Extending a day

[flylow47]

All,

I'm going to Bali in July for a long weekend and have a great trip planned out - 2 days in Menjangan (2-3 per day), then a day at Tulamben (2, maybe 3 incl the night dive at Liberty), and I just extended a day because there seems like so much to see. My original plan was Crystal Bay because it will be full moon, July (22) and is the beginning of MM season, which seems like a great opportunity. However there are so many negative comments about Crystal Bay on these boards that I'm hesitant to push forward with that plan. Concerns: too many divers, temperature (I never wear a wetsuit here in the tropics), current, and last but not least my wife is a new diver. (albeit with better air consumption than me and fantastic buoyancy control; she's quite comfortable in the water, but she's still new (<30 dives by that point - all since March and in the tropics).

What else would you guys recommend if you could had another day to dive anywhere in Bali?

 

[Wisnu]

a day in Tulamben is too short.
I can stay in this area for a week and not boring. Early morning diving in Tulamben is really amazing - massive bumphead school is almost guaranteed.
Don't forget Seraya if you bring camera.

 

[gekodivebali]

Gili Mimpang / Tepekong are great dive sites. Sharks, great corals and good chances to see molas ( if they're around at that time). Normally very fishy, especially when there is raging current. Normally not crowded. Best dived from Padang Bai or Candidasa.
You can also go to Manta Point and dive another site like Ped, Sental or Buyug. The first dive will allow you to see mantas (and other divers). the second dive will give you similar chances to see molas as Crystal, minus the divers.
What we often do on our manta trips is let divers choose where they do the second dive in a democratic way. The majority wins. Comes end of July and August when divers see the number of boats at Crystal Bay, they mostly opt out. The captains find it hilarious to call that place Minimart since there are so many boats you don't know which one to look at.
When divers still insist to dive there at that time of year, I sometimes secretly hope the mola2 does not show up: there's nothing worse than seeing a wild creature being harassed by idiotic divers while their guides just watch idly.
Any environment caring diver should not want to be a part of this. Others can just take their chances with the down-current... and chances are some will die again this year!
Fyi you can dive these Nusa Penida sites from Sanur or Padang Bai.

 

[zivva]

My original plan was Crystal Bay because it will be full moon, July (22) and is the beginning of MM season, which seems like a great opportunity. However there are so many negative comments about Crystal Bay on these boards that I'm hesitant to push forward with that plan. Concerns: too many divers, temperature (I never wear a wetsuit here in the tropics), current, and last but not least my wife is a new diver.

I'm not the most conservative about Crystal Bay here (yes I do DSD & Open Water 1 or 2 on a regular basis overthere ...) but still there is ONE single day you want to avoid when diving CB : full moon day, especially in high season (raging currents & way to many divers to get a comfortable & safe experience).

Whatever, forget about Crystal Bay between mi-July & mid-august, it's just a massive / disgusting / heart-breaking circus (same for Manta Point / Manta Bay by the way ...).

Nusa Penida & Lembongan North Coast, Padang Bai area or a second day in the Tulamben area (the Liberty is still very crowded except very early mornings & late afternoons) might be better options ...