Diving and Snorkeling at Padang Bai

Snorkeling

There is good snorkeling in the bay, though the snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon is much better. Many of the local dive operators organize trips to this spot. If the waves are large, don’t bother snorkeling as the current is extremely strong and visibility will be 1 to 3 meters at best. On a calm day expect lots of fish and great visibility. Buoys mark the furthest point snorkelers should go. For even better snorkeling you can charter a boat.

Several places in Padang Bai rent snorkeling equipment.

Diving

Padangbai is noted for its diving and the friendly dive centres are right on the beach with their own bars for after-diving refreshments.

Geko Dive, Jl Pantai Silayulkti, Padang Bai (northern end of the bay), â˜Ž +62 363 41516. PADI dive centre which has been awarded GoEco operator status by Project Aware. Offer full range of courses and fun dives. English and Dutch speaking instructors.

Q-Dive Bali, Jl Silayukti 7, Padang Bai (in the front of the Puri Rai Hotel), Ph +62 363 41387 , fax: +62 363 41386). A new PADI diving school

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Exploring Nusa Lembongan

Being such a small island, Nusa Lembongan is ideal to explore by foot, motor bike or bicycle. There are very few motor vehicles on the island and the roads are quite narrow as well as being rather steep in some places. The views from the more elevated parts of the island are spectacular, especially the view of sacred Mount Agung on Bali directly across the strait from Coconuts Beach Resort.

There are many other elevated points around Nusa Lembongan which provide magnificent views of Bali, Ceningan and Penida Islands. There are two villages on Nusa Lembongan

Jungut Batu Village
This village earns its income from seaweed farming and tourists, usually surfers, divers and more recently tourists looking for the peace and tranquillity which is becoming harder to find in Bali. There are a couple of souvenir shops in the village as well as several small stores selling the usual necessities. The close proximity of this village to the famous surf breaks, Shipwrecks, Lacerations and Playgrounds, has made it an ideal place for surfers to stay since the 1970’s.

Lembongan Village
This is the larger of the two villages on the island situated on the southern end of the island. The cultivation of seaweed is also the main occupation of these villagers. A visit to the (Goa Sigala-gala) under ground house is a must. The construction began in 1961 by one man and continued for more than 20 years, making many rooms including a kitchen, bed rooms, 6 entrances, 2 ventilation holes and a well for water.

Text from Island Explorer Cruises

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Nusa Lembongan

Nusa (Island) Lembongan is a friendly, peaceful island only 14 miles south east of Benoa Harbour, Bali. Just 4.5 km long and 2.5 km wide and 50 m high at its highest point. Life is very relaxing on Nusa Lembongan there are spectacular views, crystal clear water, the sound of the surf, gentle breezes, little traffic, no hawkers and no stress on this island. It is one of three islands in the group, the others being Nusa Penida and Ceningan.

Climate
There are two seasons, the Rainy season from November to March, the Dry season from April to October. The islands are quite dry averaging only about 1000 mm of rain annually. The average temperature only varies from 28°C to 30° C. But the humidity increases markedly during the wet season.

Ancient Traditions
The villagers still live very traditionally, 99% of them being Hindu, their lives are centred around their beliefs. Offerings are made to appease the spirits and bring good health and prosperity to the family. Each day small offerings are placed on shrines, temples and outside houses and shops. If you are lucky enough to be at the island when there is a festival or ceremony the beautifully dressed villagers will be seen making their way to the temples. Women carry colourful displays of food, fruit and flowers on their heads. The men still take part in cock fighting as a blood sacrifice on Nusa Lembongan. Your respect on their special occasions would be appreciated.

Black Magic
These islands were used as a jail during the Balinese Kingdom. Black magic was practised by the islanders for many years and the island is still known for its mystical practices. Ancient navigation charts of the islands were marked with a skull and crossbones as a waming to mariners not to land.

Text from Island Explorer Cruises

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The Island of Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Ceningan is the smallest island of Nusa Islands – comprises of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembonganand Nusa Ceningan. Situated between the Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, 20 km from Bali’s south-east coast, Nusa Ceningan can be reached by boat from Sanur or through a bridge which connects Nusa lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Like her sister islands, the climate in Nusa Ceningan is hot and dry. Water supply is becoming an issue. Yet Nusa Ceningan is extremely pretty. Exploring this tiny island will not be an exhaustive journey. You can start your journey from the coral reef on the eastern tip, here you can swim, snorkel and surf to your heart’s content. See a stunning array of fish and coral in the clear waters.

Bakung Temple

Then head to the south to the Bakung temple, the old temple famous for its cockfighting. Then you can go to the cave of nesting swallows on the western part of the island. It is better for you to go to this cave at sunset to see the swallows dart in and out of their nesting site. For the surfers, you can look for waves on the pounding southwestern coasts of this island.

Swallow cave

But unique attraction of Nusa Ceningan can only be found below the water surface. There might not be a great number of octopi under the sea around Ceningan Island, but there is an awful lot of garden or more specifically, seaweed farms. You can hire a canoe to observe the beautiful seaweed plantations in crystal clear Water.

A trip to this small island will bring a new nuance to your Bali experience.

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