burrzinga
New
I have a business trip into Bali where I scheduled some extra days at the end - specifically Jan 25 to 28 (flight out at 6pm). That gives me 3 nights to get in the water. I am AOW diver but not highly experienced and definitely an infrequent diver (my wife would rather be on land-based safari). Been diving in Florida, Hawaii and Mexico with the most exotic stuff being cenote/cavern exploring or looking for crocodiles at night in a Tulum backwater. My most enjoyable dives have been one guide and just myself.
Initially, I thought diving in Bali would be great but I am now a bit worried that Bali has been overrun by the Instagram crowd and most of its natural beauty seemingly overwhelmed by thousands of kids taking selfies.
Ideally, I would love a super small group, perhaps even a private guide/boat and away from the party crowd. Wrecks are not that interesting to me, I am hoping for lots of live corals and all the fish and nudibranchs possible. Staying on Bali would be easiest, just a taxi drive over to Padang Bai/Tulamben versus a flight over to Labuan Bajo. Seems like Komodo would offer a fair bit more unspoiled natural beauty versus Padang Bai/Tulamben.
I would love this community's thoughts on "most natural beauty and biodiversity" vs "3 nights" vs "private guide" kind of situations. I guess I am mostly worried that the Bali dive sites will have deteriorated corals due to overuse, etc. Like Manta Point with its dozens of divers/snorkelers chasing the mantas around.
Initially, I thought diving in Bali would be great but I am now a bit worried that Bali has been overrun by the Instagram crowd and most of its natural beauty seemingly overwhelmed by thousands of kids taking selfies.
Ideally, I would love a super small group, perhaps even a private guide/boat and away from the party crowd. Wrecks are not that interesting to me, I am hoping for lots of live corals and all the fish and nudibranchs possible. Staying on Bali would be easiest, just a taxi drive over to Padang Bai/Tulamben versus a flight over to Labuan Bajo. Seems like Komodo would offer a fair bit more unspoiled natural beauty versus Padang Bai/Tulamben.
I would love this community's thoughts on "most natural beauty and biodiversity" vs "3 nights" vs "private guide" kind of situations. I guess I am mostly worried that the Bali dive sites will have deteriorated corals due to overuse, etc. Like Manta Point with its dozens of divers/snorkelers chasing the mantas around.