Five Favourite Critters on a Bali Critter Dive
Learn more about our five favourite critters found in Bali! These are the five most requested critters that our guests would like to find on our popular Bali Diving Safari trips.
One of the highlights of a scuba diving trip to Bali is the incredible critter life. Photographers and non-photographers alike love to find cryptic creatures. With a large number of critter dives throughout the island, Bali is a world class destination for macro lovers. Dive sites such as the Padang Bai Jetty, Puri Jati near Lovina, and Secret Bay at Gilimanuk are some of the lesser known gems. Tulamben and Amed are home to a variety of black sand sites. There are more than a dozen great macro sites in the area including Melasti, Liberty Slope, Seraya, and many more!
However, it’s not the sites themselves that make a dive unforgettable, it’s the creatures that are the stars of the show. Photographers who visit Bali often have a list of critters they want to find. Over the years we have compiled a short list of the “5 Most Requested Critters in Bali” from guests. Without further ado, and in no particular order we present our 5!
Harlequin Shrimp
These gaudy crustaceans are highly requested by photographers and non photographers as well. With their bright colors and a “look” like no other shrimp, harlequins are always a hit. Typically found sheltered under large rocks, these beautiful animals feed on starfish. Find harlequin shrimp throughout Bali at sites such as Seraya Secrets, Melasti Amed, and Melasti Seraya.
Donut Dorid Nudi
A nudibranch that looks like no other. When first encountering the donut dorid, many divers can’t tell the difference between the head and the tail! These nudibranchs resemble six donuts that have been laid out side by side. They exclusively live on and eat hydroids. The best site in Bali to find them is Melasti in the Seraya area.
Mimic Octopus
The most sought after octopus in Bali. These long armed octopus are notoriously shy but when feeling confident they can put on quite a show! The incredible flexibility of these charismatic cephalopods means they can take a multitude of shapes. The name “mimic” originates from their ability to take on the form of other marine life in order to confuse predators. Find these beautiful octopus on the black sand slopes of the Amed and Seraya areas as well as Puri Jati in north Bali.
Shaun the Sheep
The cutest animal under the sea? These tiny sea slugs with “eyes” are only around the size of a grain of rice. They are found in singles, pairs, and small groups living on certain type of sea grass. Due to their small size, these are extremely frustrating subjects for photographers to shoot. Diopters or tele-converters are a real must when photographing these cute invertebrates. Find these adorable critters at sites in Bali such as Puri Jati and the black sand sites in the Tulamben and Amed areas.
Check out it’s resemblence to the popular Shaun the Sheep cartoon to know how it received it’s nickname.
Coconut Octopus
Perhaps not as famous as it’s cousin the mimic, Coconut Octopus make up for it in the “character” department. Recently classified as the only non vertebrate with the ability to use tools, “coconut” octopus are named that way for a reason. These highly intelligent cephalopods utilize a variety of items to shelter themselves from predators. They use coconuts, clams shells, and even discarded plastic as protection. Find coconut octopus at sites in and around the Puri Jati area.
Watch a Coconut Octopus carrying around it’s own home
With it’s location firmly in the Coral Triangle region, Bali is home to countless wonderful critters. These five favourite critters are just the tip of the iceberg of what you can find on a Bali Diving Safari. Frogfish, blue ring octopus, mantis shrimp, seahorses, and an endless variety of nudibranchs are all found regularly by our guides. If you are a critter lover, please Contact Us today to inquire how we can create the perfect dive holiday for you in Bali.
What are your Five Favourite Critters in Bali?
Have you just finished a Bali diving trip? Or will you be joining us on a safari in the future? Why not let us know in the comments what your five favourites are. We will certainly try to show you all of these amazing critters on your dive trip in Bali.
