Crystal Bay is the spot most recommended for local divers to see the mola-mola or sunfish, huge fish that seem flat like a kite.
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The sun was searing at Nusa Penida at the end of October. On board a speedboat, the sea breeze blew in the face and hair of Robby Domu, a diving guide who was explaining the characteristics of the current at Crystal Bay to a Kompas team that went diving on Tuesday (24/10).
"The undercurrent is quite strong. After all of us dive to a depth of 20 meters, please follow my lead. And remember to stay close to the rocks," said Robby.
Crystal Bay is a popular diving spot in Nusa Penida, Klungkung regency, Bali. This is the spot most recommended for local divers to see the mola-mola or sunfish, huge fish that seem flat like a kite.
According to Bali Fishery and Maritime Affairs Agency data, a mola-mola weighing 2 tons was once trapped in a fishing net in Nusa Penida waters.
Mola-mola can be found in Nusa Penida waters from July to August. Even though the Kompas team members\' chances of seeing mola-mola were thin, they wanted to try.
Robby dived in first and moments later was followed by the Kompas team. The water was 25 degrees Celsius, enough to make the team shiver despite the diving suits.
When the team reached Manta Point at 10 a.m., it was not surprising to see many people diving.
After diving for nearly an hour, not a single mola-mola fish appeared. To compensate for their disappointment, Robby took the Kompas team to Manta Point to dive. The diving point, which can be reached within 30 minutes from in Toyapakeh village, is a popular location to enjoy the graceful movement of stingrays, which of each span 2 to 4 meters.
When the team reached Manta Point at 10 a.m., it was not surprising to see many people diving. Speedboats waited for them on the surface of the water.
At this point, stingrays of the species of Manta alfredi and Manta birostris brushed gently against rocks to clean themselves. They swam as a depth of 6 meters.
Even though members of the team had seen such a scene before, it was impossible not to be affected by its uniqueness, let alone when a black stingray appeared. Like an alien aircraft, it swam around a big rock to clean itself.
The nature show was very entertaining despite the failure to see mola-mola. "It means you have to come to Nusa Penida again next year to see mola-mola," said Robert, a diving instructor hired by two youths from Germany.