Where in Bali would be my home base?

[charlier]

Charlier, would May be considered off season? When the time comes for me to book, I will definitely speak with Cedric at Geko. I will need to have a set plan in place before I make the trip. I've already researched staying at Tulamben Wreck Divers or Liberty Dive Resort. I could just arrange for my stay at Tulamben to take place after my dives from Padang Bai. But my overall plan was to dive Bali then do topside stuff like Ubud. Padang Bai is much closer to Ubud so it would be a bit counter productive to go from Padang Bai to Tulamben then back to Ubud. Maybe Tulamben 1st?

First, can someone that lives in Bali weigh-in here. From my experience, June-August is high season, but I am not a local. I agree, start your trip in Tulamben and work your way to Padang Bai and end up in Ubud.

 

[divewench1]

June to Sep-Oct is usually the busier time for divers (Mola Mola season), having said that, Bali doesn't have an off season for diving, even in rainy season there is always somewhere you can dive.

 

[jamesdiving]

Thanks to everyone for all their great information. 1. Ideally I would like to walk to the dive center in the morning or take a taxi as long as the taxi's aren't expensive (10 bucks usd each way). 2. Are there short term LOB to Komodo that are 4 days 3 nights? 3. How long is the trip from Bali to Komodo 4. How long is the trip from the airport to CandiDasa 5. How long is the trip from CandiDasato Liberty Dive Resort 6. How long is the trip from CandiDasa to Ubud I'm beginning to flush out something like. Am I too ambitious? Day 1 SFO>Hong Kong Day 2 Take long lay over and eat dumplings in Hong Kong Day 3 Fly to Bali and check into budget villa home base ($50 a night) Day 4-8 Local Dives Day 9-10 Ubud Day 11-15 Komodo LOB Day 16 Off Gas Day 17 Bali>Hong Kong >SFO

Hi Beth,

Couple of points.

1) taxis in Bali are v cheap

2) 4 day 3 night Liveaboard from Bali to Komodo will waste a lot of time travelling (if indeed such a thing exists). Labuan Bajo (nearest airport to Komodo) is an hour's flight away - if you're short of time it'd be better to fly. There are a number of shorter liveaboards departing Labuan Bajo at a range of prices.

3) Bali diving is good to very good. Komodo diving is awesome to out of this world. If I were you I'd switch a couple of days diving in Bali for a couple of days diving in Komodo. It's a phenomenal place - incredible coral, incredible fishlife, virtually guaranteed mantas - and above the water the scenery is fabulous. You really do feel like you could be in Jurassic Park - and then you see the dragons and realise you actually are.

4) Hong Kong is a big, dirty, expensive city. Sure it's a big, dirty, expensive city with incredible nightlife and probably the best skyline on earth, but it will eat up your budget very quickly. Without local knowledge and/or a lot of research I doubt you'll get much out of it as a stopover destination beyond the mere fact of breaking up your journey.

Hope this helps.

 

[Maverick17]

Hi Beth,
4) Hong Kong is...... Without local knowledge and/or a lot of research I doubt you'll get much out of it as a stopover destination beyond the mere fact of breaking up your journey.

HK can be great and if the OP likes dumplings then they're already getting a lot out of it with just the skyline, the layover, the dumplings, etc.

 

[gekodivebali]

May may reveal itself to be very busy this year. Many divers are currently diving in Bali. This is unusual as May is normally one of the slower months.
Not sure how next year will be but in 2014 it certainly feels different than in past years. Egypt effect? World Cup effect? Just Bali and Padang Bai becoming more popular for diving? I'm not sure what it is but you're better off booking in advance if you want to dive in May with your first choice of dive operators.

As for accommodation in Padang Bai, more and more small villas are becoming available. Most require renting a bike since they are located about 15 min walk from the village...

 

[Bubbles below]

You will love diving in Bali. I recently dove w Bali Bubbles and Bali Diving in Dec which is off season and it was amazing. Don't rely on dive op to pick you up from the airport! I especially like diving w Bali Diving, my guide name is Rudi ( i couldn't pronounced his name so he told us to call him Rudi). I like dive boat that are gear for divers w tank holders, most of their boats are 6packs or outrigger and no head, but all includes a nice hearty lunch at a restaurant or a box lunch if diving in Nusa Ped. There was a strong current, Crystal Bay, he kept us safe , even though we all had to hold on to a rock/reef and they also added another DM when we dove Nusa Ped ( manta point, crystal bay, and mangrove). I stayed in Candidasa (Rama Candidasa Hotel)and Sanur( Royal Bali Sanur). If I go back, I would stay in Tulamben, Sanur, and do a live board to Komodo. Get local taxi at the airport or arrange it w your hotel ($50-$70 USA) It is 1.5hours from the airport to Candidasa and 1hr to Liberty wreck site and Ubud. I really like the elephant safari and the water rafting expedition, Bali dances, batik factory, and the art district. I used the same driver for all my sightseeing for the day ($50-$100) but doesn't include park fees and lunch. His name is Madi(0819-3635-6820). Have a great trip!

 

[charlier]

Hi Beth,

2) 4 day 3 night Liveaboard from Bali to Komodo will waste a lot of time travelling (if indeed such a thing exists). Labuan Bajo (nearest airport to Komodo) is an hour's flight away - if you're short of time it'd be better to fly. There are a number of shorter liveaboards departing Labuan Bajo at a range of prices.

3) Bali diving is good to very good. Komodo diving is awesome to out of this world. If I were you I'd switch a couple of days diving in Bali for a couple of days diving in Komodo. It's a phenomenal place - incredible coral, incredible fishlife, virtually guaranteed mantas - and above the water the scenery is fabulous. You really do feel like you could be in Jurassic Park - and then you see the dragons and realise you actually are.

Hope this helps.

Hi Beth

I agree with James and consider switch a few days for diving in Komodo Is. As much as I enjoy diving on Bali, Komodo is a truly special place. Its a short flight from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo. Consider distance and drive time in Bali with a grain of salt. Traffic flow can greatly vary and a 1 hr trip can take longer. If possible, you might find flying through Singapore more convenient - a shorter flight to Bali with good connections. Take care of jet lag in Bali. car

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I'd like to do Komodo but the costs associated with diving there coupled with the inexperience of our group would be prohibitive at this time. A few years from now will be a different story.

 

[lamarpaulski]

You wont regret more time in Komodo and less in Bali...frankly best advice is go for longer...long travel there...Bali deserves a week or more...as does Komodo..then layover in Sing or Hkong is well worth a couple extra...did this in 2012...Komodo Diving and dragons was highlight but Ubud..Liberty and upcountry Bali all great....your only regret will be not giving it more time...

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[fantarara]

I live in Indonesia and have dived most areas of Bali several times and have gone on one Komodo LOB. I would support a home base of Candidasa and do surrounding areas. But the best diving in Bali outside of Tulamben are Menjangan (2-3 hours from Candidasa, one way) and Nusa Penida (mantas! crazy currents!) and Padang Bai (shark(s)! 1-2 hours away).

I do understand that dive safaris are not for everyone, but the thing is, why would you want to cook when eating out is CHEAP and delicious to boot! A good meal for two can be Rp100k if you don't go to the fancy places.

I would also support a longer Komodo trip if you have the budget.