Do you cartel to swim with a sunfish that's at to the lowest degree three times your size? Or impact a hairy-looking creature that resembles a frog in Bali?

You've heard all about the 5 most haunted places in Bali you might not want to visit, and now nosotros're gonna tell you what lurks beyond its sandy shores and beneath its at-home waters, for existent.

Then as you embark on your underwater adventures, beware of what'south perhaps eyeing you lot for dinner*.

ane. Rub shoulders with the massive Sunfish

The Mighty Mola Mola – or what they call the Bali Sunfish – is i of the nearly magnificent ocean animals you can find in Bali, in the waters around Nusa Penida.

sunfish 1

Photo via Dive 2000

Despite coming up to virtually iii times your size and weighing over ii,000 kg, this gentle creature is in fact, pretty harmless (to humans, at least). It'll probably just stare at you with its dopey eyes as information technology lolls effectually awkwardly near the surface of the water, making you go awwww like how a manatee or dolphin would.

Don't fault information technology for a shark though. Like the predator, its large dorsal fin often protrudes from the h2o surface.

Then how tin yous tell the divergence? This silly creature sometimes flaps its fin comically – something which nosotros're sure Jaws wouldn't practise.

sunfish 2

Photo via Fact Zoo

The best time of the year to run into these incredible creatures is effectually Mid July to Oct in Nusa Penida (an island due east of Jimbaran, with assist of local practiced to increase risk of sightings.

2. Touch (non) the Hairy Frogfish

This unfriendly-looking critter is actually a type of anglerfish, that infamous scary-looking deep-sea monster with a dangly bulb of light on its head to lure its prey.

hairy frog fish

Photograph via Mermaid Liveaboards

The only divergence is that, for the frogfish, the bait appears every bit a worm or shrimp.

Curious? Yous probably can't spot this guy hands though, as it'south oft heavily camouflaged against coral reefs or rocks about the ocean floor, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting fish. If you manage to meet it, lookout out for its venomous spines, which will sting!

hairy frog fish 2

Photograph via Frogfish.ch

And did y'all know – the frogfish is then grotesque that information technology'south fifty-fifty alleged to exist 'The Spawn of Satan' by the mayor of Bitung, Republic of indonesia.


3. Notice the elusive Ghost Pipefish

It'southward not termed 'ghost' without reason. This delicate-looking thing oft disguises itself every bit nearby sponge or seagrass, so information technology'due south quite a challenge to spot it.

ghost pipe fish

Photograph via Best-Diving.org

Often no bigger than your little finger, the Ornate Ghost Pipefish loves to play dead – it'south usually (albeit weirdly) spotted floating upside down, with its oral fissure pointed downwards and lying near motionless in the h2o.

Smart style to avert ending upward as another fish's delicious meal, nosotros call back.

iv. Transformers? Watch the Mimic Octopus do a makeover

Nope, nosotros're not kidding. You lot'll have a tentacle of a time trying to figure out if that fish yous're eyeing is really what it appears to exist.

Because it may very well be the Mimic Octopus in disguise.

mimic octopus

Photo via Island Dreams

Mind you, this footling guy is no sotong (a Mandarin dialect significant 'squid', used to describe a person who is not very intelligent). It can take on the form of dangerous creatures such as the flatfish, panthera leo fish, jellyfish and sea serpent, or fifty-fifty Transformers to ward off predators.

transformer

Photo past Aaron

Next time you think it'southward a succulent crab you spotted in the shallow waters, recall once more. It may be an octopus trying to trap a crab-suitor, so devouring information technology (fashion before you tin).

v. Slug it out with the Nudibranch

This sea slug doesn't await similar your average slug.

nudi branch 2

Photo via The Flying Kiwi

Apart from being able to abound to the length of your arm, the Nudibranch is decked in striking and bold colours, proud of being, well, a shell-less snail, and to warn predators that it's as well poisonous to be yummy escargot.

And be careful when you swim near – it also releases toxins that can incapacitate its attacker. So think twice before y'all pick up this pretty (but slimy) little creature!

nudi branch 3

Photo via The Telegraph

*Nosotros're just kidding. Nigh of the to a higher place-mentioned creatures won't gobble you up, we hope.

Nearly of these beautiful creatures in Bali can be constitute in Menjagan Islands, Bali's most underrated unspoilt diving spots, with magnificent coral walls! Cheque this out!

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PLEASE Annotation: All the to a higher place information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, delight allow us know and nosotros will update the information accordingly. Cheers!
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