PHOTOSTORY: DIVE IN HATTA CAVE (GOA HATTA)

Banda Naira adalah salah satu destinasi menyelam favorit saya, dan saya beruntung dalam tiga tahun ini saya dapat terus kembali mengunjungi Banda untuk menikmati alam bawah lautnya.

Banda Naira is one of my favorite dive destinations, and I was lucky in the last three years that I can keep going back to visit Banda to enjoy the underwater nature.

Hatta Island

Karena ada begitu banyak spot menyelam di Banda Naira, saya pun belum mencoba semuanya, dan setiap datang kembali, selalu ada spot yang akhirnya dapat saya coba untuk menyelam, salah satunya Goa Hatta yang sesuai namanya, berada di perairan Pulau Hatta di Kepulauan Banda, Maluku.

Because there are so many dive spots in Banda Naira, I also have not tried all of them, and in each come back, there is always a spot that eventually I can try to dive, one of them is Goa Hatta and as the name implies, it is located in the waters of Pulau Hatta, Banda Islands, Maluku.

Meskipun namanya “cave,” namun Gua Hatta bukan benar-benar berupa gua, namun lebih tepatnya celah di antara gugusan karang, namun yang menarik, celah yang berada di kedalaman sekitar 3-8 meter ini (tergantung kondisi pasang-surut) dikelilingi gugusan karang yang sangat indah. Dari celah ini kita dapat masuk dan bagian pasir bawah (di sisi wall) berada di kedalaman sekitar 15 meter, dan langsung menuju ke wall yang memperlihatkan laut Banda yang dalam.

Despite the name: "cave", Cave Hatta is not really a cave, but rather a gap in the coral clusters, but interestingly, the gap was at a depth of about 3-8 meters (depending on tidal conditions) surrounded by coral clusters that are very beautiful. From this gap we can go in and part of the sand bottom (on the wall) is at a depth of about 15 meters, and headed straight to the wall that shows the deep Banda sea.

Fio enjoying Banda's beautiful coral reefs

Usai masuk ke dalam celah gua, kami menyusuri wall dan menikmati alam bawah laut banda yang sangat menyenangkan. Suhu saat itu sekitar 30’C, sangat hangat sehingga saya dan beberapa teman memilih tidak menggunakan wetsuit :)

After entering into the gap of the cave, we were down the wall and enjoy the underwater world of Banda which very pleasant. The temperature was around 30'C, very warm so I and some friends choose not to use a wetsuit :)

Titan triggerfish, this one is agressive when guarding its eggs, keep your distance!

Clown triggerfish

Schooling dusky batfish

Berbagai sea-fan berukuran besar, coral beraneka warna dan binatang laut, mulai dari clown triggerfish, titan triggerfish dan schooling dusky batfish membuat penyelaman ini semakin menyenangkan.

Various large sea-fans, colorful coral and marine animals, ranging from clown triggerfish, titan triggerfish and schooling dusky batfish make this dive more enjoyable.

I remember we didn’t want the dive to end, spending more than 60 minutes on water. Banda, we need more dive!

@marischkaprue – always need more water session in her life

NOTES:

•  Banda Naira terletak di Maluku, untuk menuju ke Banda Naira anda dapat mengambil penerbangan ke Ambon (harga tiket Jakarta-Ambon PP sekitar Rp. 2 hingga  Rp. 2,5 juta), dari Ambon dapat dilanjutkan dengan penerbangan ke Banda Naira dengan pesawat twin otter Aviastar berkapasitas 17 orang (harga tiket Ambon - Banda Naira Rp. 280.000,- one way) namun untuk mendapatkan tiket cukup sulit karena jumlah seat yang terbatas. Pesawat Aviastar dengan rute Ambon - Banda Naira hanya beroperasi seminggu 3x yaitu di hari Senin, Kamis dan Minggu. Opsi lain adalah naik kapal cepat dari Tulehu (Ambon) ke Banda, harga tiket kapal cepat: Rp. 650.000,- (one way)
• Banda Naira is located at Maluku. You must take flight to Ambon (round-trip ticket price Jakarta-Ambon about  Rp 2 until Rp 2,5 millions), then continue taking flight to Banda Naira by twin otter plane Aviastar with 17 seat capacity (ticket price Ambon – Banda Naira is Rp 280.000,- one way). But it’s quite difficult to get ticket because of limited seat. Route Ambon – Banda Naira from Aviastar Airplane only available three times a week (Monday, Thursday, Sunday).  Another option is to take the public boat from Tulehu (Ambon) to Banda. It'll cost IDR 650.000,- (one way)
• Budget untuk trip di Banda Naira 5D/4N sekitar Rp. 4 juta (termasuk tiket pesawat Ambon - Banda Naira), jika berangkat dari Jakarta maka total budget Rp. 6,5 juta per orang, dengan catatan trip bersama (group). Untuk trip serupa hubungi Tukang Jalan di +6281 806898303/ 081315890191 atau email di tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com
• Budget for Banda Naira 5D/4N trip is about Rp 4 millions (included plane ticket Ambon – Banda Naira). If you depart from Jakarta, the total budget becomes Rp 6,5 millions per 1 person, but please note: only if you join in a group. Further info about this trip, contact Tukang Jalan at +6281 806898303 / 081315890191 or email at tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com  
• Budget di atas belum termasuk diving. Untuk diving di Banda Naira, ratenya adalah Rp. 400.000,- per dive, lebih baik pergi minimal 2 orang karena jika sendiri akan mahal di extra cost untuk bbm kapal. I dive with Banda Sea Hobbits, untuk booking hubungi Sasha di +62821 251 22202 
• Diving cost is excluded from the transport details above. The rate for diving at Banda Naira is Rp 400.000,- per dive, better go with min 2 person to save the extra cost for boat. I dive with Banda Sea Hobbits, for booking please contact Sasha +62821 251 22202   
  

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BEST OF THE BEST: DIVE IN BATU BOLONG

Dive spot yang satu ini selalu jadi favorit semua orang. Satu kali dive lebih dari 50 menit rasanya tidak cukup untuk menikmati titik penyelaman di Taman Nasional Komodo, Flores ini. WHY? Oh well, here are some of the reasons:

This one dive spot is always a favorite of everyone. One dive more than 50 minutes is never enough to enjoy this dive spot which is located in the Komodo National Park, Flores. WHY? Oh well, here are some of the reasons:

THE AMAZING CORAL REEFS

Sejak pertama turun di Batu Bolong, kita sudah dapat menikmati wall dengan batu karang yang memukau. Bebatuan, hard coral, soft coral, sponge menghiasi kontur dive spot yang satu ini. Menyelami Batu Bolong, mata kita selalu dimanjakan warna-warni karang yang indah.

When first getting down at Batu Bolong, we can enjoy a wall with dazzling coral reefs. Rocks, hard coral, soft coral, sponges decorate the contour of this dive spot. Dipping into Batu Bolong, our eyes are always pampered with colorful beautiful coral.

ANTHIAS EVERYWHERE!

Ikan kecil jenis anthias berwarna merah adalah penghuni mayoritas di Batu Bolong. Warna merah menyala membuat Batu Bolong semakin "menyala." Namun bukan hanya anthias, kita juga dapat dengan mudah bertemu dengan sekumpulan moorish idol yang sedang mencari makan, vlaming's unicornfish wandering around between the anthias, parrotfish dan boxfish yang menggemaskan!

Small red anthias fish are the major occupants in Batu Bolong. Its bright red color makes Batu Bolong more "flaming." But not only anthias, we can easily meet with a bunch of moorish idol who was looking for food, Vlaming's unicornfish wandering around between the anthias, parrotfish and boxfish are also adorable!

  

BABY SHARK'S SLEEPING SPOT

It's a neighborhood and mama sharks got babies on board! Sebelum safety stop (berhenti sejenak di kedalaman tertentu untuk menetralisir nitrogen dalam darah), kita akan menemukan karang di mana dua baby sharks tidur dengan nyaman (walaupun bertumpuk) dan tampak tidak perduli saat kami mendekat. Remember to only take photos, jangan iseng menarik buntut mereka, menyodok dan mengganggu untuk membuat mereka keluar dari sarang ya! :)

It's a neighborhood and mama sharks got babies on board! Before the safety stop (pause at a certain depth to neutralize the nitrogen in the blood), we will find the reef where two baby sharks sleep soundly (although overlapping with each other) and seemed undistracted as we approached. Remember to only take photos, do not idly pull their tails, poking and annoy them to get them out of the nest, please! :)

THE AMAZING ALLEY

We got golden moment saat menuju pergantian arus dan sejenak area yang biasanya diliputi down current yang berbahaya menjadi sangat tenang. Spot ini biasanya tidak dapat diakses karena berbahaya, namun saat tenang kita dapat memperhatikan "gang" di antara dua "tebing" bebatuan yang diliputi gugusan karang yang indah, plus ikan-ikan yang tinggal di area ini, totally stunning!!

We got the golden moment when the current changes and for a while this area that is usually filled with dangerous down current is very quiet. This spot is usually inaccessible because it is dangerous, yet quiet when we can pay attention to the "alley" between the two "cliffs" rocks covered with clusters of beautiful corals, plus the fish that live in this area, totally stunning!!

NEVER ENOUGH

Waktu satu jam serasa berlalu sangat cepat di spot ini, kami memperlama waktu safety spot karena masih ingin menikmati Batu Bolong. I know next time I dive in Komodo, this spot is a must dive spot

An hour seemed to pass very quickly in this spot, we increase the time to safety spot because we still want to enjoy Batu Bolong. I know next time I dive in Komodo, this spot is a must dive spot

  

@marischkaprue - happy go lucky diver

NOTES

BATU BOLONG

Dive spot in Komodo National Park, Flores

TO KNOW

Penyelaman di Komodo sebagian besar berarus kencang sehingga diperlukan kemampuan tertentu, jika log anda masih sedikit, sebaiknya menunda menyelam di Komodo, sambil menambah log. Sertifikasi yang dibutuhkan: Advance Scuba Diver. Sediakan hook (gunakan hanya jika diperlukan) dan  peluit (untuk emergency jika kita terpisah dan mesti naik ke atas sendiri). Selalu perhatikan instruksi dive master/ guide/ instructor, safety is number one, guys!

Diving in Komodo is mostly with strong currents so it requires a certain ability, if you still have only a few logs, you should postpone diving in Komodo, while adding logs. Certification required: Advance Scuba Diver. Provide hook (use only if necessary) and whistle (for emergency if we are separate and must ascending alone). Always pay attention to instructions dive master / guide / instructor, safety is number one, guys!

 

BUDGET
Spot-spot terbaik Komodo dapat diakses dengan menginap di kapal, LOB (Living On Board), ikuti jadwal penyelaman grup yang disediakan masing-masing operator dive dan liveaboard.

Komodo best spots can be accessed by staying on board, LOB (Living On Board), follow the schedule provided by the dive groups that are available on each dive and liveaboard operators.

Favorite sun deck during our trip with ID Dive Safaris

Budget bervariasi tergantung tipe kapal, cek ID Dive Safaris yang menyediakan berbagai trip LOB ke Komodo (ada beberapa jadwal untuk Komodo LOB), cek di Instagram ID Dive Safari di sini. Budget sekitar Rp. 7,7 juta untuk 4D/3N (exclude tiket pesawat). Tiket pesawat Denpasar - Labuan Bajo sekitar Rp. 3 juta PP (Garuda) atau Rp. 1,6 juta PP (WingsAir, note: bagasi hanya disediakan 10kg saja, biaya kelebihan bagasi WingsAir Denpasar - Labuan Bajo Rp. 13.200,- per kg)

Budget varies depending on the type of boat, check ID Dive Safaris which provide various LOB trip to Komodo (there are several schedules for Komodo LOB), checks on Instagram ID Dive Safari here. Budget around Rp. 7.7 million for 4D / 3N (exclude air tickets). Flight tickets Denpasar - Labuan Bajo approximately Rp. 3 million PP (Garuda) or Rp. 1.6 million PP (WingsAir, note: only supplied 10kg baggage only, excess baggage charges WingsAir Denpasar - Labuan Bajo Rp. 13.200, - per kg)

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Manta Show at Manta Sandy, Raja Ampat

Pari manta adalah salah satu makhluk terindah menurut saya. Cara mereka berenang, sayap yang membentang, semuanya begitu anggun dan indah. Sulit menjelaskan kekaguman pada pari manta jika tidak melihat langsung gerakan indah mereka di dalam laut. Disini, anda dapat menyaksikan sekerumunan pari manta bergerak indah, sambil "terbang" di atas anda berkali kali.

Manta rays are one of the most beautiful creatures in my opinion . The way they swim, stretch their wings, everything is so graceful and beautiful. It is difficult to explain this fascination of seeing manta rays if you don't see them directly at the sea. In this place, you can see a group of manta rays moving beautifully, "flying" above you several times.

Manta Sandy is even beautiful above the water

Terletak di antara Pulau Mansuar dan Pulau Arborek, Raja Ampat, titik penyelaman Manta Sandy adalah salah satu lokasi wajib disambangi bagi penyelam. Sesuai namanya, anda akan menemukan pari manta di antara koral dan dasar laut yang berpasir putih.

Located between Mansuar and Arborek Island in Raja Ampat, Manta Sandy dive spot is one of the mandatory spot for divers. Just like the name itself, you will find manta rays among the corals on white sandy seabed.

a few manta going back and forth around the coral reef

Saya dan teman teman melakukan entry backroll dari perahu dan langsung menuju ke kedalaman. Arus terasa semakin kencang dan saya melihat terumbu karang di area flat yang berpasir putih. Disini "tempat menonton" seakan sudah disediakan. Ada jejeran batu karang yang dibuat menjadi semacam garis pembatas, dan di balik garis itulah berkumpul penyelam yang menahan posisi dari arus dengan hook atau sekadang memegang karang keras.

 
Me and friends did the back roll entry from the boat and headed straight into the depths. Currents beginning to feel stronger and I see the coral reefs in the flat area with white sandy seabed. The interesting thing is the "viewing area" seems like been "prepared," there area rows of rocks arranged as the diving line, behind the lines is the place for divers to stay, hold a position by hook or holding a coral to fight against the strong currents.

the manta ray flying above us

each of the manta ray have unique pattern, just like a fingerprint!

Sebelum saya sempat berpikir entah siapa yang menjajarkan batu batu itu, seekor black manta besar datang ke arah kami, diikuti beberapa manta lainnya, sebagian adalah manta alfredi dengan corak di antara dua insangnya. Corak setiap pari manta ini unik, sama seperti sidik jari manusia dan dapat digunakan untuk identifikasi pari manta.

 
Before I could think whoever it juxtaposes the rocks, a large black manta coming towards us , followed by several other manta rays, some are alfredi manta with the pattern between their two gills. This pattern is unique on each manta rays, just like human fingerprints and can be used for identification.
 

Sekitar delapan pari manta dengan lebar sayap sekitar tiga hingga empat meter ini lalu lalang di atas karang dan berkali kali melewati kami, memberi sensasi yang luar biasa saat melihat makhluk yang anggun dan besar ini menutupi cahaya persis di atas para penyelam.

 
Approximately eight manta ray with wingspan of about three to four meters passing over the reef and many times passing us also, giving great sensation when the graceful creature cover the sunlight just above the divers.

Got so close with the manta ray and he (or she?) doesn't seem care at all

Beberapa manta berkeliling, sedikit melakukan "salto" dan "parkir" untuk membersihkan diri dari parasit. Untuk ritual satu ini mereka mengandalkan ikan kecil jenis wrasse dan butterfly yang mendatangi mereka untuk memakan parasit di tubuhnya. Pari manta juga cenderung cuek dengan penyelam, selama kita tidak mengejar mereka secara ekstrim, manta manta ini tampak tidak perduli saat posisinya sangat dekat dengan kami, para penyelam.

 
Some manta are circling around, did some acrobatic movements and "park" to be cleaned by small fishes such as butterfly and wrasses. Manta ray is also tend to ignore the diver, the don't seem care at all even when we got so close, as long as you don't chase them brutally.

Enjoy the live show!

Anda cukup mengambil posisi di "area penonton" dan nikmati pertunjukkan gerakan dari makhluk anggun ini. Amazing indeed.

You simply just have to take a position in the "viewing area" and enjoy the show of this graceful creature. Amazing indeed .

@marischkaprue - want to have more dance with the manta ray

NOTES:

• Manta Sandy terletak di antara Pulau Mansuar dan Pulau Arborek, Raja Ampat.
• Manta Sandy located between the Mansuar and Arborek Island in Raja Ampat.
• Siapkan hook sebelum menyelam di Manta Sandy karena area tempat cleaning manta ini adalah area dengan arus yang cukup kencang.
• Prepare your hook before diving in Manta Sandy because the cleaning spot is an area with strong currents.
• Opsi dive operator: Mangkur Kodon Dive Centre: contact via Luki +6285254275968, atau Papua Diving: contact via +628114807610
• Dive operator, option: Mangkur Kodon Dive Centre: contact via Luki +6285254275968, or Papua Diving: contact via +628114807610

Belum punya sertifikasi menyelam? ini saatnya untuk bergabung menikmati keseruan bawah laut, ambil paket sertifikasi di Bali with me, here --> Dive Course Trip Bali 11-14 April 2014

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