Manta Ridge and a return to Melissa's Garden January 27, 2023

On January 27 we made morning dives at Manta Ridge and Melissa's Garden and then did a hike up to Piaynemo Overlook.

We saw several Mantas at Manta Ridge but I didn't get any really good close passes. Below are a few Manta photos:

Below: We had a visit from another Green Turtle

Below: Look at the incredible coral garden!

After Big Breakfast we made our second dive at Melissa's Garden. Immediately after dropping in off the skiff I saw several fish, in fact, one could say there was a plethora of fish! (below):

Melissa's Garden is a beautiful dive site!

I was able to get a shot of the always shy, quick to hide, Garden Eels. Below:

Below: Beautiful sponge with a few more fish.

We had a couple of passes from Black Tipped Reef Sharks. Below:

Above, colorful fish and colorful reef! Below: Emperor Angelfish and huge, beautiful sea fan.

Below: Three Fusiliers with four cleaner wrasse and one stripe Fusilier with a cleaner wrasse.

Clouds of Fusiliers over the coral garden. Below:

Below, look at the coral, look at the fish!

We made a trip to see the Piaynemo overlook in the afternoon, I may get around to sharing some of these pictures another time... Then we started a 15 hour cruise, including overnight, down to the famous Misool region of Raja Ampat.