Diving in indonesia

[Andrew N]

Great to see a scuba section - here goes topic number 3!

I would love to go to Sulawesi in Indonesia on a diving trip sometime soon. I have found this place: Pulisan Jungle resort (http://www.pulisanresort-sulawesi.com/index.html)

I would be going with the girlfriend (not as keen a diver as me) so it is good to have some alternative activities.

Anyone been to Sulawesi, and anyone know of this place? It seems to be close enough to Bukanen which is supposed to be very good and the Lembeh straights which is supposed to be famous for it's macro-life.

And how safe is Indonesia at the moment?

I have an advanced PADI licence and have dived in Australia and California. Best diving I have ever had was in the giant kelp forests off Monterey in Ca - an amazing experience that I would recommend to anybody. But cold! (And dont go if you are afraid of Great Whites...)

Cheers, Andrew N

[BrianO]

Hey Andrew

For safety advice check out the British Home Office website they regularily update in relation to safety of travel to destinations.

Fraid it doesent make for good reading, after the Bali tragedy.

Advice Here ! (http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618385558)


Wanna try somewhere safer, great place and AMAZING Diving, try Malaysia, was on the Peninsula, last year, on Tioman Island and the spectacular Pulau Perhentian.... Incredible........ Such pristine and incredibly diverse coral life








Cheers



Brian.

[Fiddlercrab1]

Hi Andrew,

I am heading to Monterey in April - can you give me the name of the company you used and an idea of pricing? I wil probably only have time to fit 1 dive in!

Cheers

David

[Andrew N]

Yes, Indonesia does not look a promising destination at the moment http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif It has fantastic diving though...

Thanks for the alternative suggestions Brian - I'll look into it!

David, I believe the company was called "Bamboo reef". Efficient and relaxed, with good gear. Much of the diving is just walk in's so you dont even really need a guide, providing there are 2 of you. They can point you towards a good spot. I dived in 'Lover's cove' - amazing experience. Just watch out for the great whites, and dont pee in your wetsuit (attracts sharks rumour has it).

If you are adventurous there is a treacherous beach entry dive at a place called Monastery beach - it is special because a deep sea trench comes really close to the shore there and you can virtually hang over the abyss - miles deep. Quite spooky I would imagine.

Be prepared for the water temp though - even on a hot day the water is freezing! You need a hood + gloves etc. The giant kelp has to be seen to be believed though, and there are lots of sea otters and seals swimming about. The shoals of sardines are also incredible. Make sure you go to the Monterey aquarium too - stunning.

Cheers, Andrew N

[Fiddlercrab1]

Thanks Andrew,

I am there!! Cannot wait - sounds excellent!

David

[Andy Hipkiss]

David,

Do the Monastery dive .... absolutely stunning! I hired a DM for the day and it was money well spent.

As mentioned, it's a semi or even a dry suit dive ... I did it in August I think and given the choice I would have used a dry suit.

[Andrew N]

Andy, I am very impressed that you actually did that dive - I heard lots of scare stories about it! (Difficult entry / exit, divers geting vertigo etc. etc.)

What made it so good?

Andrew N

[Andy Hipkiss]

Yes it's a difficult dive I guess. It's a pain just making an entry because the carpark is well above the beach and fully kitted up it's a fair trek (actually the exit was harder, I was knackered! ) .

Then there is a bit of going through the kelp forests (but if your comfortable with wreck diving, this experience comes in handy). Just being at the bottom and looking up is a moment never to be forgotten .... like a cathedral with the light streaming through stained glass windows ... but better. (you can do specific dives which just go to the kelp forests in the area ... well worth it)

Then you get to the trench and I found you've got to watch your depth gauge or computer closely, it's kind of disorientating. I understand what you mean about vertigo. Luckily I don't suffer, but the first few seconds were a bit "interesting" – Gulp, who nicked the bottom!

The invertebrate life is amazing in and around Monterey.

As I said, I hired a local DM via one of the local shops (they seem to have lists of locals who offer such a service and will sort one out for you) ... and although a little expensive I'm glad I did it this way. I just hired him the weekend (well 1.5 days). I don't think I've been so knackered in a long long time .... happy times http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Sadly, I was working up in Silicon Valley for a couple of weeks, so only had the one weekend down in Monterey/Carmel ... but what a great weekend it was.