Page 59 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Dive Site and Marine Life Highlights of Lombok Snorkeling and Freediving Highlights

Lombok is known for its pelagics, and passing hammerheads have been
which most famously include great and seen here but the definite highlight is the Sekotong quite possibly offers some While Belongas Bay undoubtedly offers
scalloped hammerheads and schooling rugged “stepped” topography from which of the most vibrant, productive and exciting opportunities for scuba divers, it
mobula rays. That’s not all though, the site takes its name and the abundant colorful coral reefs for snorkelers in is not recommended for snorkeling due
expect to see trevally, tuna, barracuda, reef fish and corals which bring striking Indonesia. The warm waters and good to currents, choppy surface conditions
reef sharks, marble rays, eagle rays, sea colours to the shallows. visibility make this an idyllic snorkeling around the pinnacles, cooler water
snakes, turtles, schools of mackerel, destination. Access to some of the best temperatures and little to see in the
rainbow runners and fusiliers, hoards of Cathedral is another favourite site for snorkeling spots requires transport by shallows. The pristine reefs of Sekotong
medium sized and small reef fish and if many divers and features a beautiful boat, but it is well worth it when you are much better suited to both snorkelers
you have a keen eye there is a wealth of coral encrusted pinnacle. Its open ocean find yourself surrounded by a plethora and freedivers.
critters including numerous nudibranch position makes it a major attraction for of colorful reef fish. Conditions for
species, frogfish, scorpionfish, octopus, passing pelagics including eagle rays,
cuttlefish and so much more! hunting trevally, barracuda, schooling snorkeling and free diving around
mackerel, rainbow runners and fusiliers. Sekotong are good all year round.
The most famous dive site by far in When you are not looking out to the blue
Belongas Bay is The Magnet. The Magnet take time to investigate the corals – there
is a stunning open ocean rock pinnacle is also a wealth of macro-life to be found
which literally attracts fish and pelagics here.
like a magnet does steel. The biggest draw
for diving the Magnet is the seasonal Gili Sarang is a collection of pinnacles
hammerheads, which are seen in schools, and boulders which attract pelagics.
together with reef shark sightings, Best known for it’s “big fish” action and
barracuda, trevally, eagle rays and other seasonal schooling mobula rays (August
pelagics. If you are looking for big fish and September), frequent encounters
then this pinnacle should be on your list. here also include white tip, black tip
The Lighthouse dive site offers incredible and grey reef sharks, huge dog-toothed
topography and diverse and abundant tuna, great barracuda, giant trevally
marine life make this dive site a must. and jacks. Take time away from the
Exploring the rocky plateau, canyons and blue to appreciate the breath-taking,
slope you’ll find schools of sweetlips and kaleidoscopic soft corals and critters that
patrolling white tip reef sharks. Huge reside within them.
boulders create interesting recesses
where critters can be found hiding and the Small Gili Ringgit is a must for divers who
huge coral bommies are shrouded with are keen to spot some of Indonesia’s most
glass fish. Look out to the blue for passing sought after macro critters. Small Gili
schools of fusiliers, rainbow runners and Ringgit features several worthwhile spots,
mackerel. great for both macro photographers and
novice divers. Macro fans will be in their
The Stairs to Medang site is home to a element with ghost pipefish, varieties
vibrant coral garden plateau at around of shrimp species and crabs hiding in
14 meters from where you head deeper feather stars and soft coral, while less
down the “Stairs”. In the deeper areas experienced divers will enjoy blue-spotted
you should expect the unexpected – stingrays and cuttlefish.
everything from manta rays, reef sharks

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