February in eastern Bali:schooling fish and coral

[charlier]

My wife and I are experienced divers from Singapore. We are going to Bali in mid-February for work and thought about arriving a few days early for diving. We are mostly interested in healthy corals, lots of schooling fish, lack of overfishing, and perhaps pelagics (doubtful in the 21th century).

For ease of travel, we are considering staying near Candidasa or Pandangbai. We thought about going Gili Tepekong or Gili Mimpang. We hope to arrange three dives per day over the two day weekend, then off to Batur and points beyond for work. We will bring all equipment except tanks and wts. Thoughts and other suggestions always welcome...

 

[Grocio]

I like diving in any part of Bali, but I love Tulamben Bay because of the beautiful marine life in and around the Liberty wreck. Also the Drop Off is very nice.

 

[charlier]

OK, not many suggestions. So, can anyone recommend a dive centre for the two days in eastern Bali. Thanks

 

[UrbanJungle1966]

Crystal Dive in Sanur. World dive Lembongan, only a short trip across the water. In Tulamben I used Matahari Dive resort.

 

[MA]

Liberty dive resort is fantastic. But I hear they all are!

 

[FT]

Very much enjoyed Nusa Penida in March of last year. Stayed on Nusa Lembongan, dived with Blue Corner Dive. Healthy coral and colourful fish. Didn't stay long enough to get good enough weather on the side of Nusa Penida that might have offered bigger critters -- luck of the draw.

 

[charlier]

Hi all, Over Chinese New Years, we will go to Nusa Lembogan for about five days. I agree that Nusa Penida is a very nice. So, unless the conditions are outstanding, we will probably stay on the mainland. Rather than travel from Sanur, it's seems a lower key to stay in Candidasa or Padangbai area. Also, we we not sure that we wanted to drive all the to Tulamben.

So it would be nice to find a dive operation or dive guide that can arrange tanks for us over the two day weekend. We are fine with currents etc.

 

[Luko]

So it would be nice to find a dive operation or dive guide that can arrange tanks for us over the two day weekend. We are fine with currents etc.

Was very satified with Gekodive in Padang Bai, Cédric and his team showed they were flexible and arranged everything I wanted on a very short notice. ..especially when it was related to rhinopias.


Halloween rhinopias by Luko Gecko, on Flickr

 

[charlier]

Thanks Luko - I will contact Cedric at Gekodive for my two day break from work in Bali. He might have suggestions for dive sites (e.g., Gli Tepekong or Mimpang). If we stay in Candidasa, I wonder if they will pick us up, or I could arrange for a taxi ride to Padangbai.