Very helpful. I am heading to Bali in a few weeks, with the intent of doing my DMT in Labuan Bajo. BUT I am now considering doing it in Nusa Lembongan or Penida. I am not sure I will be up for day trips from LBJ that are like 8-9 hours round trip. May do my DMT in Nusas and then jump on a liveaboard out of Labuan Bajo before or after the DMT.
Nusa Lembongan and Penida vs Labuan Bajo...
In terms of diving quality they are both excellent, with Komodo coming out on top. But that could come down to an individual's personal experience, as lot of people's best dives including myself, have been in Nusa Penida/Lembongan.
For doing your DMT they're both excellent choices. In high season it's always busy and a lot of people learning to dive also. A lot of worldly & experienced instructors are operating out of both locations
Advantages of doing DMT in Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida is topside, they are better than LBJ. Nusa Lembongan/Ceningan/Penida are wildly beautiful and easy to get around on motorbike/scooter & island hop. There's beautiful beaches and plenty of swimming spots, and spectacular coastal cliffs unlike LBJ. Plenty of quality and affordable accommodation options also. If you ever need to get to mainland Bali for shopping, beaches or nightlife, there are dozens of fastboat services running to and from Bali mainland everyday for around US $10 each way for a foreigner, around 25-30 minutes travel time each way.
In terms of currents & drift diving, I think it's fair to say that NL/NP & Komodo are on equal par in intensity. Some sites in Nusa Penida can drop down to 16°C in Southern Hemisphere Winter, I've heard even 14°C once from an instructor.
I think the reasoning of your intentions to do DMT are important...Is it because you want to become a better Diver or is it a possible career step? Or you want experience and enjoy the dives and locations as a whole? Either way you can't go wrong with your choices