Indonesia suggestions to dive in November

[MikeCal]

Greetings all,

I am looking to dive a bit more before I leave Asia in January and was looking for some suggestions on where I might travel to for a week or more. My budget is somewhat limited so likely no liveaboard or expensive flights from Kuala Lumpur which where I will be flying from and need to return to Thailand.

I have only been diving for a year and a half so a beginner with 85 dives to date. Enjoy most marine life though muck diving is not a ideal time for me as my buoyancy is only fair and I don't have a camera.

It appears that November is a transition month where some places are starting the wet season and vice versa. I was looking at Indonesia such as areas around Bali, Flores/Komondo, Mabul, Bunaken, Unauna. Perhaps Maldives again but head south? I also understand that since it is the shoulder season there isn't any guarantee on the weather or diving conditions especially with climate change but looking for locations which might be better than others.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

[diveUAE]

With a limited budget I'd have a look at Bali - maybe Amed or Tulemben? I know especially Tulemben is known for great macro, but maybe now is the time to start practising and there are other not so "macro" type of diving. Could also look at Padang Bai and maybe be lucky there are still Molas around Gili Tepekong/Mimpang and if you're up for the cirkus and the weather permits take a trip to see the mantas.

It's always a gamble with the weather, but I think Bali should be ok for November - North Sulawesi could also work I believe. Bunaken is one place, but also have a look at Bangka - I just booked a week for us in July at Nomad divers Bangka, so don't know how good they are, but they're reasonable priced compared to other dive operators in Bangka.

 

[Indah]

With a limited budget I'd have a look at Bali - maybe Amed or Tulemben? I know especially Tulemben is known for great macro, but maybe now is the time to start practising and there are other not so "macro" type of diving. Could also look at Padang Bai and maybe be lucky there are still Molas around Gili Tepekong/Mimpang and if you're up for the cirkus and the weather permits take a trip to see the mantas.

It's always a gamble with the weather, but I think Bali should be ok for November - North Sulawesi could also work I believe. Bunaken is one place, but also have a look at Bangka - I just booked a week for us in July at Nomad divers Bangka, so don't know how good they are, but they're reasonable priced compared to other dive operators in Bangka.

The dive sites at the South and East sides of Lembeh Island are comparable to Bangka.
Sort of best of both worlds in Nocember at Lembeh. Diving Lembeh Strait & South Lembeh

 

[MikeCal]

With a limited budget I'd have a look at Bali - maybe Amed or Tulemben? I know especially Tulemben is known for great macro, but maybe now is the time to start practising and there are other not so "macro" type of diving. Could also look at Padang Bai and maybe be lucky there are still Molas around Gili Tepekong/Mimpang and if you're up for the cirkus and the weather permits take a trip to see the mantas.

It's always a gamble with the weather, but I think Bali should be ok for November - North Sulawesi could also work I believe. Bunaken is one place, but also have a look at Bangka - I just booked a week for us in July at Nomad divers Bangka, so don't know how good they are, but they're reasonable priced compared to other dive operators in Bangka.

Thank you for your feedback. Being a 60+ diver that uses readers on land the small stuff is really problematic for me even when I used a magnifying glass as you need to be still to adjust the glass location and my head location, neither of which I was skilled at. While nice when I could see things I also don't want to impact others that are also trying to get a good view.

 

[dirtfarmer]

I really like Komodo in November. There are lots of budget friendly LOBs in Komodo. For land based there check out Scuba Junkies they are located about 45 min out of town, but it's a well run operation and they have budget accommodations.