I am a novice scuba diver and will be staying at Jimbaren Beach in Bali in two weeks.
This will be my first trip to Indonesia/Bali and I only have time to go scuba diving one day while I am there. I have only been diving in the Carribean.
I got the book "Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Bali and the Komodo Region" by Tim Rock which gives a good overview of the main diving sites around the island. I am immediately drawn two of the dives described in the book. The first on is the dive at the north side of Menjangen Island. The book describes the site as "...one of the most beautiful underwater parks in the world. The Menjangen dropoff has been compared in beauty to those found in Palau and the Great Barrier Reef." The second is Manta point which is at the large rock next to the smaller outer rock next to the eastern cliffs of Nusa Penida. I would be blown away by swimming with Manta's. I have been on shark dives in the carribean and they were incredible.
If you have ever been diving in Bali before, I would love to hear about your experinces, and would especially appreciate it if you would take a moment and answer a few of my questions. Please keep in mind, I am a novice diver, and I will be staying at Jimbarren Beach - and I have 1 full day to go diving.
1) Have you ever been on either of these dives? If so please describe your experience. Did you see Manta's at Manta's point? Is the wall at Menjangen Island really as nice as the book describes it?
2) If you could only dive for one day in Bali where would you go?
3) Can you recommend a specific dive shop I should go through?
4) How much can I expect to pay?
5) What is diving like in Indonesia vs. Carribean?
Any insights you can shed on the subject are greatly appreciated!