Another itinerary post - Bali

[AlMitch]

At four, life is an adventure!!! The more boat time the better!

 

[billt4sf]

It really is that simple. Sanur is good for kids as the beach is nice and the water is gentle because the break is protected by reef. The other side of Bali is not and the big waves for surfing come right onshore and will beat up little kids. There is much to do in Sanur for adults, and the lack of waves keep the brogans away (My students call Sanur "Snore"). Downside is diving is very, very far away...as in gone for hours and hours and hours.

The other option is Gili Air or Gili Meno. You can stay extra close to the dive operator, do surface intervals back with your little ones, and head out again in the afternoon. The beach is sandy and the water calm and shallow. There are no cars or motor bikes, just keep you eyes open for bicycles and ears open for horse carts. Again, the diving isn't the best Indonesia has to offer, but the Gili Islands are a special place. It is always my "go to" when traveling with non diving friends. The attitude is super chill, you can find a bit of a party, the locals (at least on Gili Air) are awesome, you will find good food, massages, yoga, room to go for a run, SUPs, amazing sunsets.

There are some days, and I stress SOME, where perfect water washes over the Gilis and the bigger dives (Shark Point, Simon's Reef, Deep Turbo) are absolutely amazing. You will see more turtles than you care to. Black tips and white tips are fairly common. Macro is solid. All of these pics were taken last fall during a week on Gili Air. Yes- that is a 20 foot whale shark we encountered surfacing on Shark Point. Yes- the whale shark pics suck. I was a little shocked and was desperate to just get evidence. He hung around for about five minutes then went on his way. Anyway, don't let anyone tell you Gili diving is subpar; it ain't.

Matts, any operators you particularly like (or don't) on Gili Air?

- Bill

 

[charlier]

Matts, any operators you particularly like (or don't) on Gili Air?

- Bill

When are you thinking bait going to Gili Air?

 

[billt4sf]

When are you thinking bait going to Gili Air?

Dunno. Wanna go?

 

[chillyinCanada]

Matts, any operators you particularly like (or don't) on Gili Air?

- Bill

Hi Bill, see mattsw post #6 in this thread.

 

[matts1w]

Matts, any operators you particularly like (or don't) on Gili Air?

There are a number of good ops. I teach at an international school in Jakarta and we bring a big group of 9th graders to Gili Air every year to do Open Water/AOW during our "week without walls." We have been using Blue Marine for ten plus years...they are awesome with our kids and very much live up to the strict risk management consultant firm we use for all our trips. The married owners (One Irish. One Gili original) very much "get it." They are good to their customers, instructors, employees, and community.

On the other end of the small island is Manta Dive. I don't have as much experience with them, but know they are solid too. If, for whatever reason, Blue Marine wasn't an option, I would absolutely head to Manta Dive.

I hope that helps.

 

[Tippytoes12]

We have been going to Manta dive for several years....their new waterfront resort is beautiful , and the staff are wonderful.