Παρασκευή 14 Μαρτίου 2008

SECRET BAY







Start early in the morning at 6am from my villa Kumpul-kumpul inn at Seminyak (the famous Bali resort area) and driving for 3 and a half hours you arrive at Secret Bay an odd little backwash near Gilimanuk opposite to the ferry landing from Java. The depth ranges from 0.6m to 12m and has some of the strangest creatures in the tropical sea. My mendor TAKAMASA TONOZUKA (owner of “dives & dive” well-organized company) one of Bali’s most knowledgeable marine expert and underwater photographer, has discovered this dive site. The normally calm, shallow and clear water is a delight for anyone interested in learning about marine life .The bay’s rare and abundant creatures make it the best place for professional undewater macrophotographers. The water is crystal clear at high tide in the morning. The cold current that feeds this bay seems to play a large part in attracting these creatures. The walk-in shore entry is easy, and the visual treats start almost immedialtely upon submersion. Clumps of seagrass host camouflaged pippefish, fire urchins, tassled filefish, and cardinal fish. It seems that every fin kick brings something new into view. Seahorses blend in with plant life, while small cuttlefish hug the bottom.
LOG-WORTHY: my dive guide Daesuke of “papasdive.com” is highly recommended for his trained eyes which can pick out hard-to-see creatures like delicate ghost pipefish, which most divers swim right by, mistaking the fish for a piece of seaweed. From Secret bay (at Gilimanuk) heading all the way across Bali are Tulamben and Amed Bali’s main attraction for all levels of divers. Many thanks to my Mendor Takasama Tonozuka.