Good diving near Jakarta/Bali or quick flight

[jerkey_50]

All,

I just found out I am leaving for Indonesia in 2 weeks and am not going to have the luxury of researching this on my own. Once there I get a week of diving on the islands then a week of work in Jakrata. Any assistance/recommendations with best dive opperations and dive sites in the area is greatly appreciated. Also, I am in need of hotel recommendations at the diving location (quick boat trips to dive sites from the hotel is a definite plus). This place needs to be somewhere were I can easily get back to Jakarta for work. Any help is greatly appreciated.

J

 

[Zippsy]

Bali has nice diving. Try Bali Scuba (http://www.baliscuba.com/), they have a good reputation and can probably help with accomodation. Simon Gilbert is a good contact there. There are plenty of flights between the island and Jakarta.

 

[Quero]

I like Scuba Seraya near Tulamben on Bali http://www.scubaseraya.com/ . They will arrange transfers to and from Denpasar airport. You can do shore dives or take the dive dinghy out to further sites. The accommodations are very nice.

From Sanur (also on Bali), I like Abyss Adventures http://www.abyssadventures.com/ . They help with accommodations, too.

 

[scubashooter]

Seraya is absolutely booming right now. All juvie critters and also very pregnant seahorses, crabs and fish in full force in time for the full moon.
I use Bali International Dive Professionals (BIDP) http://www.bidp-balidiving.com/ myself since they have nitrox and know the areas (including exploratory ones) very well. I'll be headed to Seraya or Secret Bay again this weekend. Good luck.

 

[Nut Bubblefish]

An alternative to Bali is Manado, with direct flights from and to the international airport.
There are many operators in the area who will bring you to dive in Bunaken.
If you want more remote (add 1h30 of driving and 1 hour of boat), try the Gangga or Bangka island, north of Manado. Or the Siladen island.
Everybody goes to Bali...