Sloan Island
8 04 2008We found Sloan Island! It is actually kind of hard to find since it disappears everyday at high tide, but it does exist sometimes!
We finally made it to our island destination of Derawan and spent 5 days there. It was fabulous. Our hotel was right on the beach with a pier out to the water where you could jump off and swim with the turtles and see lots of cool fish, eels, crabs, starfish, and coral.
Everyday the water level changes drastically revealing a sandbar which we followed for a good half mile before finding “Sloan Island.” It is really just a mound of sand exposed at low tide, but the surrounding water is the most beautiful color, so we spent the afternoon snorkeling at our island. We had a lot of wading to do on the way back though because the tide started coming in, covering up our path.
We went diving around Derawan and a nearby island called Sangalaki with two Danish friends we met, Dorthe and Per, and our dive master Meddy. On these dives we saw cuttlefish that change color and patterns as they hover above the coral, a leopard shark, ribbon eels, lobsters, shrimp, a huge frog fish that of course blended perfectly in his coral home, and the biggest sea cucumbers I’ve ever seen.
We also got to snorkel with the manta rays which was incredible. They swim right at you with their huge mouths open which is kind of disconcerting, but they only eat plankton and swerve to avoid you at the last minute. They are so beautiful and graceful.
What an amazing experience. We have been very spoiled with our diving and snorkeling on this trip!
Manta Rays? That’s so amazing…I’m incredibly jealous of you two! Have you been able to find some whale sharks yet or is that in Indonesia? Love and miss you both-can’t wait for May!!!
Hi Meggie and Steve!
The photos have been so amazing, whether the scuba dives or the bathroom situation, ha ha! You two are such intrepid travelers and it is so wonderful that you make the best of all situations, even the not-so-photogenic ones! I love feeling like I am sharing in your travels and adventures with you. I look forward to the next installment like I’m hooked on a soap opera, so to speak!! Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks and I know you’ll have a lot of adventures between now and then.
Love, Mom
Hi Family
The mantas really were amazing–wish you could have been there Suz! We have not seen whale sharks, and I don’t think we are going to because those guys are usually hanging out in the Philippines, and sadly, we had to cut the Philippines out due to lack of time, so we’ll just have to go back with you!
Can’t wait to see you both!