Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bali & Lombok Outdoors
can also upgrade their skills with advanced open-water courses in night,
wreck and deep diving etc, from around US$200 for a three-day course.
Dive Operators
Major dive operators in tourist areas can arrange trips to the main dive sites
all around the island. But distances can be long, so it's better to stay relatively
close to your destination.
It's so much more than a beach holiday with an overlay of amazing
culture Bali's an incredible place to get outside and play. Sure you may
have to actually get up off the sand to do this, but the rewards are many. In
waters around the island you'll find world-class diving that ranges from reefs
to shipwrecks to huge, rare swimming critters.
When that water hits shore, it creates some of the world's best surfing.
No matter what time of year you visit, you'll find legendary surf spots. Away
from the waves, a passel of aquatic fun companies offer everything from
parasailing to banana-boat racing.
On land, hikes abound through the luxuriant green of the rice fields and
deep into the river valleys. In the cool mountains, trails lead past a profu-
sion of waterfalls, lakes and lush forest. If you want to head high, you can
climb any of the island's three main active volcanoes for views, vent holes
and visions of a lunar landscape.
Lombok doesn't have the same level of organisation but it has fine diving,
surfing - often in remote locations - and a famous volcano trek.
DIVING & SNORKELLING
With its warm water, extensive coral reefs and abundant marine life, Bali
offers excellent diving and snorkelling possibilities. Reliable dive schools and
operators all around Bali's coast can train complete beginners or arrange
challenging trips that will satisfy the most experienced divers. The best sites
can all be accessed in a day trip from the south of Bali, although the more
distant ones will involve several hours travelling time. Lombok is close behind
Bali for diving. It has good sites, especially around its northwest coast.
Snorkelling gear is available near all the most accessible spots, but if you're
keen, it's definitely worthwhile to bring your own, and to check out some of
the less visited parts of the coasts.
Bike tours down Bali's
volcanoes are popular.
The company takes you
to the top and you ride
a relatively quiet road
partway down the hill
through tropical forest,
coffee plantations and
terraced rice fields. See
p363 for tour companies.
SINK OR SWIM: DIVING SAFELY
Diving is justifiably popular in Bali and on Lombok. But like all diving destinations, it is important
to stay safe in and out of the water. Here are some tips to make your trip the best possible.
Choosing a Dive Operator
In general, diving in Bali and on Lombok is safe, with a good standard of staff training and
equipment maintenance. However, as with anywhere in the world, some operations are more
professional than others, and it is often difficult, especially for inexperienced or beginner divers,
to select the best operation for their needs. Here are a few tips to help you select a well set-up
and safety-conscious dive shop.
Are its staff fully trained and qualified? Ask to see certificates or certification cards - no
reputable shop will be offended by this request. Guides must reach 'full instructor' level (the
minimum certification level) to be able to teach any diving course. To guide certified divers on
a reef dive, guides must hold at least 'rescue diver' or preferably 'dive master' qualifications.
Note that a dive master cannot teach - only fully qualified instructors can do that.
Does it have safety equipment on the boat? At a minimum, a dive boat should carry oxygen
and a first-aid kit. A radio or cell phone are also important.
Is the boat's equipment OK and its air clean? This is often the hardest thing for the new diver
to judge. A few guidelines are:
1. Smell the air - open a tank valve a small way and breathe in. Smelling dry or slightly
Sobek
(
0361-287059;
www.balisobek.com
)
is
Bali's largest activity and
adventure operator. They
have a huge range of
tours, including rafting,
trekking and biking. Their
equipment is of a high
standard.
%
rubbery air is OK. If it smells of oil or car exhaust, that tells you the operator doesn't filter
the air correctly.
Dive Costs
On a local trip, count on US$40 to US$75 per person for two dives, which
includes all equipment. Many operators offer open-water diving certification
for US$350 to US$400.
2. When the equipment is put together, are there any big air leaks? All dive centres get
some small leaks at some time, however, if you get a
big
hiss of air coming out of any
piece of equipment, ask to have it replaced.
Is it conservation-oriented? Most good dive shops explain that you should not touch corals or
take shells from the reef. It's also common for the better places to work with local fishermen
to ensure that certain areas are protected. Some even clean beaches!
Dive Courses
If you're not a qualified diver, and you want to try some scuba diving in Bali,
you have three options.
First, nearly all operators offer an 'introductory', 'orientation' or 'initial'
dive for beginners, usually after classroom training and shallow-water prac-
tise. Courses are reasonably cheap (from around US$60 for one dive), but it is
essential to stick to one of the recommended dive operators (see opposite).
Second, some of the larger hotels and diving agencies offer four- or five-
day courses that certify you for basic dives in the location where you do
the course. A resort course will give you a better standard of training than
just an introductory dive, but it doesn't make you a qualified diver. These
courses cost about US$300.
Finally, if you are serious about diving, the best option is to enrol in a full
Safety Guidelines for Diving
Before embarking on a scuba diving or snorkelling trip, carefully consider the following points
to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:
Possess a current diving certification card from a recognised scuba diving instructional
agency (if scuba diving).
Be sure you are healthy and feel comfortable diving.
Obtain reliable information about physical and environmental conditions at the dive site (eg
from a reputable local dive operation). Conditions vary greatly between dive sites around Bali
and the islands. Seasonal changes can significantly alter any site and dive conditions.
