Tulemben in October?

[Steelyeyes]

My wife and I will be in the area of Tulmeben in October. How is the weather there that time of year? It looks like it's mostly shore entries. We lived in Bonaire and have done some shore diving in other places. We're mostly concerned about how sporty the entry and exits are that time of year.

 

[growcurlyhair]

i went there last week! I think the shore dive entries aren't too bad.

However there was one spot (boga wreck) where the waves were quite rough and the rocks by the entry was quite unstable with large (round) rocks.

There was a single unexpectedly large swell and my buddy (300+ dives) fell forwards and tore a bit of his wetsuit on the knee. I fell backwards and landed on the tank.

Other spots were black sandy shore entries.

I think you're definitely fine!

 

[growcurlyhair]

we dove at almost all the dive sites in the bali mainland (less nusa penida and smaller islets). I think the highlights were

- Garden Eel Point (at menjangan island) by far 4.5/5 - Coral diving
- Pyramids 3.5/5 - light chill drift
- Ghost Bay night dive 4/5 - night muck for mimic octopuses .etc.
- Boga wreck 4/5 - way better than liberty

 

[Blackreef]

I dived there 2 weeks ago, the sea was quite calm. Just be a little cautious entering and exiting the sea because the beach is mostly large rocks like what the post above said. If you slip, you could sprain your ankle so try holding hands with your buddy if possible and don’t rush.

 

[hedonist222]

You need rock booties or anything with firm soles.

I've been a few times and even when weather is great, there can be very challenging waves. Like the poster above recounts.

The first time i went, I had a terrible time entering.
The regular booties i had on were very stretchy and soft which caused my feet to move around inside the bootie. No stability.
It was like walking on marbles.

I since got a pair of reasonably priced Cressi (or aqua lung? ) rock boots.

Nice and solid and grippy sole.
Makes entering much easier.

If you find yourself in between sizes with Booties, you can wear a thin Neoprene sock.

 

[JonnieB]

Been here diving for a month. It was a little wavy (nothing serious) in late September, but since October, the surf and seas have been essentially flat. (A day or two of mini surf, ⅓ meter, at the past new moon.) The currents have been negligible as well and the vis has been fantastic. As previously mentioned, depending on your age/fitness level, entries/exits can be tricky if there is any surf in Tulamben, due to the presence of pebbles and boulders making it difficult to get a stable footing. As mentioned, if you have them, definitely bring rigid-sole booties (not soft ones). These make it much easier. You dive guide will also assist with entries/exits if necessary.

If there is any surf, or if you just want extra safety, enter AND exit with your reg in and mask on. Then if you get rolled, at least you can see and breath. If you do get rolled, DON'T try to stand up (you'll just get knocked down again), get on all fours and either crawl back to shore and try again, or better inflate a bit (should be done before entry) crawl into the water and float up to the surface, and then don fins and swim out.