Moyo Diving Liveaboard - Sumbawa Island Travel Guides
Sumbawa
The rugged island of Sumbawa lies in the Nusa Tenggara between Lombok and Komodo. It has many jutting and twisted peninsulas which form a number of protected bays for its islands dotted along the north coast. These include Moyo, Sangeang and Satonda. These sheltered and varied havens offer crystal clear waters, deep and vibrant walls, and fertile volcanic breeding grounds for some great macro diving opportunities. Often overlooked as a dive destination Sumbawa can yield an abundance of marine life and pristine coral reefs.
Moyo Island
Moyo is a small island located off the northern coast of Sumbawa, west Nusa Tenggara and is inhabited by about 6,000 people, it offers spectacular coral and crystal clear waters for good diving possibilities. However the island's reefs do suffer from the effects of dynamite fishing and corrupt village chiefs who often collect bribes from liveaboard operators for what they claim is "conservation".
Angel Reef
On the west coast of Moyo lies a healthy coral reef with a vertical wall dropping to over 40 meters in depth. The wall is covered in soft coral however evidence of dynamite fishing can be seen in places. Marine life includes longfin bannerfish, redtooth triggerfish and batfish. Blacktips may also be seen in the deeper sections of this dive.
Panjang Reef
Located just north of Angel Reef is this submerged coral reef. This is one of the few places that a patient and observant diver may spot the deadly yellow blue ringed octopus. Fully grown adults reach the size of half of your thumb, and carry one of the most toxic poisons to be found in the sea so don't touch it!
There are a number of other submerged reefs around the island.
Satonda Island
Satonda is also situated off Sumbawa 's northwest coast. The island has a volcanic origin and has a spectacular crater lake. Every evening at sunset an evasion of fruit bats takes place as they leave to look for food on Sumbawa . The island is part of a National Nature Park reserve.
The coral reef in front of the beach is
stunning with something to offer for every underwater photographer and videographer. On my dives I found here ribbon eel ( Rhinomuraena quaesita ), robust ghost pipefish ( Solenostomus cyanopterus ), yellownose partner goby ( Stonogobiops xanthorhinica ), Shaded batfish juvenile ( Platax pinnatus ), leaf scorpion fish ( Taenianotus triacanthus ), many jawfish, several nice nudibranchs and a cleaning station with three different kinds of shrimp. In the shallow area I also found Pyjama cardinalfish ( Sphaeramia nematoptera ).
This spot is definitely one of my favourites. Mostly dive conditions are very good allowing taking nice pictures and shooting good video footage.
This small island is probably more popular for its fruit bats than its diving. The sandy bottom in the sheltered bay offers a great opportunity for some muck diving and the sparse coral patches are home to a large array of critters. A keen pair of eyes may be able to spot the extremely rare clown frogfish. About an inch in size, these rather odd-shaped creatures are bright yellow with dark red patches, and are rarely seen to move. Heavily disguised, they are often overlooked or falsely identified as sponges.
Some of the other favourite macro photographers' subjects here are the scorpion leaf fish, ghost pipefish and boxer crab.
Madang Island
Gili Madang is a small island off of the north coast of Sumbawa close to Moyo Island. There are a number of sites here that are very different from each other. A reef wall around a kilometre or so southwest of Madang boasts a good number of sharks.
There is also a rarely dived part of Northern Sumbawa that is refered to as the "Car Park". This dive site has a series of rocky coral terraces that house vast numbers of Giant Moray Eels.
LIVEABOARD TO MOYO ISLAND
BLUE FISH LIVEABOARD
Aft Cabin
Private cabin with air-conditioning, a double bed, one wardrobe, under bed storage draws, halogen lighting. Ensuite bathroom; hot water shower, sink, vanity cupboard, & toilet.
FWD Cabin
Family or group cabin with air-conditioning. Six single bunk beds, wardrobes, underbed storage and cupboards, halogen lighting. Ensuite bathroom with hot water shower, sink with a storage cupboard & toilet.
Open Plan Kitchen and Dinning Area
Dining table, television, DVD player, CD Player, large open sliding roof that opens to the sun deck above. The kitchen is fitted with a gas oven, microwave oven, and a fridge/ freezer unit.
Roof Deck
Extensive roof deck area with chill out pillows, a sun cover and a section of floor that opens to the kitchen below. In the evening, for formal dinners we have a large table that is assembled on the roof deck and can seat up to 15 guests in an open air dining experience.
Lower Front Deck
This open air deck is perfect for sunbathing and is equipped with a deck shower.
CHARTER RATE:
US$ 1400/Day and min 03 Days of using the Liveaboard
Diving : US$ 75/ for 02 Dives per day.
