Lembongan diving recommendations

[cndn_diver]

Hi there, I'm heading to Nusa Lembongan in a few weeks. Would love to have recommendations for the dive shops and also dive sites for fun divers (although I suspect I will just have to go wherever the boat is headed). I am an advanced certified diver (well actually Rescue but I don't remember most of my rescue course and don't dive on my rescue card),

I'd put my abilities at pretty intermediate (I have more than 100 dives but I'm not an expert by any stretch and it's been a few years since I've done a lot of diving). I've done some advanced diving with strong currents in Sipadan. Would love to see the Mola and the Mantas and am aiming to do as many dives as possible in 3-4 days. (So - if possible I would elect to do afternoon dives but I'm not sure any of the shops have boats running in the afternoon).

I would like a shop that has a fast boat, and I also don't want to just do fun dives with the OW beginner divers or AOW divers doing courses. I found when I went to Utila there were so many shops for beginners/certifying but only a few places that were best for fun divers. So basically, I'd like to know where to go! Also, I really would prefer a non-smoking boat although I'm not sure if Lembongan has moved in that direction yet.

Advice/tips/information? Thanks!

 

[pughio83]

I would recommend twofish divers. Nice little resort with pool and aircon rooms. Do two morning dives and one afternoon dive. Night dives can be arranged, as can day trips with enough people to tulumben. They are very responsible and safe divers and choose sites based on conditions and diver experience. We saw 9 molas and went to the manta site once over a period of a week. Their boats are good but unless they have changed, can't deal with high swells for the manta sites so going there heavily depends on the local conditions. Some bigger day boats from mainland go there daily. They do get booked up so probably can't just rock up and ask for a room as people found out when I was there, but u can often stay elsewhere (resort just opposite cheap and cheerful) and dive with them if not too many. Other dive operators which had good reviews from people we met were world diving and blue corner. For dining options when u r there defo chk out Indiana kenanga (one of best meals ever had) and the restaurant at the big resort at dream beach.

 

[dirtfarmer]

I've not used Two Fish on Lembongan but have in Lembeh/Bunaken and they run a good shop. Always a good choice. On Lembongan I went diving with Lembongan Dive Center, as the cost was a bit less and when the dives included equipment it tipped my hand. LDC ran a good operation with plenty of consideration for safety. On our dive at crystal bay my guide didn't push it once the down current showed up, and that day even though there were divers that really wanted to dive manta point they checked it out and found the conditions not conducive to safe diving.
At the time I was there there wasn't enough divers to make afternoon dives. There were diver doing course work on the boat but they were with their instructor and didn't affect the length or location of our dives. It can be hard to find places that cater only to fun divers as the shops probably make most their money on courses.
You should probably be pretty comfortable with the currents, they can have some fast drift dives there and crystal bay is notorious for killing divers, but a local/Lembongan shop will be able to have the best timing as they don't have to get back to Bali, so end up rushing things or doing site that shouldn't be dived with the conditions, because they have 20 divers that really want to do manta point.
I did see that the Mola Molas are starting to show up currently, but I was lucky to see one in January-part of the off season.

 

[cndn_diver]

Thank you! I have dived Tulamben so not interested in doing that again. Mostly want to see Mantas and Rays. Any info on big fish diving? I have looked at their reviews and it looks great so I am leaning towards going there.

Have been reading about Crystal Bay. I'm comfortable in a current. A few of my dives in Sipdadan had a REALLY strong current and on one I even ended up getting ripped to the surface but I'm pretty comfortable with a current. I love drift dives (so easy!) but of course reading about divers dying makes me nervous. I'd like to say that's when the rescue course actually comes in handy...

 

[Wingy]

Ive used Bali Dive Academy/Scubali for several years - early morning before the masses get there at Manta Point you should see the Mantas..last time I went out there we left at 5am - brilliant. Crystal Bay - I personally have never found the site to be anything ''special'' or ''dangerous'' but quite surgey around the big plate coral in the middle of the bay. I think the trick with Crystal Bay is going with a good op who will call it if they feel its not the right day to dive there.