Bali: Where to stay for Nusa Penida diving...

Adam, flying out this Sat. Might do just 2 days diving in Nusa Penida area. Will have more to post in answer to your questions when I get back on the 20th... But I've been hearing rumblings that the mantas have gone AWOL lately around Nusa Penida...

Given how small the A570 is, I'd suggest bringing it. If you do see a manta or mola mola, try some ambient shots (no flash). Or even take some video with it

But I've been hearing rumblings that the mantas have gone AWOL lately around Nusa Penida...

Agh! Don't tell me that! I've got a month in Bali starting next Tuesday. Besides Mike V and Simon B it sounds like I might bump into a few others from Weptpixel while I am there. First week is at Tulamben then the rest of the plan will be worked out with Mike and Simon. If you see a Canadian, a Brit and an Aussie all in one place then that will be us probably.

Pacman,

Looking forward to hear how your trip was. Spoke to someone the other day that said the Mola Mola were still round in large groups. Hopefully you'll be able to confirm this and tell me that the Mantas are still there. Also wondering what the weather is like at the moment? I'm leaving Sydney on Wednesday morning so thinking it won't have change much by the time I arrive.

As a very novice underwater photographer I will ask the question regarding ambient shots. What exactly do you mean and what is the benefit of this type of shot? If I can get just one good picture from 3 days of diving I will be happy. So any help or suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

As today is when your coming home from Bali, I hope you had a good trip and I look forward to your response.

Adam

I just got back today from Bali. We only ended up doing 2 dives (1 day trip) to Crystal Bay. We saw one baby mola mola getting cleaned for a few minutes before the crowd of 20+ divers spooked it away... We had around 8 boats in Crystal bay during our dives. We were diving with BIDP and they said the manta sightings have been rare so we opted out on having the 2nd dive at Manta Point and did a 2nd dive at Crystal Bay, where we proceeded to freeze our arses off as the thermoclines dropped to 16c at one point!! Absolutely amazed that there were a couple people in just shorties!!! nuts...

After just chilling in Jimbaran Bay, we stayed over at Mimpi Tulamben for 3 days. The tornado of jacks were there every morning. Last time I did USS Liberty, it was for my OW checkout dive over 10 yrs ago, so it was nice revisting this site. Despite the crowds of daytrippers from Sanur, there was plenty of fish life. Mimpi staff were great, and very relaxed about solo nite dives... Had a blast doing 80+ min dives out to Drop off point and back to the Mimpi house reef. Even had the jacks come into to the shallow outcrop on top of Drop Off Point. Came across a cute little blue/green bobtail squid in the sand. There's a monster green moray in the rocks right in front of Mimpi as well as some other smaller yellow morays. Will try to post a few pics later.

Met up with Mike V. for a few beers in Sanur, where he proceeded to rub it in about seeing so many mola molas a few weeks ago with no divers around...

Adam - the flash on a point and shoot isn't very strong, so unless you get in real close to the mola mola, it won't do much other than light up backscatter. This was my 1st Mola encounter so I'm sure the other experts with more experience will have better advice. I was told best not to rush in else you might spook them. Wait until they tilt up for a cleaning and go into a little trance...

If you see a Canadian, a Brit and an Aussie all in one place ...

Break a leg, and then Mike's.

Best,

Mark.