Batu Bolong and Manta Point, Komodo

Third diving day at Komodo area. First one was Batu Bolong and second Manta Point again.

Dive #: 199
Date: 16.3.2011
Place: Indonesia, Komodo, Batu Bolong
Depth: 26,8m Average depth: 14,9m
Visibility: 15-20m
Sea Temperature: +28C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air) Wetsuit: long 3mm Weight: 6Kg

Dive Center: Dive Komodo
Price: 30€/dive

Here is very rich marine life like seems to be everywhere in Komodo area. Scorpionfish.
Whitetip in the bottom. I went very cafefully closer, closer, closer and finally I was next to "her". I have never seen before whitetips have "holes" in the skin.
Napoleon.
In the end of the dive there was lot of anthies.
We saw there also turtle, fusiliers, moray eels, giant trevallies, nudibranch, etc. etc.
---
Dive #: 200
Date: 16.3.2011
Place: Indonesia, Komodo, Manta Point
Depth: 15,2m Average depth: 10,3m
Visibility: 15-20m
Sea Temperature: +29C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air) Wetsuit: long 3mm Weight: 6Kg

If Manta Point was amazing on the first time it was also on this time. Manta Point is very near of Batu Bolong. After first dive we came immidiately to Manta Point area. What we saw there was something out of this world. About ten mantas swimming in the surface in the line in the same time. In one place there was a very tight group of four mantas swimming like in the diamond formation. There was still about 30min before next dive so everybody went snorkeling. This photo I took when snorkeling.
Breafing for the dive.
First 20min was quite boring and we just drifting with the strong current. Then the funny part started again.
This manta was totally black. Stealth.
Two mantas together.
I'm near manta and just taking photo. Big thanks to Petri Kolmonen about this photo!
Great dive again! There are several Manta Points in the world, but this one is The Real Thing!!! Last dive was my 200th dive.

Regards,
Mika

Amazing Manta Point, Komodo

Today I had a first dives here in Komodo, Indonesia. First one was Manta Point and second Siaba Kecil.

Dive #: 195
Place: Indonesia, Komodo, Manta Point
Visibility: 15-20m
Sea Temperature: +28C

Equipment 
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air)
Wetsuit: long 3mm
Weight: 6Kg

Dive Center: Dive Komodo

Price: 30€

I heard amazing stories about Manta Point before I came here. Diving at Manta Point was even better than the stories. On the dive we saw more than 10 mantas. Ones we saw three mantas on the same time together. There it comes...

Closer.

Up.

On the same dive we saw also few turtle.

I really recommend Manta Point. One of the best dive ever. We saw there even before the dive few mantas just on the surface. It was good start for the dive.

Regards,
Mika

Kingdom of manta rays, Phuket

Today on Tuesday I had a diving day again. First two dives on Racha Noi and last one on Racha Yai. I have dived on Racha Noi only ones before in February 2004 and on that day I saw first time manta ray. Now before dives we heard divers have seen mantas here also on the last dives so the expectation was very high.

Dive #: 179
Date: 15.2.2011
Place: Thailand, Phuket, Racha Noi, South Tip
Depth: 32,9m Average depth: 15,2m
Bottom time: 55min
Visibility: 10-15m
Sea Temperature: +29C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air) Wetsuit: short 3mm Weight: 5,5Kg

Dive Center: Chalong Sea Sport
Price: 3700THB/90€ + Equipment rental 500THB/12,20€

Total: 4200THB/102,40€ (3 dives)

Immidiately in the beginning of the dive we saw two mantas.

Here is another.

And more.

Then we saw something which is not so common. This manta was totally black! Manta in stealth mode. Looks very cool!

Big group of barracudas.

Very good dive indeed! So many mantas. Few times we saw two mantas in the same time. There was also big group of gold-band fusilier. Also big group of some very small fishes.

---

Dive #: 180
Date: 15.2.2011
Place: Thailand, Phuket, Racha Noi, Marina Bay
Depth: 26,8m Average depth: 14,3m
Bottom time: 60min
Visibility: 10-15m
Sea Temperature: +28C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air) Wetsuit: short 3mm Weight: 5,5Kg

Here are many swim through places.

Yellow box fish.

Crab between the rocks.

Very small scorpion fish.

Some divers saw manta also on this dive, but we didn't. On this place there are lot of rocks and boulders, but also some hard corals. Moray eels, trigger fishes and small reef fishes.

---

Dive #: 181
Date: 15.2.2011
Place: Thailand, Phuket, Racha Yai, Bungalow Bay South
Depth: 19,8m Average depth: 9,7m
Bottom time: 61min
Visibility: 10-15m
Sea Temperature: +29C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air) Wetsuit: short 3mm Weight: 5,5Kg

There are lot of rocks and boulders on this area. Also small reef fishes, titan triggers, parrot fishes, puffers, etc. Here moray eel.

Great diving day. Especially first dive was one of the best ever. I really enjoyed that dive!

Phuket,

Mika