Seraya Secret

Overview

Seraya Secret is a shore-entered muck dive just south of Tulamben on the north-east coast of Bali: a slope of fine black sand with scattered rocks, small coral patches and debris, dived slowly for small and unusual animals rather than for scenery. Amed Jepun Divers, which spells it Seraya Secrets, calls it a mecca for macro lovers and underwater photographers. Dive Concepts lists it among the Tulamben dive sites as a macro site, and the Underwater Photography Guide calls it the area's iconic muck site.

Location

No source gives a position for the site, so this record has no map point. Amed Jepun Divers places it just south of Tulamben, and the Underwater Photography Guide says it lies just south of the main Tulamben beach and has facilities catered to underwater photographers. Neither gives a distance. Amed Jepun Divers lists Sidem as a separate Tulamben site.

How the site is dived

Amed Jepun Divers lists Seraya Secrets as a shore dive and a muck dive on a calm, sandy slope. Dive Concepts describes a black sand floor with a few small rocks covered with sponges and coral, and says the bottom is made of very fine particles, so good control of movement and buoyancy matters to avoid lifting clouds of sand that spoil other divers' photographs. Dive Concepts says it generally keeps its dives above 22 metres to leave more time for looking for animals. Both operators recommend the site at night.

Depth

The sources disagree on the maximum depth. Dive Concepts gives a maximum of 30 metres; Amed Jepun Divers gives a maximum of 25 metres and an average of 10 metres. This record states 30 metres and marks the value as disputed. No source gives a minimum depth.

Marine life

Dive Concepts names harlequin shrimps, frogfish, many species of rare shrimps, nudibranchs, leopard moray eels, lionfish and juvenile fish, and says even more creatures come out on the black sand at night. Amed Jepun Divers names harlequin shrimps, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish and many nudibranch species, calls the site reliable for seahorses, leaf scorpionfish and juvenile lionfish, and says octopuses, bobtail squid and snake eels emerge from the sand at night. The Underwater Photography Guide, in an article first published in 2017, names pygmy seahorses, juvenile emperor angelfish, frogfish and nudibranchs. These are operator and writer statements, not survey results, and no source says how often any animal is seen.

Conditions and level

Dive Concepts reports a weak current and visibility of 10 to 30 metres. Amed Jepun Divers reports steady conditions and minimal current. Dive Concepts calls the site accessible for all levels, and Amed Jepun Divers lists it for all levels, naming beginner, open water and advanced certifications together without saying which one is required. This record rates it beginner on that basis and leaves the required certification unknown. No source gives a water temperature or a season for this site.