Question BALI recommendation

[Searcaigh]

@Motoman4540

Glad you got to see two great dive areas for macro in Indonesia

Having done four trips to Lembeh, three of which were at Lembeh Resort I can agree with you that this is a top dive operation, but at a price $$$

I have been going to Tulamben annually since 2016, (except 2020/21), and occasionally twice a year. The density of macro life is outstanding and the ability to have 1:1 guiding and spend 90 minutes underwater on one dive, my only fear is running out of battery in my strobes for the second dive, but that hasn't happened yet.

The drive from the airport is a PITA, but best to make sure you do this during daytime. If I arrive later than 5pm I stay overnight at the airport hotel, and arrange a pickup for the next morning.

 

[Tippytoes12]

We are huge fans of Liberty Dive Resort on several visits. It is shore diving, but we have always found the guides to be super helpful. With the right guide it is outstanding, all our trips have been in February March. This year we stayed in Amed for a change and had a freelance guide, who was not nearly as good as our guide at LDR. We have also had excellent experiences with Ansolute Scuba in Padang Bai. Lembeh is more expensive and harder to get to, it has always had more octopus than Tulamben and harlequin shrimps, mandarin fish mating and night dives, which are fabulous in Lembeh, are easier. We have stayed at Black Sand on every trip and will do so again.

 

[GF99/99]

Headed to Bali and Komodo next month. Not looking forward to another 30 hr flight as I just returned from Vietnam! (that was a motorcycle trip around norther Vietnam! We arrive 2 days before our dive trip starts in Bali and I was hoping someone can suggest a few nice resort/hotel to review? On the beach would be nice and close to the airport if possible? TIA,

If its within you budget my #1 recommendation for a Bali “Resort” would be The Apurva Kempinski Bali. This hotel is amazingly beautiful!! And if your around on Sunday the brunch buffet is to die for.

It’s on the beach, somewhat close to the airport (the offer a pickup service anyways) and it is extremely relaxing.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PufPvau4L2GG6U9t9?g_st=ipc

 

[clownfishsydney]

I just got back from a trip to Tulamben and then Lembeh Strait. Tulamben is a PITA to get to . . . about 4+ hours by car from the airport, FYI. We stayed at the Liberty Dive Resort, which was reasonable dive hotel. I went to Tulamben for the nudibranchs. I found several that I had never seen before, generally no bigger than a grain of rice and often smaller! I got excited when I shot a "normal" size nudi, i.e., one that I could actually see. The slope near the Liberty wreck was particularly good. The main drawbacks of Tulamben (for me, anyway) are the 4+ hour trip to get there, and that all of the dives are shore dives -- sometimes very sketchy entrances. Maybe I am a little spoiled. This is no frills diving. If your camera gear malfunctions, no one really knew how to help. After about 5 days there, we left for Lembeh Strait for our third visit, for 12 days. For me, the unusual nudis were not as plentiful, but there were a decent number of less common species, but much more macro per dive for me. Plus, Lembeh Reort, where we stay, is luxury diving. We go out on a boat, there is a full camera center there, you can get virtually anything repaired if necessary and the food and lodging is simply outstanding. I am glad that I went to Tulamben. I won't be going back though. If the choice is between Tulamben and Lembeh, definitely go to Lembeh!

Tulamben is only 3 to 3.5 hours from the Denpasar Airport, easy to get to compared to many other places (car, plane, car, boat etc). I have been there five times, total of about 10 weeks. Going again next year again for three weeks. Shore dives are generally easy, except the Liberty wreck and nearby sites which have boulders and can be hard if any wave action. It is well worth it.

 

[Heat Miser]

Tulamben is only 3 to 3.5 hours from the Denpasar Airport, easy to get to compared to many other places (car, plane, car, boat etc). I have been there five times, total of about 10 weeks. Going again next year again for three weeks. Shore dives are generally easy, except the Liberty wreck and nearby sites which have boulders and can be hard if any wave action. It is well worth it.

I like staying at Salt Resort & Spa I like diving with Fresh Fins as @clownfishsydney says its 4 hour drive from the airport, but either the hotel or the dive center can organise your pick up from Dempasar airport, and its cheap as chips diving/living. They'll pick you up and drive you to Tulumben and other sites. Enjoy! ... book online and contact them through WhatsApp

 

[JohnnyQuest]

Alarm Batu

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Feature-g608484-d1754221-zft9156-Alam_Batu.html

 

[ACHiPo]

Great recommendations and input on Tulamben and Amed. We're looking at going to Candidasa for a non-diving activity next May and thinking about heading to Tulamben before for diving. I've heard lots of good things about LDR. Must admit I'm not a fan of shore entry, especially with a bunch of camera gear, but it sounds worth it.

 

[clownfishsydney]

Great recommendations and input on Tulamben and Amed. We're looking at going to Candidasa for a non-diving activity next May and thinking about heading to Tulamben before for diving. I've heard lots of good things about LDR. Must admit I'm not a fan of shore entry, especially with a bunch of camera gear, but it sounds worth it.

If there is any sort of wave action, dive guides assist you and even pass your camera to you once you are in. We have never had a problem, even with the very occasional larger waves.

Liberty Dive Resort is great. A few different levels of accommodation, we go the basic, more than adequate. Dive guides are very good. We booked next year's dates before we even finished this year.

 

[Blackcrusader]

If its within you budget my #1 recommendation for a Bali “Resort” would be The Apurva Kempinski Bali. This hotel is amazingly beautiful!! And if your around on Sunday the brunch buffet is to die for.

It’s on the beach, somewhat close to the airport (the offer a pickup service anyways) and it is extremely relaxing.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PufPvau4L2GG6U9t9?g_st=ipc

Wow that looks amazing.