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GETTING THERE:
Destination
Airport/s |
Bali Indonesia
Ngurah Rai a.k.a Denpasar International Airport (Airport Code: DPS) More information about Bali Airport
More information about Jakarta Airport
Jakarta Airport CGK Terminal & Airline Guide
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Routes & Flights
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Domestic Direct Flights from Jakarta to Bali (and vise versa) are available
Indonesia Carriers: LionAir, CitiLink, BatikAir, Sriwijaya, Garuda, Other flights: Wings Air, Air Asia Indonesia Sports Equipment Check-in are available for Air Asia, LionAir & Garuda. You can purchase additional luggage weight when booking your tickets online. Garuda offers 26KG Sports Equipment free of charge (this is as of July 2016, pls visit Garuda website or call costumer service for any updates/changes in their check-in policies). |
International (Direct / Transfers) Flights to Bali are also available.
Carriers: Singapore Airlines, Etihad, KLM, Qatar and many others, have available flights to Bali. International Low Cost Carriers such as AirAsia and JetStar also have flights to Bali. If you're flying from Manila, Cebu Pacific already have direct flights to Bali. Check here for more airline/flights information.
Please note that if you are arriving at CGK International Terminal (Jakarta International Airport), you have to take a bus to domestic terminal.
Flight Time (Jakarta CGK to Bali DPS): *1 Hours 45 Mins. (direct flights. Time difference: Bali is 1 Hour ahead of Jakarta)
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Booking Air Tickets
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You can directly book tickets from airline websites as mentioned above or you can find and book flights through the following sites:
Domestic Indonesia flights are usually cheaper at NusaTrip.com
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Quinn's Notes:
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I usually fly with Air Asia. Departing from Jakarta.
Flying domestic via low cost carriers / budget airlines - expect departure & arrival delays, it could take as long as 30 minutes delay to 2 hours delays, depending on the season. LionAir is known for this.
If you are taking Garuda Airlines, less chances of departure/arrival delays. But of course, fare is higher.
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DIVE OPERATOR/S: I dove with 3 dive operators in Bali...
| CRYSTAL DIVERS TripAdvisor Review Quinn's Review |
COST: 6 Dives for 2 Days: 340USD per person about Rupiah 4.6Million (with 10% discount if you bring your own dive equipment).
DIVE SITES: My dive itinerary with them were; 3 dives in Tulamben and 3 dives in Manta Point / Nusa Penida. Includes: Transportation pick up from your hotel to their dive center and to the pier. Boat fee. Tanks and weights. Lunch. They also provide accommodation (should you wish to stay with them). Hotel Santai (which you can also book through contact person below). Rates: 35USD fan room / 45USD AC room / 55USD Deluxe room. Contact Details: Else Poulsen - Crystal Divers. Address: Jl. Tamblingan no. 168. Sanur, Bali, Indonesia, 80228 | Telephone/fax: +62 361 286737 | Email: info@crystal-divers.com | www.crystal-divers.com | se.crystal-divers.com/ Additional courses courses can be arranged at the dive center. Crystal Divers are very professional and good attention to details, made me really feel very safe to dive with them. Dive guides are also very entertaining and accommodating. I have zero complain about their services. They serve us a good local meal for lunch (not the typical lunch in a box food which I have experienced from other dive centers and definitely not my favorite) Gusde Weda was our dive guide for 2 days and he's totally awesome and fun guy. Check out his Facebook profile here. Compared to the other 2 dive operators, Crystal Divers are priced higher but I didn't mind paying the price for the service they provided. |
More photos / Dive Log, link below: Nusa/Manta Tulamben |  |
WIDANA Dive Service TripAdvisor Review Quinn's Review More photos / Dive Log, link below: Padang Bai | COST: 3 Dives for 1 Day: IDR 900,000 (about 66USD) per person (I didn't get a discount for bringing my own dive equipment). DIVE SITES: Padang Bai Includes: Transportation pick up from your hotel to their dive center and to the pier. Boat fee. Tanks and weights. Lunch. Contact Details: Contact them directly at: Email dive_widana@hotmail.com | Phone: +62.81239.91150 | I was introduced to the owner names Imade Widana, a dive and passionate underwater photographer. Or I booked my trip through Antony "Anton" Situmeang (antonmeang@gmail.com | +62811814806). My name is Quinn and by all means, please mention my name to Anton. He wouldn't mind to help arrange a trip for you or direct you Imade Widana (if Anton is not available) Compared to the other 2 dive operators, Widana is the cheapest and extremely humble. They only have a booth at the pier (its not a dive center/office), picture below.  I'm happy with the service provided (of course I wasn't expecting anything fancy). Food for lunch, they will let you choose from the menu's available, there are small local cafes (sandwiches, burger and fries, etc) and local street food. They have popular dish wrapped in a banana leaf (chicken or fish) but extremely spicy. I tried it anyway, for experience. Snacks - I always bring my own snacks but there are stores near Widana so you can buy from there. The boat is not a big speed boat, its a small boat enough to carry the divers and the dive gear. No need to bring your bags if you don't need it at the dive site - after each dive the boat will bring the divers back to the pier to rest and change tanks. I am also very happy with the dive guides - they know the dive site very well. I was able to get good pictures, the guide are very good spotters. |
| BALI QUEEN Dive TripAdvisor Review | COST: 3 Dives for 1 Day: IDR 1,800,000 (about 132USD) per person (I didn't get a discount for bringing my own dive equipment). DIVE SITES: Manta Point / Nusa Penida Includes: Transportation pick up from your hotel to their dive center and to the pier. Boat fee. Tanks and weights. Lunch. Contact Details: Jory (Manager): Email <jorydivers@yahoo.com> | Phone: +62.8135.3054.144 | by all means, please mention my name to Jory. He is a cool guy.  |
| Quinn's Review More photos / Dive Log, link below: Manta / Nusa Penida | I am also very happy with the dive guide and boat man. I told them that this is my second attempt to dive at Manta Point to see Manta Rays. The first trip to Manta Point was disappointing because I didnt see a single Manta Ray. We were supposed to dive at Manta Point, there were Manta Rays there but the dive guide and boat man said its better to move to cleaning station (about 10-15 minutes boat ride from Manta Ray) so I can see more Manta Rays. And true enough, about 20-25 huge Manta Rays. This was my happiest Bali dive ever. Though water visibility isn't that good but still worth it. Lunch is provided but its the usual lunch in a carton box (Rice, Veggie side dishes, fried chicken or fish, spicy condiments). The serving is a lot so its definitely going to fill up a hungry diver. Medium sized speedboat (photo below), we stayed in the boat whole day; leaves the pier in the morning and back in the afternoon (after all 3 dives are done).  Jory was kind enough to host a BBQ dinner for us at this house (which is next to his dive center), we of course chip in for the cost, Rupiah 100,000 (about 7 USD) per person and there were about 8 of us in the group. And it was a seafood feast, he also provided beers and sodas. And he also let us taste a local palm / coconut wine - it has a strong fermentation taster (not my favorite but it was good to experience it) |
Underwater Photos and Dive Logs (in case you missed the links above)
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Tulamben Bali. The highlight of this dive site is the USS Liberty Shipwreck
Coral Garden at Tulamben Bali Manta Point / Nusa Penida. This is the first time I dove there, that time I didn't see Manta Rays but good visibility. Padang Bai, Nusa Penida and Manta Point, second time around. Manta Rays decided to show up |
Accommodation options
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Taksu Sanur Bali. Cost is average, not too expensive not too cheap. The place and the room is clean and spacious. Breakfast is provided, good selection of western and local food. If I have to be in Sanur area, I'll definitely stay here again. Walking distance to the beach and walking distance to Bali Queen Dive Center.
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Other Activities in Bali
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Aside from diving, I spent 3 days in Ubud though I am not a Yoga enthusiast. Went there to enjoy the greenery; rice fields and mountains/hills.
Cycling. No worries if you are expert rider, its downhill so no sweat. I booked the morning tour at Green Bike Cycling tour.
The price is US $ 45 (IDR 500.000) / adult and $30
(IDR350,000) / child under 12 years old for Ubud area pickup and US $ 50 (IDR
600.000) / adult and $35(IDR400,000) / child under 12 years old for Kuta area
pickup.
ATV. I enjoyed the drive in the 'jungle' with stop over on top of a hill overlooking a breath taking rice fields but the ATVs are just too old. It was a bit painful to drive it. Bali Surya Adventure The price published on their website is 90USD per person / single rider. But I got their flyer at my hotel and called them directly and gave me a discount, I paid only about 50USD (about 700,000 Rupiah).
Sri Bungalows. This is where I stayed in Ubud, its located along Monkey Forest street. The room is clean and spacious. Don't be fooled by the hotel lobby as it looks like a car park lobby. Once you passed the lobby, its all good. Well maintained. I like the location, good walk in the afternoon to get lost and expore the place. I'm just not a fan of street monkeys. About 10-15 minutes walk from the hotel is the Monkey Forest Place (where more tourist visit)
Bali Botanica Day Spa. Best way to end the trip is a full day of pampering yourself. I booked the "Special Journey: A Day at Bali Botanica". Package cost is Rupiah 1,295,000 (about 95 USD). Pricey but worth it. |
Getting Around Bali
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Taxi are available but they will for sure try to over charge you. Here's a guide price for Taxi in Bali.
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Most people I know who stays or visits in Bali, drives around with motorbikes. This you can readily book and rent from your hotel or there are rental companies at the airport.
I, however, contact Wayan. He's been my driver every time I come visit Bali. His number is +62.823.42828225. He also offer private tours, he can bring you around and be your tour guide. He knows best places to eat, hangout, etc. Should you decide to contact him, please let him know you got his number from Quinn. He doesn't over charge me though I pay him double or triple the average taxi fair because if I contact him, its a private service, waits for me at the airport even if my arrival is past midnight and picks me up from the hotel even though its far from his house. |
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Other Scuba Diving Adventures and Underwater Photos:
TOMIA ADVENTURES - Wakatobi Indonesia
BALINESE MANTA RAYS - Bali Indonesia
A CLOSE UP WITH A HAWKSBILL TURTLE - Bunaken Manado Indonesia
MY FIRST TIME TO DIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES - Anilao Batangas Philippines
MANTA RAYS DECIDED TO TAKE A DAY OFF - Manta Point & Nusa Penida Bali
UNCOVERING U.S. ARMY CARGO SHIP - Tulamben Bali)
STROLLING AROUND CORAL GARDEN - Tulamben Bali)
Underwater Videos:
UNDERWATER WORLD Video Playlist
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