This week in Lembongan… The waters have been full of turtle power, with at least 1 turtle on every dive this week! Divers have had to choice whether to look at the manta rays feeding or the swimming turtles.

Indonesia is very lucky to have 6 of the 7 types of turtles calling these islands home. Green and Hawksbill turtles are the two common types that visit the waters around Lembongan. Turtles are air breathers and after they have spent time cursing underwater, finding food and hanging out with their turtle buddies, the turtle needs to make its way to the surface to grab a breath before it can continue its chilling underwater. It is believed that turtles can hold their breaths for up to 36 hours, this allows them to travel great distances between reef areas and open seas. While the turtles are out for a joy ride in the blue, crustaceans and parasites will start to grow on the turtles shell. It is not until the turtle returns to the reef, that the turtle can find a place to clean up. While on the reef, reef fish will eat the crustaceans and parasites to clean the turtles shell. So if you see a dirty turtle underwater, chances are its looking for a ‘turtle wash’.

Lembongan would like to welcome Pia, our newest divemaster trainee, to the team. Pia will be spending 2 weeks with us before moving up to the other Two Fish Divers to complete her course. Have a look out on Facebook and on the Two Fish website for the weekly happenings in Pia’s blog.

This week we have also had some very exciting experiences with manta rays cleaning and feeding. The mola are still around but they are starting to move on. Other little creatures we have seen this week are; cleaner crabs, anemone shrimp, cleaner shrimp, lobsters, nudibranchs, reef squid and common octopus.