Snorkeling on Moyo Island is truly an amazing experience, offering the chance to explore the underwater world and discover incredible marine life up close. Here’s our personal account of our snorkeling adventure on Moyo Island, and why it’s a must-do activity for any nature lover or snorkeling enthusiast.
1. What to Expect: Snorkeling on Moyo Island
Moyo Island is a beautiful destination in its own right, with stunning natural scenery that extends from the underwater world to the lush forests and waterfalls on land. Snorkeling on Moyo Island allows you to experience this natural beauty in a unique and unforgettable way.
The waters around Moyo Island are renowned for their crystal-clear clarity, providing excellent visibility for snorkeling adventures. However, when we visited in April 2023, the weather was unfortunately quite rough and cloudy, which meant we had to explore other areas for our snorkeling experience.
Luckily, we discovered the incredible snorkeling spot at Crocodile Head, which offers excellent visibility even on cloudy days.
2. Snorkeling Spots on Moyo Island
What he heard from locals and gather from a few blogs here are Snorkeling spots on Moyo Island:
- Crocodile Head: this iconic limestone cliff offers a stunning backdrop for snorkeling adventures, with crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life. Reachable by boat and by driving from the Island.
- Tanjung Pasir: located on the north coast of Moyo Island, this snorkeling spot is home to colorful fish, beautiful coral formations, and even sea turtles. To get to the location you will need a boat.
- Takat Segele: Small Island is only visible during low tides and is around 15 minutes away by boat. The area is known for its pristine waters and abundant marine life, including schools of fish, sea turtles, and even octopuses.
- Sanggallo Beach: Located on the north coast of Moyo Island, Sanggallo Beach is a stunning destination that offers crystal-clear waters and a wide variety of marine life to discover. To get to the location you will need a boat.
Unfortunately, our timing and the weather were not on our side during our visit to Moyo Island. Not only was the weather rough and cloudy, but it was also sesame harvest time, which meant most of the fishermen were occupied with work in the fields. As a result, there were no boats available to take us to the best snorkeling spots.
However, we refused to let this setback dampen our spirits, and we decided to explore the island by scooter. Accessible by scooter, Crocodile Head offered an incredible snorkeling experience that we will never forget. Despite the rough weather, the waters here were calm and crystal-clear, providing excellent visibility for snorkeling.
4. Getting to Crocodile Head
We were feeling a bit down on our luck during our visit to Moyo Island, but thankfully we met Rudian, a local guide who was a total lifesaver. Not only did he take us to the incredible Mata Jitu Waterfall, but he also helped us navigate our way to Crocodile Head. Without Rudian, we could have easily gotten lost, as the further you go on the island, the spottier the internet connection becomes. Luckily, Rudian knew the island like the back of his hand, and he led us safely to our destination.
Since the scooter we rented was not a typical brand-new scooter, I ended up driving it myself while Lukas went with Rudian. I know how to drive a manual scooter, so it was an easy task for me. And, to be honest, it added to the excitement and adventure of our journey!
5. Snorkeling at Crocodile Head
If you’re a fan of snorkeling, then you simply can’t miss the crystal-clear waters surrounding the stunning limestone cliffs of Moyo Island. And if you’re lucky enough, you might just catch a glimpse of the rare and beautiful Pink Coral, which is a sight to behold.
Despite having snorkeled in many other places like Bali, Lombok, Moalboal Philippines, and El Nido Philippines we had never seen Pink Coral before. So when we encountered it while snorkeling on Moyo Island, we were simply amazed! The vibrant marine life around the cliff was also breathtaking, with schools of colorful fish darting around us, and a wide variety of other coral formations to admire.
It’s no surprise that Moyo Island is fast becoming one of the top snorkeling destinations in the region. The beauty of the underwater world here is truly unparalleled, and the Pink Coral is just one example of the unique and amazing marine life that you can encounter here.
As much as we enjoyed the beauty of the limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters surrounding Crocodile Head Beach, we were saddened to see the state of the beach itself. It was littered with plastic and other debris, which unfortunately is a common issue in many parts of Indonesia. It’s a heartbreaking reality that so many beautiful beaches in Indonesia and around the world are being polluted by plastic and other waste.
6. Tips for a Successful Snorkeling Adventure on Moyo Island
While we can’t control the weather, we can always find solutions to make the most of our travel experiences, just like we did during our visit to Moyo Island. If you’re unable to find any boats to take you on a snorkeling trip, don’t worry! Ask the locals for help and they will be more than happy to suggest locations that are reachable by scooter. To make the most of your snorkeling adventure in Moyo Island, we’ve compiled some tips to keep in mind:
- Check the weather forecast before you plan your snorkeling trip. While the waters around Moyo Island are typically crystal-clear, rough weather can sometimes affect visibility.
- Bring your own snorkeling gear if possible. While rental gear is available, having your own gear ensures a better fit and a more comfortable snorkeling experience.
- Respect marine life and coral formations. Avoid touching or damaging them, as they are delicate and crucial to the health of the underwater ecosystem.
- Always clean up after yourself and take your trash with you. Keeping the beaches and waters clean is essential to preserving the natural beauty of the island.
By keeping these tips in mind and being open to alternative snorkeling locations, you can ensure an amazing and unforgettable snorkeling adventure in Moyo Island, no matter what challenges may arise. So, get ready to explore the stunning marine life and crystal-clear waters of this amazing destination!
Conclusion
Our snorkeling adventure in Moyo Island was truly an unforgettable experience. From how getting it there by driving through the jungle seeing monkeys, farmers harvesting sesame seeds, and vibrant marine life to the stunning coral formations and breathtaking scenery, it’s a must-do activity for any traveler visiting Sumbawa.
Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeling enthusiast or a first-time snorkeler, Moyo Island has something to offer. So why not dive into the beauty of Moyo Island’s underwater world and discover the amazing marine life that calls it home? It’s an adventure you won’t soon forget.
Hello,
We would like to go to Moyo island.
When snorkeling do you need flippers? Currents?
TIA
Astrid
Hi Astrid,
thanks for reaching out. Traveling to Moyo Island is a great idea!
Due to relatively bad weather we only snorkeled at Crocodile head.
We do recommend to wear waterhoes to protect your feet.
The beaches in general had some smaller stones and some sharp corals.
So better walk in flip flops at the beach. Regarding the currents, if you stay close to the shore, you should be fine.
Enjoy your time on this beautiful and remote island.
Best
Ika and Lukas