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Best snorkelling/Diving in Indo?
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Animal_lover
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Where would you guys recommend for underwater fun? Gillis look good but are there any other spots worth a dip? Particularly thinking around central/east Java or Bali/Lombok.
Dreaming of turtles, though Jaws is just about to start on TV which might put me off...
#1 Posted: 4/2/2013 - 15:05
somtam2000
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Gilis are good, also west Bali - particularly Menjangan Island near Pemuteran , is excellent -- can't help on the other spots sorry.
#2 Posted: 5/2/2013 - 20:44
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busylizzy
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Around Komodo or Rinca Islands if you want to travel that far. Alternatively there is also good snorkeling off of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, both of which are accessible from Bali.
#3 Posted: 5/2/2013 - 20:51
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Animal_lover
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Thanks Guys :0)
#4 Posted: 6/2/2013 - 03:48
tezza
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I thought Menjangan was above average for SE Asia. The Gilis are pretty good - some of the best stuff can be accessed from the budget glass-bottom 3 island trips which leave from all islands and do snorkelling in a number of places - saw some nice turtles on the Meno Banks on one of these trips.
I understand if you are prepared to head further east in Indo diving and snorkelling gets a whole lot better. Haven't had the chance personally except for a few snorkels off northern Sumbaya which were nothing to write home to mum about.
#5 Posted: 7/2/2013 - 00:23
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Animal_lover
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Thanks Tezza, Menjangan is now firmly on the list! Looks fairly easy to get to from the java ferry (fingers crossed anyway) :0) assume you stayed on the mainland rather than the island? Did you venture much into the National Park?
#6 Posted: 7/2/2013 - 01:56
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Menjangan, Seraya secrets and the Liberty wreck at 6am before the crowds and during sunrise is magical. Some of the best diving around. Also Komodo and if you are up to it Bunaken NP and Lembeh strait on North Sulawesi. Bit out of the way but easily reached bij plane to Manado. And worth the trip.
#7 Posted: 7/2/2013 - 02:35
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It's not a great distance from Gilimanuk where the Java ferries land to Pemuteran which has the most accommodation. The north coast road is busy and would almost certainly have buses heading across to Singaraja and probably smaller public bemos to towns in between.
I don't think it is possible for tourists to stay on the island. There are a few places to stay around Labuan Lalan, the small departure harbour for the island which is abt 15-20 km west of Pemuteran. A really good choice in Pemuteran which is a nice town with okay snorkeling and diving off the beach.
I was time-short and didn't have a chance to do a National Park trek.
#8 Posted: 9/2/2013 - 18:57
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How about Kanawa island near Komodo National Park......
#9 Posted: 12/2/2013 - 21:01
tezza
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Yeah, one I forgot. I've snorkelled off Kanawa - was quite impressed. While not world class I'd consider it very close to Menjangan. Nice little island to stay on too and you are only a few minutes from the fringing reef.
#10 Posted: 13/2/2013 - 01:19
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tyler
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Can definitely recommend Menjangan. You probably won't stay on the beach with a small budget though!
#11 Posted: 13/2/2013 - 22:02
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How about Karimun Jawa? It can be reached from Jepara or Semarang (both in Central Java) by speedboat. I haven't been there myself, but I've heard good reviews of it.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294228-d1139103/Java:Indonesia:Karimunjawa.html
#12 Posted: 17/2/2013 - 02:28
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I haven't been to Karimunjawa myself, but according to a well-traveled Indonesian friend it is only good by Javan standards, eg nothing special compared to places further east.
As Komodo NP has already been mentioned, I think Red Beach on the island of Komodo itself is also pretty good.
Other "bests", further out, include the Raja Ampat Islands, Banda Islands, Bunaken Marine Park, Alor, Sangalaki Islands.
All these would be quite a trip from Bali, with Bunaken being the easiest to reach and Raja Ampat the most spectacular (and expensive).
#13 Posted: 18/2/2013 - 20:48
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Outside of Raja Empat or Komodo, i would advise to go East Bali, around Candidasa. Here you find the best dive sites of Bali within maximum 1 hour traveling.
As "experienced" Bali Diver is East Bali for me the "hidden pearl of Bali."
Dive sites like Tulamben (also snorkeling), Seraya, Amed, Candidasa (Gili Mimpang, Gili Tepekong) the dive sites around Padang Bai (also snorkeling), Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan are one of the best Bali has to offer.
Also with the variety of hotels and restaurants in Candidasa you can always find something which fits your wishes.
#14 Posted: 28/2/2013 - 00:22
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For turtles - go to Derawan or Lombok, plenty there.
If you are more snorkeler, you can also consider Tanjung Karang beach, Donggala Palu - the house reef strech more than a km. Not the best dive site for Indoneisan standard, but the place is quite relaxing.
From Donggala you can have a day trip to Marantale or Parigi - beautiful reef, huge sponges and cristal clear water; the vis. more than 40 m when we visited on July 2011. But if you're into big fish, you'll be dissapointed with Marantale. For shark lovers, you must dive Pasi kawe and north atol, dozens will be circling around you.
#15 Posted: 8/3/2013 - 11:17
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Hi Animal_lover,
My favourite islands are Alor and Pantar. Viz is fantastic there. I've been there 3 times already and am going again this July/August.
For dive operators, getting there and away, accommodation ... check out
http://hirang.webs.com/diving.htm
All 4 dive operators have a good reputation. If you snorkel and do not dive, they will usually take you along on the dive boat. Some of the dive sites are good snorkelling sites as well.
Furthermore, snorkelling is good along the drop off in Alor Besar Village, where the water is shallow and calm, and off the small beaches on Kepa Island, where there is a bit of a current. On the latter, (as a snorkeller) you sometimes see blacktip reef sharks - they get pretty close to the shore - and turtles.
All the best,
Walter, Austria
#16 Posted: 24/3/2013 - 06:30
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Hirang, Alor, NTT, Indonesia