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Tippytoes12
Contributor
I would agree with the advice of not going to Bunaken on this occasion. It is a three hour flight to Manado from Denpasar. We are also huge fans of Gili Air, with its beautiful beaches and great diving and snorkelling.
Thanks for all of the thoughts. My only concern is that I've read that the Gilli Air diving and snorkeling is rather poor compared to tulamben/amed/bunaken/komodo. I hate to go all that way (traveling from East Coast US) and spend my last 4-5 days doing mediocre diving. Thoughts?
Luko
Contributor
The 4 destination you listed are not playing in the same category.
Komodo is simply outstanding, no comparison with the followings. You mentioned though you were worrying about the currents, there are some spots in Komodo where you won't find or very little current (sheltered side of Batu Bolong, Pengah, Mawan, etc..).
Bunaken is not worth going all the way if you ask me, better then stay in Bangka nearby (you won't do daytrips to Bangka from Bunaken).
Tulamben and Amed are good for snorkeling but not in the same league as Komodo, would be better if you can add some Nusa Penida sites on top (but alike Komodo it can be challengy on currents, FYI it will take you altogether for a day trip about 3hrs driving and 1,5hrs boat ride).
I would say Gili Air might provide a comparable underwater experience as Amed without Nusa Penida.
Thanks. We are definitely staying in amed for the first week (I'm surprised that you seem to indicate that the diving in Amed isn't very good), and do plan to do a day trip to Nusa Penida for Manta Point. The question that I'm struggling with is Bunaken/Siladen or Komodo or Gili Air for the second week. If Gili Air isn't a lesser experience from a diving perspective, that may work best -- I just don't want to completely sacrifice diving because of the flight time to Bunaken.
I keep going back/forth on Komodo, as we'd be there approaching the full moon (tides/current), and I don't want to put my son in a position where he misses the best diving because of the current. Also, it seems that accommodations and beaches in Komodo may be less impressive than those in Gili air or even Bunaken/Siladen. Is that correct?
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I would say for new divers and especially teenagers Gili Air will blow Amed away: blue warm water, TONS of big turtles, sharks, and tons of fish. For those of us who LOVE macro/photography, Amed blows away Gili Air.
For non-divers and families with middle school/high school kids it isn't even close. Gili Air by far.
I have travelled(single) quite a bit in SE Asia and had never ever came across any diving destination that is suitable to a family of non-divers and divers with mixed ability.
This is a holiday for the WHOLE family.
Compromise.
This is a holiday for the WHOLE family.
Compromise.
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