Need help with plan to dive Bali?

[EL Pistoffo]

Though still a ways off, early next year myself, my wife and one other will be traveling to Bali to spend just over a week. We want to split the stay between diving and topside sight seeing. As far as the diving portion goes, I've been trying to figure out the best way to accomplish this. The three main areas I'd like to dive is Nusa Penida, Tulamben, and Padang Bai. What I've been able to come up with is a couple of nights at Two Fish Divers for the Nusa Penida dives and a couple nights at Liberty Dive Resort for the Tulamben dives. This kinda leaves out Padang Bai. Both these Resorts are within my budget. How could I best get those Padang dives in? Is there an angle that I'm missing or a better, yet within budget, way of doing all three places? I'd like to get in 6 -9 dives total, maybe a night dive somewhere in there. The only other option I found was a "Best of Bali" dive Safari offered by AquaMarine Divers but I'm not so sure I'm getting as good of a value as I could going a different route.

On a side note, even though I was born and raised and still live in South Florida, the heat and humidity here I find unbearable for sleeping. Would it be fair to say Bali temps/humidity is the same? If so I'm gonna need to opt for a/c rooms. I'm looking at an April or May trip there. Is that a good time?

 

[EL Pistoffo]

No replies. Is my plan that good? Lol

 

[matts1w]

1. I am from Fort Myers Beach. It will be 90 and humid every day. You want AC.

2. May will be better than April as far as weather. Rainy season wraps up in March and April, by May you are good to go.

3. Stay in Padang Bai if you really want to dive all three areas. From there you can easily get to Tulamben, Amed, and Nusa Penida. All indications are these are good people: Dive Bali - PADI 5 Star Diving Centre - Padang Bai Scuba Divers in Indonesia

 

[Sideways]

We stayed in Candidasa, just north of Padang Bai. In my research I wasn't sure which of the two towns would be better for us. We made the right choice IMHO. We dove Padang Bai, Nusa Penida, and Tulamben. If we were to do it again, we'd drop Padang Bai divesites. Honestly, Nusa was better, and the speed boat ride 45 mins each way, was very nice (as far as boat rides go). Also, to do Tulamben, your better off staying there 2-3 days if possible then driving 3-4 hours round trip each day to get up there.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

We stayed in Candidasa, just north of Padang Bai. In my research I wasn't sure which of the two towns would be better for us. We made the right choice IMHO. We dove Padang Bai, Nusa Penida, and Tulamben. If we were to do it again, we'd drop Padang Bai divesites. Honestly, Nusa was better, and the speed boat ride 45 mins each way, was very nice (as far as boat rides go). Also, to do Tulamben, your better off staying there 2-3 days if possible then driving 3-4 hours round trip each day to get up there.

So you think its better to dive Nusa and Tulamben, and forgo Padang Bai. Those are the dives I've already figured out a plan for. Staying at Two Fish in Nusa makes the dives sites very close. Staying at Liberty Dive Resort in Tulamben accomplishes the same. I may just adjust the length of stay and dives at these 2 Resorts. Thanks.

---------- Post added February 5th, 2014 at 04:17 PM ----------

1. I am from Fort Myers Beach. It will be 90 and humid every day. You want AC.

2. May will be better than April as far as weather. Rainy season wraps up in March and April, by May you are good to go.

3. Stay in Padang Bai if you really want to dive all three areas. From there you can easily get to Tulamben, Amed, and Nusa Penida. All indications are these are good people: Dive Bali - PADI 5 Star Diving Centre - Padang Bai Scuba Divers in Indonesia

1. Yep, I figured I'd need a/c.
2. I guess I'll plan for May then.
3. Amed is another one I didn't consider. It's close to Tulamben so I might be able to arrange some dives to Amed from there.

 

[dirtfarmer]

I'm always a big believer of spending my vacation diving or relaxing not in a van or on a boat (exceptions for liveaboards.) I've been to LDR twice the resorts nice, staff fantastic, and as a single diver it's just me and my guide.I love the short trips to the dive sites and the divings great. I did Lembongan area for the first time this year. I enjoyed the diving, and was treated to a Mola-Mola off season. I think it's best to stay on the island then to come over every day.( I didn't dive with 2fish but they are a well run op I've used twice in Lembeh)
If your interested in diving Padang Bai you could just stay there a day or two and just do the local sites.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I'm always a big believer of spending my vacation diving or relaxing not in a van or on a boat (exceptions for liveaboards.) I've been to LDR twice the resorts nice, staff fantastic, and as a single diver it's just me and my guide.I love the short trips to the dive sites and the divings great. I did Lembongan area for the first time this year. I enjoyed the diving, and was treated to a Mola-Mola off season. I think it's best to stay on the island then to come over every day.( I didn't dive with 2fish but they are a well run op I've used twice in Lembeh)
If your interested in diving Padang Bai you could just stay there a day or two and just do the local sites.

My thoughts as well. Lucky you with the Mola-Mola. I'm really hoping to get a glimpse of one.

 

[Sideways]

I think you have the right idea, just extend times in those 2 sites and your golden. We stayed at Liberty Dive Resort. Great place!

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I think you have the right idea, just extend times in those 2 sites and your golden. We stayed at Liberty Dive Resort. Great place!

That's the plan as of now. Three of us staying 3 nights at each resort. We're going to have a few spare days to explore Bali topside. Now on deciding what to see topside.

 

[gekodivebali]

Topside is definitely something to consider if you are not going to do 4 dives a day, everyday, for one week. Since you said you were looking at doing 6-9 dives in a week, I guess that's not what you're after. In that case, beware that both Tulamben and Nusa are out of the way from most on-land or cultural attractions.

Diving in Padang Bai may be better suited in your case. Most 2 tank days are finished before 1PM, certainly for Tepekong, Mimpang or Biaha, Padang Bai local dive sites and North Penida/Lembongan. You then have most of the afternoon to go to some of the brat attractions close-by. My favourites include:
-White Sand Beach/Bias Tugel is one of Bali's rare white sand beach. The sand is as fine as the company here. Laid-back atmosphere with a few warungs serving drinks and food and many locals having a good time. 5 minutes walk from the heart of PB.
-The Barong ceremonies which take place every two weeks in the months leading to the Balinese New Year. A great piece of Balinese culture that tourists are welcomed to witness (as long as they respect some basic rules). Look at this blog by a Scubaboard user for more on this.
-Ujung Palace close to Seraya. The former palace of the Kings of Karangasem is fortified by being surrounded with deep wide ponds. The gardens and plants there are amazing. <1 hour drive from PB.
-Tirta Gangga water gardens. Great ponds and botanical gardens. There is even a small maze made of stepping stones that will make you fell like you can walk on water. I do recommend rinsing your soul by bathing in the holy water pond towards the back of the garden. 45 minutes drive from PB.
-The Sidemen area is a preserved haven of rice paddys and hillsides. Great for short treks. 45 minutes drive from PB.
-Seraya's untampered paddy fields along the sea. The road close to the mountainous areas of North East Bali offers some stunning sea vistas. Beware of altitude if you venture further in the direction of Amed. <1 hour drive from Padang Bai.
-Jasri Beach is one of the few last white sand beaches that are still left untouched. A hidden gem to enjoy before it's too late. <1 hour drive from Padang Bai.
-Tenganan Aga village is a preserved village from the times before the arrival of Hinduism in Bali. The Aga people have resisted change and preserved their ancestral culture by isolating themselves in cordoned off villages for centuries. They now let tourists come in for a peek. <30 min drive from PB.