Vessel Australian woman killed, two injured as snorkelling boat capsizes off Bali

[DownUnderwater Dan]

Rainy season, with its choppy high seas, isn't the time to go on a small craft (banka) from Sanur to Nusa Penida for snorkeling. Tourists need to be aware of these safety issues when traveling.

In my experience, all 12 months can experience big swells, high waves, & choppy conditions, on days/weeks on end. Some years vary, that's for sure. I agree, tourists need to be aware & prepared.

I know for all dive operators in Lembongan/Penida, good captains & boat crew with local knowledge, are of immense value.

 

[Jonn]

It’s hard for tourists to be prepared for local conditions, they’re tourists after all. “Buyer beware” of course, especially in a third world sort of place, but we sort of have to rely on local operators to take care of us.

 

[JonnieB]

It’s hard for tourists to be prepared for local conditions, they’re tourists after all. “Buyer beware” of course, especially in a third world sort of place, but we sort of have to rely on local operators to take care of us.

One look at the Bali seas during rainy season should put off most visitors...definitely better to head up to Ubud or the Alumpura rice terraces.

 

[JonnieB]

In my experience, all 12 months can experience big swells, high waves, & choppy conditions, on days/weeks on end. Some years vary, that's for sure. I agree, tourists need to be aware & prepared.

I know for all dive operators in Lembongan/Penida, good captains & boat crew with local knowledge, are of immense value.

Outside of rainy season, you may get the odd 1-2 day period of stromy seas; but mid-April to November months is isually flat and calm (at least along the north east coast).

 

[JonnieB]

If you want to ride Bali's fast boats, here's how to do it safely

The death of an Australian tourist on a snorkelling boat that capsized near Bali once again raises concerns over boat safety for tourists.

www.abc.net.au

Most tourists aren't gonna do this...checking on insurance and such.

 

[DownUnderwater Dan]

In my experience, all 12 months can experience big swells, high waves, & choppy conditions, on days/weeks end. Some years vary, that's for sure. I agree, tourists need to be aware & prepared.

I know for all dive operators in Lembongan/Penida, good captains & boat crew with local knowledge, are of immense value.

Outside of rainy season, you may get the odd 1-2 day period of stromy seas; but mid-April to November months is isually flat and calm (at least along the north east coast).

It's not only stormy seas that can cause problems. I've seen days, & periods of up to a week, during peak season June-Nov, where there's been big swells & high waves, and if too dangerous, the local sea authorities & dive operators usually co-ordinate with each other, and don't go out on those days, mainly to South Penida. North Penida dive sites are pretty sheltered from the big waves and swells.

It's a common occurrence all year round, to see someone vomit from the boat ride to Manta Point, in South Penida, due to the waves.

 

[JonnieB]

It's not only stormy seas that can cause problems. I've seen days, & periods of up to a week, during peak season June-Nov, where there's been big swells & high waves, and if too dangerous, the local sea authorities & dive operators usually co-ordinate with each other, and don't go out on those days, mainly to South Penida. North Penida dive sites are pretty sheltered from the big waves and swells.

It's a common occurrence all year round, to see someone vomit from the boat ride to Manta Point, in South Penida, due to the waves.

What you say is correct, I do recall the occasional marine warnings for southern Bali during the dry season. I've never experienced any in the Tulamben/Amed area, however. Penida/Lembongan being in the Lombok Straight the sea conditions are more variable any time of year I suspect.

 

[Dan]

That area is where one of the major Indonesian throroughflow enters into Indian Ocean.

Indonesian Throughflow - Wikipedia

“During monsoon transitions strong westerly winds in the eastern Indian Ocean force equatorial downwelling Kelvin waves (eastward moving, eastward flow) that propagate through the Indonesian passages as coastally trapped Kelvin waves and serve to reduce the ITF flow with a minimum in April of 9 Sv.”

March is the monsoon transition period. The thoroughflow from Pacific to Indian Ocean through Lombok strait meets the Kelvin waves and causes turbulences in that spot, southern Nusa Penida.

 

[Dan]

That area is where global warm surface flow passes through. The earth rotation pushes the water in the western (Asian continent) side of the Pacific Ocean to be a foot higher than the eastern (American continent) side of the Pacific Ocean, where China & Australia east coasts act like a dam & Indonesia act like channels to let the higher sea level in the western Pacific Ocean to gravity drain to the Indian Ocean.

 

[Scared Silly]

Years ago one July we took the "fast" boat from the Gili Islands back to Bali. It is a well known very bouncy ride. As I recall we sat on our life jackets so to have extra cushion. We also had peppermint Lifesavers and when possible kept the window slightly open for a cool breeze. I am not sure I would do it again. I think taking the slow ferry would be a better option.