Alternatives to Derawan islands (Maratua - Sangalaki) October (komodo?)

[onna04]

Hello,

I am planning a trip for myself and a non-diving companion to Indonesia next October.
We'll be visiting Bali, and the southern Kalimantan region mostly.

We wanted to add a stop to the "bounty islands" - Derawan islands.
Given the limited amount of things to do above the water, we would only spend 3 full days there maximum.
I would love to see the Mantas, school of barracudas and whale sharks, but I'm concerned that the stop is too excessive price and time wise.

I am currently OWD, but joining a local club to get more practice (CMAS, cold water and limited visibility.) I was considering taking the AOWD in Amed (I don't think I'll get to 2* diver locally before we leave) as it wouldn't cost that much more, and gets me a close guide, and then going to Maratua, as I read advanced is sometimes required there.

Do you think it's worth the extra stop?
Are there any alternatives that are perhaps easier to get to that allow you similar sightings?
I've also been looking at Komodo, but I hear the currents are strong, and I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel about those by then. What can i do to feel more comfortable with currents? Cardio?

Any recommendations or advice?
Thanks!

 

[Anish]

I can't comment on Derewan but Id skip Komodo based on your level of diving experience. Currents are challenging at many sites, some dives are deep. I would say at least AOW plus 50 dives is a minimum. I went at that level and still found myself struggling at a couple of sites. If you want to Dive Borneo consider Sipadan. Easy diving, tons of sharks, turtles, reef critters etc. You would probably stay at Mabul which has some decent easy Muck diving as well.

 

[Plutonist]

What can i do to feel more comfortable with currents?

From inexperienced person to inexperienced person: I think the only way to get comfortable in currents is learning by doing. Obviously, you should feel comfortable at depth before diving in currents. For me it's the bad experiences from which I learn the most ("that will not happen to me again").

Not all current dives are scary. For drift dives it is typically only the first few seconds that are crucial. Once the group is setup in the current it's actually quite relaxing, because the current does the swimming for you. Likewise for hook dives - it's only the short moments of hooking and unhooking (deliberate or not) that are critical.

 

[Centrals]

@onna04
Southern Kalimantan? What is the attraction there?
The nearest airport to Derawan is Berau and Tarakan is a bit further away. Getting to Derawan takes time.

Mola mola in Bali, water will be very cold in Oct.

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