Bali for 12 days: DIY or Use a safari company?

[AceszHigh]

Traveling to bali mid April for about 12 days with the girlfriend. We want to do lots of diving but also experience the popular attractions topside as well. I know many companies offer a "dive safari" traveling around different parts of the island including some boat & some shore dives. I would like some input on whether to go the safari route, or just travel around on our own & book with the dive ops in each area? Pros/cons ,etc? ANY input on this & additional tips for Bali are much appreciated!

 

[Luko]

Pros :
easier to organize for the anxious diver.

Cons :
Generally more expensive (as they charge for the transport/logistics from their base to the dive place),
formatted itinerary,
If this is not private you'll be with another group of divers, no chance of having one to one dive guide like in LDR Tulamben for instance
Lack of freedom (you're bound to their timing not yours, the restaurants or teh hotels that the safari contracted with, the dive sites, etc.)
They assign you the same dive guide for all the places while you may prefer to dive with a local reef specialist who's diving the area every day.

Of course all the Bali safari operators will jump in to say this is not true, however in my experience of Bali (going there every year) I can state for sure that Bali is very easy to travel, hopping from area to area cheaply or comfortably as you wish and diving with the best specialists of eah spot (Searovers f reefseen in Pemuteran, LDR at Tulamben, Baliku in Amed, Gekodivers in Padang Bai, World diving or 2fish in Lembongan).

 

[AceszHigh]

Thank you for the input. And that's basically what I was thinking. Leaning toward doing our own thing. I've read numerous places that its not recommended to drive yourself around in Bali. What is the best way to get around? Hire a driver for the whole trip or just use taxis in each town etc?

 

[JohnN]

Thank you for the input. And that's basically what I was thinking. Leaning toward doing our own thing. I've read numerous places that its not recommended to drive yourself around in Bali. What is the best way to get around? Hire a driver for the whole trip or just use taxis in each town etc?

This September will be my 5th trip to Bali (obviously I hate the place ). Never EVER EVEN THINK about driving yourself. You'll find drivers everywhere. They are inexpensive and happy for the work. If you want the lowest hassle experience, use the hotel/guest house you're staying at to handle the arrangements. Unless you're in the populated areas (like the hell-hole of Kuta), you'll likely find taxis hard to find. No problem, you'll have a hard time going 20 feet without someone asking you if you need transport.

Enjoy your trip, Bali is a wonderful place

 

[lamarpaulski]

Like they say...do NOT drive yourself...local guides are cheap, safer and know the way. We did a hybrid - got Escapes Unlimited to make first 5 days arrangements in Ubud and Amed (800 243 7227) . They were great and we picked up a lot of tips, got a feel for prices and got comfortable with situation. It was nice having someone to meet you at the airport after long flight and get you to your hotel. Our guide (Mr. Suht ?) did a lot of negotiating for us on further travels and arrangements. He was awesome and a wealth of knowledge. He had a beautiful home in Ubud and a lovely family. Great experience on many levels.

Having said that, it is fairly easy to make arrangements and hires yourself. Just do not drive yourself. I found Denpasar a bit crowded and the rest of bali great.

We went on and dove Komodo also, which was probably the best diving I have done. I thought night diving on the USS Liberty was a must-do for Bali diving. Had the entire wreck to ourselves and lots of big and little things were out and about. That was amazing. Biggest regret was not staying longer and seeing more. At that time, 2013, I found making my own arrangements for air travel from Bali to Komodo and back difficult from the USA and had to do it upon arrival in Bali. That worked out but was a bit anxiety-producing as I really wanted to get Komodo in.