Gannga island query

[pughio83]

Has anyone dived gangga island? If so was it from the luxurious looking Gangga island resort? looks like a nice mix of quality critter diving and hotel comforts, though looks pricey. I have dived lembeh which was out of this world and was just wandering re how it compares.

It looks like you can actually dive bangka and lembeh from this island as well. I am Looking for a destination next year for me and my gf. Somewhere that has great critter/macro for photography but has land/hotel comforts for my gf (who does dive but requires higher standard hotels than me haha). Have looked at wakatobi but i feel from all the reviews its expensive and probably not really worth the money when perhaps you can go to komodo or even a bit further east? Maybe worth checking out Ambon?

any info on the above appreciated guys

 

[Luko]

yes I have dived Bangka area (incl. mainland Pulisan area + Bangka island suroundings) with both Gangga island resort and Murex Bangka resort.

Gangga Island Resort is a VERY good dive center, they probably have the best boats around incl Lembeh and BunaKen designed for diving, the diving itself is amazingly well organized. the accomodations are comfortable, well thought, the surroundings and beach are pretty, there is a good spa, the food is far above standard (on indonesian standards) and the host Gaspare welcomes all guests with italian flair and elegance. For me this is the utmost dive resort for a non hardcore diving couple in Northern Sulawesi (and even for hardcore diving providing you have money to spend).

Now you can dive almost the same sites with Murex Bangka, (probably also with Blue Bay and Mimpi Indah).
Personnally I have dived Lembeh (Lembeh resort) and although I liked it very much, I find Bangka more interesting since you can alternate amazing coral dives and you can find almost the same critters than in Lembeh (Murex for instance would guarantees Pontohi seahorses anytime, while it is more difficult to spot them in Lembeh). Probably less hairy/lembeh frogfish in Bangka, less nudis too but once again the sites are a little more colorful though you also have pure muck spots with Mimics and such.

i don't know what is you GF standard in terms of accomodation but at least Murex Bangka has a nice white sand beach, something you won't find in Lembeh, (I think Blue bay also has a beach, to be confirmed) though no aircon, no swimming pool.

 

[pughio83]

Thanks very much for the information, very informative. Will checkout the other two places. Ganga looks lovely and whilst my gf wouldn't dive 4times daily, I would haha so dive prices would need to be reasonable.will defo check out bangka as I really liked some of the more 'corally' dive sites in lembeh eg angels window. Sounds like bangka is all rounder. And Pontohi pygmies are always treat. In lembeh we saw them at two spots but also the severns Pygmy seahorse as well, plus bargibants, Denise, and pipe dragons! Would love to see satomi's!!!

 

[Luko]

In lembeh we saw them at two spots but also the severns Pygmy seahorse as well, plus bargibants, Denise, and pipe dragons!

Except for pygmy Lembeh dragons, you can find them all in Bangka usually in more quantities than in Lembeh. For instance I have been shown a bommie in Bangka where on one depth there are pontohis while a few meters below you can spot a couple of Severnsi.

 

[pughio83]

Amazing!! Checked out both those dive ops murex and bluebay, both look nice! Defo high on my list for next yr!

 

[adad28]

Hi, I just came back from Bangka. I saw there are four resorts in there. we were looking at staying in ganga resort, but for us was expensive.... I agree that Bangka can be flexible for going to different kind of sites to dive. it is very close to ganga island and liaga as well as muck diving 30 mins away. you can also go to lembeh straight from there (one hour). soft corals biodiversity its beautiful. we stayed at a new place called coral eye resort, owners are italian, the place itself its beautiful. it is elegant, but simple. i liked the beach they have more than the one at murex, that is smaller. i didnt swim/dived infront of murex, but in coral eye they have a beautiful house reef that is good for diving and sknorkelling. probably its the healthiest house reef i have ever seen. i liked the place because it was great value. rooms are big, clean, food is good, you can even have a room with shower inside the room if you book in advance. food is included in the ratesof 45 euros per night. its a mix between indonesian and italian food. owners are great. also diving is very good,it is in my top list, they have very good local guides and also very professional team regarding safety. equipment is in very good shape, but not a lot, so if you have wet suit or fins better take them with you. best is there´s only this resort in the long pink-white sand beach. you can have a decent walk on the beach. i dont know if your gf needs a lot of confort but this place has been one of the best i have stayed when diving. perfect location. we spotted 4 gosth pipefish in one dive. a lot of pigmy sea horses, also pontohis, giant frogfish, etc. they have facebook, www and also on trip advisor. have a look.