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

[Blackcrusader]

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

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[Blackcrusader]

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

 

[scubajunky17]

Nice, is that regular?

 

[Blackcrusader]

Nice, is that regular?

Yeah it is.

 

[scubajunky17]

How often then? Season? MOLA MOLA?
Is it at Belongas?

 

[Blackcrusader]

How often then? Season? MOLA MOLA?
Is it at Belongas?

Mola I saw at Crystal Bay. Manta and Mobula at Belongas and the site is a feeding spot for them that's why it looks murky due to all the plankton.

 

[TheRedBeanPanda]

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?

Hey, how's your planning been going?
I would like to chime in that it is absolutely worth it. You said that you've already been to these sites so you'll know that Bali & around doesn't compare to Komodo. However, if your friend just recently got his OW, another consideration might be that it would be better for him to "save" Komodo for when he is more experienced and can enjoy it more, even when there are stronger currents. The Gilis on the other hand are ideal for beginners with a lot of calm and warm water but also some sites with currents where your friend can ease into that. They also have loads of great dive schools where he can do his AOW if he wants to.
If you still decide to go to Komodo, LOB-wise I can recommend Scuba Republic's Bajak. Their trips are shorter (two or three nights) and they have bunk options with up to four people in a cabin which drives down the overall price.