Cannibal Rock
Rinca Island, east of Komodo
Cannibal Rock lies in the channel just to the south of Rinca Island and one kilometre off the northern coast of nearby Nusa Kode. You can just make out the top of the pinnacle, marked by breaking waves as you approach, but this belies the phenomenal marine life diversity once you enter the water.
Descend to the south to find the deepest water, where you'll find enormous green and blue magnificent anemones swaying in the currents. Sea apples (Pseudocolchirus Violaceus) are abundant, their bodies decorated in amazing maroon, studded with golden beads with bright yellow or cream tentacles that they use to filter feed on plankton.
Out of the depths you may be visited by curious black-blotched Stingrays, out on a hunting foray. Black snappers are also prevalent here with many juveniles, conspicuous in their black and white striped colours.
Making your way east and north you'll be astounded by the sizes of the purple gorgonian fans, some over two metres tall. These fans are home to the pygmy seahorse, always a thrill to spot. Dense thickets of lime green whip coral ferns and yellow and white spiral corals mark your trail. Be on the look-out for yellow-ribbon sweetlips - endemic to these parts - and sweeps of gold-striped fusiliers. Green turtles are also frequent visitors to this site to feed on the soft corals.
The shallows are loaded with featherstars of all colours, and blue tunicates add ultraviolet shades to the already colourful dive site kaleidoscope. Altogether, Cannibal Rock is a truly world-class dive site and one of the top sites in Komodo diving.
Cannibal Rock Reef Basics: Submerged pinnacle with fantastic life
Depth: 5 - 35m
Visibility: 5 - 20m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be choppy
Water Temperature: 20 - 26°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Diving Season: September to June
PADI Course Compatibility: Great for Underwater Photography
Distance: ~510 km east of Bali (26 hours)
Access: Komodo liveaboards from Bali
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