day four …

Dive sites –      Barracuda (and The Zoo) – Fan Garden – House Reef

This was my first time on the dive boat ‘on my own’ – 7.30 am and 9.30 am. With a visit back to the resort in between, (hopefully to sneak a freshly cooked donut from the Longhouse!). We hadn’t booked any boat trips for Neville. 

But, I did feel comfortable with the routine now; my gear would be on board along with my named drink bottle, the divers go first, snorkelers last and the dive staff would be there to rinse my mask and hand me my cameras. And I had my own private snorkel guide, Ketut (don’t we love that name?!). Ketut had introduced himself the day before.

No guesses why this site is called Fan Garden.

There are 43 dive sites in total at Wakatobi. All a short distance from the resort. All are named for particular reasons. The reefs are continuous so they are identified as the location where we start a dive/snorkel. Which brings me back to the boat routine. I must mention the information all the guides share with us before we enter the water. A small whiteboard with a drawing of the particular dive site is shown to each group by their guide, explaining the depths and sea floor state, along with photos of the marine life we are likely to see. 

First stop … Barracuda (and The Zoo which the current took us to) …

I’d overheard a snorkeler talking about seeing a Lionfish on the house reef last evening. I was hopeful I’d see one. I actually saw four hovering under coral.  It’s not a great photo I know, but nevertheless, I saw them.

Second stop … Fan Garden

This was probably one of my favourite dive sites. It was so pretty. I hope I’ve captured that.

Ketut pointed out this Tube Worm. I’d never seen one before. They are related to the Christmas Tree Worms.  Very pretty.

Then this Leopard Blenny …

Third stop … the house reef … a big day!

After my two morning boat snorkels (and a rest), I returned to the house reef that afternoon and I was not disappointed.

I didn’t capture all of these creatures on camera but I certainly saw them … a Moray Eel, Octopus, and Mantis Shrimp.  But I did photograph a Lionfish, Spine-cheeked Anemonefish, Titan Triggerfish and several Picasso Triggerfish. It was a great snorkel!

I first saw these Picasso Triggerfish in New Caledonia in 2017. They really do look like someone got to them with a paintbrush. Slideshow …

The Titan Triggerfish is much larger and territorial. They can be quite aggressive, particularly if it’s nesting season. They have been known to snap at fins. Fortunately the ones I encountered weren’t that interested in me and I was able to get quite close. (The Titan Triggerfish is the fish featured on Pam Osborn’s House Reef book.)

Then I spotted a Lionfish along the drop-off wall. Bingo! I find these quite stunning. Whereas in some parts of the world they are an invasive species, just like our Crown Of Thorns. I chatted to Sue, an American, about the Lionfish, and the Crown Of Thorns. In her ‘local’ diving area, the Lionfish are disliked as they harm the reef by killing off native species, harming the reef’s ecosystems. Lionfish have no predators and they reproduce all year long. I explained that our Crown Of Thorns is doing the same. I’d seen three Crown Of Thorns this morning with Ketut. He took note of their location so a diver could return to inject them with vinegar. I loved the Lionfish, Sue loved the Crown Of Thorns! 

These Spine-cheeked Anemonefish are a favourite too …

It was time to rest!