Yesterday I shared images from my $400 one-night stay on Mataking Island. I stated that I felt the price was worth it for one night in paradise… but that it’d make more sense once you saw my diving photos. That rate includes three guided boat dives, plus I tacked on an extra night dive. And there’s a bonus orientation dive (which lasts about half the time of a normal dive), so I actually get a total of FIVE dives within 24 hours. Since I am by myself and everyone else is already in multi-day dive groups, I get my own personal dive master. This one-on-one attention is the best way to dive, as Jerry points out all sorts of interesting sea life I might not notice on my own, plus he’s great at signaling for my camera to take photos of me with turtles. I love an eager photo assistant.

I should note that in addition to three daily boat dives, Mataking offers free unlimited shore dives. This isn’t helpful to me though because as a solo guest I don’t have a dive buddy. But it’s fine, as three dives (plus an orientation dive and night dive) is plenty.

Part of my insistence on visiting this area is because I’d read how islands in the Celebes Sea — Mataking in particular — are home to some of the world’s best macro diving. In addition to experiencing tiny undersea organisms, there are plenty of turtles, colorful fish, and corals in this part of the ocean.

Not to mention this is the clearest water I’ve ever dived in. Visibility is outstanding. Here are photos from my orientation dive, three daytime dives, and the night dive. Video follows at the very end!

I spy Nemo…

This barracuda lives under the main dock at Mataking:

Certain sea animals (most noticeably turtles and sharks) have hanger-ons… smaller fish that stick right by their underbellies or backs, always within close proximity. In my limited dive experience, it’s unusual to see creatures of the same size do it, but this chartreuse trumpet fish sticks right beside another fish I can’t identify.

These other divers use a handy waterproof fish identification chart.

This brain coral is epic…

Can you spot the turtle below?

Jerry motions to borrow my camera and then he calmly moves right up to a sea turtle and snaps these close-ups:

See what I mean about hanger-ons? Most turtles have small fish like this swimming just above or below them at all times like a non-effective body guard.

This turtle has TWO non-effective body guards!

Back to shore…

I love this view of the resort from the water:

So I tell a little fib… I say I’ve already completed a night dive before, when in fact this is my first one. They’ll only allow me to do a night dive if I’ve had previous night diving experience. Thankfully they don’t ask to see proof in the form of a dive log and take my word for it.

This dive costs extra, but it’s totally worth it. And I have to pay for an underwater flashlight rental.

I believe this is aptly called a flat fish.

This turtle appears to be catching some ZZZ’s.

A lion fish!! I’ve been eager to spot one of these creatures. Aren’t they graceful-looking, with all those wisps and frills? But don’t get too close, and those fin rays contain venom and are actually poisonous to humans.

Well hello there, big guy.

I don’t get as many photos as I would’ve liked, as it’s a challenge to balance myself, my flashlight, and my camera. I look forward to improving these skills on future night dives.

The next day I get a morning dive and lunchtime dive before my departure.

Nemo!

It’s difficult to make out this creature, but it’s an example of the macro life you’ll find on Mataking. My dive master Jerry has excellent eyes and points out these tiny creatures.

Two spiny lobsters hide under this rock, but their antennas give them away.

There’s a crab hiding in this sea anemone:

Jerry makes another eagle-eyed discovery: this nudibranch is a quarter of the size of his thumbnail:

Later that morning we head to dive spot #2. I’m still obsessed with this immaculately clear water.

This is a colorful sea cucumber. It’s hard to tell, but it’s bright yellow, black, and white.

It’s a crocodile fish!

And this is my favorite undersea encounter of the whole Mataking experience: I spot these Nemos in a deep purple anemone pouch, with tiny translucent shrimp hanging on the side:

I think these guys are called commensal transparent shrimp, but don’t quote me on that.

Another example of macro life, maybe the size of my pinky nail:

I think this is a kind of yellow sea slug:

And a few more turtle sightings for good measure:

I take out my regulator and pose with a toothy grin:

We follow this rope back up to shore. It’s easy to hold on for our diving safety stop (we wait for three minutes at five meters’ deep, or 15 feet, to avoid surfacing too quickly).

I’ll end this long post with a video I cut together featuring moments from my Mataking dives:

Does that nudge you to get scuba certified? I am so glad to have found this hobby!