Ambon, Lembeh, or Bali in January?

[reubencahn]

We've just booked a trip to Raja Ampat from late December to early January. We want extend the trip a bit. Looking at Ambon, Lembeh, or maybe Bali. We've been to Lembeh three times and love it, but we've never been to Ambon and have never done any diving in Bali. Ambon sounds great but would cost about twice as much as Lembeh, and I'm wondering if it's worth it. And I can't quite figure out if January is a good or bad month for Ambon. I was also considering Bali as that's where we'll finish the trip and costs are pretty reasonable, but again I don't know how the diving would be in January during the rainy season. I've read all the posts I could find on Ambon but am wondering how it compares to Lembeh. Same for Bali. Any information or advice about how they compare would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Luko]

I've read all the posts I could find on Ambon but am wondering how it compares to Lembeh.

Personally, I prefer Ambon, as much critter action as Lembeh, better visibility, warmer water and most of all, no other divers around. The place is yours.
It's the place to go now, in five years when there'll be 5 or 6 other operations around Ambon bay, you'll regret not having been at the start with only a few divers. Go there, you can't be wrong, moreover I'd say january is a better period in Ambon than for Lembeh.