South-East Asia
ABYSS WORLD BALI SAFARI, INDONESIA
A Taste of the Best of one of Indonesia's Crown Jewels
Season: April - November
Visibility: 10-35m/35-115ft
Water Temperature: 21-28°C-70-82°C
Anemonefish (Rachel Lee Horsfield)
The aim of the Abyss World Bali Safari is to offer ‘A Taste of the Best Of’ the island’s multifaceted diving glories. The waters surrounding Bali are a joy for both the keen photographer and the diver who might enjoy a more leisurely approach to exploring the underwater world. Broadly speaking, Bali can divide itself into three main diving regions; the north-east, characterized by current swept soft coral walls and sheltered inlets full of macro delights, the north-west with its famous black sandy shores, home to the wreck of the USS Liberty, and the south-east, where the currents bring nutrient-rich waters and all the fascinating creatures that come with them.
Abyss World Bali safaris run from April to October, carefully avoiding what is traditionally known as Bali’s rainy season. The 13 days/12 nights trip (with 22 included dives) is designed not only to introduce you to Bali’s diving hotspots, but also to sample some of the island’s culture and cuisine, with lunches and some evening meals taken in local restaurants. All transfers will be in air conditioned minibus and diving takes place with local operators, carefully selected for their excellent dive management and facilities. Some dives will be done from the shore and some from small dive boats, and occasionally local fishing outriggers are used to access the more remote areas. You will be accompanied at all times by an Abyss World guide.
Your journey around one of the world’s most mystical islands will begin in Sanur, a delightful suburb of the capital city of Denpasar. Away from the hustle and bustle, Sanur is a popular location for a day or so of exploring the street stalls, beaches and local eateries that make the area a popular stop for locals and travellers alike.
On your first full day in Bali (day two) you’ll be driven all the way along the west coast heading north to Permuteran. The four hour journey will be broken several times as you stop to take in the scenery, the rice terraces and the natural beauty of Bali. Upon arrival at the Taman Sari Hotel you’ll enjoy a lunch before a check-out dive at Kebun Chris. This sheltered site is a colourful and gentle re-introduction to the underwater world. Enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner with your new found friends. The next three days will be spent boat and shore diving the bright, brilliant and busy walls of Menjangan and the fascinating macro sites at one of Bali’s most famed muck dives; Secret Bay. From here you might like to make the most of your stay by visiting the Pulaki and Pabean temples.
On the morning of day six you’ll be driven along Bali’s north coast, through the towns of Lovina and Singaraja with its tiger carvings. The road skirts along the sea for most of the journey and you’ll probably see wild monkeys at many points along the way. The trip also affords great views of Bali’s lush interior and volcanic topography, observed at its most dramatic from your next stop, Amed. Here you’ll stay at the Wawa Wewe Hotel and enjoy three days of diving at nearby Tulamben, where the famous wreck of the USS Liberty is located, lying on her side just a very short distance from the shore, as well as at Amed itself, a very varied locality with macro subjects galore and abundant fish life.
Day nine takes you to the final stop on the dive safari, and almost certainly the most thrilling and challenging of all the dive regions of Bali. From the Nirwana Resort and Spa at Sengkidu you’ll access Crystal Bay where the waters are almost always crystal clear but also quite chilly, sometimes as low as 18°C/64°F! This region is home to the dive site of Nusa Penida, the best place to try to see the magnificent and bizarre Sunfish, or Mola mola, which can grow up to four meters in length! Currents here can be very strong and this dive is not for the fainthearted. Night dives are often undertaken at Blue Lagoon, a more sheltered site home to schooling fish, the occasional reef shark and a night, a whole plethora of invertebrates and bottom-dwelling fish. One afternoon will be spent visiting the Ghoa Lawa Temple, one of Bali’s finest.
On your final full day (day twelve) you can squeeze in one last dive before an afternoon spent at one of Bali’s most famous locales, Ubud. A cultural hotspot bustling with markets and cafes, and a favourite amongst foreign visitors to Bali, Ubud is known as the cultural epicentre of this magical island. The last night is spent back in Sanur, with the safari ending on day thirteen.
For full details of the Menjangan and Tulamben regions, please see the 'Bali' section of our website.
Bumas Hotel (Sanur): This charming hotel is situated just a few blocks from Sanur beach. The Bumas has 75 rooms and is set amongst beautiful flower gardens. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with their own terrace, minibar and individual air-conditioning. Rooms are large, decorated in an east meets west colonial style. The hotel also has two swimming pools.
Taman Sari Hotel (Pemuteran): Situated opposite the beach at Permuteran, this charming small hotel features individual thatched bungalows in the middle of a tropical garden. Each room has air-conditioning and a private bathroom. Other facilities include a pool, restaurant, bar and massage salon.
Wawa Wewe Hotel (Amed): Facing the Bay of Pupuan and sitting on the rocky edges of Lipah, Wawa Wewe is a group of bungalows beautifully integrated into the natural surroundings. Each bungalow features a private bathroom, air-conditioning, mosquito net and shaded balcony. The pool and restaurant are located by the beach, providing an amazing atmosphere at this well renowned establishment. A great number of possibilities for snorkelling and trekking are also available in the surrounding areas.
Nirwana Resort & Spa (Sengkidu): Situated on the outskirts of the village of Cadidasa in a calm isolated area, Nirwana Resort & Spa directly overlooks the ocean. Consisting of 18 bungalows with palm tree roofs, they are built in a traditional Balinese style with either a sea view or a view of the beautiful tropical gardens surrounding the hotel. Each bungalow has a private bathroom, air-conditioning and a terrace. A large pool, spa, bar and restaurant are all ready for you to make use of.
Price: $2875 for 12 nights. Includes: transfers by road from Denpasar airport throughout the safari; 12 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a twin-share basis at the host hotels; 22 dives; guide; 2 land excursions. Single Occupancy Supplement: Please contact us.