Macro diving, Muck and Critters

Puri Jati, Mucky Pirates Bay and Secret Bay

Underwater macro treasures await

A Tale of Muck and Critters

Exploring the depths of northwestern Bali unveils a captivating secret: the allure of macro diving. The volcanic, dark sands of Puri Jati, Secret Bay and the mixed coral-volcanic sands of Mucky Pirates Bay, set the stage for an extraordinary experience. From elusive critters to delicate sea creatures, this area unveils a hidden world of miniature wonders, making it a haven for unparalleled macrophotography and exploration.

So what are you waiting for? Sign aboard Sea Rovers where our sharp-eyed crew will take you on a quest to find undersea macro treasures.

Macro dive site Descriptions

The best sites for macrophotography

Puri Jati

Trip Time: ±40 minutes (by Car)

Current: Slight to mild

Brief: Puri Jati dive site is for macro life and macrophotography, Seahorses, frogfish, Scorpion fish, a variety of ghost pipefish, dragonet, Nudibranch, Mantis shrimp etc… Lots and lots of little stuff. (Watch out for the mangrove snakes:)

Description: Nestled on the North coast of Bali, the Puri Jati is first a macro dive site that beckons with its unique allure. Underwater photographers are drawn to its volcanic dark sands, a canvas for mesmerizing macro life. From elusive critters to delicate sea creatures, this site unveils a hidden world of miniature wonders, making it a haven for unparalleled macrophotography and exploration.

Mucky Pirates Bay

Trip Time: ±3 minutes

Current: Rarely

Brief: Sea Rovers house reef & macro dive, plenty of critters and small fish, excellent for night dives straight from shore
with Mandarin fish, Sea moths, seahorses, pipefish, including ornate and robust, plus many more weird and wondrous things to find in the dark sands of the bay

Description: This site is the Sea Rovers home port, it’s mucky, we’re Pirates, and it’s in the bay. Sometimes known as the Fisherman Basket, or just The Jetty amongst those that don’t know the place well. Mucky Pirates Bay is our equivalent to Puri Jati macro dive, only without the 40+ minute car ride.

Like Puri Jati (see above description) only closer. This macro dive is straight off the beach here in Pemuteran Bay. It’s shallow water, 10-12 m and has a sand, lots of dark sand, sponges, and seagrass with plenty of muck plus tons of critters. You can find pipefish in different varieties, both robust, ornate, and common, sea moths, seahorses, unusual scorpionfish, devilfish and more. Mandarin fish can also be found here on the opposite side of the bay, plus with it being so shallow, you have lots of time to look.

Beneath the small jetty is home to many juveniles, razorfish, shrimps and many
more. Great night dive.

Secret Bay

Trip Time: ±40 minutes (by Car)

Current: Slight to strong

Brief: The once legendary Secret Bay dive site for macrophotography, Seahorses, frogfish, Scorpion fish, a variety of ghost pipefish, dragonet, Nudibranch, Mantis shrimp etc… Lots and lots of little stuff. (Watch out for the mangrove snakes:)

Description: Secret Bay (or Gilimanuk Bay) Over the years, this site became a bit of a legend in the diving community, once second only to the world renowned twilight zone of Ambon. Unfortunately, it’s not what it used to be due to the expansion of the Bali-Java ferry terminal.

A muck dive, really only for the macro enthusiast. The mangrove lined bay 40 minutes drive from Pemuteran offers many rare and wonderful small things (critters). Not much coral, cool water and shallow, generally maxing out at 12mtrs, at a push. Again, not what it used to be, but still OK for any diver with a camera, a good eye and a macro lens.