Ms. Ann Thrope
Contributor
We have airfare to Bali lined up for June and are looking to put together a two-week trip that's heavy both on topside stuff and diving. We've never been to Indonesia. We're still trying to rough out an itinerary that may or may not include flying to Komodo and diving from a land op (or inexpensive liveaboard, if we can find one), so I may very well be asking other questions as well. But for now:
I'm pretty sure I want to spend a couple/few days in Tulamben for the easy, no-hassles shore diving. Ideally, I'm thinking that we go off and do our dives early in the morning and late in the day when it's not too crowded, and maybe reserve the middle of the day for touring around, or maybe even skip a day or two of diving to do land things. But it looks like Tulamben is small (I've read a few sites that have gone as far as to call it "unattractive"). Does it make an ok base to go other places, or should we plan on just getting our dives in and moving on? If we stay a bit, will we have ready transportation options other than hiring someone with a car? Should we be thinking of renting a car?
Any suggestions for a good amount of time to spend in Tulamben?
Also, we're getting into Denpasar quite late--10 pm or so. I was thinking that Sanur might be a decent place to book into for the first night or two (or more) to get our Bali footing before moving on. I have a slight concern that it might be TOO sleepy and geared mostly to pensioners, but Kuta sounds like it's just for hard-partying youth--which is not us. And maybe Sanur is good for jumping off to Nusa Penida etc.? Or would we be better basing out of Candidasa/Padangbai for that?
I'm getting a little overwhelmed with all the possibilities. Any suggestions welcome.
I'm pretty sure I want to spend a couple/few days in Tulamben for the easy, no-hassles shore diving. Ideally, I'm thinking that we go off and do our dives early in the morning and late in the day when it's not too crowded, and maybe reserve the middle of the day for touring around, or maybe even skip a day or two of diving to do land things. But it looks like Tulamben is small (I've read a few sites that have gone as far as to call it "unattractive"). Does it make an ok base to go other places, or should we plan on just getting our dives in and moving on? If we stay a bit, will we have ready transportation options other than hiring someone with a car? Should we be thinking of renting a car?
Any suggestions for a good amount of time to spend in Tulamben?
Also, we're getting into Denpasar quite late--10 pm or so. I was thinking that Sanur might be a decent place to book into for the first night or two (or more) to get our Bali footing before moving on. I have a slight concern that it might be TOO sleepy and geared mostly to pensioners, but Kuta sounds like it's just for hard-partying youth--which is not us. And maybe Sanur is good for jumping off to Nusa Penida etc.? Or would we be better basing out of Candidasa/Padangbai for that?
I'm getting a little overwhelmed with all the possibilities. Any suggestions welcome.