Ibel D’Orange - Flores

Magic Wall is a site we keep coming back to at the Poor Knights, and for good reason. It’s right across Labrid Channel from Blue Maomao Arch, so you can often tack both onto a single dive if you’re efficient with your air and navigation. The real draw here is the sheer density of colour, particularly the invertebrates. You'll glide past walls covered in bryozoans and other filter feeders, each one a different hue, creating a vibrant, living tapestry. We always find a collection of nudibranchs here, tucked into crevices or crawling across the sponge growth. Look out for the resident moray eels peeking from their hideouts, and the ever-present wrasse darting between the rocks. It’s a relatively shallow dive, topping out around 17 metres, making it perfect for longer bottom times and a more relaxed pace. When the visibility is good, around 15 metres, the light penetration really brings out those intense colours. We’d suggest hitting it in calm conditions, as the channel can get a bit of a push, making it harder to appreciate the smaller details that make this wall so special.

Location
Flores, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-6.579400, 121.086000
Type
wall

Marine Protected Area: Take Bone Rate

Best Time to Dive in Flores

The warmest water temperatures in Flores occur in January, averaging 30.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 30.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 30.6°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • February: 30.6°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • March: 30.6°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • April: 30.6°C (air: 28.4°C)
  • May: 30.6°C (air: 28.9°C)
  • June: 30.6°C (air: 28.4°C)
  • July: 30.6°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • August: 30.6°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • September: 30.6°C (air: 28.6°C)
  • October: 30.6°C (air: 29.3°C)
  • November: 30.6°C (air: 29.2°C)
  • December: 30.6°C (air: 28.2°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Flores

Nearest Dive Centres to Ibel D’Orange

Marine Life in Flores

Home to 169 recorded species including 127 reef fish, 31 hard corals, 6 seagrass & algae, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 sharks & rays, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Ibel D’Orange

Based on average water temperature of 30.6°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 31°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving at the Orange Bowl dive site?
The dive site referred to as Orange Bowl in your question is identified in our data as Ibel D'Orange in Flores, Indonesia. Here, divers can expect an entry depth of 18 meters, with a maximum depth listed as 23 meters. The site description also notes depths reaching up to 32 meters, characteristic of its wall dive profile.
What kind of marine life and coral formations can divers expect to see at Orange Bowl in the Bahamas?
The data provided is for Ibel D'Orange in Flores, Indonesia, not for a site in the Bahamas. At Ibel D'Orange, divers will encounter vibrant soft corals and hard corals. Marine life includes white tip sharks, black tip sharks, bump heads, tuna, nudi branches, schooling pelagics, marble rays, and sting rays. For more on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
Is the Orange Bowl dive site considered difficult, or is it suitable for all experience levels?
The Ibel D'Orange dive site (referred to as Orange Bowl) is classified with an intermediate difficulty level. This means it is best suited for divers who have some experience and are comfortable with its wall dive characteristics. It may not be ideal for absolute beginner divers.
What is the best time of year to dive at Orange Bowl for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
Our current data for Ibel D'Orange (referred to as Orange Bowl) does not specify the best time of year for optimal diving conditions or marine encounters. For general guidance on diving seasons in Indonesia, please refer to our When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required or recommended to dive at the Orange Bowl site?
While the data for Ibel D'Orange (referred to as Orange Bowl) does not explicitly list required certifications, its intermediate difficulty and depths ranging from 18 to 32 meters suggest that an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent would be highly recommended. This ensures divers have the necessary skills and experience for a safe and enjoyable dive.
What are the usual current conditions and visibility like at the Orange Bowl dive site?
At the Ibel D'Orange dive site (referred to as Orange Bowl), divers can expect an average visibility of 15 meters. The provided information does not include details on the usual current conditions, so it is advisable to consult local dive operators for up-to-date reports before your dive.