Bali/Sulawesi in January

[White Chocolate]

My 40th bday is coming up in January and my wife and I are planning at least a 2 week trip to get in some exotic bucket list diving. I have currently been really interested in starting in Bali for a few days, and then heading up north to visit the Bunaken and Lembeh resorts. Ideally I'd also like to sign my wife up for a AOW class at the start to get her even more comfortable before we head north. Doing one of the multi destination safaris through Froggies or Two Fish looks pretty fun and fits our budget perfectly. I know it is rainy season in January, which isn't a huge deal being from the pacific northwet. However, my wife is still a less experienced diver and is prone to sea sickness, or even worse anxiety about getting sick due to being in a boat on choppy water. I'm wondering if it is still worth it for us to visit that time of year, or if we should plan on somewhere else with calmer waters and save it for another big milestone trip (like my 41 1/2 birthday!). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We both had a great time in Bonaire last year so that is our current plan B!

 

[AlMitch]

Hey there

Have a read through this thread 2 weeks in Indonesia..thinking Komodo/Bunaken
It asks basically the same question.

If you stay in N Sulawesi or the Bali area in a dive resort, typically the boat rides are pretty short, anywhere from 2 minutes to an hour MAX. But usually around 10-20min. So from that point of view the exposure to choppy water is limited.

If I were you I would stick around Bali for 2 weeks, there is MORE than enough to see/taste/hear/experience and dive in and around the Bali area.
My suggestion is 2-3 days around Ubud being pampered (massages all day long) and getting over jet lag, then head to Tulamben for 4 days (very chilled diving and your wife can do the AOW there), then 3-4 days in the Padang Bai / Candidasa area (chat to Geko divers), then you could head over to stay in Nusa Lembongan and dive with the mantas and then finally you could end off in the Gili's for a few final days of pure relaxation on the beach (Gili Air or Gili Meno).

OR see the thread above for my N Sulawesi suggestion.

Just a few suggestions.

 

[Mike Veitch]

January is not a bad time at all, although it does rain its not all day every day. (typically)...
The viz can be affected but usually not a huge amount of swell at that time unless there is a weather system down in Aus but that is more likely in march.

Lembeh not a lot of wind in Jan so the water is pretty flat, very rarely any swell in the Strait.
You can get some wind in Bunaken though so might be a bit more rough on the Manado side.
I am from about 10 mins away from you so I understand your rain.. Trust me, its a lot nicer rain here in Jan than in the PNW!

A few days around Amed/Tulamben is mostly shore diving, not boat diving so thats a great place to get warmed up and do the Advanced class before heading to North Sulawesi.

It can be a bit bumpy heading to Penida (in Bali), its a 45 - 60 mins ride from Sanur so if she is prone to sea sickness then it may not be the best choice, although it can be rough all year round there.

You can PM me if you need more specific info.

 

[Luko]

Your 40th birthday needs a particular event.
Would you have the budget for a Raja Ampat land based resort (Raja Ampat dive lodge for example), this would be the perfect getaway at the perfect time of the year. You could for instance stay one week in Manado (I'd recommend Murex) for a AOW class then head a week to Raja Ampat.

 

[Indah]

For a completely calm sea in January, clear warm water and some of the very best reefs of the world: www.wedaresort.com

 

[White Chocolate]

Thanks for the advice guys. Unfortunately I had a mtn bike crash resulting in a few broken things, 2 ER visits and surgery, so this trip probably won't be happening anymore! Hopefully I will still be able to squeeze in a shorter week long trip somewhere with less travel.

 

[AlMitch]

Man that sucks!!!
Praying everything heals quickly!