Bali, the heart of Indonesia

 

Diving sites

In eastern Bali, about one hour away from Sanur (Denpasar), Padang Bai is a small but lively seaside village. This is also the departure point of many ferries to Lombok, Amuk, or Gilis islands. 

After 20mn of navigation, you arrive on Gili Tepekong and Gili Mimpang, two islands often exposed to north currents, which make of thoses sites unique places to see pelagics. Lucky ones will be able to meet black and white-tip sharks, barracudas, rays, and even sometimes the Mola Mola.

Thanks to the currents, the spot offers you a good visibility and the coral reef is particulary in good health. However, diving conditions can change very fast: we will wait for favourable conditions to go there. You can trust Atlantis instructors and guides who perfectly know those spots. 

Gili Mimpang

Gili Mimpang is situated between Gili Tepekong and the coast of Bali, and offers the same characteristics as Tepekong.  The currents coming from the strait of Lombok are very strong, the dive conditions change here can change very rapidly, and are often extreme (down and multidirectional current—washing machine!), making this a dive site that is only recommended for experienced certified divers.  No need to stress or worry though, because the Atlantis International dive guides and instructors know this dive site well.

Three small islets outline the site.  At the beginning of the dive, we descend onto a plateau with a large coral bommie where marine life abounds, and little by little we make our way along the reef as it begins to slope and eventually turns into a vertical wall.  If conditions allow, we continue along the wall, and at a shallower depth, make our way around the last of the three islets in order to arrive back to where we began our dive.  The cold currents here (18-20⁰ C) contribute to keeping the reef in excellent health, and also make it possible to encounter pelagics such as reef sharks, barracuda, stingrays, and even MolaMola (sunfish), particularly from July to October.

Accessibility

15 minutes by speed boat from Padang Bai.

Fauna

Very large numbers and variety, 80% chance to see sharks, occasionally devil ray and mola mola- (ocean sunfish).

Flora

Excellent coverage and variety.

Depth

30m + (June-October).

Dive type

Three mini-rocky islands, slope, overhangs and walls.

Moderate to strong. This dive site can be difficult because its size is forbidden to drift.

Remarks

Only nice for experienced divers because of the strong and difficult currents

hightlight:

Shark junction, one of the few places to get a shark swim shot from below, get your UW video!