Nusa Penida? Gili Islands? South Lombok? Dive destinations max 1'ish hour from Bali.

[matts1w]

As we are on a budget, you think its worth the extra costs on flights (vs. ferries to Penida and Gilis) and park fees and dive fees, to do either a short liveaboard or a bunch of day dives?

Yes. It is worth it.

Look at highly recommended Scuba Junkies. Dive Komodo | Scuba Junkie Komodo

 

[CF L]

I dived in Lemgonan with Tamarind Divers and had a great time but they only two dives a day due to strong currents in late afternoons.

I would also recommend Tamarind Divers on Nusa Lembongan, I dived with them over several days just before Covid and really enjoyed the diving, professional, friendly and well organised.

 

[Ashantiashanti]

Yes. It is worth it.

Look at highly recommended Scuba Junkies. Dive Komodo | Scuba Junkie Komodo

After further research it seems day trips from Labuan Bajo to Komodo costs the same as day trip dives from Nusa L./P. And flight tickets are not too bad from Bali either. We might ditch diving in Nusa L/P and the Gilis and just go to Labuan Bajo.

However, I think we would only do max 2 days of diving (6 dives in total) while there. From my research it seems there's not much else to do from Labuan Bajo.. So trying to think if its worth flying there "just" to do 2 days of diving. I tried seeing if there's some trekking but there isn't much either.

The benefit of the Gilis and Nusa L/P would be that we can socialize and party (I guess?),

What do you guys think?

 

[Centrals]

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What better way to experience the wonders of a Komodo Liveaboard, than with Scuba Junkie aboard our unique phinisi style boat- the KLM Eliya!

www.scubajunkiekomodo.com

Two diving days based on land is also available.

Budget Liveaboard | Mimic | Wunderpus Liveaboard

Adventure in unrivalled budget comfort, while enjoying the personal service of a private charter for up to 6 guests on our Mimic Liveaboard.

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There is a trip report in SB.

 

[matts1w]

After further research it seems day trips from Labuan Bajo to Komodo costs the same as day trip dives from Nusa L./P. And flight tickets are not too bad from Bali either. We might ditch diving in Nusa L/P and the Gilis and just go to Labuan Bajo.

However, I think we would only do max 2 days of diving (6 dives in total) while there. From my research it seems there's not much else to do from Labuan Bajo.. So trying to think if its worth flying there "just" to do 2 days of diving. I tried seeing if there's some trekking but there isn't much either.

The benefit of the Gilis and Nusa L/P would be that we can socialize and party (I guess?),

What do you guys think?

There is about as much going on at night in Labuan Bajo as there is on Nusa Lembongan. Combining world-class diving with nightlife ain't happening in Indonesia. One or the other has to give.

You keep asking if diving the Komodo National Park is worth the extra flight and effort versus diving Nusa Penida/Lembongan. I think at least 90% of us here will all say absolutely. The two are not the same.

Trekking Komodo Island is a thing.

 

[Ashantiashanti]

Unique Komodo Liveaboard Experience- Book Now!

What better way to experience the wonders of a Komodo Liveaboard, than with Scuba Junkie aboard our unique phinisi style boat- the KLM Eliya!

www.scubajunkiekomodo.com

Two diving days based on land is also available.

Budget Liveaboard | Mimic | Wunderpus Liveaboard

Adventure in unrivalled budget comfort, while enjoying the personal service of a private charter for up to 6 guests on our Mimic Liveaboard.

wunderpusliveaboard.com

There is a trip report in SB.

Thanks for your message! I am very curious about the Mimic lob. I cannot find the trip report you mention. Can you link it for me please?

 

[Centrals]

Thanks for your message! I am very curious about the Mimic lob. I cannot find the trip report you mention. Can you link it for me please?

The respective member name's is diveUEA.

 

[xtraspicy]

The respective member name's is diveUEA.

Correcting for Centrals, its diveUAE

 

[scubajunky17]

I dived south Lombok in the crazy currents. It is not for new or inexperienced divers. We had one chap with us claiming he was really experienced and he was halfway through his DM course. He panicked off the boat and had to be brought back to the boat.
He thought we were all nuts and never dived with us in South Lombok again.

I will go back there again it was a blast for me had a great time. Yes nothing to do at night time except eat good food and chill.
I don't need bars and night life.

I dived in Lemgonan with Tamarind Divers and had a great time but they only two dives a day due to strong currents in late afternoons.

What's special about these dive sites in South Lombok then?

 

[Dan]

A side note, both "gili" and "nusa" are words for "island."

More side note, “pulau” also means “island”. Which word is used in front of the name of the island depends on the size of the island. Pulau Bali > Nusa Penida > Gili Air.