Live to Dive

[DiveExploreIndonesia]

Hi Bill, you can check this website www.nusatrip.com , although I've never used it, it seems to be getting nice feedback.... Anyway, you can reach almost everywhere with Garuda from Bali, and that is the most reliable company in Indonesia without any doubts!

 

[victor]

Go for a holiday and travel around the regions you are thinking of.
Personally I love Malaysia, Thailand, Bali, etc but I am happy living anywhere that is warm and by the sea.
If you need your creature comforts US style or have specific health issues then these need to be taken into consideration.
Australia might be another good option, Ningalo reef might meet be worth a look, it does not have to be the great barrier reef.
A friend of mine bought an RV in Australia and drove around for 6 months 2 years running (returning to the UK for summers) and had a great time. Sold the RV with very little loss. My brother did something similar in the USA.
Have fun and keep us updated on your research

 

[indiedive]

Hi,

I met expat retirees who love diving in Bali and North Sulawesi (Indonesia). No complaints on security issue but the long-term stay permit could be a hassle. In Bali, you can also consider to stay in the area of Candidasa or Tulamben. It is far from the South area but it is calmer and closed by to dive sites.

In North Sulawesi, the retirees we met live in Manado, in a rental house. Weekly they can dive in Bunaken/Bangka and sometimes also in Lembeh. Mostly boat diving..And they did some voluntary work as well in Tangkoko National Park to save Yaki monkey.

I also met retirees in Panglao (the Phillipines) who stayed as long-term guests (around 6 months annually) in a resort. It seems like a custom in the area. I hope that will give some insights..

Perhaps do some combination like six months here and six months there? Well, happy retirement and hope you will find the best place to stay!

Bill - you can check online on both Garuda and Lion Air websites for schedules and prices but can be difficult to buy online, better to buy them if/when you move here.

Garuda Indonesia Airlines website allowed online payment from overseas. We paid online flight tickets from the Netherlands for Jakarta-Sorong trip in Garuda website this year.