Let;s Dive Wally Siagian

Widely acknowledged as the best Indonesian dive guide, Wally (Wilhelm) Siagian always provides unique diving experiences. His powers of underwater observation are absolutely amazing, the result of over 7000 dives and a constant learning process. He has identified four new species of marine life: three fishes and a stunning purple hairy mini-crab named Lauriea Siagiani in his honour (pictured below). Wally is currently at work as the co-author of the definitive dive guide to Bali, to be published in early 1999. Come and dive with Wally! Never a dull moment and you can&';t ever forget the dives led by him. Wally's repeat guests include some of the 'greats' of underwater photography and marine science; such as Dr. Jerry Allen, who has written dozens of books and hundreds of articles on marine life, Rudy Kuiter, the author of many fish books including the definitive Indonesian fish identification guide and Roger Steene, the best Australian underwater photographer. Wally is the only dive guide in Bali to have ever worked with Dr. Kal Muller, the author of Diving Indonesia, the original and only complete in-depth dive guide covering all of the huge archipelago. Kal, as well as many of Wally's other guests seek his marine expertise but also appreciate his superb nose for world-class durian fruit and the best massages south of the equator! For clients who need such a thing, Wally can find, anywhere, the coldest of beer this side of Australia.

Wally Relaxing on the Beach at Tulamben

While anyone is welcome to dive with Wally, he prefers families, the handicapped, scientists, photographers and in general anyone with a serious interest in marine life and conservation. The location of his dive series depends on the season and on local conditions; but always includes Tulamben, with its Liberty shipwreck and the densest concentration of fishes and strange invertebrates. Wally's dive safaris, outside of Bali, cover all locations in Indonesia, including the Komodo National Park. The Komodo trips are on comfortable live-aboards, equipped with compressors and enough tanks for unlimited diving. Aside from the Komodo Dragons, by far the world's largest lizards, Wally will show you sea mounts teeming with pelagics and some of the healthiest reefs in existence, with the most incredible variety of underwater life. Here, fishes vary in size from one centimetre tall adult seahorses through two-meter plus groupers and the occasional friendly whale shark.