Snorkelling in Bali

[Wolfgang]

Dear All,

Is Bali a good place to snorkel? I understand that it is great for surfing but what are the snorkelling opportunities like?

Do advise.

Thank you.

[An drew]

Bali has good dive sites but they are some distance away from the main beaches of Kuta and Legian. In that sense they take time to get there.

Lovina - dolphins and corals
Tulamben - wreck
Nusa Penida

Not really sure where the good snorkelling sites are but there should be some.

[Wolfgang]

Originally Posted by An drew Bali has good dive sites but they are some distance away from the main beaches of Kuta and Legian. In that sense they take time to get there. Lovina - dolphins and corals Tulamben - wreck Nusa Penida Not really sure where the good snorkelling sites are but there should be some.

How long would it take to go from Kuta though? Any rough estimates?

[An drew]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang How long would it take to go from Kuta though? Any rough estimates?

Bali is bigger than Singapore and roads not as good. From one end of island to the other is almost one day. But to certain places eg Kuta to Candidasa would be just a few hours.

Boats can also leave from harbours near Kuta to outlying islands. Boat journeys varies 1-3hrs?

There might be some snorkelling sites on the mainland further up from Seminyak or around Uluwatu. Just trying to give some info from my limited knowledge. Guidebooks or google should help you better.

TOP 9 Snorkelling sites in Bali/ Lombok, Indonesia

http://www.bidp-balidiving.com/eng/dive-sites/
SNORKELLING IN BALI & LOMBOK, INDONESIA

* Temple Slopes, East Menjangan Island
* Toyapakeh, Nusa Penida
* Liberty Wreck, Tulamben
* Tulamben House Reef & Drop-off, Tulamben
* Tugu, Nusa Penida
* Lembongan Marine Park, Nusa Lembongan
* S.D. (Sekolah Desar), Nusa Penida
* Pura Ped, Nusa Penida
* Frogfish Reef (Manuk Brie), Gili Air

[tomshen]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang How long would it take to go from Kuta though? Any rough estimates?

Hi Wolfy, not sure about the other two, but I witnessed one of the most beautiful twilights in my life in Lovina. The black sands there are quite special. My suggestion for central and northern Bali:

Day 1: charter a car from Kuta and stop at Ubud in the afternoon, going for streetshoot. My wife quite enjoyed at Ubud for obvious reason: spa! We particularly like the guesthouse in Ubud, quiet and

Day2: Going to North passing by Kintamani and stop at Lovina. The crop fields along the road are beautiful. Nothing much to see at Lovina but you may shoot the sunset, lovely!

Day3: watch dolphine and do snorkelling in the morning. Going back to Ubud after lunch. On the road pass by some lakes. Stop at Ubud and probably you could watch the shadow puppet show.

Day4: back to Kuta.

[Wolfgang]

Originally Posted by tomshen Hi Wolfy, not sure about the other two, but I witnessed one of the most beautiful twilights in my life in Lovina. The black sands there are quite special. My suggestion for central and northern Bali: Day 1: charter a car from Kuta and stop at Ubud in the afternoon, going for streetshoot. My wife quite enjoyed at Ubud for obvious reason: spa! We particularly like the guesthouse in Ubud, quiet and Day2: Going to North passing by Kintamani and stop at Lovina. The crop fields along the road are beautiful. Nothing much to see at Lovina but you may shoot the sunset, lovely! Day3: watch dolphine and do snorkelling in the morning. Going back to Ubud after lunch. On the road pass by some lakes. Stop at Ubud and probably you could watch the shadow puppet show. Day4: back to Kuta.

Hey Tomshen/An Drew,

Thanks for the info so far. The situation i have is another friend of mine is coming along and wishes to do surfing in Bali while i am more keen on snorkelling...

Any place that is able to accomodate both of us?

[An drew]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang Hey Tomshen/An Drew, Thanks for the info so far. The situation i have is another friend of mine is coming along and wishes to do surfing in Bali while i am more keen on snorkelling... Any place that is able to accomodate both of us?

The main and most popular surfing areas are at Kuta and Uluwatu (I think). Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are actually one long connected beach.

So base yourself either at Kuta or Uluwatu. Kuta has all the fun, restaurants, shopping and nightlife so would be a natural choice. Uluwatu is more for the hardcore surfers happy to sleep on the sand.

I do not know much about snorkelling near these places so you would have to enquire locally, there might be nearby reefs.

There are many adventure shops in Kuta providing all kinds of fun entertainment and they should be able to help you including transport. Personally I do not think you can get great snorkelling near surfing areas in Bali as it is quite developed and with the environmental impacts. Try to arrange a dive further offshore, or whitewater rafting, and that should give you memorable experiences that is as great as surfing in Bali.

I am full of envy.

Originally Posted by An drew There might be some snorkelling sites on the mainland further up from Seminyak or around Uluwatu. Just trying to give some info from my limited knowledge. Guidebooks or google should help you better.

[tomshen]

Don't think you can do surfing and snorkelling at the same location. Bali is famous for the good quality repeated waves (I could not remember the exact jagon).

Here is one shot of a surfer. Pity I am not into surfing. It could be very fun!

[An drew]

Originally Posted by tomshen Don't think you can do surfing and snorkelling at the same location. Bali is famous for the good quality repeated waves (I could not remember the exact jagon). Here is one shot of a surfer. Pity I am not into surfing. It could be very fun!

Nice pic, where is it taken. You appear to be high. Where is your position?

[tomshen]

Originally Posted by An drew Nice pic, where is it taken. You appear to be high. Where is your position?

Somewhere near Tanah Lot. Luckily spotted two surfers down there. Taken with 10D+70-200. I didn't know it's possible before my trip coz I had an impress that a 500mm lens is required. The waves are impressive, really non-stop type.

[juric]

Been snorkeling in lovina but its like in waters 3m deep , cant really swim with the fishes or among corals. going there again in september and looking into penida island , read its shallow snorkeling there.

[An drew]

Originally Posted by tomshen Somewhere near Tanah Lot. Luckily spotted two surfers down there. Taken with 10D+70-200. I didn't know it's possible before my trip coz I had an impress that a 500mm lens is required. The waves are impressive, really non-stop type.

Great results from the 70-200, it brings you close to the action. Tanah Lot is a beautiful place.

[Wolfgang]

Originally Posted by An drew The main and most popular surfing areas are at Kuta and Uluwatu (I think). Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are actually one long connected beach. So base yourself either at Kuta or Uluwatu. Kuta has all the fun, restaurants, shopping and nightlife so would be a natural choice. Uluwatu is more for the hardcore surfers happy to sleep on the sand. I do not know much about snorkelling near these places so you would have to enquire locally, there might be nearby reefs. There are many adventure shops in Kuta providing all kinds of fun entertainment and they should be able to help you including transport. Personally I do not think you can get great snorkelling near surfing areas in Bali as it is quite developed and with the environmental impacts. Try to arrange a dive further offshore, or whitewater rafting, and that should give you memorable experiences that is as great as surfing in Bali. I am full of envy.

Nothing to be envious about my friend. I am sure you can make the trip one way or the other. But thank you very much for your tips so far... You have been most helpful.

[An drew]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang Nothing to be envious about my friend. I am sure you can make the trip one way or the other. But thank you very much for your tips so far... You have been most helpful.

No problemo.