Padang Bai: The Forgotten Paradise

February 12, 2013 | admin

Padang Bai may not be as popular as the busy Kuta and Sanur as Bali’s top tourist destinations as people go to Padang Bai only to catch a port to Lombok. Therefore, not so many people know that the tiny port town also has lots to offer, especially to divers and snorkelers.

It takes 90 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai Airport to this small lovely place with a pre-paid coupon costs Rp. 365.000,-. From Kuta and Legian, it take about 1 hour to 90 minutes drive. Alternatively, you can take Perama shuttle bus from several tourist spots such as Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Candidasa and Lovina. Make sure you book in advance. For cheaper option, bemo can be found in Batubulan terminal, Denpasar. From Lombok, it is easier to get ferry to Padang Bai as ferry is available 24 hours a day. The trip usually takes about four hourse (but can be longer in poor weather) and costs Rp. 36.000,-. Despite the affordable price, the ferry is clean and comfortable and there is a private room for tourist ( you pay for an extra Rp. 50.000,-).

There are many friendly diving centers in Padang Bai where you can start experiencing the beauty of Bali’s underwater.

• Water Worx Dive Center

This dive center was opened in 2011 and run by two expats who have been in Bali since the mid 1990s, David and Wolfgang. Both are experienced dive guides and dive instructors for various dive operators in Bali and Lombok.

If you want to explore some dive sites in Bali, you can come to the center in the morning or they will pick you from the hotel where you are staying. This center offers a pick up service from your hotel in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, Sanur and Ubud for a small surcharge. The prices include transfer from Padang Bai or Candidasa to the dive sites such as Blue Lagoon, Gili Mimpang,Gili Tepekong, Gili Selang, Manta Point and so on. The prices that include rental equipment are slightly higher than the prices including tanks, weights and belts.

In addition, this diving center in Padang Bai also offers a wide range of dive courses, conducted by  experienced and certified instructors. For beginners, you can choose whether you can take Introductory Dive Course in Tulamben (US$ 85 for 1 dive or US$ 115 for 2 dives) or in Blue Laggon (US$75 for 1 dive or US$ 105 for 2 dives). However, the prices do not include the course manuals so you have to purchase it in order to get the certificate.

 

• Geko Dive Bali

This is one of the most recommended diving centers in Padang Bai, you can check on tripadvisor.com. There are various attractive packages, such as Fun Dive (for professional divers only) and PADI Diving Course. For Dun Dive package, you enjoy 3 days dive starting from Rp. 1.985.000,- to Rp. 2.655.000,-.

This center also helps you find accommodation, from budget hotel to most exclusive, there are many choices that suit your need (as Geko Dive Bali does not offer accommodation directly). Additional info, this center is committed to protecting environment and local community empowerment.

Hope this information help you enjoy your dive experience in Padang Bai. Happy diving!

Diving in Togian Island

February 12, 2013 | admin

Indonesia as a country consisted with thousands of island is known as the diving paradise by the surfers. There are hundreds of diving spots in here which attracting diver from all around the globe. In Sulawesi, you might have heard about Bunaken as the ocean paradise with many corals and beautiful underwater life to see. However, there is another place in this island that will attract you, it is the Togian Islands. This island does not seem to be as famous as Bunaken, but the coral reef will not lose to Bunaken. Beautiful marine life under the water just lying there waiting for you to discover.

Togian Islands is located on Tomini Bay in Sulawesi Island. Most travelers who come to Sulawesi and want to cross from North to South or vice versa are usually stopped at this island first. Togian Islands is a magnificent island consist of 56 small islands which formed by the volcanic activity. The archipelago of this island is covered with dense rainforest and a beautiful coral reef circling these islands. While it is not advisable to travel in the rainforest because it has a lot of mosquitos which can infect you with malaria, the coral reef is like a brand new world for you to take your adventure to.

If you wish to visit Togian Islands, then you should take a flight to Gorontalo then take a boat to Togian Islands. This boat scheduled is only twice a week with no fixed schedules so you have to check frequently. The other way to visit this island is by taking a bus from Gorontalo to Bumbulan continues with a ferry to Togian Islands. This trip is much shorter than the taking a ferry directly. From Bumbulan, it only took 5 hours while if you go straight from Gorontalo it will take around 13 hours.

Togian Islands provide you with many diving or snorkeling opportunities for you who loved the underwater life.There are also many diving centers in Togian Island for you to choose. As for the diving site you can choose to explore 3 types of coral reef which are fringe, barrier and atoll or you can all of them to complete your journey in Togian Islands. For you advanced divers, this island provides you with other fascinating spots which are Unauna an active volcano and B24 World War II bomber wreck.

There are a lot of diving centers in Togian Island that can guide you while you stay in Togian Islands. These resorts take USD and EUR as their payment currency but you can also use IDR in here. The diving price is ranging from EUR 26 or USD 60 depends on which resort and tour you choose. There is also a very cheap cottage with price starting from IDR 100.000,-. While there is no money changer or ATM in this island, please make sure you bring enough cash. Some of the dive center might accept credit card but you should check with them first.

Overall this complex of islands is really good and very calm, so you do not have to worry about strong current while you are diving or snorkeling. Do not stop at Bunaken only, Togian Islands also has its own unique marine life for you to enjoy. Happy diving!!

Diving in Donggala

February 12, 2013 | admin

Sulawesi is truly the paradise for divers. Many diving site available in this island and some of those sites are available for all divers. You might never hear the word Donggala, or does not even know where Donggala is. For a heads up, Donggala is located in Sulawesi Island and it is a pretty secluded place. This site is not like any other diving site in the big city in Sulawesi, there is only 1 diving resort in here. However, In terms of easy to reach, Donggalamight be the winner. If you do not have much time for diving and looking for a site that is does not take much time to travel to, thenDonggala is your answer.

Donggala is located in Central Sulawesi, near Palu. Donggala itself is a small village which you can reach with only 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from the airport in Palu. As mention above, there is only 1 diving center in Donggala, more precisely at TanjungKarang a small beach located in north of Donggala. Based on the weather map, Donggala is the driest place in Indonesia, which is a good for you divers.

Since there is only 1 diving center in Donggala, you can only come to this place, The Prince John Diving Resort, if you wish to have guidance about the diving spot. The Prince John Diving Resort has 15 bungalows and each of the bungalows has a direct access to the beach. If you are not on your diving activities, enjoying the sea view from your bungalow would be a good choice either. This resort gives you full services from accommodation, diving or snorkeling and also meals. The price for a single dive in here is starting from EUR 29. This resort also provide discount if you come in group. If you wish to have a diving package there is also a package for min 4 person with price IDR 3.500.000,- per person.

There are several dive sites in this beach, the first one would be the Gili Raja wrecks. In this site, you can see a huge ship which sinks in 1958. Not everyone is allowed to enter this site because not only the depth (it is 50 meters under water), but also because this ship is preserved. Diving log or certificate will not do here; you have to convince the diving instructor that you are capable to dive in this site.

For you beginner divers, you might want to visit House Reef site. In this site, there are a lot of beautiful corals and hundreds of fishes playing in the coral. This place also good for a night dive and moreover it is easy to reach.

Last but not least are the Batu Suya, Enu I and Enu II. These sites is located in north of Donggala and it took around 30 minute to 40 minute by boat. The depth is ranging in here so it is good for you who are beginner or already a professional diver. You can see beautiful coral and mackerel fish in here and a beautiful longnose hawk fishes.

That is all about Donggala. Overall, it is the best choice if you look for a calm dive sites with less people, yet the view is also beautiful. The resort also gives good services. Even though it is only one resort, but after you enter you might not want to choose other resort if available.

Where to dive in Raja Ampat

February 12, 2013 | admin

Raja Ampat (Four Kings) cannot be described by thousands words. It is more than just a beautiful dive spot as it is also home to the largest variety of marine species on this planet. Be ready to get stunned by what Raja Ampat has to offer. Imagine that this place has 600 hard coral species, 1.511 species of reef fish, 27 species of endemic fish, 57 species of Mantis shrimp, 13 species of marine mammals, 5 species of rare turtles. In addition, 75% of world’s hard coral are found in this wonderful paradise. No wonder people say that in one dive, they can see around 400 coral reefs. Therefore, Raja Ampat is also protected by the Indonesian law.

To be able to watch this amazing marine phenomenon, you can fly to Sorong from Jakarta, Bali or Surabaya with a connecting flight to Makassar or Manado. For those who do not live in Asia, transiting in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong is probably the best choice as they have more up to date facilities. From Sorong, there are two choices of boats: speed boat carrying 15 passengers (40 minutes-1 hour trip) costs Rp. 2.000.000,- and long boat (about 2-3 hours trip) carrying 10 passengers for the cost of Rp. 1.200.000,-. All the prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Most divers join dive tour and live in a dive resort during their stay in this archipelago. Here are some diving centers in Raja Ampat which you can choose:

• Raja4Divers

Located in a remote but beautiful Pef Island, this dive operator is one of the best diving centers in Raja Ampat. Run by a couple from Germany, this dive center also relies on their qualified and friendly Papuan dive guides. The facilities there are top class and safety is guaranteed there. Each dive boat is already equipped with standard safety equipment, from first aid kits to 2-way radio.

There are various packages from diving to snorkeling. Even you can take your kids join with you as there are also packages for kids (age 11-17), starting from Euro 1.500. This center offers some discounts for those who dive in group. Let us say if your group consists of 8 divers or non divers, you only pay for 7 people and 1 person is free of charge. There is also 5% discount for honeymooners.

 

• Raja Ampat Dive Resort

There are two packages, for divers (the prices start from Euro 655 to Euro 1.750) and non divers (the prices start from Euro 280 to Euro 750). This resort also actively promotes environmental protection and helps visitors participate in preserving this wonderful fish capital.

This resort as well as dive center is recommended by the leading travel site, tripadvisor.com. Just read the testimonials, you will know why this center is one of the best diving centers in Raja Ampat.

 

• Misool Eco Resort

Misool Eco Resort is an eco friendly resort with a dive center and a conservation center. There are several attractive packages including accommodation and you can choose whether you want to stay at water cottage or deluxe villa.

Missol Eco Resort also has several reef conservation projects that build awareness among local society on the importance of environmental protection. In addition, they also show support of early education by building a kindergarten in late 2011.

No matter who you are, divers or non divers, Raja Ampat has lots to make you impressed. This paradise really makes people keep coming back again and again, so be ready to come back again.

What You Need to Know About Nunukan

February 12, 2013 | admin

Nunukan sounds unfamiliar to most tourists, even to Indonesians. Most Indonesians know Nunukan as a small town on the island with the same name that borders the neighbouring Malaysia. However, you will be amazed by how fascinating this place is and how the small town in East Kalimantan has lots to offer. For divers, Nunukan may not be as popular as Raja Ampat or Gili Trawangan, however, the dive sites there are impressive, surrounded with all kinds of fish and beautiful coral reefs.

If you plan to visit Nunukan, make sure that you get the visa in advance as Nunukan is not included as a visa-on-arrival entry point. You can reach Nunukan by boat operated by government-owned PELNI from several cities in Nusa Tenggara, Bali, Sulawesi, Java and Kalimantan. From Malaysia, you can get there from Tawau, ­Sabah, Malaysia.

There is a main diving center in Nunukan, called Nabucco’s Nunukan Island Resort. This center offers day-trip tours to some great dive sites at Sangalaki and Kakaban Island. Besides those dive sites, d

o not forget to visit South Maratua and “Big fish Country” one of the most famous dive sites there. This diving center in Nunukan is equipped with full set of diving equipment such as regulator, BCD, emergency oxygen and so on. This center also offers diving course, ranging from Refresher course (45 Euro, including one dive and theory lesson) to SSI Speciality Course (each 160 Euro, certification included). As mentioned before, there are some half-day trips to Nunukan’s wonderful dive sites such as  Sangalaki and Big Fish Country. Halfday trips to Maratua cost 15 Euro, Big Fish Country 20 Euro and if you prefer full day trips, you can choose daytrips to Sangalaki and Kakaban dive spots for 40 Euro. There is additional cost to the house reef.

You can reach the dive spots near the house reef by traditional boat, or Tuk Tuk and it only takes about  1-10 minutes from the center. A modern boat is used for the day trips to guarantee divers’ safety. The house reef is surrounded by a sloping wall (about 40 meters deep) and you will be impressed by what you can see there. Just mention bumphead parrot fish, groupers, eagle rays, leopard sharks as well as nurse sharks. Besides that, other kinds of magnificent undersea creatures are available under the wonderful water of Nunukan, from nudibranchs to seahorses.

The resort is at the southern end of the Maratua atoll, on the outer reef. The bungalows are built carefully into the nature. The price starts from 116 Euro for Single room (half board that includes breakfast with fresh juice, coffee, tea and 5 course dinner) to triple half board that cost you 74 Euro (full board for triple room is 85 Euro). Lunch is included in full board. There are also some arranged packages that include accommodation you can choose.

This diving center in Nunukan really spoils you as divers. However, there are still some attractions you can see while you are there, such as Binusan waterfall, Kayan Mentarang National Park and wonderful Batu Lamampu and Sedadap beaches.