Massive Schools of Fish!

Liveaboard trip 29/9 – 06/10 2007

Bali - Komodo
INDONESIA

Mermaid I

I think most of the guests on this trip will agree with me, if I say the most memorable dives were the ones we did at Takat Toko (Castle Rock) in the Komodo National Park. Enormous schools of fish, from 40 meters depth all the way up to the surface! Unicornfish, Snappers, Jackfish, Surgeonfish, Bannerfish, Rainbow Runners, Sweetlips and Pyramid Butterflyfish. Absolutely gorgeous! And lots of sharks – Grey Reefs and Whitetips, constantly patrolling the area. All this in crystal clear water.

But, of course I can’t leave out the two dives we did at Manta Alley in South Komodo, with 20 – 25 Manta Rays, up-close and personal. For several people onboard, these were the first Mantas ever!

Things didn’t stop with all the big fish action; we were equally lucky with the smaller critters. Pygmy Seahorses, rare Nudibranchs (including the strange, solar-powered Long-cirri Phyllodesmium), Zebra Crabs, Skeleton Shrimps and a good selection of Frogfish.

At Komodo Island, we reached an all-time high with the Dragons; eight big animals during our scenic 2-hour walk. Plus the Cockatoos, Deer and beautiful Orchids.

Next to the world-famous Cannibal Rock, we did a nightdive at Torpedo Alley. Apart from the electrical Torpedo Rays, we enjoyed a virtual parade of rare things: 15 big Pleurobranchus nudibranchs, upside-down Jellyfish carried around by Decorator Crabs, Bent-stick Pipefish, Harlequin Ghost Pipefish, Zebra Crabs in Fire Urchins, a sleeping Turtle and even a Grey Bamboo Shark. Nightdives don’t get better than this!

A smooth crossing back to Bali ended this very pleasant trip.

PJ Widestrand

Video-Pro
Mermaid I

Live-aboard trips to Thailand, Myanmar, Bali - Komodo and the Andaman Islands.