This is the last of the Tulamben area dive sites you can access from shore – provided you (and your porters) are willing to lug your gear past the temple to the horseshoe shaped Alam Anda bay with its huge, landmark Keetapang tree.
Underwater, it is an extension of the ‘Drop Off’ area and quite similar, although the seascape changes with the drop somewhat steeper, and on its eastern side, huge columns rise towards the surface, forming spectacular crevasses and swim- throughs. Many Arcopora table coral flourish here, some large ones are standing alone and protrude into the current. But make no mistake; their structure is as brittle as Venetian glass art; watch your turns so your fins won’t accidentally break them. Fish life is very similar to the one at the ‘Drop Off’. This is the spot where you may also see the rather rare spotted Barramundi cod. Alam Anda is also the home of a fully grown Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus). Australians call him the Maori wrasse. It is the largest reef fish anywhere, growing to more than two meters long and two hundred kilograms in weight. Despite safety in size, this fellow is very shy and rarely seen, and if so only for a short while when he would dive deep quickly. Two juveniles appear less bothered by divers. A fully grown Potato grouper is usually found hanging around a large cavern at 35m.
Diveable : Year round
Maximum depth : 35m (the reef extends to well below 50)
Visibility : 10 – 30m
Current : Low
Level of experience : All