Three dives today on ‘Toby’ the Blue Marlin speedboat, although not so speedy as only 2 of the 3 engines were operating. This however played to our advantage as we got to the three dive sites in perfect conditions. We were split into 3 groups, ours was ‘Pirate Group Japan’ as Tom our other dive companion was a long term Gaijin and we had mentioned we used to live there. Dai, the big boss was our DM for the day. Once again Mike and I had the least experience in our group. However, today I reached dive 99!

Dive 1 – the Lighthouse
Time 59 min, depth 24m, visibility 35m,

We had planned on doing the Lighthouse dive with Duyung Baru but the current was too strong and we ‘found’ Eagles Nest instead. So it was good to explore this site. The dive site is off the point of GIli Lawalaut. We entered on the western side of the point at the end of the falling tide (from the South) which resulted in good visibility and very little current. We had a relaxing drift over the initial sloping reef, meeting a couple (4) of large white tip sharks en route and then spent some time exploring the pinnacles and rocks at the underwater promontory before drifting round to the sheltered side of the island. Notable sightings were

• bumphead groupers  in a large school off the reef
• white tip reef sharks
• clown trigger fish
• black and white lion fish drifting, all fanned out, in the current
• blue spotted ray swimming up to a coral outcrop
• abundant table corals in the protected lee of the dive
• lots of antheas and other small fish round the coral outcrops which were stunning in their multitude and variety

An excellent dive. Just enjoyed being back in the underwater wonderland that is Komodo.

Dive 2 – Tatawa Kecil
Time 60 min, depth 25 m, visibility 35m

This was one of our last dives on Duyung Baru and we were very pleased to be revisiting it today. This time our dive took us in the opposite direction round the island.  Both dives were around slack water but today the current was noticeably less. Mike found out on this dive that using the BCD without weight pockets (using a belt instead) is not a good idea as the BCD rose up when inflated giving rise to buoyancy issues as it was very difficult to maintain a horizontal swimming position. Notable sightings included:

• a couple of turtles
• a moray eel which I got accidentally rather close to without realising it was there (in its cave/hole) whilst looking at something else. Gave Mike kittens that it would bite me
• lots of small fish as for the previous dive, but no big fish as the current was non existent. This made it a very relaxing, peaceful dive
• enormous napoleon wrasse
• couple of very well camouflaged scorpion fish
• lots of sweetlips in the rocky boulders at the start of the dive
• beautiful light and shadow playing on the corals as we ascended to our safety stop

Dive 3 – Siaba Kecil
Time 50 min, depth 24 m, visibility 35m,

Little did we know but this dive is described in the Blue Marlin website as ‘the fastest drift dive in Komodo’. We timed it for the start of a rising tide, and Dai said he did not expect it to be a ‘washing machine but….’. We did a negative entry which went well and ensured we all got down quickly.

The drift was a bit racy from the start, but I felt very comfortable and enjoyed myself. Saw a couple of barracuda in a shoal of other large fish (GT?), and some turtles finning against the current (however they did not seem to be working that hard to stay in position!). Happy with my buoyancy, and that I could guide myself in the current to get protection from the rocky overhangs to slow down at times. Even managed side swimming properly for the first time which felt very controlled. So all the experience of current last week is helping.

All too soon we got the to donut shaped rocky coral outcrop, not time to stop and pose for photos in the opening as I waved goodby to it and then started the laborious process (hand over hand over the reef) of working my way out of the flow of the current up the coral slope to ensure we did not get swept into the deeper channel. Unfortunately we lost Bob at this point and had to hunker down, holding on to some rocks (not great without gloves) and wait for him to appear. Seemed much longer than a minute esp. as the only bit of rock I had been able to grab was in quite an exposed position. Bit naughty as he had hooked on with his reef hook earlier looking around and not kept up hence separating from us. No harm done.

Was very happy to reach the calmer waters, then after all that adrenaline we had a beautiful dive in a shallow reef plateau covered with pristine coral formations. Good visibility here out of the current and lots of things to look at

• swimming blue nudi, couple of other nudis
• giant lion fish the size a dinner plate
• rock puffer fish with distended stomach (full of rocks)
• small shrimp
• yellow box fish
• very yellow golden Triggerfish which is fairly rare to see. Alas I did not have my camera at the ready!

Lovely way to finish our diving in Komodo