Best scubadiving area in Bali

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Snic

Snic

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Hello everyone! In august I will be in Bali and unfortunately I'll be albe to spend just 5 days scubadiving. I will be travelling with my girlfriend, she's a beginner she got her certificate the last summer, while I have been scubadiving for several years.
Now my question is: if you had to pick just one dive area in bali what your choice would be? Tulamben, menjangan, padang bay...??
 
Snic:
Hello everyone! In august I will be in Bali and unfortunately I'll be albe to spend just 5 days scubadiving. I will be travelling with my girlfriend, she's a beginner she got her certificate the last summer, while I have been scubadiving for several years.
Now my question is: if you had to pick just one dive area in bali what your choice would be? Tulamben, menjangan, padang bay...??
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What type of diving do you prefer? Pretty fishes? macro? pelagic(s)?

What do you want to do in the evenings? Chill and relax or party all night?

You're not likely to find all in one location, so some more detail would be useful
 
Thank you for the reply,
I did in other places all of the three types of diving and I enjoyed all of them, so I can't say wich one I prefer but I'd like to know what in your personal opinion is the best to do in Bali.
As for the second point, I don't fancy going to clubs I prefer going to a beautiful and natural place with good beaches and crystal clear water. In that regard having seen some pictures, seems to me that menjangan have better beaches and snorkeling spots than tulamben, but again I'd like to have your opinion.
 
Pemuteran, which is where most divers stay to do their diving off Menjangan Island, is a very peaceful and natural place. There are upscale resorts as well as less expensive but still very pretty guesthouses (sometimes referred to as "homestays"). Some of the resorts have a bit of beach, though nothing spectacular like, say, Kuta. My wife and I stayed at a guesthouse called Taruna Homestay that we liked very much. Rooms have Balinese decor and outdoor shower where the statue spews water, etc. Very Zen-like and relaxing. I believe one could snorkel in the area, but it would not be anything exceptional.

I have only been to Pemuteran once and Tulamben once, but the impression I got was that Tulamben is more focused on diving than culture, and as you noted, there is no snorkeling to speak of and certainly no beaches. For example, there are few if any real restaurants in Tulamben. You either eat at your resort or choose from a handful of fairly ordinary warungs on the street. From what I have heard, nearby Amed might be a better choice for tasteful topside activities. I regret we did not have time to visit Amed.
 
Snic:
Thank you for the reply,
I did in other places all of the three types of diving and I enjoyed all of them, so I can't say wich one I prefer but I'd like to know what in your personal opinion is the best to do in Bali.
As for the second point, I don't fancy going to clubs I prefer going to a beautiful and natural place with good beaches and crystal clear water. In that regard having seen some pictures, seems to me that menjangan have better beaches and snorkeling spots than tulamben, but again I'd like to have your opinion.
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If you're looking for those beautiful white sand beaches, then the South end of the island (Kuta/Sanur) is where you want to go. Unfortunately the diving there is poor. Tulamben doesn't have a sand beach and Pemuteran has sand but it is black sand.

I love macro diving, so Tulamben it is for me, if you prefer walls then go to Pemuteran. Jemeluk Bay (near Amed) seems not to get too much mention, and has very good diving for a mixture of macro and pretty fishes (IMHO at least), but again no white sand beach.
 
What about the Gillis? Great beaches and some decent diving. The diving is'nt on par with Tulamben or Nusa Penida but you and your girlfriend are both pretty new to diving so it might be just what your looking for if the whole island experience is what you want not just diving.
 
We stayed in Jemeluk (in the Amed area) and dove with Adventure Divers which served us very well. From Jemeluk it's about a 20 min ride to Tulamben, they took us there on numerous occasions, we dove all around the "greater Amed area" and we can't wait to do it again. We stayed at Kembali beach Resort, right across the road from the dive shop with a pool and white sand (I think) beach, from where people snorkeled. Not a four-star place but plenty adequate for our needs, with AC. Very relaxing and comfortable, and great diving. Going back later this month.

- Bill
 
Oh boy, should I feel bad to recommend Padang Bai, if you just have 5 days, want to go to many different dive locations in the morning while enjoying beach and snorkelling in the afternoon?
From that village, you can dive sites as remote as Manta Point (1hr), Tulamben (1.25hr) or Amed (1.25hr) or as close as Shark Point (2 minutes). The White Sand Beach, aka Bias Tugel, is a great option for unwinding and snorkelling in the afternoon. There are some interesting land tours within 45 minutes by bike / car like Tirta Gangga or Ujung Palace, if you get bored of the beach. Not much in the way of nightlife is present, but there are some nice and affordable local / seafood dining options.
Have a look at the links below if you want to learn more:
Why Padang Bai
Best Diving Base
What Others Say
 
Thank you all guys very much, you gave me great options!
 
"billt4sf, post: 7726403, member: 405482"]We stayed in Jemeluk (in the Amed area) and dove with Adventure Divers which served us very well. From Jemeluk it's about a 20 min ride to Tulamben, they took us there on numerous occasions, we dove all around the "greater Amed area" and we can't wait to do it again. We stayed at Kembali beach Resort, right across the road from the dive shop with a pool and white sand (I think) beach, from where people snorkeled. Not a four-star place but plenty adequate for our needs, with AC. Very relaxing and comfortable, and great diving. Going back later this month.

- Bill
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This place looks great to me, Bill! Thanks for the recommendation.
 
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