Where to go in Indonesia, 10 days, budget

[vladimir]

I tend to agree with you Vladimir but why so negative? Do you eat Fish? If no, I can accept your statement and your negativity. If yes, I would need a lot of space to write down my answer to you because you'd actually be part of the reasons why there is a decline of all of it...
I see you're from/living in Singapore... Start to make a change over there mate. Too many Chinese Restaurants serving Sharkfins there for my liking... Don't talk negative but educate in a good way, kill the demand for it and there won't be any supply needed!!!

I did not realize I was being negative. I don't want the OP to be disappointed; if he is looking for pelagics, sharks, or big fish in general, most of the usual destinations in Indonesia will disappoint him. Is that inaccurate?

I think the demand for shark's fin soup is a big part of the problem. Is that inaccurate?

 

[Wingy]

PNG on 3K is a very very big stretch. You will get Pelagic's guaranteed but January is very wet - PNG rain is REAL rain. Often this causes problems with transfers to the few dive resorts you can reach by road so Id be hesitant about that time of year and you will almost definitely need a night either side in Port Moresby where you will pay ludicrous prices for a hotel room. PNG is not a cheap destination. By the same token Ningaloo will cost you around 3K from Sydney and whale shark season is Apr - July so Id hang at Lembongan. Another option from Sydney that may work out cheaper is Fiji - have not dived there but have heard good reports.

 

[boletus1973]

PNG on 3K is a very very big stretch. You will get Pelagic's guaranteed but January is very wet - PNG rain is REAL rain. Often this causes problems with transfers to the few dive resorts you can reach by road so Id be hesitant about that time of year and you will almost definitely need a night either side in Port Moresby where you will pay ludicrous prices for a hotel room. PNG is not a cheap destination. By the same token Ningaloo will cost you around 3K from Sydney and whale shark season is Apr - July so Id hang at Lembongan. Another option from Sydney that may work out cheaper is Fiji - have not dived there but have heard good reports.

the solomon islands? its very expensive from australia? how was the weather in gen-feb?
i dream about these islands.. but from italy it's to much expensive for me.. 3000aud only for the flights :-(

 

[Wingy]

Solomons from Sydney are do able for 3k if you were to grab a package - unfrotunately for me I live on the opposite side of Aus so its pretty expensive for me to fly there too..im still recovering from Perth to Tahiti flights..but it was worth it

 

[highdesert]

I'd vote for Komodo. All liveaboards aren't a fortune. Here's a high quality budget operator.

Aridive - Diving trip Non diving cruise Safari with children

They're not all "with children." The operation just happens to be suitable for them. There are a number of boats cheaper than this, but they get pretty "basic," in polite terms. Whale sharks aren't a guarantee, but if you concentrate on the North, you'll see mantas and have an iffy shot at a whale shark.

 

[boletus1973]

I'd vote for Komodo. All liveaboards aren't a fortune. Here's a high quality budget operator.

Aridive - Diving trip Non diving cruise Safari with children

They're not all "with children." The operation just happens to be suitable for them. There are a number of boats cheaper than this, but they get pretty "basic," in polite terms. Whale sharks aren't a guarantee, but if you concentrate on the North, you'll see mantas and have an iffy shot at a whale shark.

yeah.... I went with this operator all the 3 times we went to komodo... 2008 aboard arijaya(the smallest and cheaper)-2011 aboard the new pratiwi(wow that's a beautiful boat... we love it) and 2012 always aboard pratiwi... the next summer 2013 trip will be on pratiwi for the third time(after ten days in alor)!!! during our last trip we went with the owner for a tour aboard lalunia to meet some italian friends, and they are very happy for the boat!! is really beautiful!
This operator is all year long at komodo... since 2005.... a warranty for us.. the price/quality is very good!
bye bye
boletus


ps:there's also a facebook page of this operator with many beautiful photos of komodo underwater(from a good uw photographer)... the page is in italian but they speak also english and if you book trough this page you can get a free nightdive.... https://www.facebook.com/CrocieraKomodoAridive

 

[ocdiver1]

With the time frame and budget, as others have suggested definitely Northern Sulawesi, with may a few days in Nusa Penida/Lembongan. Two Fish has resorts in Bunaken, Lembeh, and Lembongan, so you could probably get a great deal (and theyre already cheap) by booking the whole thing with them. Bunaken and Lembeh are extremely close to each other, so you can sample both. You won't get whale sharks anywhere and you're off season for mola molas in Bali, but you will at least see mantas a Manta Point.

 

[acehtirta]

better of you get visit to the iboih beach - pulau weh. cause this island very nice and also friendly of the local society. if you would like to dive site: sure you will find to all underwater stuff. get more detail,please you read on this link: www.rubiahdivers.com

 

[Captain Majestic]

I've decided I'm going to spend 5 days at NAD lembeh and 5 at Two Fish bunaken.

Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

 

[gekodivebali]

Good choices. No mantas nor much sharks though. Turtles and macro for you then...