INDONESIAIn 1995 divers started exploring Ambon’s
mucky slopes. Soon after, this special
place shot into the diver’s spotlight
as a result of the weird and wonderful
creatures that live on the slopes of the
bay that almost splits the island in half.
Although it is difficult to tear yourself
away from some of the world’s rarest
fish like the psychedelic frogfish or
Rhinopias, there is a lot more to
discover in Ambon.
The jetties that are dotted around
the bay are a surreal experience when
dived at the right time. The pillars of a
dive site called “Jetty Air Manis” rise up
from around 20 metres towards shafts of
light piercing through the gaps between
the jetty and parked fishing boats. The
pillars provide the perfect place for giant
frogfish to blend in whilst waiting to pick
off individuals from the large schools of
silversides that also inhabit the jetty.At the “Twilight Zone”, an aptly
named site in the village of Laha’s
bustling fishing harbour, you dive
beneath the boats where the blue water
turns into an ethereal gloom. Large schools
of ox-eye scad, silversides and bigeyes
swirl beneath cascading light shafts that
fall beneath the parked fishing boats. The
booming boat engines above reverberate
through the intrepid divers below whilst
taking in this epic spectacle in the most
unusual of locations.
The unique wonders of Ambon are
not limited to the ocean – an hour’s drive
from the muck mecca of Laha, along some
spectacular coastlines, is the small village
of Larike. In the far bank of the river that
runs through the village, a group of large
freshwater eels inhabit the rock crevices.
Although they may look intimidating they
are actually well habituated to humans.
The eels are highly regarded by the villagers
and are almost like pets being fed fish
scraps from time to time. Ambon is a true
gem with many unique experiences making
it a “must” for any intrepid traveller,
photographer or critter enthusiast.AMBONMaluku, IndonesiaMALUKUAMBON
By Joe Daniels