Only 2 weeks left after Komodo liveaboard and flying out from Bali - where to go?

[ClairevL]

Hi everyone,

I already posted this topic in the travel forum, but I was advised to post it here as well. The INdonesia forum looks amazing and in the mean while I'm going through the other topics

Mid-September I plan to go to Indonesia for holiday with my boyfriend and we would love to do some diving there. We fly in and out of Asia through Bali. We planned to do a one-week liveaboard in Komodo (with divekomodo). and we are now trying to decide where to spend the rest of our holiday; we will have two weeks left. We would love to do some more diving as well (perhaps a somewhat shorter liveaboard), but we were not sure where to go. Are there any great dive sites around Bali? Or within easy reach from Bali or Lombok? We don't just want to pick some random dive site around Bali, since we don't want to dive in a place that is a little disappointing after coming back from a liveaboard in Komodo.

Raja Ampat seems absolutely wonderful as well, but it seems like a bit more of a hassle to get there...so that would potentially better for a longer liveaboard next time we go. However, if a dive site somewhat further away is totally worth it, we wouldn't mind an extra flight/drive. So, we definitely still consider Raja Ampat. We were also thinking of diving at Pulau Weh, combined with a jungle trip around Ketambe, but the fact that we only have 2 weeks left and we need to go back to Bali makes everything quite difficult.

So I'm very curious to hear what you would recommend! So far, we have not done any diving in South-East Asia, but we have heard Komodo must be spectacular. I really hope you can give me some advise!
Thanks very much in advance!-----

 

[Darnold9999]

Komodo is pretty spectacular, as is Raja Ampat. Would not do both in the same trip as they are similar. Would add a trip to one of the muck diving locations like Lembeh to see some of the really unusual critters in the area. In fact I did exactly that last year.

Was underwhelmed with the diving around Bali - would likely be a bit of a disappointment after Komodo. Nice, but not the same level of spectacular as Komodo or Raja. However spending two weeks on Bali exploring and doing some occasional dives is highly recommended. Bali, particularly the part outside the major cities is a pretty interesting place and you could easily spend two weeks exploring the island.

 

[lamarpaulski]

I did a similar trip in 2013..I agree 99% with the other poster except to mention I really loved the night diving on the USS Liberty...with that exception after Komodo most other places would probably be a bit of a let down. I thought Komodo was the best diving I had ever done so it kind of unfairly makes Bali diving a bit of an A minus. However, Bali is absolutely worth exploring topside for sure..get away from big city and hire driver/guide..dont drive yourself.

The idea to go see the muck creatures is good...also you might fit in a couple days in layover city...I liked Singapore, for example, more than you might expect.

 

[jjwebster]

FYI Garuda now fly from Bali to Manado now (for Lembeh, Bangka, Bunaken).

 

[Luko]

As a yearly repeater in Bali + many other sites in Indonesia, incl. Komodo, R4 and N/sulawesi, I don't agree with above statements, Bali is a top place for diving and is nothing comparable with Komodo.
It would be just like you compared Lembeh and Komodo saying that you prefer Komodo because it's more colorful and the visibility is better.

Bali provides some of the best muck dives in Indonesia in Tulamben and Seraya area and so far, I have seldom dived better night dives than the Liberty slope (50m off the Liberty wreck), for me even better than the last night dives I had last month in Lembeh in terms of supermacro.
If macro or strange critters is your thing, Padang Bai jetty smokes everywhere else in Indonesia (incl Lembeh, Alor, Ambon, etc.) for rhinopias sights, up to 4 different specimens in one dive.
I don't remember seeing mola mola in Komodo either, nor the array of nudis (incl the famous donut doto sp. nudi) than in Bali...

So to answer your question are there any great dive sites in Bali? I will reply : yes, there are.
Liberty wreck, Liberty slope, Melasti, Seraya, Japanese wreck, Padang Bai jetty, Gili Tepekong, Toyapakeh, all these Balinese sites would be part of the best sites in Indonesia.
At least these Bali dives are in top list of my 400+ dives all over Indonesia. You can also check out my Bali photo gallery in Flickr to see what I am talking about.

 

[Mike Veitch]

Komodo is pretty spectacular, as is Raja Ampat. Would not do both in the same trip as they are similar. Would add a trip to one of the muck diving locations like Lembeh to see some of the really unusual critters in the area. In fact I did exactly that last year.

Was underwhelmed with the diving around Bali - would likely be a bit of a disappointment after Komodo. Nice, but not the same level of spectacular as Komodo or Raja. However spending two weeks on Bali exploring and doing some occasional dives is highly recommended. Bali, particularly the part outside the major cities is a pretty interesting place and you could easily spend two weeks exploring the island.

Doug, let me know when you are coming back to Bali and I will set you up with our guide, I think you will see it compares favourably with Lembeh. I promise not to set Luca on you for another week like the Komodo trip haha

 

[ClairevL]

Thank you all so much for the replies! This is incredibly helpful! There are so many dive sites around Indonesia that it I found it incredibly hard to decide where to go.

So, if I summarize everything there are some amazing dive sites around Bali, mostly the wreck and muck diving. I have no experience with muck diving, but my boyfriend is more into larger fish, so we will probably do a few muck dives (I'm curious to try it out!), but not a lot.

Nusa Lembongan also sounds like a great place to spend a couple of days. How would this compare to Komodo, not too similar? If not, it would love to spend some time there!

Alor sounds amazing, but since it seems quite similar to Komodo I'll leave it for one of the next trips.

Bunaken+Lembeh sounds very good as well, but if I understand it correctly it won't add much compared to Bali, and since we fly out from Bali, staying there saves us 2 days and gives us some more time for exploring the island and do some more diving. Or would someone really recommend them over Bali?

Luko, thanks so much for the link to your photos, they are amazing!

 

[AlMitch]

Bali is amazing and my suggestion would be to spend 3 days in Nusa Lembongan to see the Mola Molas and Mantas and coral, 3 days around Padang Bai to see the Rhinos and other interesting sites and 4 days around Tulamben to see the wreck and the amazing muck sites in the vicinity and then your last few days at a boutique hotel (try splash out on as much luxury as possible) in Ubud area and go on a few tours and have a spa day etc etc.

This way you get to see the best that Bali has to offer and really get immersed in the area.

Dont get me wrong I LOVE Lembeh and Bangka and RA etc etc and once you get Indo in your blood you cant get enough of it, but you should do these other places properly.

So on your next trip I would suggest doing a Lembeh then RA route using Singapore as your gateway into Asia.

 

[AquaMarineDiving Bali]

Hi Claire,

My name is Rio and I specialised in beyond Bali bookings at AquaMarine Diving - Bali.
I have noted that you would like to visit Indonesia for joining into a Komodo Liveaboard trip. Great!
I understood that you are interested to explore the other part of Indonesia.

Claire, if you have 2 weeks left after the Komodo trip and your flights will be in and out through Bali so I would like to recommend you to dive in north Sulawesi (Bunaken or Lembeh) for one week then you may continue to dive at Ambon after that.
After your Komodo trip, you can stay one night in Bali for relaxing before you will fly to Manado and diving in Bunaken/ Lembeh.
Then after the Bunaken diving safari, you may take the flight from Manado to Ambon and diving in Ambon for 5 - 6 days.

AMBON (MALUKU)
Ambon is the capital of Maluku Province (sometimes called Moluccas) in the eastern part of Indonesia. It is conveniently nestled between Sulawesi (Celebes), West Papua and Timor and is surrounded by 4 different seas. Historically the area was known as the Spice Islands and comprises hundreds of islands with features ranging from sheer volcanic mountains to powdered white sand and coconut-fringed beaches. Maluku offers a varied ecosystem with diving to match.
Ambon Bay offers among the premier muck sites in Indonesia. The underwater critters here compete with the Lembeh Strait for the top position of “best critters in Indonesia”.
The Banda Sea is the deepest and most exposed of all seas in Indonesia and is only accessible during the months of October to November and April to May, that is outside the height of the monsoon season.

BUNAKEN (NORTH SULAWESI)
Bunaken National Marine Park is situated in Manado, North Sulawesi. The five islands that make up the park are surrounded by deep trenches (6 km+), which ensure a constant flow of nutrient-rich waters to the reefs making them home to over 1,500 species of fish and 300 species of corals. Here there is a higher concentration of marinelife than on the Great Barrier Reef and, in Manado Bay, pods of dolphins, Pilot whales and Sperm whales are regularly seen.
The dramatic Bluewater wall dives are packed with corals ranging from hard, branching species through to whip corals, providing the perfect habitat for sharks, sea snakes and huge turtles, as well as schooling fish such as tuna, barracuda, jacks, and butterflyfishes. And, of course, the smaller critters such as nudibranchs, Leaf scorpionfish, crabs, pipefish, seahorses, tiny gobies and shrimps. The dive sites are 5-15 minutes by boat when staying on Bunaken Island itself and approximately 15-30 minutes from the mainland. Most of the sites are suitable for beginner to advanced level divers. However, a few of the dive sites require more experience due to strong currents.

LEMBEH STRAIT – NORTH SULAWESI
The Strait is already established as one of Indonesia’s premier “Muck Diving” destinations. However, it is now becoming known for other aspects of diving beyond its exotic critter-diving reputation. Although the black sand sites remain the top draw, there are five shipwrecks (two of them Japanese WWII ships) and an impressive array of underwater topography, including pinnacles and verdant soft and hard coral gardens. This variety in a compact location with 40+ dive sites draws repeat visitors year after year with different months offering different seasonal critter attractions in sheltered conditions.
Diving in Lembeh is a must for muck site lovers as the critters along the 12 km strait are stunning. What is considered rare elsewhere is relatively common here and you are likely to see Hairy frogfish, Mimic octopus, mandarinfish, scorpionfish, Flamboyant cuttlefish, ghostpipefish, shrimp, seahorses, Rhinopias and much more. Newly-identified species seen in the area include the Lembeh frogfish, pygmy pipehorses, Pontohi pygmy seahorses, Crinoid cuttlefish and Brown Mimic octopus.
There’s something in the strait for everyone and diving in shallow, easy conditions provides a perfect setting for underwater photography.



Anyway, I am pleased to inform you that by booking through AMD-B you may be eligible for free add-ons such as free domestic flights, free accommodation or upgrades, private guide, free airport transfers, free diving, free Nitrox…

I hope the information above will be helpful.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further question or if you want me to build a possible itinerary, I would be delighted to assist you with your queries.
Thank you and happy diving.

Best Regards,
Rio Mangindaan
Tours@AquaMarineDiving.com

 

[Tippytoes12]

We went to Gili Air after Komodo and to Lembongan after RA. We had a wonderful time on each trip....SeA and Komodo are amongst the best if not the best dive areas in the world and you just have to be realistic and manage your expectations. Personally I would do Lembongan and the Gilis if you love beaches or Tulamben if you love muck.

Have a wonderful time