Where to stay in Tulamben?

I'm currently planning my February trip (I know, I'm sort of late) - originally I wanted to join a photography workshop, but it looks like that's not going to happen. So I was thinking of going to Bali for a week and taking as many pictures as I can there. I assume many of you have been there before. Any recommendations for places to stay, who to dive with?

Thanks!

(Also, if you end up saying 'nooooo, go to $place instead' I won't be unhappy. )

I've dived and stayed with Tauch Terminal in Tulamben a couple of times.

I can recommend it. Well organised (it's German run), on the beach, short walk to the Liberty wreck; easy swim to the Coral Garden, a few restaurants a short walk away. They have Nitrox included in the price, unlimited shore-diving, nice swimming pool (if you're not getting wet enough), rooms are good - European 3-star.

Looking into that. Thanks Tim!

My pleasure.

If you do go with Tauch Terminal, it's easy to get a taxi from the Bali airport to the hotel. It took about 2.5 hours (I think!). I can't remember the cost now but it wasn't much - well not compared to a 2.5 taxi ride in Europe!

In July I stayed at Minabali which is a small very nice B&B owned by a French women. Very reasonable and I am going to think that you may speak French (she speaks english also). Hooked up with a local dive guide/photographer and shop and had an enjoyable time, they picked me up each day. Can reffer you to guide if interested, pretty sure he is still working there.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g469406-d3247610-Reviews-Minabali_Bunga_lo-Tulamben_Bali.html

My French is absolutely abysmal I'm afraid - not speaking it for ~15 years will do that!

Checking it out, thanks!

I have stayed at Scuba Seraya ( http://www.scubaseraya.com) and had an excellent time there. Very good dive masters, clean rooms and good food. Right next door is Villa Markisa and the food looked amazing there so I am going to give that a try next November ( http://www.villa-markisa.com ).

Oh wow, that DOES look pretty! Although I'll have to say I'll be spending most of my time in the water anyway, so maybe I shouldn't choose by accommodation...

For me Liberty dive center is a no brainer in Tulamben, for 85USD/ 3 dives a day they provide Ntrox for free and a private dive guide without any supplement, you just have to discuss with him in order to schedule your dives, where and when you want to go (actually I rather say "Rare nudibranches" or "Tiger shrimps" and Uji, my private guide for 4 years tells where it's best to spot them).

Weirdly enough I do not stay at LDC, though they have a good resort with fine bungalows but my wife prefers staying at Tauch Terminal (not only because we are regulars there and have return discounts) since they are closer to Sandya the restarant we like and also the grounds are slightly better, tidy as a swiss-german garden can be. LDC picks me up and drives me back every morning it's a matter of a 3 minutes drive, 7 minutes walk but I am too lazy to carry my camera to their dive shop.

To be honest, I consider Tauch Terminal, Liberty dive resort or Ocean view as the best options in Tulamben for accomodations but for diving, LDC is miles ahead. i find Scuba Seraya and Villa markisa to expensive and overrated for what you get in LDC. Plus they are way out of Tulamben (small) town, so you are tucked at your resort.

Great information, thank you! (also: my Swiss-German garden isn't as tidy as you might think... )

Coinee,

Look at: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54088

I always hire a private dive guide and use: http://www.aquamarinediving.com/ to arrange my trip.

Elmer

Hi Fabian

I have done two trips to Bali in the last two years...love Tulamben!

The first year we stayed at Ocean View Dive and Resort....loved the access to the wreck, menu wasn't very exciting, but lovely grounds, lovely pool and the staff were great.........this year we stayed at Mimpi Resort, again lovely, a little further away from the wreck (a 5 minute drive!), meals were good, staff great.

The reason I went to Tulamben initially was to do a photo class with Mike Veitch at The Underwater Tribe....it was so good I went back this year for an extended trip organised via "the tribe" and will go back again next year. The guides on the last trip were amazing, helpful, knowledgeable, keen and enthusiastic...cannot recommend them highly enough. The thing that impresses me the most about diving with Mike is the fact that he doesn't take a camera so all the attention is on your photos, which can be a bit daunting but the progress is amazing!....all the shots are reviewed and he makes suggestions via the "magic slate" so you get instant feedback and recognise what to look for and what to do....

No doubt you will enjoy your trip, best of luck and have fun.

Cheers

Brett

I know Luko (Wolf Eel) thinks Scuba Seraya is a tad on the expensive side of things, and I suppose he is not wrong, but it is a very comfortable resort. We are heading back in July. Everything went so smoothly in Nov and it was exactly what we were looking for, so why fix something that aint broken?! And we get 10% return discount.

This time round though we will take some time to visit some of the other resorts and check them out ourselves for the next... next time.

Villa Markisa is an stunning boutique resort.... but that was definitely a step too far for my bank account.

I can recommend Ocean View. Been there 2 weeks ago. Brilliant place to stay and dive.

Due to flights and getting a good offer, I'll end up at Lembeh instead - thanks for the input everyone, I'm sure I'll be able to use that sometime this year.

Due to flights and getting a good offer, I'll end up at Lembeh instead - thanks for the input everyone, I'm sure I'll be able to use that sometime this year.

Even better I'd say! Enjoy!