fact that Mantas are worth a lot more in terms of tourist dollars than in fish markets. The estimated value of a single Manta ray over its lifetime is estimated to be USD1 million vs. USD40-500 when caught and killed.

In December 2020, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) changed the conservation status of the Giant Manta rays from Vulnerable to Endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species.

Scuba divers usually encounter Mantas at their feeding locations. They have several creative feeding techniques ranging from doing repeated somersaults to stay in one spot that’s packed with krill, or chain-feeding where they follow each other in a circle, mouths open, to create a cyclone effect, trapping their food in the spiral.

Where to Find Manta Rays

The four main locations to see Manta rays in Indonesia are:

Manta Point, SW Nusa Penida (just off mainland Bali)
We are very lucky to see Manta rays year-round at Bali’s Manta Point. It is genuinely rare to dive here and not see them 🙂 In season (June-October), you may also see the weird-but-wonderful Southern sunfish, Mola alexandrini (known locally as Mola-Mola) and other pelagics such as tuna and Tiger mackerel.

Komodo National Park
Diving here is year-round; the best months to see Manta rays are during the rainy season from late November to February.

The Alor archipelago
Also known for sightings of Eagle rays as well as Mantas, plus sharks, Dog-tooth tuna and other pelagics.

Raja Ampat, West Papua
During the October to March rainy season, although visibility is lower, the water is rich with nutrients meaning you are likely to see more Mantas 🙂

If the above has whet your appetite and, like so many of our ‘Bali & Beyond’ guests, you can’t wait to start planning – please contact your friendly AMD-B Dive Travel Consultant on Tours@AquaMarineDiving.com today to start YOUR planning!

Shark Attack

Posted on July 12, 2024July 14, 2024 by Annabel Thomas

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Shark Diving in Indonesia

Looking for some shark-y Indonesia diving? AMD-B ‘Beyond Bali’ Dive Travel Consultants would be delighted to put together the best possible arrangements to enable you to visit one – or all! – of the below Indonesian dive destinations! You can contact them on Tours@AquaMarineDiving.com.

Komodo, Raja Ampat, and Bali

Catsharks in Komodo: Night-diving will increase your chances of encountering them as they’re nocturnal hunters.

Carpet aka Wobbegong sharks: There are multiple Raja Ampat dive sites where you can encounter Wobbegongs. You’ll see them lying on the bottom (including in caves) – hence the name ‘carpet’ – and are pretty cool with ambushing their prey. Also expect to see Grey and Black-tip reef sharks.

Reef sharks at Mimpang/Tepekong, Bali: You can see them out in the open, and sleeping in caves and under table corals. They’re very timid so please don’t harass them.

West Papua, South Lombok, and Alor

Whalesharks in Cendrawasih Bay & Triton Bay, West Papua: You can visit either location whether you’re on a liveaboard or on a Day Trip from a resort. At most dive destinations, Whaleshark sightings are considered rare however these Whalesharks appear to be resident. However, you do need to know where and when to visit.

Hammerhead sharks at ‘The Magnet’, South Lombok: You’ll need gloves and a reef hook! Hammerhead season here is July to October; the currents can be VERY challenging however it’s worth it – “schools of hammerheads” should be on your bucketlist!
Hammerheads are also seen in the Banda Sea on their seasonal, migratory routes.

Thresher sharks in Alor: This one is like hitting a jackpot! There are multiple, seasonal records of schooling Thresher sharks in Alor but remember that sadly these days they are endangered and pretty rare.
A non-profit foundation registered under the Indonesian government has been established to pass on to the local populations that these creatures are at a high risk of extinction. Want to come and try your luck?

Note: The majority of the dive sites where these big pelagics are usually encountered can have quite challenging currents. We suggest you get an Advanced certification (dive to greater depths) and – perhaps more importantly – your Drift Dive specialty before proceeding on your Indonesia Shark Diving Adventure.

Diving with Mola Mola (Ocean sunfish)

Posted on June 23, 2023March 25, 2024 by Annabel Thomas

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Diving with Mola Mola (Ocean sunfish)

In the past, aggressive divers routinely disturbed Ocean sunfish at cleaning stations. This resulted in them spending less time near shore and greatly limited the number of sightings. Records from the early ‘90s show that Mola-Mola were seen in far greater numbers, were more at ease, and remained stationary at cleaning stations for longer periods. This allowed divers to enjoy their natural behaviour with longer encounters with the mysterious Ocean sunfish.

AMD-B’s Mola-Mola Code of Conduct is designed to provide an enjoyable and safe diving experience while ensuring the lowest impact on Bali’s Ocean sunfish. The aim of our Code of Conduct is to ensure they can settle onto cleaning stations without being disturbed. Once settled, they remain for longer periods offering better quality interaction for divers. We hope they can rebound to their previous high numbers.

Mola-Mola CoC Relevant to AMD-B Divers

If Mola-Mola are entering the cleaning station, do not approach until cleaning has begun and they are stationary for minimum 1 minute.

Maintain a minimum of 10 metres when MM are approaching the reef and not yet cleaning.

When at the cleaning station, maintain a minimum of 3 metres from the closest Ocean sunfish.

DO NOT TOUCH.
You will remove mucus protecting it from infection.

Approach Mola-Mola slowly within its field of view.

Do not swim behind an Ocean sunfish as this can startle it.

Do not swim under an Ocean sunfish as your bubbles may disturb cleaning behaviour.

Do not block its escape route off the reef or pathway onto a cleaning station (it will leave!).

If a Mola-Mola approaches, remain still.

Do not use flash photography.

Do not make loud noises (including tank bangers and similar).

AquaMarine restricts group sizes to a maximum of 4 divers and 1 guide. For more than 1 group, entries will be staggered to avoid overcrowding.

To be courteous to other divers, AMD-B will restrict viewing time to 5 minutes when other groups are present.

Always follow the directions of your AMD-B dive guide.

Our Nusa Penida trip is now focusing on Mola-Mola sites. So, if you are aiming for Mola-Mola this year, contact our Dive Travel Consultants and get yourself signed up. In addition, make sure you don’t miss out our Mola-Mola special offers.