Tips on where to go east of Bali for three weeks?

[Vigfus]

Hiya,

We just got hold of a cheap ticket to Singapore from Sweden flying out on the 9th of Nov. Last couple of years we've been to Tulamben (Tulamben wreck divers), Anilao (Arthur's place/Club Ocellaris) and Bunaken/Lembeh (Bastianos) so as you might guess we're looking for mainly small critters. That said, we don't mind some dives with bigger stuff as well. We tend to come prepared with a critter list on things we would like to see and (try) to take some photos to bring back home. As you might see from the places we've visited we're looking for places that are average budget (up to around USD150/day) and with good reputation (and they have all delivered in case you wonder).

This year we want to go east of Bali and are wondering what you guys recommend? I'd say two different places would be ideal cause you loose some dive days due to flights, changing locations etc. We are both experienced divers so currents aren't an issue more than making it neigh on impossible to take photos sometimes. Ambon, Alor, Komodo, Flores or any other place (and dive operator) you can recommend would be highly appreciated.

If there are things I need to clarify just ask and I'll do my best.

Best Regards,
Vigfus

 

[ocdiver1]

Ambon is incredible..have come to like it even more than Lembeh. Maluku Divers only option there and more than $150/day, but you can cut down the price by not staying at the resort. Good air connections via Makassar from Bali.

Alor also incredible..have stayed/dove with Eco Divers. That's in the price range you list. La Petit Kepa is even cheaper (but haven't stayed there). Not difficult to get to via Kupang.

Komodo I've only done via liveaboard and absolutely lives up to anything you've ever read about it

You didn't mention if you've been to Raja Ampat? Just like Komodo lives up to everything you've ever read about. Best done via liveaboard, and usually rather pricy, unfortunately. Land based options there too, which I've done.

Another place to consider off the beaten track is East Timor...about a 90 minute and $200 USD roundtrip flight from Bali. Not much dive tourism yet..great macro plus pelagics. Probably one of the cheaper options of these four. Dive Timor Lorosae is a great operator that I've dove with both times I've been there (in fact is one of the few in the entire country).

Tough to pick just two..but I'd say don't miss Komodo or Raja Ampat and, with your interest in macro, do Ambon as well. Ambon can be combined easily with Raja Ampat with Lion flights to/from Sorong from Ambon, with good timing on flights back through to Bali.

 

[Luko]

Maluku Divers only option there

There are more options in Ambon : Blue Rose, dived with them twice, nice and flexible.
I've also heard of a german dive operation but cannot comment on it, low budget it seems.
There are also other options in Saparua nearby Ambon.

 

[Quero]

You could go to Gorontalo and the Togians.

 

[ocdiver1]

There are more options in Ambon : Blue Rose, dived with them twice, nice and flexible.
I've also heard of a german dive operation but cannot comment on it, low budget it seems.
There are also other options in Saparua nearby Ambon.

I'd heard about Blue Rose, but isn't it quite aways from the prime muck sites? It'd be nice to have a quality, cheaper alternative to MD, but definitely can't beat its prime location.

 

[Vigfus]

Thanks for your suggestions and input ocdiver, Luko and Quero!

We haven't been to Raja Ampat, but have read it's preferable to go there by live aboard and that tends to take it over our budget. We met a dutch girl in Lembeh last year and she spoke so highly of Gorontalo we tried to fit it into our iternary on the spot, but unfortunately it was fully booked. It's currently scheduled to be part of the next trip to Sulawesi though we don't know when that will be.

First hand experience or word of mouth from a community like this is usually a great way to find places and operators so I hope more have feedback they'd like to share

 

[Luko]

I'd heard about Blue Rose, but isn't it quite aways from the prime muck sites?

It only takes a 20 minutes ride to the Ambon bay muck sites, they have quite powerful and fast boats (2*200hp) : also they are closer to the south shore of Ambon bay which can be equally good as the northern shore muck, with a little more coral. On top of that they are pretty close from the dramatic reef spots such Pintu Kota or Hukurila caves, which for me are not to be missed.
Don't forget that MD had their operation located close to BRD until only a few years ago.

That said, there's only one guide (Robert ex MD) who speaks correct english. Personnally I enjoy this dive centre very much as well as their friendly staff, even though my bahasa is limited. Now, it's clear that if you have the bucks for and that they also have availabilities to lodge your party, MD is THE top operation in Ambon. BRD is an alternative option but don't expect to find the comfort you'd have with MD (there's only one lodging option around BRD which would be Colin beach bungalows).

 

[ocdiver1]

Thanks for your suggestions and input ocdiver, Luko and Quero!

"We haven't been to Raja Ampat, but have read it's preferable to go there by live aboard and that tends to take it over our budget. We met a dutch girl in Lembeh last year and she spoke so highly of Gorontalo we tried to fit it into our iternary on the spot, but unfortunately it was fully booked. It's currently scheduled to be part of the next trip to Sulawesi though we don't know when that will be."First hand experience or word of mouth from a community like this is usually a great way to find places and operators so I hope more have feedback they'd like to share [/QUOTE

Gorontalo is definitely worth a visit..beautiful wall diving and the Dali Sponges are spectacular. I dove with and would recommend Miguel's Diving if you make it there

 

[Kevster]

I would definately recommend Ambon, especially if you are looking for small critters. Ambon has world class macro+nice reef diving, a few caves and a large wreck. Would recommend Maluku Divers. Nice resort & close to the laha 1 &2 (great muck sites). Ambon is also easy to get to.

I would also recommend Alor (ALOR DIVERS | Home). This is a great resort , on a beautiful beach. They have a good house reef (which is free to dive) They also have a powerful speedboat so can get to the other sites within 20-40 mins. Alor has great walls & also very good macro. Alor is a bit more difficult to travel to, you may have to overnight in Kupang.

Nov is a good time for both Alor(when i was there i was told Oct/Nov is the best time for Alor. Whales are commonly seen around Alor during this time) & Ambon.
I would do 1 week Alor, a few days in Bali then 1 week in Ambon.

You should only really consider Komodo if you are going on a liveaboard. Multiple Day trips can be very tiring after a few days,as it takes a long time to get to/from the good dive sites.

 

[Vigfus]

Thanks for the additional info Luko, ocdiver and Kevster!

Ambon and Alor sounds like a very nice trip. Read some good stuff about them topped off with all of you giving the places great remarks make them top contenders

ocdiver, how did you end up trying East Timor? Up until a year ago the Swedish government discourage people to go there due to the old conflict.

Kevster, do you know roughly how long does it take to get to the dive sites in Komodo if not done by live aboard? Komodo dragons would be something spectacular to see at least once in a life time (though it doesn't have to be on this trip). Don't even know if it's possible/safe, but in my mind (that doesn't hold any facts about the place) it sounded like an awesome thing to do a day of adventure trekking with a guide whilst getting rid of some nitrogen after a couple days of diving.

Does anyone have any experience of Lombok?

Best Regards,
Vigfus