DM internship in Indonesia - what location?

[mikeynl]

Hi there, I'm looking to do an internship to become a Dive Master, and I'd like to do it in Indonesia. I never dived in Indonesia (last time I was there was in 1980!), so I'm a bit unsure of where to go. Clearly Raja Ampat would be nice but I'm not that rich. So I'm just wondering what location to pick.

Some of the things that are important to me:

• dives sites should be near by. If I do 6 weeks of diving I don't wanna spend 3 hours every day just to get to and from dive spots. A few longer trips are fine, but nearby sites are better. A house reef would be best so I can dive whenever I want without having to wait for a boat.
• a handful of restaurants and a few other amenities would be nice, but I'm there mainly to dive and rest. I don't need a party scene. A nice beach is appreciated more.
• of course seeing "big" stuff is nice, but not essential. Some muck diving options would be very welcome though. Most important is the variety of sites.

I have been looking at a few locations:

• Bunaken/Lembeh. I found a dive school that has centers at both Bunaken and Lembeh. The diving at Lembeh seems amazing (I love these bizarre critters) but the stories I read here on Bunaken were quite negative ("once you seen a wall at Bunaken, you seen them all").
• Sanur, Bali. I assume this is quite a busy location (I'll survive), but I was wondering if the dives site are nearby. Tulamben is quite a drive, and Nusa Penida seems pretty far too. Would Nusa Lembongan be a better option? Or
• Gili Trawangan: looks very beautiful and just the right size, a good combination of a quiet island and enough amenities. What is the diving like there tho, and does one go to the Bali sites (like Tulamben or Nusa Penida)

ANY info will be appreciated: on the diving, the locations, the non-diving possibilities, or even other location. And dive schools are welcome to message me if they think they have to offer what I'm looking for!

 

[gekodivebali]

Indonesia is my favorite place but I may be biased...

I know Bali best. Great dive spots, but be careful where you stay if you do not want to commute by car everyday.
Tulamben offers great shore dives just at your footstep. It's busy with divers but not much amenities...
Padangbai will probably offer the widest range of dive sites for a dmt. House reefs are only a few minutes away by boat. Mantas or Tulamben are just one hour away. There is a very nice white sand beach and some amenities.
Nusa Lembongan offers a nice vibe with great dive sites close by. It could be a nice choice although I feel bad for recommending to go to a place with great coral reefs that was left untouched just a few years ago and is now heading towards mass tourism.
Gills have already tilted towards mass tourism. No motorized transport and great party but the diving is IMHO sub par for Indonesia. You cannot dive Bali from there.

Pm me if you want more info on Padangbai

 

[frogfish]

Based on your requirements, I think that you should investigate Padangbai. And I dont work for Geko Dive which by the way is a great operation.

 

[Simon J Rogers]

If you haven't already chosen a dive operator for your DMT yet, Gili T is fantastic! I did my open water there a couple of years ago and it sounds perfect for what you want. Aquadiction where really good and everyone there were great fun. Diving is all around the Gili Islands so really close too.

 

[pughio83]

I did write a longer reply but it crashed. IMO I would suggest do it in Sulawesi or Bali. I can highly recommend doing it with twofish divers and splitting it over all three of their resorts - bunaken, lembeh and Nusa lembongan. That way u get to see macro heaven and muck, great walls, healthy reefs, mola in season us good experience with currents. Restaurants will be lacking in Sulawesi but some on Nusa lembongan. Gilli T offers more nightlife and food options but the diving is only so so. If diving quality is important then choose bali (tulumben, Padang bai or Nusa lembongan), or Sulawesi. Avoid long in bunaken as it's a bit boring after a week.

 

[cmneus]

He did it in Nusa Lembongan with Big Fish Divers. I'm trying to choose a location now and so this is helpful to me, thanks! He highly recommended Nusa Lembongan but I'm a little worried it will be all drift diving and while I know I would be doing my DM and wouldn't have much time for fun diving I do enjoy slow dives where I can linger and find all the itty bitty things like nudis. Northern Sulawesi seems to be much more expensive without larger fish which I love as much as the smaller ones....such a difficult decision. Then there is the most important question of which dive op will turn me into the best possible DM! I can't really afford Two Fish....and Bunaken is out because I like a lot of variety. Gili is out because I don't party...at all, I don't even drink...I want peace.

I did write a longer reply but it crashed. IMO I would suggest do it in Sulawesi or Bali. I can highly recommend doing it with twofish divers and splitting it over all three of their resorts - bunaken, lembeh and Nusa lembongan. That way u get to see macro heaven and muck, great walls, healthy reefs, mola in season us good experience with currents. Restaurants will be lacking in Sulawesi but some on Nusa lembongan. Gilli T offers more nightlife and food options but the diving is only so so. If diving quality is important then choose bali (tulumben, Padang bai or Nusa lembongan), or Sulawesi. Avoid long in bunaken as it's a bit boring after a week.