The tender of a liveaboard diving boat drifts over the corals in the shallow waters surrounding the islands near Halmahera, Indonesia. Coral structures provide shelter for countless fish such as these Anthias. When the currents are flowing it’s feeding time and the countless individuals swim in to the water column to collect food. Any potential threat or even just a disturbance by a noise will send the fish flocking back to the protection of the corals. When the threat has passed they will swim back out in to the blue again and continue feeding.

An early morning wreck dive on my new(ish) rebreather playing with other divers on their definitely new rebreathers. Marc (Tekdeep Asia) and G (Big Fins Bali) looking nicely in trim on the Horizon SCR (Semi Closed Rebreather) from Mares/rEvo, next to the bow of the Boga Wreck, just off the coast of Kubu, North East Bali.

Perhaps the most famous and easily accessible Manta Encounter in the world. Nusa Penida is an island just to the east of Bali and at the base of the steep south coast cliffs that are pounded relentlessly by Indian ocean swells is a place known as Manta Point.

Just below the surface is a cleaning station that is almost always host to Reef Mantas (Mobula alfredi) coming in for some pampering. They can often be seen forming trains (as in the image above), taking it in turns to slow down and hover above the rocks and allow the small reef fish to nibble away at dead skin and parasites. After their turn they will loop back around and come in again and again.

This population has been well studied and tracking data has revealed that they are making a journey of more than 400km east to Komodo and back again.