Batu Kelebit Tulamben marine life, Bali

Batu Kelebit is two rocks off Tulamben. Go by boat from the bay, then drop in. Below the rocks are three steep ridges, covered in hard and soft coral, sea fans, and sponges. Between the ridges are channels of grey and white sand.

A usual dive is about 5–40 m. The coral continues past 60 m, so agree a depth before the splash. Current can be light to strong, and there is sometimes a downcurrent. The water is often cooler than inside the bay because deeper water rises here.

The steep ridges and plankton-rich water make larger animals more likely here than inside Tulamben Bay. In the sand channels the fish are different: dartfish, jawfish, and cuttlefish.

Map coordinate: −8.26246, 115.59741
Dive type: Wall
Entry: Boat
Depth: About 5–40 m. The reef continues past 60 m.
Water: Salt water. Often cooler than in the bay.

Marine life

Bigeye trevally

Schools often circle in the sand channels between the ridges.

Tuna

More often pass in the open water off the ridges, when there is current.

Barracuda

More often pass in the open water off the ridges, when there is current.

Manta ray

Sometimes pass this site. Not on every dive, and there is no need to chase one.

Eagle ray

Sometimes glide in the blue water beside the ridges.

Whitetip reef shark

May swim slowly along the coral. Stronger current often comes with the sharks.

Turtle

Often pass between the ridges to feed.

Mola

Sometimes seen in the cooler water. Sightings are rare.

Macro life

The sand channels between the ridges are where the small animals are. Do not stir the sand, because the visibility here is already full of plankton. For macro photos, use a macro lens and a focus light.

Dartfish

Fire dartfish and jawfish live in the channel sand. They drop into their holes if you approach too fast.

Jawfish