Bali - Xmas 2005

I am spending two weeks in Bali this Xmas, the first week by myself at Scuba Seraya in Tulamben and then I was going to move to Mimpi for four days when my wife arrives (she likes her creature comforts and Mimpi appears closest to her minimum specification....)

Then I got to thinking that Mimpi's resort at Menjangen may be a nice alternative as I have never been there, whereas this is my fourth trip to Tulamben. But then I heard the diving had gone off there and there had been some dynamite fishing in the area also.

Has anybody been to Menjangen recently?

Also where is Secret Bay in relation to Tulamben and Menjangen?

Thanks, Don

Hi Don,

I can't comment on Mimpi Menjangen because I've only drove by there - haven't looked in. However, the diving at Menjangen was very good in September.

Secret Bay is about 45 mins West of Menjangen. Tulamben is about 3-1/2 hrs East of Menjangen.

Cheers

James

I am spending two weeks in Bali this Xmas, the first week by myself at Scuba Seraya in Tulamben and then I was going to move to Mimpi for four days when my wife arrives (she likes her creature comforts and Mimpi appears closest to her minimum specification....)

 

Then I got to thinking that Mimpi's resort at Menjangen may be a nice alternative as I have never been there, whereas this is my fourth trip to Tulamben. But then I heard the diving had gone off there and there had been some dynamite fishing in the area also.

 

Has anybody been to Menjangen recently?

 

Also where is Secret Bay in relation to Tulamben and Menjangen?

 

Thanks, Don

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Well, my friend is a begawan giri kind of chick and she was very happy with Scuba Seraya for the accomodations, the food ... well it's a taxi ride or a short walk to the other resorts. Mimpi has dropped a level or 2 since the bombings,esp at Menjangan. Last time I was at the Mimpi Menjangan, the rooms were not as well maintained as before. My view of Menjangan diving has always been the same, it's a wall with so so reeffish life and the occasional pelagic swimming through. There is that Anker wreck as well. So we moved to the WakaShorea (which has since also dropped in standard apparently). A friend of mine is a partner at the Jungle Resort which is nice and remote but diving is a bit of a pain as they didn't have a dedicated dive shop during the soft opening when I stayed there. Stay at the bayside villas and not the normal rooms.

For secret bay, I'd stay near Gilimanuk. There's a couple of decent places there which right now escape my mind. All that driving back and forth from Menjangan gets old quickly.

Hi Don,

I went to Menjangan and Nusa Penida back in 2000 and to Tulamben last May. Since you've already been to Tulamben 4 times, and you are staying two weeks, I would recommend you go to Menjangan, Amed or Secret Bay for the last few days. Tulamben is very nice, but I think you will get a bit bored after 10 days. The drop offs in Menjangan and Amed are at least as nice as the dropoff in Tulamben. When I was in Menjangan we heard an explosion underwater and the dive master said it was dynamite fishing in Java (which we can see from there). I believe him, as I didn't see much damage to the reefs where we dove.

Luiz

there is a new place called PJ in Seririt. Nearest accomodation will be at Zen Resort, which is only 5 min from the beach entry by van. I think James (W) probably dived there in Aug/Sep. Frieends who have been there have been raving about it as better than Tulamben / Secret Bay for macro.

Walking to the beach, u have the terrace padi fields on your right and vineyard on your left. Stayed at the Zen when it was a spa 2 years back and I loved it very much. I didn't know you could dive at that beach then!

Jonathon of www.baliocean.com would be able to help arrange. I couldn't gather a group to bring down the costs....

Eric

I got back yesterday from the two weeks in Bali - had a really good time and got some great images courtesy of the D2X, 70-180 macro zoom & Subal housing lent to me by a mate (a very good one obviously...)

Seraya was good and I really enjoyed access to the Tulamben sites via their inflatable before it gets crowded. The Seraya Secrets house reef is great for macro, especially at night!

Mimpi at Menjangen was way over-priced and I would not stay there again. The diving at Menjangen Island was OK on the day I did it (Anker Wreck & Eel Garden), but Secret Bay was really good on the two day dives and something else on the night dive - Bobbit Worm encounter!

Mimpi basically gouges in my opinion - $65 for a night dive at Secret Bay and $80 for two shore dives at PJ!