WHY BALI IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR DIVING VACATION FOR DIVER ?
By Kaufik Anril H.

There are 15 reasons, why divers from foreign country come to Bali to spend their holiday.

Reason #1, Heaven for Civilized Divers
Bali is heaven for this type of diver, because they are averse to dive in remote area where far from civilization. This type of divers ussually stay at fancy hotels and doing their diving activity near the hotel itself. After dive they used to have a glass of beer in the pubs and enjoy with Bali's night life. This type of diver like to dive in Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Benoa because of its distance which very close to the triangle tourist center (Kuta, Sanur, and Nusa Dua).

Legian street

Reason #2, BALI Is a Diving Academy
Why ? For them who want to start diving to experienced divers who wished diving as their carrier by becoming a diving Instructor could gain their status in Bali. Diving education from entry level to Instructor level are available in Bali. Ussually training activities could be held in Nusa Dua, Sanur, Padang Bai, and Tulamben depend on what kind of training. Padang Bai also suitable for Confined Water Session due to its calmness which make swimmingpool-like condition.

A Dive shop in Sanur area

Reason #3, Bali for Scientist
Tulamben, 60 miles away to east from Denpasar has amazing underwater life. Here, a war ship USS Liberty sunk at 3-35 meter of depth and hosted by thousands creatures. Many scientist do their research here and found many new unnamed species. Local people taking participation to preserve underwater life in their teritory because diving activities are major income for them instead of their dry land.

Pair of firefish in Tulamben

Reason #4, Bali for Wreck Divers
Beside USS Liberty wreck, Bali has anchor wreck in Menjangan Island at the quite challenging depth to dive at. Another wreck was located in Amed (Lipah).

Fish feeding in Tulamben

Reason #5, Bali for deep divers
Batu Kelebit, the dive site located in the eastern of Tulamben vilage offer a good deep dive where healthy coral can be seen down to 75 meters !! World of mouth say that a dive guide (best dive guide in Bali) had ever seen school of hammerhead shark in this area.

Reason #6, Bali for Drift Divers
Nusa Penida area which consist Nusa Ceningan anda Nusa Lembongan offers different underwater ambient. In this area, strong current 2 - 8 knot and unussual water temperature (For tropical water) which sometimes could reach 17C are common here. For them who want to start adventure in this area could dive at SD Point, Toyapakeh, and Sental for first drift dive experience. After gaining some experiences, drift divers may dive in higher level sites like Malibu, Blue Corner, Crystal Bay where very strong current (5+ Knots) sometimes sweep this area. Ussually strong current hosted by many pelagic. Because of its unpredictable, sometimes there's no current available in this area. If satisfied with these 3 islands, we can move to Gili Tepekong / Goat Island area which consist Biaha and Mimpang Island. Beside strong current and low temperature make diving in this area could produce more adrenalin. Current here often swirl produce strong down current which strong enough to suck you down. We call it 'the toilet' or 'washing machine'. Maybe you wondering how strong the current take you down ? Sometimes 3 full inflated BCD cannot help you to the surface. There's no other way to maintain depth other than hold to a big rock. Don't dive too far from reef if you dive here. You will be paid by gorgeus underwater scene, even we think this area are the best dive site in Bali or even Indonesia. Sharks an other pelagics are common here. Respect to Nature, don't act conceited especially if you dive in this area. Some divers was missing in this area, ironically, most of the victims are exeperienced divers.

Nusa Lembongan Island

Reason #7, Bali for Cave Divers
For those who just started diving could enjoy cave diving which suitable for beginner in Menjangan Island. There's a small cave where we can penetrate safely. We can see sun light enter the small hole at the roof of the cave. For experienced divers could try Crystal Bay in Nusa Penida. The mouth of the cave lies at 18 meters followed by entrance path along 20 meter to a chamber. The chamber are hosted by bats and has connection to the land. In order to enter this cave we need precise timing because of its strong current and surge.

Reason #8, Bali for Pelagic Maniacs
For those who love big fishes like sharks, mantas, sunfish, etc. can try divesites where strong current are common. For sharks, there's a big chance to see them in Tepekong. Sometimes, if you were lucky, you can see Sunfish in Penida, Tepekong, or even Tulamben.

Reason #9, Bali for Macro Photographer
For those who like tiny creatures can dive at Secret Bay (Near Ferry Harbour which connect Java and Bali Island). In this area, dive profile not too deep, but there so many variation of tiny creatures for macro photography. Maybe this site similar with Lembeh / BItung in North Sulawesi.

Reason #10, Bali for underwater wall
If you like wall diving like in Bunaken North Sulawesi, you will be hapy to dive in Menjangan Island. Here the dive profile are wall diving down to 75 meters. At the best season, the vizibility could reach 45 meter.

Sunset in Pamuteran

Reason #11, Bali is All season Diving
Generally, we can say that Bali's water could be dived every time all the year. For optimum condition, you can follow a rule of thumb. "Go to southeast or northwest for diving during rainy season, and go to Northeast or South for diving during dry season.

Reason #12, Bali for Family
For those who had married sometimes find obstacle to do your diving activity because they have to leave their children while diving. In Bali, for you who travel with your family can use service from cruise company for diving while your family can enjoy many atractions at the pontoon. The pontoon itself has so much atraction such as, snorkelling, underwate aquarium, glass bottom boat, island tour, banana boat, etc. It's really can bring totally hapiness for your familiy to enjoy your holiday here.

Quick Silver Cruise

Reason #13, Bali famous for their hospitality
Divers would feel like at home in Bali, even many places offers outstanding diving environment. Bali has friendly people who will care you as their impresive guest in their land. Their hospitality integrated with their culture make milions people in the world stunned with this exotic island.

Reason #14, Bali is a base for scuba divers
Why ? Bali is a gateway to Indonesian underwater world. A fabulous divesites located in South east celebes called Wakatobi set Bali as their embarkation for flight route to their resort. Divers who want to sail and dive by joining a liveaboard tour to Nusa Tenggara like komodo always set Bali as their embarkation point. Divers who want to take diving vacation in Lombok (next to Bali) must come to Bali first before get to lombok.

Reason #15, Flying After Diving
It's too early for you to flying home after your dive vacation in Bali. Enjoy your after-dive days by having balinese massage style, or you can visit many tourism sites or even you can go for shooping for souvenir. White water rafting, Bungy Jumping, Sky diving, etc. should be a good choice for you who like outdoor activity. There's too many activities that you can take in the island who resides milions enchantments.

Waterboom Park

This article written based on my experienced.
Author,

 

Kaufik Anril H., ST.
PADI Instructor #464156