Question Bira, sulawesi
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xrcjdx
Contributor
His response -
"About Birra…..great diving…currents, thermoclines, sharks and multitude of fish life… can be a bit choppy with the swell…experienced divers only. The DM I dived with has regular customers coming back…..love the adventure?!"
scubajunky17
Contributor
AnotherDiverHere
Contributor
I would highly recommend Bira. It has become one of my favorite dive destinations in Indonesia. Small crowds, amazing diving, healthy coral, lots of life on the reef. Did I mention small crowds? Highly recommend Tevana House Reef. Their dive operation is Gaia One. They run a good shop. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable. I have been twice this year and will return in September.
Some photos from Bira taken in July by Becca.
https://www.reddit.com/r/scuba/s/jpIzFAChfV
Some photos from Bira taken in July by Becca.
https://www.reddit.com/r/scuba/s/jpIzFAChfV
scubajunky17
Contributor
AnotherDiverHere
Contributor
@scubajunky17
Yes, I spent around a month on Arborek at Barefoot Conservation in 2018. Raja is definitely a special place that is hard to beat. In my opinion, some of the best diving in the world. The diving in Raja is vast and covers a lot more territory. The area in Bira is much smaller than R4.
I do not think you would regret going to Bira. South Sulawesi has a lot to offer outside of diving as well. Another cool thing to see in Bira is the building of the Phinisi Boats.
Yes, I spent around a month on Arborek at Barefoot Conservation in 2018. Raja is definitely a special place that is hard to beat. In my opinion, some of the best diving in the world. The diving in Raja is vast and covers a lot more territory. The area in Bira is much smaller than R4.
I do not think you would regret going to Bira. South Sulawesi has a lot to offer outside of diving as well. Another cool thing to see in Bira is the building of the Phinisi Boats.
scubajunky17
Contributor
Thanks, can seen myself stuck in R4 again, there are worse places to stay diving though ;-)
DownUnderwater Dan
Contributor
I've gone from R4 directly to Bira, and I rate it high. But I'd already been to Bira a few times before then, but because it was one of my favourite places to visit and dive, I was already comfortable & looking forward to that visit, as I knew what to expect.
Diving wise, I've still yet to experience the amazing visibility I had a couple of times before at Bira, it was swimming pool clear, like 50m viz. But in general, around 20-30m viz.
Topside is better at Bira, as there's a few restaurants, and you can hire a motorbike/scooter to explore the area. There's shore diving too, and night dives.
I was getting excited about adding Bira to my trip but then I read the part about the 4.5-6 hour drive from Makassar and the glow burned right off.
DownUnderwater Dan
Contributor
That's the only downside. But I suppose going to Tulamben from Denpasar airport or back, with traffic it took me almost 5 hours one time, and 3.5—4 hours occasionally. Depends what time of the day you go/leave. I always use motorbike now, for Tulamben trip, little bit quicker.
For me, personally, Bira diving is much better than Tulamben, and whichever destination floats your boat, they can be roughly the same amount of travel time, to get there and back.
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