Need advice for a family / diving vacation in and around Bali

[M-Cass]

Hi,
We are going to Bali for 4 weeks in June, we have 2 young children (a 4 year old and a 7 month old baby), we're both divers and traveling with another couple (also divers and also with a baby). We'll probably spend a week in Ubud and around, as well as some time in the Gilis but we're also looking to devote a week to diving. We've been to Bali 3 years ago and went diving in Amed, Tulamben, Pemuteran, Gilimanuk, Menjangan and loved it. This time around we are looking for other diving spots either on Bali or other islands if traveling is not too complicated. Our other requirement would be the presence of a nice beach for those of us staying with the kids.
We were thinking about staying in Padang Bai for a week and dive around there as well as Nusa Penida or even fly out to Bunaken or Lembeh if we can find a short flight to Manado (are there direct flights from Denpasar to Manado?).
How is the diving around Padang Bai? Would it be worth it to spend a week there?
How easy is it to travel to Bunaken with young kids?
Any other suggestions would also be well appreciated.
Thanks!
Rémi

 

[Wingy]

Yes Lion Air fly directly - well indonesian style direct - Denpassar > Makassar > Manado - the only problem with this flight is it gets in at around 10pm at night. Why not contact scubali as they have 5 ops in bali, in most of the places you have mentioned and will do a great job of organising transfers for you with the kids. Let them know where you have dived and they will put together a package.
Your only trouble with the kids getting to Bunaken is getting onto the boats from the pier - walking the plank down onto the boats can be a bit scary. If you take the Lion Air option to Bunaken (I dive with Froggies there) you will need a night in Manado before going to the island - try and stay at the hotel Grand Puri, a little out of town but a LOT more child friendly than the hotel celebes which is right on the port. Enjoy your trip, i have seen other families there with young kids.

 

[M-Cass]

Thank you for the info Wingy,
We'll definitely take a closer look at Bunaken. When you mentioned Scubali, did you mean they could arrange transport to Bunaken as well or for a dive safari on Bali?
On Bali itself, I do not think we will be moving this much this time around, I think we'll base ourselves in Padang Bai or Nusa Penida for 5-6 days and dive around that area (any advice on dive ops in that area?).
Any other suggestions for kid/diving friendly destination a short "direct flight" away?
Thanks again

 

[pughio83]

I would suggest Bali diving is better than bunaken. Bunaken diving no variation really, just walls with limited macro and to be honest limited big stuff. Lembeh is much better but cometely different diving. Wakatobi dive resort offers a good crèche I think. Nusa penida diving given the manta rays and possible mola mola makes for better diving than bunaken IMHO. Plus easier to get to lembongan and more for children. Check out twofish on lembongan and lembeh. Well organised, well priced, both suitable for children as well.

 

[M-Cass]

Thanks for the advice Pughio. We'd definitely save ourselves the extra traveling to Bunaken if it's not much better diving than Bali. I'd love to spend one week muck diving in Lembeh but I'm not sure the other divers in my group would be as happy about it as I would be. So diving around Nusa Penida, Padang Bai might a better option for us.
How does it compare to Amed - Tulamben?
And would you recommend staying on Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Padang Bai or even Candidasa?
Thanks again.

 

[Makhno]

I don't want to hijack M-Cass' thread but I also am very interested in diving around Bali, especially Nusa Penida for the mantas and mola molas (this will be in late August or early September). Some macro critters would be nice but aren't at the top of my agenda for this trip, as I will make a separate pilgrimage to Indonesia for the macro stuff another time.

What are the recommended dive centers for the mantas/mola molas? Should I stay on Bali or stay on one of the smaller islands? I'll only have about 3 days; should I plan to spend them all diving Nusa Penida if big stuff is what I'm looking for? I might be able to add a 4th day if there are any deep wrecks in the area (I'll have my tech diving kit with me).

Any sound advice would be most appreciated.

 

[Wingy]

While i am NOT a fan of the island of bali, Nusa Penida is a lovely less crowded option - again Scubali have an op there and also at Tulumben, Pemuteran, Sanur, Vila Ombek. Mola Mola documentary was made with the owner of Scubali's assistance when they started the Mola Mola project in 1991. Given the longevity of dive ops in Indonesia that has to give you an idea of their professionality. As parents themselves they are very helpful with organising kid stuff and arrange everything from airport transfers to accomodation -

Diving Bali an Official Website of Bali Diving Academy - I have NO business interest in promoting them just a lifelong friendship with the owner and if you would like PM if you would like my name as staff are familiar with me.

Re Bunaken being only walls, to a point I agree but Siladen Jetty is not a wall dive, nor is Fukui and the closeness to Lembeh and Bangka (I would not recommend Bangka for kids tho) are things to keep in mind.

 

[gekodivebali]

Reading the last comment, I feel it is important to let people know that there is no dive resort on Nusa Penida and that the last poster is obviously misinformed...

 

[Wingy]

Did not say there was a dive resort - I said they have an op there.........although they certainly will help you arrange accomodation on Lembongan and I feel it is important to let people know you misread my post.

 

[M-Cass]

Hi,
Sorry took me a little time to get back to the forum, it's been a bit busy lately... Thanks for the extra info and dive op recommendation, we will definitely get in touch with Scubali. We'll likely be staying on Lembongan, it seems there is more choice as far as accommodations are concerned.
1. Can the the dive ops pick you up pretty much anywhere on the island or is there a specific area we should stay?
2. Also as far as the diving is concerned what's the water temp like in June around Penida / Lembongan (should we bring 3mm with vests or is 5mm recommended?).
3. Are there any dive sites we don't want to miss besides Manta point?
4. How does the reef diving compare to Tulamben / Amed?

Thanks again