Dive in Lembongan or in Bali?

[cool79]

before watching the youtube, I was thinking of going to Lembongan to stay for a good 2 to 3 days.

I had just saw this youtube on how they board the speed boat.
I do not think I will be able to shift my luggage up to the boat, as it weights nearly 30kg, which consist of 2 dive gears set and laptops and cameras...



my luggage is those hard casing type which I can place 2 set of gears and the rest of my stuff in there...

I am not sure is it worth the effort to go to Lembongan, when I can also go to Nusa Pendia from Main Land.

Anyone can advise if staying in Lembongan is worth? or would be better in staying in main land?

if main land, I will be staying at Pangdai bai.

 

[Luko]

If you take ScootCruise, you pay premieum but basically you don't need to carry anything, they'll do it for you and carry your luggage from your Sanur/Kuta departing point to your drop off point in Lembongan. If you plan spending more time diving Nusa Penida than Manta or Crystal bay, then definitely stay on Lembongan, at TwoFish or Worlddiving (and go treat yourself with a coffee or a cake at Eco Deli ).


Manta ray in the sky by Luko Gecko, on Flickr



If you're just planning a day diving, then you'll be good at Padang Bai especially with GekoDive where Cedric's guides might show you veeery interesting local stuff .


Snooted Rhinopias Frondosa by Luko Gecko, on Flickr

 

[cool79]

most likely will only be interested in mola2 and manta. So it will be better to stay on mainland n take the boat out from pandang bai?

what are the things expected to see in lembongan that on the main land i will not be able to see?
I saw frog fish and leaf fish at pandang bai during my deep dive.

would like to see them again!!! haha

 

[Luko]

most likely will only be interested in mola2 and manta. So it will be better to stay on mainland n take the boat out from pandang bai?

Manta is equal for both, I guess, they're always there at the same spot. For the mola mola, it depends on the frequency of sights during a period : while I stayed in Lembongan for 5 days, we were the lucky ones to see 3 molamola in one dive while no diveboat had seen any for about 10 days. And that was where nobody expected them...

I saw frog fish and leaf fish at pandang bai during my deep dive.

The photo on top is NOT a leafish, it wasn't that deep either.

 

[frogfish]

Both cool shots Luko ! Mantas and Rhinopia, that's a nice theme for a dive trip

 

[cool79]

i know the picture above is not leaf or frog fish.
and i am not planning to go deep just to see either frog or leaf fish. total sandy bottom and that was the only attraction i saw during that dive... haha!!!

I think I will stay on mainland. For me to transport the whole luggage up to the speed boat and back to mainland, I think that is the biggest killer. One luggage weight close to 30kg and I am not planning to risk it and get it wet, as there is a laptop in there.

 

[pughio83]

I travelled and stayed on lembongan, we had 2 x 30kg luggage plus laptop and camera bags in carry ons. As luko says its pretty easy and u don't really have to carry anything. Taxi to central office, they take bags to boat, u get on, they carry off. I u wanna carry a smaller one do so.

If u dive from lembongan u will get to the sites before the mainland boats hence more time alone with mantas and molas. In end sept in a week I saw 9 molas and most of time no other boats. Once the mainland boats hit crystal bay or manta bay or point it becomes a farce. Plus lembongan so super chilled out place to stay.

 

[cool79]

I travelled and stayed on lembongan, we had 2 x 30kg luggage plus laptop and camera bags in carry ons. As luko says its pretty easy and u don't really have to carry anything. Taxi to central office, they take bags to boat, u get on, they carry off. I u wanna carry a smaller one do so.

If u dive from lembongan u will get to the sites before the mainland boats hence more time alone with mantas and molas. In end sept in a week I saw 9 molas and most of time no other boats. Once the mainland boats hit crystal bay or manta bay or point it becomes a farce. Plus lembongan so super chilled out place to stay.

only for ScootCruise offer that service?
was thinking of using their local speedboat service which i had saw it on Sanur | Lembongan Dive Center

---------- Post added September 12th, 2013 at 03:29 PM ----------

what are the advantage if i stay in lembongan compared staying at mainland pandangbai?

 

[divewench1]

Nusa Lembongan is only 8 square kilometres (approx) and is a much laid back area compared to the south of Bali. There are almost no cars on NL, and most tourist get around on bikes (or scooters), and you can walk around the coastal paths.

Apart from the water sports there is not a lot to do on NL, with little in the way of shopping (no souvenir shops) but many little shops aimed at the tourists, suncream, cigarettes, snacks, beer, water etc. Many places to stay to suit all budgets, and warungs and restaurants too.

I believe there is one unreliable ATM, so take enough Rupiah to last your time on NL, if things have improved I'm sure someone will be along soon to advise and correct that point.

As for whether you should stay on the mainland, this is your own personal choice Jeffrey, but if you think the luggage situation would be a problem, I would recommend that you do a day trip visit to NL, maybe on your off-gassing day, so that you can decide whether it would be a good place for you and Shirley to stay on your next visit to Bali. You can arrange for one of the local jukung boats (outrigger boats) from Padang Bai beach front who will happily take you over for very little cost.

Happy, safe diving

 

[cool79]

Nusa Lembongan is only 8 square kilometres (approx) and is a much laid back area compared to the south of Bali. There are almost no cars on NL, and most tourist get around on bikes (or scooters), and you can walk around the coastal paths.

Apart from the water sports there is not a lot to do on NL, with little in the way of shopping (no souvenir shops) but many little shops aimed at the tourists, suncream, cigarettes, snacks, beer, water etc. Many places to stay to suit all budgets, and warungs and restaurants too.

I believe there is one unreliable ATM, so take enough Rupiah to last your time on NL, if things have improved I'm sure someone will be along soon to advise and correct that point.

As for whether you should stay on the mainland, this is your own personal choice Jeffrey, but if you think the luggage situation would be a problem, I would recommend that you do a day trip visit to NL, maybe on your off-gassing day, so that you can decide whether it would be a good place for you and Shirley to stay on your next visit to Bali. You can arrange for one of the local jukung boats (outrigger boats) from Padang Bai beach front who will happily take you over for very little cost.

Happy, safe diving

Thanks Amanda for the tips. Currently looking out for transport to ferry my luggage over. for entertainment. it would be like Padang Bai right? which i am happy with it.