Bangka vs Halmahera in late January ?

[Stargazer]

I'm going to have the chance to dive somewhere in Indonesia for a week or so in late January, while staying with my wife in Bangkok. Figuring on 18 dives total. Have provisionally narrowed it down to Bangka vs. Halmahera based on combination of weather plus diving. Didn't want to concentrate totally on muck diving, but would like to get some in along with reefs, etc. Bringing lenses for both macro and WA. So, any recommendations ? Have read through previous posts in this forum so have some background by now, but this will be my first trip to Indo. Looking at land ops such as Murex, Nomad, Weda. Thanks for any advice !

 

[Wingy]

Ive done both - Bangka land based and Hamlahera via liveaboard. Unlike Lembeh muck isnt the main attraction at either Bangka or Hamlahera. I will preface this by saying I was on an exploratory trip but IMO Hamlahera was good, if you have never done that part of the world it will blow your mind, but I personally prefer Bangka diving with all its quirks. Hamlahera has many jewels and things to find underwater that will blow your mind - Hamlahera walking sharks are cool! - however Bangka has Sauhong Pinnacles which to me is one of the nicest divesites in Indo with some resident Mandarin Fish (also highly cool and amazingly beautiful) just out the front of Murex house reef. If it is your first trip to Indo you may find Bangka a flight or two less in travel time = more diving plus Bangka is closer to Tangkoko if you plan on doing any land based activities on your off gass day. Hamlahera threw a festival for us when we arrived (not really, was a rock festival...but not The Rolling Stones type rock festival - actual rocks, the gem festival was quite interesting anyway) and is a little newer to tourism. Whatever you choose, your first trip to Indo will not disappoint, the Coral Triangle really is special.
Enjoy whatever you choose just be mindful of the notorious Bangka downcurrent at Batu Gosoh although in saying that I did encounter a mild downcurrent around Hamlahera one day but it is a different ride at Batu Gosoh if the current is feeling playful.

 

[Stargazer]

Thanks Wingy, I am thinking of Bangka now mainly because of the extra travel time to Halmahera, and the possibility to see at least some muck in Bangka. I've looked into Murex, Nomad and Blue Bay Divers, all of which seem to have their pros and cons - any comments on any of them ? As for weather, do you know if February is likely to be calmer/dryer than January, or about the same ?

 

[Wingy]

The last time I dived Bangka was in January a few years ago with Murex. Hoping Luko or others with more recent experience will chime in here.
I believe january is not the best time for Bangka but I had great weather although the swells were pretty large on some sites on some days - I had no days where I could not dive so maybe I just got lucky.
Murex were good, there are some more recent trip reports here on their passport to paradise bunaken/bangka/lembeh trip that will give you up to date info. Since I was there I believe there is now Wifi in the common areas and aircon and power are available 24 hours a day - the bungalows are incredibly cute and you cant get a better view out of your bedroom window though. Have heard good things about Blue Bay Divers also.

 

[Stargazer]

Thanks - since it looks like my window of opportunity is around the first week of February, I have to hope for the best weatherwise. Thanks for comments on Murex - have read some others in the forum - seems like a good op and has a loyal following, but rather pricey.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Perhaps we'll bump into each other at Bangka! While I haven't yet booked it's my intention around your same time frame, to do a week at Black Sand, Lembeh and a week a Bangka, resort not yet determined.

 

[Luko]

Yeah... Bangka is one of my favorite places in Indonesia, I think it's a good starting place for first trippers. However I woudln't recommand it in January there is too much chance that the wind picks up and prevents diving many of the interesting spots. March to June would be a better period.
I've been five times with Murex Bangka they used to be my favorite in the place until april 2015 too but many things have changed :
- prices have picked up since two years and probably went overboard,
- Bangka Murex manager (Tommie) has left, there is now a new gringo coming from the Gilis and Bali, personally I think the last thng Murex Bangka needed was a gringo manager. Hope he will manage loosely the existing that doesn't need any management and won't' input some redtape gringo rules (usually it always begins with "Now for your own safety" and follows a series of constraints and stupid rules... seen that before ruining the dive centers).

Anyway if you need some tips PM me. I'll be glad to advise.

If January is not a changeable schedule, I'd rather look to Sipadan, Philippines or Ambon.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Latest i can do is late in feb beginning of March. Any other recommendation for pairing with Lembeh?

 

[Freewillow]

Latest i can do is late in feb beginning of March. Any other recommendation for pairing with Lembeh?

You are talking 2016 or 2017? If it is 2016, how many dives vacations per year di you do? T&K, Grenada, Maldives and Sulawesi in less that 6 months? And you are talking about winning the lottery in the future? I am lost here......... .

My quetion is due ti the fact that I am looking for Sulawesi in 2017 .

 

[dirtfarmer]

Latest i can do is late in feb beginning of March. Any other recommendation for pairing with Lembeh?

Raja Ampat is a good pairing with Lembeh as you can fly from Manado to Sorong. I have been seeing a few 10-25% off deals on midrange liveaboards too.