First time Indonesia where to go?

[George Scherman]

Thanks, Mark. Ubud is already on my radar. Have no fear, neither I nor any of my family will be driving. We were in India a year ago and it appeared that Indian driving was something you had to be born to or at the very least immersed in for a decade before risking.
We are traveling from Montana which is days days from nearly everywhere. I believe that the bank account will allow for about 2 weeks for the four of us, maybe three if we're good. Is there a recommended time of year? I'd really rather not go in the summer. November is an especially fine time not to be in Montana as is March and April.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

The months you mentioned border the start and end of the typical wet season there and should work fine. Try for 3 weeks, build in some down time along the way. You will be happy to learn a place like Liberty Dive Resort and others around Tulamben offer really amazing dive bargains, so the budget should be able to stretch. Best advice: sturdy soled booties. Those black volcanic beach rocks need more than water socks! // ww

 

[Zippsy]

Why the boots WW? Those women who are carrying two sets of gear on their head are barefoot.

 

[Centrals]

Why the boots WW? Those women who are carrying two sets of gear on their head are barefoot.

And never ever try to help them eg. give them a helping hand. They get paid accordingly.

 

[hellhole]

Yes. Dun help... U just make things worst

 

[Warmwater Wank]

The boots are because I can never get one of those women to carry me. // ww

 

[gekodivebali]

Staying in Tulamben or Nusa Penida, you will get some great diving but not much topside activities... There are other places like Padangbai or Candidasa where you can dive and visit in the same day. Otherwise, you can dissociate diving days and visiting days. That means you can even go visit one of my favorite places in Bali: the mountains around Bedugul and Munduk!

 

[anakkuta]

How about Bali? It meets all of your requirements : one of the few places in indonesia that combines great diving (macro as much as corals as big animals) and great topside. The problem with all other places is that they're mostly diving only places, fantastc diving maybe but there's little to see and do topside... anyway, other than Bali dont expect to dive in the morning and do some sightseeing in the afternoon.
Otherwise Komodo is great when you combine a week diving then 4 days traveling Flores.

If it the first time you going to Indonesia, just go to Bali. I agree with guy above, Bali is most tourist favorit place, yet there are also have some great spot to dive.

 

[Sorrows]

We're a family of four adult divers, too! If you want big stuff, Lembeh is not the place for you, although I disagree that it is difficult to get to--flying to Singapore and then Manado was long, but not horrible. (Maybe we were just lucky? Or maybe we just really loved the stopover in Singapore?)

 

[James R]

Headed to Lembeh & Bali fairly soon. Looking forward to that, not so much the flights (Austin - LAX - Tokyo - Singapore - Manado). At least this trip should give us enough KrisFlyer miles for an upgrade to business next time we go!

Not sure yet if we're going to do any diving in Bali, but will report back if we do. I think there are enough Lembeh reviews already.