Blogs
A Flying Visit to Nusa Penida, Bali

Once I’d organised my 6 day/5 night Jurassic Komodo trip, I knew, if I was going to travel all that way, I needed a bit more time to acclimatise and explore. With flying through Bali a popular route from the UK to Labuan Bajo, it made complete sense to spend a couple of days there before flying out. What better way to get the trip started than revisiting where my underwater photography journey started back in 2013 and diving around Nusa Penida? The opportunity came up to spend 2 nights with an amazing little dive resort on Nusa Penida Island called Pure Dive Resort, and it was the perfect start to my trip.
Pure Dive Resort was created in January 2019 after the owners sold their share in a dive resort they built on Ceningan, and has been operational since 1st May 2019. Pure Dive Resort has big plans to create a full-scale dive resort offering quality diving on Nusa Penida. Unfortunately, the Covid outbreak caused delays, and at the moment only the dive centre is operating. However, while I was there, you can see work is in full effect and the place is already looking amazing. After speaking to the owner Ark and the ambition he has for the place, it’s clear that Pure will be a sought-after resort on the island; a place focused on high service and safety standards, while concentrating on keeping it personal for each and every guest.
While the plans for the resort proceed, Pure Dive Resort are using Ring Sameton Hotel for their dive and stay packages, just a 2-minute stroll from the dive centre. Pure Dive Resort are running 2 custom built dive boats, each capable of taking up to 14 divers (including guides) onboard. I for one was very impressed with the dive boat and how spacious and comfortable it was, especially as ‘Manta Point’ is quite a ride away and it can be a little choppy; however, on this occasion the journey was a super comfortable and a fun ride out. The boats are equipped with marine radios, 2×100 4 stroke engines, emergency O2 and life jackets, keeping safety paramount. Not only is Pure Dive Resort a well-equipped dive centre, it also has a freediving school, and they use their own custom-built boat with the capacity of a maximum of 10 freedivers onboard.
While I was impressed with the professionalism and facilities of Pure Dive Resort, it was the equipment for hire and the capabilities of the centre which really stood out. As I was flying to Labuan Bajo late the next day, and I was only scheduled for 3 dives, I was reluctant to use my own dive gear for fear of drying time. I requested a wetsuit and BCD and was really impressed with the quality on offer. Almost brand new ScubaPro equipment is available, and you can see it is well looked after and kept in perfect order in a dry room at the back of the centre. So, after the formalities were over, it was time to get familiar with diving in Nusa Penida once again. Our first dive was scheduled for ‘Manta Point’, easily the most famous/popular dive site of Nusa Penida. I was really looking forward to getting back to a dive site that was the catalyst for me becoming an underwater photographer 10 years ago. The journey to ‘Manta Point’ is an adventure in itself, and just adds to the experience. The rough and ready coastline of dramatic cliffs, pounded by a lively sea, leave you in awe, as the rising sun breaks over the top of the island, creating dramatic rays of light through the spray and mist. The boat skips along the surface, with the excitement building over every swell.
After around a 45-minute journey, we arrived at ‘Manta Point’ earlier than a lot of the other boats that were heading there, thanks to Pure Dive Resort working to create the best experience for their guests and aiming to beat the crowds. Ark was my dive guide for the dive and one other diver would join us. After a thorough dive briefing, where you could tell Ark was very knowledgeable about the area, dive site and mantas, we dropped in and were soon graced by the presence of a black-morph manta ray. Honestly, it couldn’t have been much more than 2 minutes into the dive and the manta went gliding over my head. What a start! Two more manta rays were seen during the dive, but they didn’t seem to want to stay around. That’s wildlife for you; you can’t guarantee the manta rays will circle above you for the whole dive. We still got guaranteed manta rays and saw three, along with a fever of blue spotted stingrays all huddled together on the reef floor. A great start to my trip, and seeing a manta ray within 2 minutes of entering the water is pretty incredible.
Our manta fix wasn’t quite finished though. While we headed back along Nusa Penida to our next dive site, we stopped at a known manta feeding spot for juveniles. It’s an area where a lot of the snorkelling boats go to experience manta rays, and sure enough, we could see a lot of activity in the bay. Ark made the decision to take us over and see what kind of action was happening. It wasn’t long before we spotted a large black shape breaking the surface, and Ark asked if we’d like to jump in and snorkel. It was a unanimous decision and we were dropped in the path of the manta ray. More incredible manta moments were had, as it passed by circling the bay area as it fed. I managed to grab some cool shots showing the contrast of the top of the manta to the seafloor. Nusa Penida really is a unique place and great for manta ray interactions.
After a brief snorkel, we were soon back on the boat skipping across the surface to our next port of call located on the North West side of Nusa Penida. Our next dive site of choice was ‘Pura Ped’, a sloping hill reaching down from the surface creating a gradual descent broken up with stunning hard and soft coral spread throughout the site. The visibility was just amazing, and while Ark kept an eye on the depths in the hope of seeing Mola Mola, I concentrated on the reef and marvelled at the amazing coral on show. While we had no luck with Mola Mola, Titan triggerfish, huge pufferfish and three hawksbill turtles kept me entertained throughout a thoroughly peaceful dive.
Before I descended for my third dive of the day. We ventured back to the dive centre and enjoyed an incredibly tasty lunch, included with a dive day package. The Soto Ayam in the restaurant opposite the dive centre was bursting with flavour and well needed after two great dives.
My third dive was to concentrate on some macro critters that call Nusa Penida home, and Intan was highly recommended to be my guide. Intan had a big reputation with the other guides who said she was incredible at finding the small stuff. I wasn’t originally planning on doing any macro, so it was lucky that my room wasn’t far, and I rushed back to change my lens. The dive site also wasn’t far, as we made a short journey out to ‘SD Point’. I’m so glad I switched to macro and could witness and document the diversity of diving here. Intan’s reputation was well deserved, as she continually pointed out some amazing critters, with leaf scorpionfish, peacock mantis shrimp, scorpionfish, nudibranch, porcelain crab and more spotted throughout another amazing dive.
My trip to Nusa Penida with Pure Dive Resort was short and sweet, and left me wanting a lot more. A day of diving was nowhere near enough that’s for sure, with Ark confident he can find Mola Mola within a few days during the high season of August and September. I feel a trip must be planned for that time next year to explore so much more that this area has to offer. I feel I also missed out on exploring more of the island and its rugged beauty. A trip across to Kelingking Beach is a must next time (even though it is the quintessential tourist view of Bali). While I enjoyed meals at Penida Minang and Penida Colada, a week of culinary exploration is also much needed while I take in the sites. The only question I have now is – ‘Who’s joining me and Pure Dive Resort for an amazing week in Nusa Penida?’
For more information about diving in Nusa Penida:
Whatsapp: +62 811 3999 852
Sean Chinn Instagram: @greatwhitesean
Email: sean@greatwhitesean.com
Blogs
My Aruba Dive Adventure: Amazing Reefs, Epic Wrecks, and a New Furry Friend

If you’re new to this blog, then I am Mia DaPonte and I share my life underwater with you after I got certified as the youngest female Master Scuba Diver in the USA! You can also follow me and all my adventures on Instagram: @underwaterwithmia.
Last week my family and I returned from our vacation in Aruba, where we did lots of fun activities, and my mom and I went diving with AJ and Aruba Premier Boat and Dive.
Before you think I’m going to say it’s not great diving—it’s actually amazing! Aruba diving is truly an experience, but it all depends on who you go with. On our first day, AJ took us to the Antilla wreck. It is SOOOO cool—maybe one of my favorite wreck dives yet (but I haven’t seen too many wrecks). AJ told us the story of the Antilla wreck, and guess what? It is the largest wreck in the Caribbean! AJ guided us through the wreck. It was filled with fish and moray eels. We saw a sea turtle! My most favorite part of this dive was getting to go through some of the easier parts of the wreck. I am really liking wreck diving and want to do more!
The second dive that day, I got to choose a reef or a wreck. I chose another wreck that was more pieces than a full ship. It’s so cool to see wreckage at the bottom of the ocean, especially when I hear about why it’s there and can imagine the story while I dive.
For our second day of diving, we met AJ on the other side of the island. The goal for this day was to see some beautiful reefs! Both dives this day were beautiful. There were so many colorful corals. We saw a stingray and tons of beautiful tropical fish.
It was a lot of fun diving in Aruba, where the waters are clear. I would definitely want to come back and dive in Aruba—especially with AJ! He was so fun and told great stories. I learned so much about the island from him. Side note: during surface intervals, AJ served us butter and Gouda cheese sandwiches and they were so delicious! Oh—and he gave me and my mom great tips on how to treat the sunburns we got on our first day on the island. Haha.
The rest of the vacation was family time. We spent time relaxing on the white sandy beaches, went to the Aruba waterpark, ate at lots of delicious restaurants, shopped, and spent whole days swimming. The waterpark was a lot of fun and they had some bigger slides for older kids. My personal opinion is that the waterpark is made more for younger kids than older ones—my younger brother loved it—but it was still a good day.
Diving is always a favorite for me, but on this trip something else was even better. This was my favorite part: We were at the airport on our way home, and we were unusually early for our flight. Anyway, I knew my parents had a surprise for my brother and me, but when I asked them, they told us it was just a painting being delivered (not really a great lie, but it worked). I was just on my phone and my brother was playing video games while we waited. We didn’t even notice at first, but then my mom walked up to us with a little puppy in her arms.
He was a surprise that my mom and dad adopted from the Sgt. Pepper’s Rescue on the island! I was so excited to have a new puppy—and he’s the coolest island cunucu mutt! It was the best surprise ever. Now we have a new family member! I think it’s OK to talk about him in this blog. We, of course, named him “Reef”! It fits with my scuba theme.
Thank you for reading my blogs—this one might just be my favorite. See you next time!
Book your next dive adventure in Aruba with AJ:
Call: +297-7445406 or +297-744-2009
Email: arubapremiere@gmail.com
Blogs
Excerpts from Jeff Goodman’s Book Action Camera Underwater Video Basics, Part 4 of 6: Pre-Dive Equipment Checks

Sounds obvious, doesn’t it, but even the most experienced professional will occasionally forget to check for grit or sand in the O-ring as they race to get into the water to film something passing, such as a whale or turtle. Ninety-nine per cent of the time it’s okay, but at one point or another, that little bit of sand is going to let in water. Probably not much, but any water at all has the potential to get onto the lens or into the very delicate electronics. Video cameras and modern electronics have a horrible intolerance to water and salt. So without question, before the start of your diving day, have a routine of pre-dive checks and repeat them every time you open the housing.
Batteries
Did you put your camera and light batteries on charge, and are they at high enough capacity to last the duration of your diving? It is always a good idea to charge all batteries overnight, long before your dive. If any battery will not last a whole day, then carry at least one spare for that device.
Dirt
Is your lens clean and the inside of your port free from dust and hairs, etc.? To clean either, first gently blow away any visible debris. This is best done with a gentle squirt from a can of photographic compressed air. You can lightly blow with your mouth, but if you do, make sure it is free from any spittle. Next, gently wipe the surface with a good quality lens cloth, or a clean soft cotton hanky. Lastly, give the lens and port one more gentle squirt of air. If either is greasy, use a good quality lens cleaning liquid and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Ports are mostly made of plastic and will scratch easily if rubbed too hard.
Memory cards and hard drives
Whether you are using a memory card or your camera’s hard drive, make sure you have downloaded previous material onto a laptop or other storage device and that you have plenty of space for the next video session. Regular formatting of your card or drive is recommended over just deleting files, as this will make more space for new data to be written perfectly and will help stop card or drive corruption. Formatting is preferred over deletion, as your device will then overwrite old material as needed, rather than delete all of it straight away. So, in the event of losing your downloaded files, some of your older material may survive on your memory card.
It is also advisable not to use the same card for more than one device, as this can damage file structure and lead to storage media corruption. If this happens, the card or drive has to be replaced.
It is heartbreaking to go into the water with only a short amount of time left on your card because, as luck would have it, that will be the time a dolphin decides to come and play with you for an hour, or you find you are swimming with two mating turtles. In addition, should you have a leak, then not only will you lose your camera but also all the wonderful material you shot on your previous dives.
O-rings
O-rings are incredibly cheap compared to the overall cost of a camera. They are crucial to keeping the water out of your electronics and optics. Action cameras are pretty well foolproof against flooding. However, it does happen and this is usually down to operator error. If the camera is in a housing, make sure the O-rings are clean and free from sand or grit. A plastic guitar plectrum is the ideal tool for removing one, as it will not tear or damage it. Take the O-ring out and clean it gently between your fingers, also making sure the groove in which it sits is free of dirt. Blue paper cloth is useful for cleaning and is often available in dive centres and on dive boats.
Inspect the O-ring for any damage such as deterioration, cracks or nicks. Generally, if it is black, then it will need a small amount of silicone grease to lubricate it. Do not put on too much, as this will decrease the O-ring’s efficiency and may cause leaking. Just put a small amount of grease between your finger and thumb and then gently pull and roll the O-ring through to make sure of even coverage. When finished, it should have just a light sheen. This type of O-ring is mostly found on lights as well as more professional housings.
If the O-ring is orange, red or white, then the general rule is to not apply grease, as this may well deform it and cause a leak. Simply roll and slide it across your tongue to feel if there is any grit present, and at the same time your spit will be sufficient lubrication.
Before doing either of the above, make sure you read the manufacturer’s notes to see if the supplied O-ring needs lubrication or not.
Having re-seated the seal into the housing, close the port, making sure it pushes the O-ring firmly into place without trapping it. A pinched, twisted or trapped O-ring in the lid will let water into your housing.
Many action cameras are waterproof in their own right and so have no additional housing. For these cameras, there still may be a port to access the memory card and battery. Here the O-rings are usually flat and not removable. They also will not need lubrication, but do make sure they are clean and undamaged.
Whether your camera is old or new, it is important to have spare O-rings with you at all times. Action camera O-rings are very sturdy, but it is always possible for damage or loss to occur. Whatever camera I am using, I always make sure I have at least two spare O-rings on hand.
Make sure your housing is closed properly, that all the catches work easily and smoothly and are locked in place so they won’t be accidentally snagged and opened while underwater. If you feel some resistance to the catch closing, then it probably means the O-ring is not seated fully and is trapped and being pinched. Do not force it. Open the case and check all is clear.
NEXT WEEK:
Part 5 of 6 – Filming Techniques
Action Camera Underwater Video Basics by Jeff Goodman is available now from DIVEDUP Publications:
https://www.divedup.com/shop/action-camera-underwater-video-basics-the-essential-guide-to-making-underwater-films/
About Jeff Goodman
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