CANDI DASA DIVE SITE DESCRIPTION

Fifteen minutes offshore from Candi Dasa on the East coast of Bali in Amuk Bay there are three islands each with one or more dive sites around it; Gili Tepekong, Gili Mimpang and Gili Biaha.

These Candi Dasa dive sites are for experienced divers only, due to challenging and frequently unpredictable currents and surges. We require divers have a minimum 50 logged dives, including some strong current experience. Pay attention to the possibility of down-currents. For this reason we don't include the Candi Dasa dive sites in our regular Bali diving packages, however if you have the diving experience (and proof of it) we can include these dive sites in your Bali scuba diving program on request.

The corals in these dive sites are very healthy. In some areas constantly exposed to strong currents and big swells they are low, dense and stunted. In more sheltered areas there are large coral formations. The waters at all these dive sites can quickly change from tropical warm to unusually cold (falling to the low 20's C / 70 F). Visibility is affected a lot by the currents, but is often excellent (30m / 100ft) especially when the water is cold.

Whitetip reef sharks are common, and turtles are sometimes seen. There are various kinds of Sweetlips, some of them very large, and Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Boxfish and Triggerfish are all commonly seen.

The first dive site is marked by three small islands peeping above the surface, called locally Gili Mimpang or 'Shark Point'. One of the islands has an Eagle's nest on it. Underwater the corals are stunted because of the currents at the front of these islands (facing Bali), but with large coral boulders around the back. The corals are very healthy with good populations of fish and other marine life. Whitetip reef sharks are seen very often, sometimes resting on the sand at the bottom of the reef, sometimes swimming around.

The sister island is called Gili Tepekong and is just a few minutes by boat from Gili Mimpang. This island is famous not only for the reefs and marine life, but also for the interesting underwater landscapes. There are large coral formations to swim amongst, boulders, canyons, a wide wall (with heavy surge) and even a 15m swim through, emerging if conditions are right into clear blue water giving the site its name ‘Blue Hole'. Visibility is often very good and there are chances again to see sharks perhaps, or rays. Moray Eels are commonly seen and baby Whitetips can sometimes be seen sheltering under boulders or the overhangs of Table Corals.

The final dive site of the three ~ Gili Biaha ~ is also the farthest, another 10 or 15 minutes by boat. The water can be cold, and there can be very big surge and strong currents. The visibility can be very clear. All kinds of reef fish can be seen here and also many ocean visitors, including occasional dolphins. If conditions allow divers can visit a small cave here, often with sharks inside and many lobsters.

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