Dive Log

Location: Bob’s Rock
Date: 23rd April 2007
Time: 2pm
Duration: 60mins
Tides: Low 0916 1.2metres – High 1703 2.0metres
Weather: Sunny, some cloud, slight breeze
Sea: Calmish, some waves
Visibility: 10/15metres +/-
Divers: Three. Self/Vanessa/Zach

We started the dive from the east side of the large overhanging tree (good shade) and descended over the impressive patch of staghorn coral about 30metres from shore. First stop was the large barrel sponge at 12metres. I love looking around here for weird and unusual critters and wasn’t disappointed today. Look out for a leaf scorpionfish on the sponge itself and white pipefish in the mushroom coral about 1metre east from the sponge. We then headed west at about 12metres until we came to the large sandy patch. A few peacock flounders in the sand but of course for the divers with me, who had never dived Bob’s before, the highlight was the very large field of garden eels. After checking them out for a while we carried on to the wall. All very nice with lots of the usual suspects. Oriental sweetlips, some large surgeons and a wonderful Harlequin ghostpipefish in a crinoid. A very peaceful and gentle dive with no current.

White pipefish (Siokunichthys nigrolineatus) Bob's Rock

Nudibranchs

Phyllodesmium longicirum, K41


Glossodoris cinta, Bob's Rock


Glossodoris cruentus, K41


Gymnodoris cylonica, Pertamina jetty


Chromodoris leopardus, K41

Site Map

Picture curtesey Jurgen Hannak, senior bubble-maker, age 41

Tide Tables - Double click to view

Tide tables for Dili and Hera, April 25th through May 1st

Dive Log

Location: K41
Date: 23rd April 2007
Time: 10am
Duration: 31minutes.
Tides: Low 0916 1.2metres. High 1703 2.0metres.
Weather: Sunny, some cloud. Light breeze.
Sea: Slight chop, otherwise calm.
Visibility: 15metres +/-
Divers: Three. Self/Vanessa/Zach.

We entered the water at the usual location, just in front of the shade tree, and descended onto the sand/rocks about 10metres west of the wall. Good visibility for the time of year considering the rain we had the previous day. In the first minute we found a nice little leaf scorpionfish swaying in the current at about 10metres. Carried on along the wall until we came to the ‘manger scene’ at about 18metres with lots of fish along the way. From the ‘manger’ we swam down about 15degrees east of north until we came to a sequence of small caves and overhangs where you can more often than not find a female white-tip reefy sheltering in the first cave. She wasn’t there! We carried on around the outcrop until we came to the small cave at 20metres and there she was, having a doze. After checking her out for a couple of minutes we came up and over the ridge to be hit by a very strong current which was trying to push us further east and up! We fought the current for about 5 minutes but eventually decided to abort the dive as it wasn’t fun anymore. The three of us surfaced together and then spent about 20minutes swimming back to the shore. It was a pity about the strong current as it had the potential to be a very good dive with lots of fish and good vis.


Leaf scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)

Chamber

Remember, there is no recompression chamber in East Timor. The nearest are in Darwin and Bali and are expensive to get to and a long way away. Remember also we have no coast-guard. No one will come to save you. You are basically on your own. Plan your dives with this in mind and you should be OK.
Always dive within your limits. Let someone know where you are diving and an approximate time for your return. Always have a basic first aid kit in your vehicle. I also take a tyre inflator with me. This fixes to the low-pressure inflator hose on your reg. It will get you home in an emergency. Most tyre pressures are around the 30psi mark. 10 bar in your empty tank is equivalent to 150psi.

Nudibranchs

Unidentified - K41


Unidentified - K41


Hypselodoris infucata - Pertamina Jetty


Hypsylodoris c f zephyra - Bob's Rock


Nembrotha purpolineolata - Dili Rock