Batu Emerald Dive Spot

Batu Emerald and the surrounding area is one of the best dive sites southeast of Tulamben Bay. Located not far from Batu Kelebit. This site can be accessed using a jukung (small outrigger fishing boat).

There are sunken cars and several other parts of the artificial reef on the sandy slopes – which are natural homes for cuttlefish, gobies, ornamental dartfish, Helmut gurnard and nudists. There are several eel garden areas as well.

“I’m often surprised by the diversity of reef fish here and how many Gorgonian sea fans (with accompanying Pygmy seahorses – sometimes up to 10 per fan) are on this sloping reef. Marine life includes ghostpipefish, octopus, lionfish and scorpionfish.”

At around 20-30m depth, the reef becomes richer with a large number of sponges, including Barrel sponges, and is a good place to spot reef sharks. Threshing sharks and eagle rays are (occasionally) seen here.

There is a small drop-off with Elephant ear sponge and hard coral, and some large semi-resident napoleon wrasse.