Mataking Diving

D'Wall

This site is located near to the shores of Mataking Kecil, the smaller of the 2 Mataking islands and is reached after only a few minutes by speedboat. You will roll into about 5 to 10 metres depth at the top of the wall. The dynamite fishing of the past has left this shallow section largely a scattered mass of dead corals but sink a few metres over the edge of the wall and the picture soon changes.

Hard and soft corals in pinks and oranges abound and the seascape is peppered with whips reaching out into the blue. There are gorgonians almost everywhere at various stages of growth from the very young small ones to huge, broad fans playing home to several splayed featherstars profiting from the large flat surface at their backs.

Here and there you will find sandy patches worth checking out for the abundant nudibranchs and you should particularly be on the look-out for holes buried in the sand from which can pop the inquisitive faces of jawfish, often several in the same small area. All the while the sea is full of the usual suspects of the reef with parrotfish, red-toothed triggers, moorish idols, schools of bannerfish and butterflyfish to name but a few.

Perhaps the highlight of this Mataking dive can be found by paying attention to the patches of leathery sponges which provide the perfect resting spot for frogfish and you may be lucky enough to spot a huge, black giant frogfish lurking here, patiently awaiting its next meal.

D'Wall Reef Basics: Wall dive
Depth: 10 - >40m
Visibility: 10 - 20m
Currents: Gentle
Surface conditions: Generally calm but can be choppy
Water temperature: 25 - 29°C
Experience level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: 500m (3 minutes) from the Mataking jetty
Access: Mataking Resort dive boat trips

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