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  1. J

    Beginner OWD in Bali - best locations?

    Hi, I wouldn't be too concerned with the 18 mt limitation (you're not going to have necessarily better dives just because you go deeper) and would focus mostly on the quality of your OWD and getting experience. Once comfortable under water and in full control of your buoyancy then do the AOW-...
  2. J

    1st time Diving Bali and a fairly new diver (AOW padi certified)

    Hi, For the Bali part of the trip I would also consider staying and diving in Padangbai. I was earlier in the year there with a partner that did not dive and she had a great time by herself while I was diving. Snorkelling was good and she was thrilled seeing turtles and blue spotted Rays just...
  3. J

    Bali trip advice - December

    Hi, Do contact Geko, they will for sure help you with the accommodation. I usually prefer staying away from large hotels, I prefer home stays for that local touch. It does seem this time of the year it's high season so you'd better get something in advance. I was there in February this year and...
  4. J

    Bali trip advice - December

    Hi, you might find this thread interesting: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491588 I liked Padang Bai not only for the diving but for the whole atmosphere. So much that I'm returning in December for another week diving with Geko Cheers www.lifesauntering.com
  5. J

    Where to dive in Bali after Tulamben!

    Hi, Cali_divergirl the issue seems to be more on the dive site and the dive centre you choose than from where you base yourself. I dived with Geko and had most of the dive sites for our group. Their local dive guides were quite good. I wasn't there in peak season though, but from what I saw...
  6. J

    Where to dive in Bali after Tulamben!

    Hi, In Bali I can recommend either Pemuteran or Padangbai, my preference being the latter as in Padangbai you have plenty to do between and after the dives. If you base yourself there you have a multitude of options for diving: either local dive spots (less than 5 min by boat) like the amazing...
  7. J

    Ningaloo whale sharks

    Hi everyone, I ended up diving with the Ningaloo Whalesharks. Great experience, very professional. The week I was there the sea was quite rough so there weren't that many days in which they went out. But we made it! Beautiful animals! Unfortunately I could not dive the Navy Pier - no diving...
  8. J

    Which dive operators to choose in Bali for safety

    Hi again, I really can't comment about staying at the Nusas as I've never done that. I have the idea that the boat dive to Nusa Penida was about an hour, which may seem long but it's mitigated by doing 3 dives that day. I was with my non-diving partner and staying in Padangbai allowed me to...
  9. J

    Which dive operators to choose in Bali for safety

    Hi Imkeshav, I believe safety starts with us, in choosing a safe dive centre, diving within our training limits and above all our experience (which is not the same) which includes listening to the operator's recommendations, and diving safe. You might like reading a post I wrote on choosing a...
  10. J

    Bali dive base options

    Hi, I would like to suggest Padangbai. I've spent some time in Bali this year and really loved this little village: great diving, food and the white sand beach is very relaxing. You can read more about Padangbai at...
  11. J

    Ningaloo whale sharks

    Hi, thank you both for the replies. Alcina, I'll definitely look at the operators you've suggested! www.lifesauntering.com - Travel and scuba diving blog with a dash of photography www.facebook.com/lifesauntering
  12. J

    Ningaloo whale sharks

    Hi, I will be taking a whaleshark trip in exmouth in June and have been looking at some tour operators. Has anyone dive with Ningaloo Whale Sharks? (Ningaloo Whaleshark - Home). I liked the information on their site, the possibility of doing a dive on the reef, and the 3 years voucher warranty...
  13. J

    Diving in Makassar

    Thanks expotato, no longer in Indonesia but will keep this in mind for a next time! www.lifesauntering.com - Travel and scuba diving blog with a dash of photography www.facebook.com/lifesauntering
  14. J

    Bali Dive ops / Liveaboards in june? Prices, who to look at?

    Hi there, You an go to Padangbai and do great diving there (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476401). Gecko dive Bali ( http://www.lifesauntering.com/2014/02/geko-dive-bali-diving-in-padangbai.html ) is a solid operation that can also take you to dive in Amed and Tulanbem - you...
  15. J

    How do you choose your dive centre while travelling?

    Great to see we have similar processes. Longevity can indeed be a great sign of success and solid ops if the other criteria are matched. Unfortunately I have a recent experience that did not go so great with a long-established centre: but to be honest, and as I refer in a review I made of the...
  16. J

    How do you choose your dive centre while travelling?

    Jim, but even having a self-reliant training and wishing to dive solo, how do you go and know that the operation will be there for you if you need it? I became a self-reliant diver to ensure I had the proper training if the s*** hit the fan. But if I'm diving solo I'm even more "picky" with the...
  17. J

    How do you choose your dive centre while travelling?

    Hi, I have recently written a post about choosing a dive centre while travelling. My intention is to share the criteria I use when selecting a dive operation that might help the less experienced divers. I am sure I have missed plenty of great tips in it, but these simple 3 have been helping me...
  18. J

    Diving the Togian Islands

    pughio83 there was some macro but nothing extraordinary - I wouldn't do such a long trip for it at least in this time of the year, maybe other seasons are more prolific. For macro I would go to Lembeh instead. I stayed in Kandidiri and from what I've read the Walea Pygmy seahorse is located...
  19. J

    Diving the Togian Islands

    Hi, Two weeks ago I ended my trip in Indonesia with some diving in the Togian Islands. It´s not easy to get there (it will become easier when the Ampana airport opens up), but the whole package of paradise islands and relatively good diving made it worth it. Quite good coral around there, not...
  20. J

    Bali, gili, komodo

    Hi, For mantas you have as pughio83 mentioned the Manta point and I highly recommend Padangbai as a dive base, I have been there this year and loved the place. Plenty of things to do after the dive: great beaches, great snorkeling, fantastic food!! You can find more info on the diving and the...
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