Candi Dasa, Bali

I am planning a trip to Bali for a couple of weeks over Xmas and wanted to get any input on the diving on the east coast of the island.

This is my 4th diving trip to Bali and 10th to the island itself - the first two dive trips were completely focused on Tulamben with Tauch Terminal and then last year I spent a week at Scuba Seraya followed by four days at Mimpi in Menjangen where I dived Secret Bay, PJ and the island itself.

This year I am looking at spending a week on a safari type trip covering basically the same spots and then when my wife arrives from Sydney we want to base ourselves somewhere pleasant where I can dive but also spend some quality time with her (in between dives....) and I think Candi Dasa may fit the bill.

I am also thinking about Ubud, but the traveling time to get to the dive sites would wear a bit thin!

I am looking for advice on where to dive, what to expect at that time of year, dive operators and places to stay.

Thanks, Don

There is some decent diving (although not as good as Tulamben, but different) off Padang Bai about 20-30 mins from Candi Dasa. All the dive centres there can pick you up from Candi Dasa. Or a Bali wide diving operator can organise it for you.

Padang Bai used to have cool stuff like Rhinopias, but these were fished out by aquarium collectors. Good for nudis and shrimps and crabs (just about every crinoid has shrimps and squat lobsters). Biggest attraction is different species than the north coast. Oh, and Wobbegong sharks that can be found on most dives. Froggies and leaffish seem common too.

Different scenery:

Wobbegong:

The islands like Tepekong are very fishy and good scenery. But can be current ravaged, and can only be dived in the am before the seas get up.

You can also access Nusa Penida from here. But tends to be full day trips. Which may not fit the bill with the Missus.

Finally water is cooler here. Closer to Secret Bay than Tulamben in temp.

We stay at the Water Garden in Candi Dasa - which I like very much. Small and individual hotel. Reccomended.

Alex

Alex, thanks - excellent info!

Don