Need help with Bali dive sites...

[Vie]

I've been roped into going on a dive trip to Bali. Two itineraries have been proposed (see below). I have zero knowledge of dive sites in that area, so I need help. Which plan would you pick and why?

Plan A

Dive # 1 Seraya
Dive # 2 Seraya
Dive # 3 Tulamben
Dive # 4 Manta Point
Dive # 5 Nusa Penida
Dive # 6 Nusa Penida
Dive # 7 Nusa Penida
Dive # 8 Nusa Penida
Dive # 9 Nusa Penida


Plan B

Dive # 1 Menjangan National Park
Dive # 2 Menjangan National Park
Dive # 3 Menjangan National Park
Dive # 4 Puri Jati
Dive # 5 Puri Jati
Dive # 6 Secret Bays
Dive # 7 Manta point
Dive # 8 Nusa Penida
Dive # 9 Nusa Penida

 

[Wisnu]

Plan B + Tulamben

 

[frogfish]

Plan B + Tulamben

Plan A + Menjangan + Tepekong/Mimpang

 

[Divehappy]

Depends what you like, really. Plan A is 3 dives in Tulamben which is the Liberty wreck and macro critter hunting, plus some nice reefs/drop offs, followed by 6 dives around Lembongan Island, which is Big Diving - big seascapes, strong currents, cold water (can go down to 16 degrees :11 but beautifully clear viz and the chance of seeing molas and manta rays. Viz at manta point is not so good but the nutrients are what attract the mantas...

Plan B is lots of time around Pemeturan - Menjangan island has some gorgeous walls, beautiful coral, with Puri Jati and Secret Bay are two more macro critter hunting muck dives. Puri is black sand and Secret Bay is seaweedy and trash. Puri was spectacular - we saw tons, including a mimic octopus (my first!) Then it's back to Lembongan for 3 dives.

I'd say go with Plan B with a day or two in Tulamben - it's en route from Menjangan to Lembongan - sort of.

Depending on the ability of your divers, I'd say Tulamben is the easiest - perfect for beginners - Menjangan intermediate and Lembongan advanced - the cold water and currents might scare beginners, but then again there are plenty of people doing their OW courses there!

Hope this helps
Chris

 

[Vie]

Very helpful advices, guys. Thank you. Please keep 'em coming.

 

[highdesert]

I've been roped into going on a dive trip to Bali.

You've been "roped into going" .....?????

Don't hurt yourself going to such a beautiful destination!

 

[Vie]

You've been "roped into going" .....?????

Don't hurt yourself going to such a beautiful destination!

Well, I'm rather particular about who I dive with (must be getting old...) so I don't normally go on dive trips without at least two of my regular teammates/buddies. But yes, quite right, can't complain this time.

 

[Mike Veitch]

what month? Important as mola mola is found at Nusa Penida Sept and Oct...

 

[Vie]

what month? Important as mola mola is found at Nusa Penida Sept and Oct...

Late August.

 

[Wayan]

Plan B - Plan A is obviously looking for Mola Mola's and better months are late sept and October.
Drop a DAy of Menjangan and spend it at Tulamben for the Shores dives + Liberty wreck