While at Nusa Lembongan, I made an attempt to seek out the elusive mola-mola over in Nusa Penida (which we would move to anyway, but we had time while on Lembongan). The morning’s dive comprised of Crystal Bay (where the mola-molas present themselves to the lucky) and also Manta Point (where sighting is nearly a certainty).
After my report, we were led to the back of the shop for our equipment. We walked down to Mushroom Bay with them on our backs, but thankfully without the BCDs and weights (unlike in some places).
Crystal Bay
First dive was at Crystal Bay, famous for the elusive mola-mola or sunfish. The water visibility was very good as we backrolled in, so the dive-site lived up to its name. After some time around the reef, the divemaster led us into the blue. Sadly, he turned around fairly quickly giving us the gesture for strong current. We spent the remainder of the dive close to the reef with many other divers, without any sighting of the mola-mola.
Surface interval comprised of a box lunch of local food. Most welcome after all the food that had been tuned to western tastes so far. Despite hardly any breakfast, I didn’t want to finish all my rice as I was afraid of getting too bloated.
Manta Point
Second dive at Manta Point felt a little cooler as we entered the water. Visbility was poor at times and when mantas were pointed out to us, I could barely make out the shape. However, close to the end of the dive we had a stunning show of four mantas rather close up. Sadly, there was one thing that ruined the experience … an entire “wall” of divers producing an entire “wall” of bubbles.
I had never been diving with so many other people before and I’ll try like hell to never do it again. Good experiences are meant to be shared, I know, but there is a limit for me. I’ll continue to seek out more untouched places where the human impact is less and the experience will be more “special”.
One notable part of the second dive was the icy waters that hit us like a brick wall now and then. It was 19 degC which explained the need for 5mm long wetsuits.