GILI TEPEKONG, BIAHA, MIMPANG DIVING
Gili Tepekong diving at Amuk Bay offers some of the best diving in Bali but its sites are also among the most difficult and dangerous areas to dive. It is a place to be both patient and careful. There are three sites, the islands of Gili Tepekong, Mimpang and Gili Biaha, which should be treated with caution and respect. The water here is also cold and a 3mm wet suit is recommended.
Gili Tepekong is the most famous of the Amuk Bay sites. “The Canyon” a striking structure begins at the southwest corner of the island going down to 40 meters. At fifteen meters, halfway down the island side of the Canyon, a flat-topped spur projects straight out. The great scale of its structure and the huge schools of fish like sweetlips, jacks, big troupers, sharks, and pelagics like molas make this site an exciting dive. Nevertheless, this amazing structure that makes the Canyon so beautiful also makes it dangerous. When the current combines with swell, a strong spiraling down current develops. Therefore, dives should be prepared very carefully with a local guide and never dive unless you are confident the conditions are safe.
Gili Mimpang Island is a group of four rocky outcrops northwest of Gili Tepekong. Mimpang is southern end drops off sharply to deep water but the north becomes shallow. The southern end of the reef is one of the richest in Bali. This site is a combination of wall and sloping reefs, jagged rocks and boulders, hard corals, soft corals and gorgonians. The fish life is rich, including schooling fish, sharks and molas. Current conditions can be difficult here, like the rest of Amuk Bay therefore dives need to be planned carefully.
Gili Biaha Island is a rocky outcrop northeast of Gili Tepekong. A very healthy reef surrounds the island, about half of it is wall and the other half is a cobbled slope. Biaha is not as popular as the other two islands but here can be found fascinating smaller species such as cuttlefish, octopus, nudibranchs, rich soft corals, gorgonians and black corals. Like the other sites, heavy swells can create problems and strong currents can make it dangerous for boats to get close to the island, so always be aware and prepare the dives carefully with a local guide.
Reef Type : fat, sandy-bottom mixed reef, walls
Traveling Time : from Sanur 1 hour drive, then 25 minutes by boat
Visibility : up to 20 meters
Coral : varying outcrops
Fish : good variety
Highlights : titan triggerfish, sting rays, molas and sharks.
Other : underwater canyon, steep coral wall
Please contact us for more information about Gili Tepekong Diving or other Bali diving trips
