Bangka Island V Raja Ampat

[scubajunky17]

HI all,
I am seriously considering a trip back to Indo this July / August. I have been to RA twice and love it but spent five weeks there last August so dont want to get bored of the place. I am considering Bangka Island or Pulah Weh, what do you guys think ? what is on the menu at Bangka Island ?
I have dived Bunaken before - not that impressed.
Lembeh - loved it but only for a few days
Komodo - Love it, awesome diving.
RA - One of my top places in the world.
I will be visiting for two potentially two months in July / August.
Any tips appreciated.
I like big schools and big fish !

 

[boletus1973]

I like big schools and big fish !

AHAHAHAHAH... don't go to bangka Island.... :-D I've been to bangka 4 times ... and I'll be there too at the end of august ..... but not for big fishes.... ;-)

the menu at bangka... nice macro(not like lembeh)... very good corals(hard and soft) on some sites around bangka and talise.. if you are lucky you can see the dugong... a school of jack fishes... some bumperhead parrotfishes... and sometimes small reefsharks...

 

[scubajunky17]

Ok, thanks for the heads up ,appreciated !

 

[Dan]

Have you been to Bali? Plenty of big fish (grouper, jackfish, bumphead parrotfish, shark, mola-mola, manta, etc.) around Tulamben, Padangbai & Nusa Penida if you go with the right time, sites & knowledgeable local guide / DM.

 

[scubajunky17]

Yes Dan, I have been to Bali, komodo ( x2 ) RA *2 etc
I could still do a few more dives in Bali but I'd want to see more than that. I have dived all over the Philippines bar Tubatha, defo seen the best of the Philippines.
I am considering Pula Weh.
Thanks dude !

 

[AlMitch]

Bangka is definitely quite a bit better the P Weh. (I've been twice to P Weh and 3 times to Bangka)
The only thing P Weh has in abundance is eels!! Every crevice has two or three morays looking back at you.

I love Bangka, but it is a place you go for a week, two absolutely max, not a month. And it is not as good as RA. But worth checking out, say on the way to RA.

If you are interested in the area you may consider looking into Blue Bay Divers live aboard called "KLM Sunshine" ( Tourdates | Blue Bay Divers ) during your proposed months it heads towards the Togians and Central Sulawesi.
So you could combine a week or two on Bangka, a week or so in Lembeh, the live aboard trip AND THEN head off to Halmahera and check out that region.
I know @Indah will gladly suggest his Weda Resort in Halmahera. I know he offers package deals, with Lembeh and Weda.

 

[scubajunky17]

Thanks for that, much appreciated, great info, I have dived, Bunaken and Lembeh before though.
Got some tough choices to make ! !

 

[Luko]

As much as I like Bangka (been there 6 times) I wouldn't go there for big fish.

Weh is so boring (been there once, would not return), limited spots almost always the same type of green chainsaw corals with anthias, morays and a few devil rays, I only found one site worth "canyon" with huge gorgonians and screaming current.

You missed Alor in your list (been 3 times and would go again anytime) that you can somehow compare to Komodo (will be my 4th time next august) and yes, don't overlook Bali that never ceases to amaze (been... uh.. countless times, can't remember, don't have enough fingers).

 

[Luko]

I have dived all over the Philippines bar Tubatha, defo seen the best of the Philippines.

Which is for you? I'd be curious to hear.

 

[chillyinCanada]

AHAHAHAHAH... don't go to bangka Island.... :-D I've been to bangka 4 times ... and I'll be there too at the end of august ..... but not for big fishes.... ;-)

the menu at bangka... nice macro(not like lembeh)... very good corals(hard and soft) on some sites around bangka and talise.. if you are lucky you can see the dugong... a school of jack fishes... some bumperhead parrotfishes... and sometimes small reefsharks...

Where do you stay when diving at talise, which I'm assuming is Central sulawesi, perhaps Togean Islands?