News
A tale of two wrecks: an alternative to Indonesia’s stunning reefs
New to wreck diving or just looking for a change? Most divers will have heard of the fantastic diving opportunities that abound in Indonesia – fantastic reefs and walls in crystal blue water, marine life, large and small, and tremendous photo potential. However, there are some easy, exciting and rewarding wreck dives on offer which give a fantastic introduction to this scuba specialty.
Molas wreck, Manado Bay, North Sulawesi
This dive makes a great break from reef and wall diving in the amazing Bunaken National Park, a short boat trip from the mainland or from Bunaken Island. Sunk in 1942, this Dutch steel hulled freighter is pretty well intact and is laying on a rock and sand slope with the bow at 38m and the stern at 30m water depth.
The wreck is about 60m long and is in excellent condition and covered in heavy coral growth. It presents many photographic opportunities with lots of batfish and many smaller fish shoaling around the wreck. Often black tip sharks and barracuda can be seen cruising around. On close inspection you will find various types of nudibranch so macro is also an option.
The best way to dive this is to finish off the dive moving up the slope and into the beautiful coral garden starting around the 15m mark; here you will find garden eels, sea snakes, goby and jawfish and also a great location for your safety stop. This is a year round dive, suitable for advanced divers. Normally visibility is good to excellent, with little current. Your local dive guide will be able to advise the best time of day to visit this great example of a virtually intact vessel sitting upright on the seabed.
Kubu wreck, Kubu, Tulamben, Bali
If your diving trip takes you to Bali, it will surely mean you have planned a visit to the Tulamben area to the north of the island. Here the opportunities for macro photography abound, with easy beach access to fantastic marine life.
However, a chance to dive an easily accessible wreck gives an opportunity for a pleasant change. If you wish to avoid the over-hyped and overcrowded Liberty wreck at Tulamben, then just down the road, heading north is the village of Kubu. Through the small village you will find a beach which gives easy access to this great dive.
Deliberately sunk, in 2012, this Dutch built (1952) patrol boat was previously used by the Indonesian fisheries and it now plays host to many varieties of marine life as an artificial reef. Black tips, barracuda and bumphead parrot fish, as well as many smaller reef fish and the occasional turtle, have chosen this site as their hunting ground. Lionfish hover around the sandy bottom under the hull and many scorpion fish live amongst the abandoned deck cargo of old storage jars and nets.
The wreck lies in 27-30m and is virtually upright. A 25m swim from the beach will put you on the marker buoy. The bilge area is intact and can be easily penetrated so its an ideal intro to wreck diving. This makes a great swim through providing the correct wreck diving procedures are followed. Moving to the foredeck you can see an old jeep loaded with storage jars which is home to superbly camouflaged scorpionfish.
This dive offers the photographer excellent opportunities for some great shots. Once again, it is possible to dive this all year round, but it is best to avoid the rainy season; your local dive guide can advise. This is suitable for advanced divers, but as with all dives requiring access from the beach, a good standard of fitness is required. Be careful on the stony beach during entry and exit as the swell can sometimes be quite strong. If you would like a second , shallower dive there is a beautiful coral garden and drop off accessible from the same beach.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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