Diving at Pemuteran

Pemuteran area, with its scenic beach is located four km west of Pulaki, 28 km east of Gilimanuk and 40 km west of Lovina. For diving enthusiast Pemuteran offers some of the island’s best diving and snorkeling with great dropoffs just one km offshore. This idyllic resort is also strategic to be used as a base for diving the North Bali areas, with its quiet and pleasant atmosphere and range of accommodation from budget to luxury.

For diving activities, Pemuteran is a good site for beginners since there is hardly any current there. Diving in Pemuteran is good year-around but the best times are from March to early May and September to January. The water temperatures are around 28º – 32ºC and visibility is good.

There are many good dive sites around Pemuteran, such as Napoleon Reef, is an underwater mound, about the size of football field. With its flat top, Napoleon Reef is home of sponges and corals, cuttlefish, and manta rays. Another good reef is Lebar Reef that is covered with thickets of staghorn and tabletops acropora and fan gorgonians.

Another good site is Kebun Batu (Rock Garden), a huge boulder rise from the bottom to just meters below the surface, covered with sponges and corals and serves as home for various fishes. Pemuteran not just offers beautiful sponges and corals, there is also a site known as “Close Encounters” where divers can get a close encounter with big fish such as reef shark, tuna, mackerel, Napoleon wrasse and occasional whale shark.

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The Serene Pemuteran Area

Pemuteran is a coastal area, situated in the northwest of Bali. Pemuteran area is including to the edge Bali Barat National Park, a government-protected park with only few minutes drive to the east from Teluk Terima. Pemuteran receives less rainfall than other island areas during rainy season and is too dry for rice cultivation. Its people traditionally live from the sea. Pemuteran has the largest area of shallow coral reefs in Bali that are easily accessible, because the area is calm and free of strong currents and waves which affect most other parts of the island.

In the last decade, Pemuteran Area has been developed as a tourism resort with nine small mountains as a dramatic backdrop and Bali Sea in the front, Pemuteran offers uncompromising beautiful view. In two hours, you can climb to the top of the mountains to the west from where you can view either the sunrise or sunset. Pemuteran is also armed to teeth with tidy, black sand, scenic beach, a serene beach far away from the hustle bustle of the south Bali, a perfect place for those who give more emphasis on tranquility and peacefulness.

  

  

Pemuteran is also a perfect place for water sport lovers; you can do various water sports here such as diving, skiing, fishing, and parasailing. As I said earlier Pemuteran has the largest area of shallow coral reefs; the spectacular coral reef growth near land made for a diving and snorkeling paradise. For the divers, Pemuteran has the Napoleon Reef 1.5 km offshore; the soft coral like flowers blooming, plenty of reef fish such as damsel fish, silver fusilier, blue dancers, snappers, with occasional manta ray. Because the area is furthest from the island’s main tourism centers to the south, it was quiet and unspoiled.

  

  

Pemuteran community declared that the reefs are protected no-fishing zones, for eco-tourism use only. Local fishermen banned bomb and cyanide reef fishing in Pemuteran Bay to preserve the beauty of the reefs. Through such conservation efforts, the healthy Pemuteran bank reefs drew increasing numbers of divers and snorkelers to view the coral gardens.

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Diving at Menjangan Island

Located on the north western tip of Bali, Menjangan Island can be reached by boat from Labuhan Lalang port or from Terima Bay in Buleleng regency. It is received its name from the wild java deer that graze on its open savannahs. Menjangan Island is one of Bali’s premier scuba diving and snorkeling locales, this island has reefs that are frequented by species of fish of every size, shape and color. Menjangan Island boasts of 110 species of reefs and 226 species of reef’s fish and other kind of fish.

Menjangan Island has a good geographical position. With no current and wind-generate waves to contend with Menjangan Island is suitable for beginning and intermediate divers. And when it comes to visibility, Menjangan Island holds the sway, occasionally, the water can be crystal clear, and for the rest of the time visibility seldom go under 25 meters.

Under the water surface, Menjangan Island has variety of underwater terrain, from two meters below the surface to 150 meters offshore. The interesting feature which is offered by this island to the divers is soft coral walls around the island. The walls are almost vertical and extended down to 35-60 below the surface. The reef has unusually rugged surface with caves, grottoes, crevasses and funnel-like splits break up the coral wall, with nooks and crannies texture the surface of the walls. The walls are covered various large-size Gorgonians, huge-barrel sponges and soft corals.

On the south side of the island, divers can explore a spectacular 120-meter dropoffs and caves. On the north western end of Menjangan Island lies the “Anker” wreck, a 25-meter wreck lies on a sandy slope from 7 meters down to 45 meter underwater. This spot has excellent soft corals with variety of fish such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, unicornfish, butterflyfish, batfish, damselfish, triggerfish, scorpionfish, bannerfish and other reef life.

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Tulamben

Tulamben is a small fishing village on the north-east coast of Bali. It is among the most popular dive sites on Bali since the wreck of the Liberty, a US Army Transport ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 lies just off shore. During high-season, up to 100 divers descend to the wreck each day.

The town’s name is derived from the word batulambih, which roughly translates as “many stones” a reference to the destructive eruptions by Mount Agung that have affected this part of Bali from time to time. The modern name evolved over time, first to “Batulamben” and finally settling on the contraction Tulamben (“batu” means “stone” in Indonesian).

The wreck lies in shallow water and is considered appropriate for divers of all certification levels. The ship rests in 30 meters of water, is roughly 25 meters from shore and can be reached with a short swim from the beach. The highest point of the wreck tops out about 5 meters from the surface. The ship was torpedoed by the Japanese off the nearby Island of Lombok and the ship was towed to the beach at Tulamben for salvage operations. The 1963 eruption of Mt. Agung, which devestated much of the eastern side of Bali, drove the ship into the water just off shore, where it became encrusted with coral and a home to other sea life.

The best conditions for diving here are during October and November, when the weather is generally calm and during the start of southeast monsoon, which typically extends from May to July. In addition to a wide variety of corals and invertebrates on the wreck itself, large fish frequent the wreck in some seasons, most popularly Mola mola and whale sharks. Professional divers have praised local residents for minimizing local fishing activity.

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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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Nusa Penida : The Golden Egg of Bali

Not many people know that Bali has a part (district) at south-east side consisting three islands. The biggest one is named Nusa Penida. The smaller island is called Nusa Lembongan and the smallest one is known as Nusa Ceningan, this island is situated between Nusa penida and Nusa Lembongan. Each of them has own tourist destination and unique art. However, Nusa Penida offers awesome beaches that are still pure and conservation for birds, plants, and turtle, and a very special dance, because of that people often call it as Golden Egg but it has not hatched yet. Why?

Nusa Penida is a district belonging to Klungkung regency. In order to get to Nusa Penida you have to take a trip to Padang Bay first. Then, you have to cross Badung Strait (between Bali Island and Nusa Penida) using “Roro-Nusa Jaya Abadi” the only ferryboat that can help you cross to Nusa Penida. After spending about one hour voyage then you will reach Toya Pakeh Harbor. At there you can travel the island by “omprengan” or modified pick-up car.

Nusa Penida has many tourism destinations that can be enjoyed. Beaches are very easy to be found in this island, Puncak Temu where you can find beautiful scene, several choices of art performance can be watched.

A beach which is closest to the harbor is situated in Toya Pakeh village. In this beach, there is a floating restaurant. The most important thing is you are allowed to dive in this beach and see very beautiful reef. Indeed, in this beach, reef is an important component that is still preserved from any damage.

Besides Toya Pakeh Beach, Nusa Penida has a very cozy beach. It is around 4 km from Toya Pakeh. This beach is situated in Sakti Village at Banjar Penida. I guarantee you that this beach is different from the famous Kuta or Sanur. The beach which people call it Crystal Bay, is very quiet, far from crowd. The water is sparkling blue. The sand is black but it is covered by white sand. The beach is very clean because people at Banjar Penida keep it clean. And the beach is gated by escarpment.

Far from the beach, situated on the top of elevated ground is Puncak Temu, from this place you can get bird-eye view of beautiful scenes of Nusa Penida. There are also some white shrines can be found in this place. Around the srines, there are many trees seems keep it from outside world. Different from other places at Nusa Penida which tend to be dry and lack of water, Puncak Temu is dominated with lush green vegetables signing that water is available there.

On very south of Nusa Penida there are villages named Sekartaji and Suana. In these villages, Nusa Penida Endemic Bird: little sulfur-crested cockatoo can be found. In all regions in Nusa Penida there is only four little sulfur-crested cockatoo left. One female and others are male. You are lucky if you can take a photograph of this bird since this bird is very energetic.
Nusa Penida does not only offer the amazing tourism destination but also unique dances. Sanghyang Dewa dance is one of them. This dance must be danced by little girl who has not got menstruation yet. People of Nusa Penida categorize it into sacred dance because it is danced on special day at the temple. That little girl is unconscious while she dances it.

The explanation above is only a few from various arts and tourism destinations in Nusa Penida. However, not many tourists have information about this island and only few tourists visit this island. Nusa Penida is a potential tourist destination but it has not managed yet. No wonder this Golden Egg has not hatched yet.

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Manusia Purba Museum

Manusia Purba Museum is a small prehistoric museum with significant collections of prehistoric artifacts and prehistoric human’s bones. This unique museum is located in the west tip of Bali, in Gilimanuk, Jembrana regency. This museum houses collection of prehistoric bones and artifacts which were found by R.P. Soejoeno of Bali Archaeological Service during great excavation in 1962, in the village of Cekik, where the museum finally located.

Cekik site is one of the biggest necropolises found in Indonesia. In this site, the archeologists found various artifacts such as jewelries, bronze equipments, glass beads, pottery and sarcophagus, 100 complete prehistoric human skeletons adult were also found in an ancient graveyard in this excavation area.

The artifacts and the bones which were found in Cekik excavation site are exhibited in this museum in a modest display. The prima ballerina of this museum is two sarcophaguses which form a set of doublejar burial, it is a unique burial system in which the second jar contains a skeleton in a position of a man which his hand were tied in the back, which suggest that this unfortunate person was buried alive against his will to accompany the deceased person in the first sarcophagus.

Manusia Purba Museum of Gilimanuk houses a complete collection of early civilization in this island which provides useful information on the life and culture of ancient inhabitants of the last paradise; magnificent and important collections for a small and modest museum which is frequently unnoticed by the Balinese and the visitors. It worth a visit but one hardly knows it exists.

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