Bali - Menjangan

[DontLieToMe]

Going in July. Any comments on diving in/around Menjangan Island and on dive operators in the area?

 

[marpacifica]

Just got back from Bali two weeks ago. Visibility was s**t at Menjangan, and 15-25 feet at Tulamben. Did two drift dives at Menjangan, first at the channel near the western day hut (I think locally it's called the ranger's hut), then the Anchor Dive, also nearby. Tons of fish, but hard to see them in the cloudy conditions. But it is rainy season right now and by the time you go in July the water should be really clear. My dive buddies who dove Menjangan before recall that the fish life rivaled that found at Tulamben's Liberty Ship dive. Previous time I was Tulamben (but not Menjangan) in July 2000 and the vis was 80-100 feet. There are a few dive shops on the "mainland" near Menjangan, but I don't know their reputation. I dove with Spice Dive out of Lovina. It's a 5-star PADI facility so they actually have trained divemasters, unlike some of the dive shops I used in Bali. Equipment at Spice Dive looks a bit tired though, so bring your own gear. Actually, most of the equipment I saw in dive shops in Bali looked tired, so bring your own gear in any event.

 

[Albion]

Going in July. Any comments on diving in/around Menjangan Island and on dive operators in the area?

Went there a few years ago now, dove with Reef Seen run by an aussie guy, he sometimes seems like hes been in the sun too long, but bascially he's sound, and the local guides he uses are good. As well as diving menjangan with them we did a couple of reefs which are a boat ride away from there own beach and dont think anyone else goes there, One of my most memorable dives was after 50 minute dive we were in the shallows and found cuttlefish laying eggs, we were there anohter 30 minutes hiding behind a coral outcrop watching them.

Anyway if you go that route get them to book you in the Taman Selini bungalows, not even a minute down the beach from the dive shop. Its so laid back. Balinese style day beds on your veranda and an outside bathroom so you can shower under the stars (in privacy of course) The guy that owns it is greek with a balinese wife and the restaurant is fusion of asian and mediteranean food.