This was an amazing dive. First we swam along the wall at around 80 feet. when we came to the entrance of the cahnnel we hung on near the edge waiting to see ahrkes. We did see one shark, then when we let go we were swept into the channel for a wild ride!
Everthing flew past us as we drifted in to this inlet at several knots. Not the best for underwater photography due to the current, but a fantastic dive anyway!
To see underwater photography from this trip go to visit my web site at click here
| Facts about The Channel - Wakatobi It is in Indonesia- The Channel - Wakatobi is in the Banda Sea.
- The typical depth is 0-30 Metres 0-100 Feet.
- The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.
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Location: 29.3km West of Dili. Find the Indonesian military graveyard for Indonesian soldiers killed during the 24-year occupation and park near the piles of white rocks.
Entry: The entry is straight out from the NW corner of the enclosure. Gradual entry on small rocks and sandy bottom.
UW profile: To the West there are coral gardens with brain coral formations. To the East, the area is marked by a predominantly sandy bottom with large coral formations. The sandy bottom is covered with small holes where hot water and gas caused by geothermal activity are escaping.
Points of interest: A large coral formation to the NE of the entry point holds several Moray eels. The sandy area is often frequented by blue spotted rays.
Topside There are no trees near the entry point but 100 - 120 meters to the West there is a large tree with good cover.
Go to click here for a list of dive operators in the area.
| Facts about Bubble Beach It is in East Timor- Bubble Beach is in the Banda Sea.
- The typical depth is 0-40 Metres 0-130 Feet.
- The typical visibility is 3-10 Metres 10-30 Feet.
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Location: 9.5 km West of Dili. A few hundred meters after passing the Pope's monument and right before the big rock turn right on the dirt road to the water's edge.
Entry : Big rocks on entry then sandy bottom to a gradual drop with the reef to the west
UW profile: Initially, sandy bottom with coral cover on the slope ranging from 5 - 21 meters.
Points of interest: Coral garden slightly West of the entry point at 3-5 meters depth. Coral head at 20 meters with interesting mix of fish, moray eel, groups of 5-7 lionfish. Also seen: Puffer fish, turtles, ghost pipe fish, stone fish, frogfish.
Great place for night dives since it is only a 15 minute drive from the center of town.
Topside: Open expanse with no trees.
Go to click here for a list of dive operators in the area.
| Facts about Popes' Monument- It is in East Timor
- Popes' Monument is in the Banda Sea.
- The typical depth is 0-30 Metres 0-100 Feet.
- The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.
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Location: 36.3KM East of Dili. The turn off for Black Rock is right before the small ridge which overlooks Dollar Beach. Turn off the road and follow the tracks between the trees to the water.
Entry: Black Rock is a beautiful dive, but can be very challenging if the currents pick up during the dive. Consult the tide charts before you go. (See Tide Charts at left). Avoid times when the tide is changing especially during neap tides. Avoid diving here if the water looks as if it is "boiling". There can be three different currents acting on this site at the same time, Northward, Eastward and Westward. The most popular entry is on the East side of the rock in order to circle around the rock to the West and then back to the beach. The first part of the entry is marked with a flat shelf of broken coral. At low tide this can make for a bit of a walk before it starts to get deep.
UW profile: There is a wall to the East of the rock with depths up to 20+ meters. There is a gradual decrease in depth going Eastward towards the rock. Once around the rock and on the return to the beach, there is a nice coral garden ranging from 3-5 meters depth.
Points of interest: Two large cracks in the wall on the East side of Black rock hold many fish in small caves in the sides of the wall. Also seen: lobster, nudibranchs (various).
Topside: There are some shade trees near the water which can make for a nice picnic spot.
Go to click here for a list of dive operators in the area.
| Facts about Black Rock, Dili- It is in East Timor
- Black Rock, Dili is in the Banda Sea.
- The typical depth is 0-40 Metres 0-130 Feet.
- The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.
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Location: 44.5KM East of Dili. Coming down over the ridge after Behau Village the turnoff is marked by a rock with "HB" painted on it. Follow the tracks 15-20m to the water's edge.
Entry: The beach is covered with medium sized smooth rocks. The entry is gradual starting with rocks, going to sand and then coral gardens to the West.
UW profile: To the West, a gradual slope is covered by low lying coral leading to larger coral formations, small walls and coral covered ledges.
Points of interest On entry and after the rocks there is a group of several dozen garden eels that live in the sand at about 5-6 meters depth. One of the ledges further West, is covered with two giant clams approximately 50cm in length, at 9-10 meters depth. Also seen: Napoleon wrasse, lobster, banded sea snake.
Topside: The area at the water's edge is nicely covered with trees and great for picnics.
Go to click here for a list of dive operators in the area.
| Facts about Behau Forest (Bob's Rock)- It is in East Timor
- Behau Forest (Bob's Rock) is in the Banda Sea.
- The typical depth is 0-30 Metres 0-100 Feet.
- The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.
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Location: 42.0KM East of Dili. Enter the area enclosed by a wall. The entrance is rocky and care should be taken when entering with a vehicle with low clrarance.
Entry : One can enter the water at the small gazebo-like structure in the enclosure. The first few meters is rocky leading to sandy bottom and then on to coral structures.
UW profile : To the West the coral is more of an expansive coral cover with small outcroppings whereas to the East, the area is characterized by larger coral outcroppings in a more sandy area.
Points of interest: Alternating small walls and sandy slopes. Resident Napoleon wrasse to the East of the entry.
Topside : Nice shady area with big trees and gazebo. The area is often frequented by people from the local village who are interested in watching divers.
Go to click here for a list of dive operators in the area.
| Facts about Behau Village- It is in East Timor
- Behau Village is in the Banda Sea.
- The typical depth is 0-20 Metres 0-60 Feet.
- The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.
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This is the number one macro dive.
You swim down to what looks like the contents of a full ashtray, grey crap. All the rubbish that people have thrown into the Strait over the last hundred years. Or is it?
When you really start to look you find what looks like a piece of rubbish, but is actually a fish in disguise.
Sea Urchins as large as footballs seem to gang up and flash their neon lights at each other in a magnificent display.
Our guide told us that if we did not see a seahorse that he would refund the cost of our holiday! There were so many that we began to be blase about them.
There are thousands of nudibranch. I, of course, had gone in with wide angle - but still managed to come back with some fantastic shots.
| Facts about Somebody's Hairball (Lembeh Strait)- It is in Indonesia
- Somebody's Hairball (Lembeh Strait) is in the Banda Sea.
- The typical depth is 0-20 Metres 0-60 Feet.
- The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.
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