Amed or Tulamben for 4 Days Diving?

[Luko]

Booked accommodation here Palm Springs Bali Dive Resort - PALM SPRINGS BALI with free cancellation til September. They have a dive centre but no idea if the spotters or setup is any good.

Hmmh... never heard about nor seen any of their truck/car on a dive site, looks quite secluded inland.
I wouldn't really bet on their dive centre and guides : contact a freelancer/independant dive centre and see what they're replying.
Usually yes, let the freelancer decide whether he can/wants to do.

 

[Tippytoes12]

We are big LDR fans and have tried Candidasa and Amed, which were not half as good. The guide we had in Amed, a freelancer, admitted at the end that, as we suspected, he didn’t really know the macro reefs because as an instructor he usually taught OW courses. Just be aware that this can happen and ask some questions !

 

[miniwid]

Hmmh... never heard about nor seen any of their truck/car on a dive site, looks quite secluded inland.
I wouldn't really bet on their dive centre and guides : contact a freelancer/independant dive centre and see what they're replying.
Usually yes, let the freelancer decide whether he can/wants to do.

This is the dive centre Scuba Dive in Tulamben & Amed | Go Diving Tulamben called Go Diving.

Reviews a good, fingers crossed they're okay

 

[Luko]

This is the dive centre Scuba Dive in Tulamben & Amed | Go Diving Tulamben called Go Diving.

Reviews a good, fingers crossed they're okay

Well, I went to see their instagram and web site.
1- they say "local" but it doesn't mean anything (Balinese guides or white guys who live there?) in their videos I see some Bule (western people) guiding and leading courses.
2- they don't list Gerombong nor Batu Ringgit on their dive site map. Some of the best muck sites you cannot miss.
3- they list more coral dive sites than muck spots.
4- they include Amed as well. I prefer specialized Tulamben dive center than all-arounders (see what tippytoes says above).

Honestly, would be a red flag for me, but that's your trip.
And yes, very importantly : make sure you have your own guide or an ABSOLUTE maximum of 2 divers per guide. This is the rule in Tulamben.

Edit : read on their website where they describe the divesites.
Seraya Secrets - difficulty : advanced ... wtf, anyone who's dived Tulamben should wonder whether they know what they're talking about! Seraya secrets? c'mon...

 

[JonnieB]

Thanks Luko. Unfortunately both properties are fully booked for my dates, I pinged them on WhatsApp earlier.

Any other recommendations are welcome.

Another quick question I had, were we to stay at an Airbnb for instance, can we arrange a free lance guide to pick us up and provide dive gear? Or would we always need to go via a dive shop?

There's a lovely villa next to Kubu Indah dive shop but not sure if that's a decent dive shop to go with. Is it also a bit too far north for the much sites?

Sorry for all the questions.

Go across the street and stay/dive with Wonder Dive. Not as lux as V-A but Kadek (owner) and Bedug are very good macro spotters. Plus you're supporting a locally owned shop and you can still eat at V-A's resto.

 

[JonnieB]

Well, I went to see their instagram and web site.
1- they say "local" but it doesn't mean anything (Balinese guides or white guys who live there?) in their videos I see some Bule (western people) guiding and leading courses.
2- they don't list Gerombong nor Batu Ringgit on their dive site map. Some of the best muck sites you cannot miss.
3- they list more coral dive sites than muck spots.
4- they include Amed as well. I prefer specialized Tulamben dive center than all-arounders (see what tippytoes says above).

Honestly, would be a red flag for me, but that's your trip.
And yes, very importantly : make sure you have your own guide or an ABSOLUTE maximum of 2 divers per guide. This is the rule in Tulamben.

Edit : read on their website where they describe the divesites.
Seraya Secrets - difficulty : advanced ... wtf, anyone who's dived Tulamben should wonder whether they know what they're talking about! Seraya secrets? c'mon...

It's "advanced" for their newb clients...trying to stay off the bottom and silting up the dive

 

[Pressurehead]

Go across the street and stay/dive with Wonder Dive

Another vote for Wonder Dive, not luxury but good local guides.