Advice on Indo Resorts - Murex Bangka or Sorido Bay in RA

[sefuchs]

I am planning a trip to Indonesia next Oct and hope someone can share a bit of advice/experience with me. I've been to RA once on a LOB and loved it but my wife doesn't want to do a LOB again so looking for a resort that will be 'close' to LOB diving experience. I've narrowed it down to 2 resorts (but not cast in stone) either Murex Bangka or Sorido Bay in RA. A little background on us and our expectations:

• We are experienced divers (500+ dives). Our 'home' dive spot is Cozumel so plenty of experience in currents.
• We are in our mid sixties so like to take things 'easy'
• Don't need fancy rooms - clean with a decent bed. AC is a must have
• A house reef is high on the want list
• Decent house snorkeling is high on the want list
• We are not big into muck diving, prefer more fish and reefs
• Probably stay for 2 weeks so are their enough dive sites?

Thx for any comments on this.

 

[Searcaigh]

Murex Bangka is one of my favourite places and their updated rooms on the hillside are excellent.

House reef is good too, especially for night dives, I'd go back tomorrow if I had the opportunity

 

[Luko]

Raja Ampat wins over Bangka, no contest.
Even though I like Bangka, two weeks might be a very long stay for the number of sites.

Sorido is the higher end of the market you could find better priced resorts in RA for an near equivalent, add on top that diving is not allowed on saturdays in this resort for religious beliefs reasons.

 

[scrane]

If someone tires of Banka in two weeks they've gotta be pretty jaded.
One thing you won't see is other groups of divers.

 

[sefuchs]

Raja Ampat wins over Bangka, no contest.
Even though I like Bangka, two weeks might be a very long stay for the number of sites.

Sorido is the higher end of the market you could find better priced resorts in RA for an near equivalent, add on top that diving is not allowed on saturdays in this resort for religious beliefs reasons.

Thx Luko. My wife is concerned with currents or more specifically negative entries. She has been browsing the Internet and is convinced that 'every' dive (in RA) we'll have to contend with strong currents and do negative entries which she struggles with due to ear issues. We dive Cozumel a lot so very comfortable with drift dives but neither of us want to 'fight' currents. Can you comment in regards to the currents? Also if you don't mind name dropping a couple RA resorts similar to Sorido Bay?

We will also be extend our stay in Bali for 2 weeks so will contact you in regards to a safari type trip but need to do more due diligence before I ask questions.

Thx again.

 

[Indah]

Nobody mentions Wakatobi? Are they still in business?

 

[tridacna]

Nobody mentions Wakatobi? Are they still in business?

Not only are they in business but they are pretty much booked up at least thru 2023. I’m doing Bunaken Oasis next year and Sorido.

 

[Centrals]

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Flexibility at its best.
Island hopping can easily be done.

 

[Searcaigh]

Nobody mentions Wakatobi? Are they still in business?

Bit of a PITA to get there to be honest, one of the reasons I prefer N. Sulawesi.

I could do Bangka for two weeks easy. During my last trip in April the one week just flew by.

 

[Cali_diver]

Thx Luko. My wife is concerned with currents or more specifically negative entries. She has been browsing the Internet and is convinced that 'every' dive (in RA) we'll have to contend with strong currents and do negative entries which she struggles with due to ear issues. We dive Cozumel a lot so very comfortable with drift dives but neither of us want to 'fight' currents. Can you comment in regards to the currents? Also if you don't mind name dropping a couple RA resorts similar to Sorido Bay?

We will also be extend our stay in Bali for 2 weeks so will contact you in regards to a safari type trip but need to do more due diligence before I ask questions.

Thx again.

I am a photographer with a big camera... I have been to Raja many many times and I have never done negative entries. We just got back from a month in Raja and my hubby is just coming off of back surgery. He was able to put his kit on in the water and descend at a slow pace for every dive. It is all about who you use as a dive op, most will not purposely drop their clients in crazy dangerous ripping currents. Furthermore you are not expected to fight the current. Some are drifts much like you will find in Cozumel but most are done with not much current. That is not to say that currents can't change during a dive but a good guide will be able to change the plan to keep you comfortable. There are some dives that you want to get to the bottom as fast as possible but if your guide knows you need to go slower he will probably start you farther away from the pinnacle or sea mount. I have only done liveaboards so I can't recommend dive resorts, but there are some nice ones like Misool Eco Resort etc.

In Bali check out Underwater Tribe for your safari type diving trip: Home - Underwater Tribe
Highly recommend them!