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| Indonesia | ||||||||
Indonesia is a dive hot spot that unfortunately provides few
choices.... While Bali's culture is fantastic (especially if you get away from
the coast), the diving's not as spectacular as in other parts of Indonesia....
On Bali's east coast the Libertywreck at Tulamben is a favorite among fish
specialists, who claim to find a new species on every visit. On the north end
there's a good chance of diving with mola molas.... While they're certainly
harder to get to than Bali, I think the Banda Islands have some of the best
coral and fish life in the world.... Although it offers few big fish, Wakatobi,
a operation in remote southern Sulawesi, offers fantastic color, amazing biodiversity,
and one of the best beach dives in the world.... If bizarre and rare creatures
are a lure, Ambon has a dive that surpasses even PNG's famous muck dives, as
does Kungkungan Bay in northern Sulawesi.... If you're into big turtles (and
lots of them), Borneo Diver's operation on Sangalaki, which once got excellent
reviews, finally reopened last year, and nearby Derawan Resort dives these waters
as well ....The island of Flores had great diving until it was hit by a typhoon
and tidal wave that destroyed its reefs.... Although it's seldom been reached
by live-aboards, the diving around Komodo, the home of the dragons, is excellent.
Sea Contactsstarted trips there this year.... Choices for live-aboards
in Indonesia have been slim; the Pinditocovers a lot of the same territory
as the Cehilidid, but it's mainly booked by Europeans and offers only
two dives a day.... Northern Sulawesi has few choices for land-based resorts,
and the live-aboard Serenadeleaves from the Murex Resort near Manado....
Look for more new live-aboards and new resorts to pop up in virgin territory
if the country's political situation doesn't get further out of hand.... While
domestic flights have suffered cutbacks, there are some real bargains on international
fares....Although the volatile political scene has put a cloud over diving Indonesia,
so far it's had little effect on Bali, Manado, Wakatobi, and Sangalaki. Check
with the State Department before travel, and inquire about specific destinations
rather than asking about the country as a whole. Before you leave, get a copy
of Kal Muller's Underwater Indonesia....
For full reviews of the following Indonesian destinations and
live-aboards, see:
Sea Contacts I- Komodo and Rinca Islands, Indonesia,
Undercurrent - September 1999
Wakatobi Sulawesi,
Undercurrent - October 1997
Pindito,In Depth - May 1997
Gilis Islands Lombok,
In Depth - March 1997
Kungkungan Bay Sulawesi,
In Depth - June 1996
Derawan Resort,
In Depth - June 1996
Serenade,In Depth - April 1995 Baruna Adventurer, July 1998, Matt and Ellen Tate, Kokomo, IN. Old, slow boat, but extremely comfortable, cabins quite large. Set-up for 20 guests and 16 divers, but the dive deck is very small. We had 6 and I would not have wanted to be there with 10 or more, especially picture takers. Divemaster safety conscious. Good briefs, good directions always observant. Coral outstanding. Critters great. Vis: 45-80 ft. Water: 80 degrees. No dive restrictions. Absolutely not for beginners because of current. Got caught in down currents twice, exciting. (Ph: 011-62-361-753820, Fax: 011-62-361-753809, e-mail: baruna@denpasar.wasantara.net.id)
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