DIVELOG JUNE 406

Ramon says that weekly cruise itineraries are customised to take advantage of the best seasonal conditions, and all trips are planned and adjusted according to weather, tides, currents, and the guests' desired diving experience. Itineraries can also make accommodations for trips when there are snorkellers on board. “ We have three DEMs on Pelagian,” Ramon says, “ so we can take care of divers and snorkellers at the same time .” The Early Season Advantage “ Pelagian cruises sometimes sell out in advance ” Ramon says, “ but certain booking windows combine a greater chance of availability with excellent diving conditions. From March to May, we usually have calm seas, no wind, good visibility and warm water. It's a time when

Divers relax in Pelagian Salon in between dives. Image Walt Stearns

frogfish, and ringed pipefish . Another nearby favourite is Cheeky Beach, which is a prime hunting ground for nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, decorator crabs, snake eels and mantis shrimp, ” she says. A popular shallow dive, and a favourite with wide-angle photographers, is the lagoon at Karang Kapota, where monolithic coral bommies rise from a white-sand seabed. Equally photogenic is Karang Kaledupa's Rainbow Reef, which is a chain of seamounts connected by ridges. These formations make for dramatic wide-angle images, while the dense coral cover atop the ridges holds a wealth of macro subjects such as pygmy seahorses, and frogfish. The dramatic vertical profile of Orange Wall is heavily decorated in soft corals and seafans and is capped by a pristine reef top overgrown with numerous varieties of hard coral. Colourful sea fans and sponges are also key features of the crests of the Hoga pinnacles, which rise from depths of 35 metres. The tops of these structures swarm with fusiliers, redtooth triggerfish, pyramid butterfly fish and damselfishes. All are accommodated “ Divers of all experience levels can

we may be able dive on sites that we do not visit during other months .” While this time may be known as the rainy season, Ramon says that does not mean it rains 24/7. “ Most of the time we have some rain at night so it’s not a big deal for diving. We always plan the trips according to the weather forecast, ” says Ramon. “ We have more than 100 different dive sites to choose from, so we can always dive in areas where we are protected from wind and waves .” More about the Pelagian Difference >here. Learn more about diving from Pelagian at wakatobi.com/dive-yacht. Ask a Wakatobi guest experience representative about booking a cruise on Pelagian . www.wakatobi.com Email: linda@wakatobi.com

enjoy the Pelagian ” , Ramon says, while adding that “ the more experienced they are, the more they can enjoy the diving and the more they understand and value the quality of the reefs .” New divers are welcome, and we recognise that they may need some additional attention and assistance to get the most out of their time in the water. “ We compensate for lack of experience with extra personal attention from our DEMs, who will help with skills like buoyancy, make them feel safe on the dives and provide good briefings and presentations on marine life behaviour, habitats and coral variety .”

Male sparring Mandarinfish at Magic Pier, Pasar Wajo Bay. Image Walt Stearns

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DIVE LOG Australasia #406 - June ‘23

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