Sanur Beach: Watch The Sun Rise From Below The Horizon

Overview

Greet the sun as she gradually rises from below the horizon radiating the most brilliant colors over Sanur Beach, while the soft white sands embrace the oncoming waves: a perfect picture of a beautiful sunny morning, where nature displays her fascinating features at the tranquil, laid back retreat of Sanur, east of Denpasar, capital of the fabled island of Bali.

Located just 25 minutes from the international airport, 30 minutes from the Kuta area, and  15 minutes from downtown Denpasar, Sanur is renowned as Bali's first beach resort and is actually where the early tourism industry grew on Bali.

Sanur is also recognized as the largest village in Bali where its people - as with the rest of east Bali- are particularly friendly, welcoming and accommodating. Despite the locals’ activities and the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it is surprising how un-crowded and peaceful Sanur is. There are many activities to try as well as beach resorts and restaurants but these are all spread along a long coastline, creating a secluded feeling where the action goes unnoticed to sunbathers and loungers on the unspoiled beaches that continue to maintain the traditional Balinese feel.

Sanur beach is a long stretch of beautiful white sand lined with palm trees that shade dreamy footpaths, market stalls and relaxed beach cafes. Along the beach are traditional Balinese Bale (raised shaded open verandas for lying down or relaxing). Most are no longer in use although a few are sometimes occupied by fishermen who fish in these waters.

The waters of Sanur are protected by a long string of offshore reefs, creating large, warm shallow, safe lagoons that are perfectly clear and excellent for swimming, snorkeling and a whole array of water sports. Surfers will be pleased to know that the reefs around Sanur produce some of the best waves in the world in the right conditions although they can be very shallow at low tide. But there are more consistent waves beyond the reefs good for surfing.

Sanur is also the launching pad for visitors who want to dive and explore the splendors of the nearby island of Nusa Lembongan. Nusa Lembongan is approximately 8 square km in size, and is one of three neighbouring islands, the others being much the larger Nusa Penida and tiny Nusa Ceningan. Many areas around the island are good for diving and snorkeling, with abundant marine life and healthly corals. Surfing can get a bit crowded, but the waves are good. There are several white sand beaches away from the main centers which are virtually never crowded.

Sanur Beach was first introduced by A.J. Le Mayeur, a renowned Belgian impressionist painter who arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island. He married a noted Balinese Legong dancer named Ni Polok and made her his model. Here he created some of his famous masterpieces. Today, the house of Le Mayeur has become a famous museum where visitors can view some of his artworks and gain an insight into the romantic aura of the time when Le Mayeur was one of a handful of expatriates.

As a place where tourism first flourished in Bali, Sanur has some of Balis’ historic hotels. Built in 1965, the Inna Grand Bali , formerly called Bali Beach Hotel, was the first five star and the only high rise hotel in Bali. After its construction a new law came into force where in Bali no hotel may be built higher than a coconut tree.

Here are also the Sanur Beach Hotel (Initialy called Hotel Garuda) and the Bali Hyatt. All of these hotels still operate until today with that certain touch of modernity that offers that nostalgic ambience for those who knew Bali decades ago before the onrush of tourism. But even today Sanur still maintains that pleasant ambience with places shaded by high and age old trees that continue to radiate the serene magic of Sanur.

To Do

Sanur's splendid paved beachfront cycle-path stretches some 5 kilometres from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. The more active could try one or more of the many watersports on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The surf here is not great by Bali standard but there are reasonable breaks about 1km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000.

For one of a kind experience, you should try the Sea Walker. A safe and exciting underwater adventure Sea Walker is a unique diving system, that provides an opportunity to observe the underwater world to a depth of 15 feet without certification, and without getting your hair wet. Participants actually walk along the bottom of the sea, rather than swim while numerous exotic fish and sea life are found all around.

Get There

Located within the vicinity of Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Sanur is a 20 minute taxi ride from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island that will be keen to take you to Sanur. This is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 30 minutes driving time from Kuta or Legian, about 45 minutes from Seminyak or Ubud and 15 minutes from Downtown Denpasar.

Sanur is also well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from Denpasar's Tegal terminal. The bus company Perama has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from Candidasa, Kuta, Lovina, Padang Bai and Ubud. Private shuttle buses run from most major tourist centers of Bali to Sanur; check local advertising and always book 24 hours in advance.

Get Around

Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not far, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district.

To Eat

There are a lot of restaurants and cafes along the coastline, for budget meals you may want to try the pasar malam(Night Market) at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan. Here are some of the restaurants and dining options you can find around Sanur:

Abian Boga Restaurant

 Jl Kesuma Sari No 5

Phone: +62 361 284174

Cafe Batu Jimbar

 Jl Danau Tamblingan

Phone:  +62 361 287374

Kayu Manis

 Jl Danau Tamblingan

Phone:  +62 361 289410

Massimo

 Jl Danau Tamblingan 228

Phone:  +62 361 288942

Email: massimosaccobali@gmail.com

Smorgås Café

 Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II

Phone:  +62 361 289361

Stiff Chilli

 Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang

Phone:  +62 361 288371

Email:  stiffchilli@rjhgroup.com

 Treo Beach Café

 Mertasari Beach

Phone:  +62 361 9218588

To Stay

Sanur is a quiet version of Kuta that offers a decent selection of accommodation options. You won’t find the mega resorts of Nusa Dua, but you will discover a price selection, with many small personal places situated close to the beach. As a site where tourism flourished for the first time in Bali, Sanur has a complete selection of Budget, mid-Range and Luxury options. For hotels with website you can refer to our Find a Hotel, some other accommodation options are listed below:

Kesumasari Guest House

 Jl Pantai Kesumasari, Semawang

Phone:  +62.361.3610840

Email: info@kesumasarihotel.com

Prima Cottage

 Jl Bumi Ayu 23

Phone:  +62 878 61323761

Email: sales@primacottage.com

Ratna Beach Hotel

 Jl Segara Ayu, Sanur Bali

Phone:  +62.361.8070181

Email: info@ratnabeachhotel.com

Ananda Beach Hotel

 Jl Hangtuah

Phone:  +62 813 37536464

Email: info@anandabeachhotel.com

Baruna Hotel

Segara Ayu Sreet No. 3

Phone:  +62 361 288 414

Email: info@hotelbaruna.com

Arimbi villa sanur

Jl Pengembak 14

Phone:  +62 361 289091

Email: arimbi14@gmail.com

The gangsa Private Villa by Kayumanis

 Jalan Tirta Akasa no. 28

Phone:  +62 361 270 260

Phone: info@thegangsa.com

Mahagiri Villas Sanur

 Jalan Pungutan 31

Phone: +62 361 283939

Email: info@mahagirivillassanur.com

Bali , Diving and Snorkeling

Lovina Beach

Overview

Lining up of busy losmen and hotels with the depleted shady sea makes Lovina one of the most stirring beaches in Bali. Tranquility, incredible under water world and popular attraction is the dolphin watching. A small traditional boat called, jukung, may be hired form the villagers in the morning to bring us off shore to meet these smart and cute creatures. According to the news, theres about 500 - 1000 dolphins here in Lovina Beach

Get There

You can go there by private or public vehicle. From Kuta or Denpasar, it will take a time around 2-3 hours of driving.

To Eat

 There are various foreign and local restaurants that offering international and local food with varied price.

Bali , Diving and Snorkeling

Amed Beach

Overview

Amed Beach East Bali is everything you dreamed it would be: a rare and special paradise of outstanding exotic beauty, vibrant culture and friendly people. Here you can finally find peace and quiet, enjoy great food and take advantage of comfortable and inexpensive accommodation.

From the beach, Amed offers an excellent site for training dives. It has a flat bottom lagoon for instruction and a coral reef only 5 minutes swim away.

This location is highly recommended for introductory dives. By boat, Amed has a nice wall dive just a few minutes away. It is a fun, easy dive for everyone. Snorkeling and diving off the black-sand beaches here is exceptional, the variety and numbers of fish on display are among the best on Bali and the water temperature is a constant 28 degrees. Schools of cardinal fish, triggerfish, black snappers, pyramid butterflies, banner fish, and damselfish can be seen on the sand slopes, while table corals, big fan gorgonians, and magnificent stag horn Acropora and Dendronephthya trees, dense growths of sponges, crinoids, and sea fans are commonly found within 20 meters of shore.

Cemuluk, on a protected bay, is an ideal place to begin snorkeling. Four kilometres further south along the coast is Banyuning, where there's a small wreck and some of the most beautiful coral gardens to be seen anywhere in the Lesser Sundas. The water is a little deeper here and sometimes there is a slight swell, so this area suits people with experience.

Get There

It's located North East from Amlapura. You should reach it within thirty minutes by car.

If you want to use a public transportion, take a bus (medium-sized) from Denpasar, Batubulan Terminal to Amlapura, for two hours. Then change to a bemo (a three-wheeled motoped) to Amed, for 30min. The bemo will usually stop at the village, but you need to state it clearly otherwise the driver may take you directly to Jemeluk Beach.

To Do

You can visit the fish market early in the morning when the tuna come in, And you can also enjoy the views surrounding Amed village.

Get Around

You're free to explore Amed beach on foot.

To Stay

Amed is actually the name of just one village and not the place to base yourself; the villages to the south are more attractive. There are dozens of places to stay along this coast, from homestays to modest but comfy hotels.

To Eat

You can find food stalls (warung) whose sell snacks and "nasi campur". The best restaurant in the area is the Baliku, approximately one kilometer south of the Blue Moon. And restaurants in the Lipah area serve good Indonesian food.

To Buy

Sea-related products, such as items made of seashells, corals, etc.

Tips

• Most hotel staff can also arrange sailing or fishing trips so you can catch your own dinner. Your hotel will most probably have snorkeling gears for hire.
• If you're on the Amed coast and want to dive, steer clear of the dive operators and check the prices at the other operators. Just make sure you take a look at the dive operator's equipment to make sure it's up to snuff before you decide to dive with them.

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Bali , Diving and Snorkeling

The Romantic Pink Beach of The Komodo Islands

Overview

A clear blue sky above, with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across. Rolling green hills, covered luxuriantly in thick vegetation, interspersed with high, rocky cliffs. Calm, clear waters, tinted by the colorful corals beneath its surface, and alive with the movement of a hundred species of marine life. Last, but not least: a stretch of soft sand, but not white, not black, but PINK!

Pink Beach, or Pantai Merah, as it is aptly named, is one of seven pink beaches on the planet, and is just one of the many amazing features of Komodo Island that make it truly a Natural Wonder of Nature. This exceptional beach gets its striking color from microscopic animals called Foraminifera, which produce a red pigment on the coral reefs.  For this reason, it is called Red Beach in the local tongue. When the tiny fragments of red coral combine with the white sands, this produces the soft pink color that is visible along the shoreline. Aside from Pink Beach itself, a few small segments along Komodo’s eastern bay also have a pinkish tint.

To Do

Indulge your senses in the natural beauty and exotic charm that is Komodo Island. Relish the seclusion of a deserted beach on an uninhabited island, with not a soul in sight save your own travel team and guides. Take a moment to appreciate panoramic views of turquoise seas, green rolling hills, blue skies and fascinatingly pink sands. Aside from the obvious relaxation amidst this picture perfect scenery, Komodo is not short of interesting activities to partake in.
Once you have finished taking in the magnificent surroundings, take a dip in the waters and uncover the marine beauty that Pink Beach has to offer.  Amazing corals of all shapes and sizes jut from the sea bed, many even visible while still aboard your vessel.
Obviously snorkeling and diving have become a sort of compulsory activity while visiting this beach. The corals of the Pink Beach’s underwater gardens are in excellent condition, with hundreds of species of both soft and hard corals, and thousands of species of fish. Pink Beach is a terrific choice for snorkelers and beginner divers as even the shallow waters are home to an abundance of species to keep you more than entertained. Of course, there is much more to see the deeper you venture.
Relax on the fairytale-like pink sands and work on your tan. Or join in with the various other available water sports such as kayaking or just having a leisurely swim. If photography is your passion, this is definitely a place to try your hand at capturing the stunning natural beauty of the island. And make sure you stick around till sunset, as the view is amazing.
A few points to keep in mind, is that this is an uninhabited island, and it also is the natural habitat of the Komodo Dragon. If you see the creatures roaming the coast or in the water, be sure to keep a distance. Komodo Dragons are excellent swimmers and are even capable of swimming inter-island. Komodo Dragons are wild animals that could be potentially dangerous to people, so it is not recommended to visit this beach without the help of an experienced guide or ranger.

Get There

The best route to the Komodo National Park is most definitely through Bali. As one of the most popular destinations in Indonesia,Bali is an extremely well connected airport with international flights available from Amsterdam, Bangkok ,Brisbane, Darwin, Dili, Doha,Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Perth, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo and others. Domestic flights are available from all major cities of Indonesia.

From Bali, Trans Nusa airline has daily flights to Labuan Bajo on Flores by small jet or turbo-prop planes carrying 50 passengers. Labuan Bajo is the gateway to the Komodo islands. Merpati Nusantara also has flights to Labuan Bajo. 

Once in Labuan Bajo, you can proceed to Komodo by speedboat.The port in Labuan Bajo is about a 10 minute drive from the Labuanbajo airport. You can choose to dock straight on the fabled Pink Beach, or if you prefer a trek through the coral cliffs and mangroves, you could dock on a different side of the island, and embark on the 4 hour trek by foot to the beach.

To Stay

As pink beach is an uninhabited and fairly remote area, most tourists opt to stay in Labuan Bajo for proper accommodations. If you wish to stay on Komodo itself, there are available homestays on the island with modest facilities and simple food. Your guide should be able to help you on this matter should you choose to overnight on Komodo.

For information on operators to Komodo and Labuan Bajo, please click “Find Travel Agent” in Labuan Bajo.

Live aboard cruises are also available, among which are:

http://www.komodoliveaboard.com/

http://www.komodo-diving.com/

And finally, for where to stay, here is a list of the accommodations in Labuan Bajo. More are available at“Find a Hotel”.

Komodo Resorts consists of 14 spacious bungalows that fit perfectly into the surrounding landscape, just a short stretch from the beach. The bungalows are made from teak wood that has been recycled or that has come from controlled plantations. Each bungalow is equipped with hot water and fans, and 8 of the deluxe bungalows also include air-conditioning and a minibar.

Dive trips and live aboard cruises are also available at this resort.

Komodo Resort
Tanjung Pelinta, Sebayur Island,
Komodo, Manggarai Barat, Flores 86754
Phone   : 62- 85 - 42095
Fax      : 62 – 385 – 42094
Website: www.komodoresort.com

Bintang Flores Hotel is a four-star hotel in Labuanbajo located amidst spacious grounds and overlooking a private beach. Guest rooms come equipped with a king-sized bed or twin beds, satellite TV, safety deposit box, mini-bar, IDD telephone and air-conditioning. Ground-floor rooms offer direct access to the hotel gardens, while those on the higher floors provide a spectacular view of the Flores Sea. Rates start at USD 120 – 230 per night.

Bintang Flores Hotel
Jalan Pantai Pede, Labuan Bajo
Phone   : 62 – 385 – 2443755
Fax       : 62 – 385 – 2443762
Email    : info@bintangfloreshotel.com
Website:www.bintangfloreshotel.com

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Diving and Snorkeling , East Nusa Tenggara , Water Sport

The Fascinating ALOR Islands at the east-most end of Flores

Overview

Despite its short name, the Alor islands hide a long list of splendors, from fascinating underwater wonders up to the unique culture of the highland people. Here, one will be indulged with spectacles ranging from spellbinding marine life, the unique Moko kettledrums, the oldest Al Qur’an in Southeast Asia, and the traditional villages of the highlands.

Extending at the east- most tip of Flores Island, still in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Alor is a name pinned to the regency, the archipelago, as well as the main island of the archipelago.

The Alor Archipelago comprises 20 islands and 17 sub-districts. Among these, only 9 islands are inhabited: Alor, Pantar, Pura, Terewang, Ternate (not to be confused with Ternate in Maluku), Kepa, Buaya, Kangge, and Kura. The other 11 uninhabited islands are: Sikka, Kapas, Batang, Lapang, Rusa, Kambing, Watu Manu, Batu Bawa, Batu Ille, Ikan Ruing, and Nubu.

Although not yet as popular as Raja Ampat or neighboring Komodo Island, the waters around the archipelago offer equally fascinating spectacles –if not better. There are at least 50 dive spots stretching from Alor Island to Pantar Island, and several islets around them. Among these, 20 are considered in prime condition and among the world’s best. Some of the best sites are found along the Pantar Strait.

Those who are fortunate enough to have experienced diving in these waters have said that the underwater splendors of Alor outclass those in the Caribbean. In his book “East of Bali”, Photographer Kal Muller described the waters around Alor as pristine, filled with a variety of fascinating creatures, and highlighted with night-dive spots. He considered Alor as a world class underwater paradise.

The island of Alor itself is inhabited by a number of Flores sub- ethnic groups who still preserve their traditional ways of life. One of these still produces clothing from tree bark known as the Ka Clothing. The unique cultureof the Alorese are best observed among the Takpala indigenous group who dwell in the village of Lembur Barat, North-Central Alor. The Takpala still preserve the traditional housing construction that resembles a pyramid, covered with coconut leaves, bamboo plaited walls, and four main wooden pillars.

The island of Alor is also known as the island of a Thousand Moko’s. Moko is a small bronze kettledrum which is believed to have originated from the Dong Son culture of Vietnam. However, it remains a mystery as to how these prehistoric Dong Son drums arrived in Alor. Local legend says that the moko’s were discovered  buried in the ground, and indeed until today it is still common for these mokos to be  similarly  uncovered.To observe these unique artifacts, one can visit the Museum of  A Thousand Mokos located in the main town of Kalabahi, on Alor Island. The Museum also showcases a collection of distinct Alor hand-woven clothing called Kawate.

The island also holds the oldest Al Qur’an (Islamic holy book) ever to be discovered in Indonesia and in South East Asia. The Al Qur’an which is estimated to be over 800 years old is made of tree bark and uses natural substances for ink. The special Al Qur’an was once shown to the public in April 2011, during the Legu Gam Festival of the Ternate Sultanate.

To Do

As an extension from the seas of Flores and Komodo Island, the Alor Archipelago is blessed with equally fascinating marine spectacles. Diving here is bliss, for you will encounter pristine coral reefs and fascinating creatures of the deep. Here divers will be indulged with the appearance of whales, sharks, mola-mola or sunfish, manta rays, and various other underwater creatures.

A number of  dive spots in Alor include Baruna’s Point, Never-Never wall, Cave Point, Barrel Sponge Wall, Mola-Mola Point, Night Snacks, Alor Expree, Rocky Point, Three Coconuts, Moving Pictures, Eagle Ray Point, Rahim’s Point, Tuna Channel, Anemone Country, Sharks Reeway, Octopus Garden, Captain’s Choice, The Refrigerator, Half Moon Bay, Peter’s Prize, Crocodile Rook,  The Edge, Coral Clitts, Baeylon, The Arch, Fallt Line, The Pacth, Nite Delht, Kal’s Dream, The Ball, Trip Top, The Mlai Hall, No Man’s Land, The Chatedral, School’s Ut, dan Shark Close. 

On land, Alor Island is a perfect place to explore the fascinating culture of the country. Aside from the thousand Mokos and the 800 years old Al Qur’an, you can explore the indigenous way of life that has been well preserved for generations.

Get There

To get to Alor, you can take a flight from Kupang,  capital of East Nusatenggara. From Kupang there are several airlines that serve flights to Mali Airport in Kalabahi, the main town of Alor. Trans-Nusa serves daily flights between Kupang-Alor which takes about an hour. Reservation can be made at:

Trans Nusa:

Jl.Jenderal Sudirman,No.68, Kupang

Telephone: +62 380 822555

The other option is by ferry which will take approximately 12 hours from Kupang to Larantuka, and followed by wooden boats to Kalabahi Seaport , which take  about one hour.

To Stay

Kalabahi is the main city, and the capital of the Alor Regency. This is where all the facilities and accommodation are centered. Here are some of the accommodations in Kalabahi:

Hotel Pelangi Indah
Jalan Diponegoro No. 24, Kalabahi, Alor
Telp. +6 2386 21251

Hotel Nusa Kenari Indah
Jalan Diponegoro No. 11, Kalabahi, Alor
Telp. +62 386 21074

Homestay Cantik
Jalan Dahlia No.12, Kalabahi, Alor
Telp. +62 0386 21030

Hotel Marlina
Jalan Dipenogoro No.11, Kalabahi, Alor
Telp. +62 386 21208; 21205

Hotel Adi Dharma
Jalan R.E. Martadinata No. 12, KalabahiN Alor
Telp. +62 0386 21280

Hotel Mawar
Jalan Dipenogoro No.34, Kalabahi, Alor
Telp. +62 386 21251; 21281

Hotel Melati
Jalan Dr. Soetomo No. 1, Kalabahi, Alor
Telp. +62 0386 21073

Hotel Nur Fitra
Jalan Pasar Paledang, Kalabahi, Alor
Telp. +62 0386 2222124

There are also other accommodation available on other islands that particularly cater to divers. These are:

Homestay and Diving La P’tite, Kepa Island
Kecamatan Alor Barat laut, Alor, NTT
Telp. +62 386 21141; 21146
Mobile. +62 81 353 709 719
Website. www.la-petite-kepa.com/

Javatoda, Alor Divers
Jalan Tengiri No. 1 Kalabahi, Alor
Mobile: +62 81317804133.
Website: www.alor-divers.com/

Find a Travel agent:

Flobamora Travel
Jalan Hati Suci No.50, Kupang
Telp. +62 380 831798

Nusatin Travel
Jalan Jenderal Sumdirman No.25, Kupang
Telp. +62 380 21086

Ellyandu Travel
Jalan Sumatera No. 13, Kupang
Telp. +62 380 821473

Stindo Travel
Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan No. 17, Kupang
Telp. +62 380 821473

Montana Travel
Jalan Herewila No. 11, Kupang
Telp. +62 380 826814; 822272

Pitoby Travel
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Kupang
Telp. +62 380 832700

SKTM
Jalan RW Monginsidi, Komplek Ruko Lontar permai Blok B/17, Kupang
Telp. +62 380 8333990

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Diving and Snorkeling , East Nusa Tenggara

Kanawa: Best Satellite Island to enjoy the Komodo National Park

Overview

The island of Kanawa, only some 15 kilometers from the growing fishermen’s town of Labuan Bajo on Flores, is fringed with a bed of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish all around. Its turquoise water is exceptionally calm and clear. Swimming and snorkeling are most poular family activities here. Dive down the sea from the jetty, and meet schools of fish that cloud the stilts. Hours would pass so quietly as you are busy with all of these beach activities.

The island of Kanawa has two bulging hills with fantastic panorama from its hilltop. Covering only 32-hectare or less than 80-acre land, the island is a hideout from the hidden, yet so close to the burgeoning harbor of Labuan Bajo. This could be the only resort class service that fits the budget of backpackers.

 The 250,000-rupiah-per-night bungalows on Kanawa may just be the perfect base for you to start exploring the entire, or part of the Komodo National Park. There is nothing you can do on the island, except everything that the water and the land of the national park around it have to offer. The observation of the Komodo dragon, the water buffalos of Rinca, the male and female palm trees, the savanna of Monkey Mountain in Rinca, and the scenic landscape of the national park are equally astonishing. Moreover, diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters are just a short walk away when you stay on Kanawa instead of Labuan Bajo.

An Italian citizen has rented the property from a local and brushed the entire island with his natural touch. The 14 wooden bungalows built here camouflage the fantasy of a paradise on earth. Amongst sparse beach vegetation that grows between a rocky hill and turquoise water, the eco-friendly property is a delightful ambush. People do not wish to leave too soon. It’s a seamless haven.

The Starfish café is part of the resort, a hang out place to read the travel book, or share stories with the entire world. There are also diving enthusiasts who love to share their latest engagement with the mantas, the wobbegongs, the whale sharks, or the pigmy seahorse found in the diving spots around the island. The music usually turns to become lively during the evening after a time-lapsing moment passing the unworldly episode of a golden sunset.

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Diving and Snorkeling , East Nusa Tenggara

Diving Around Komodo Island

Overview

The sea around Komodo Island offers vibrant colors and exotic marine life which will enchant divers and snorkelers alike as endless schools of fish ride the waterways rushing up from deep sea vents, below them the seabed is covered with a thick carpet of florescent corals and marine invertebrates, an underwater photographers paradise.

The waters that surround the island are turbulent and teeming with unparalled marine life. A marine reserve has recently been established and this reserve is largely undocumented and remains unexplored. Komodo National Park was established in 1980. It was declared as a Man and Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site in 1986. KNP includes three major islands - Komodo, Rinca and Padar and numerous smaller islands together totaling 41,000 ha of land contains 132,000 ha of marine waters.

The corals in Komodo National park are pristine, with Mantas, sharks, turtles, dolphins, dugong, many pelagics, to the tiny pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, frog fish, you name it we've got it. The sites vary from gentle easy coral slopes to heart pounding adrenalin rides, from the warm waters of the Flores Sea in the north to the chillier waters down south in the Indian Ocean, the underwater terrain is so varied with sheer cliff walls, pinnacles, sandy flat bottoms, underwater plateaus, slopes, caves, swim-throughs, channels, all with varying colours, sizes and types of coral both hard and soft.

To Do

DIVE SITES:

Bidadari Island

Angel Steps, huge towers of stone, encrusted with hard and soft corals, covered in nudibranchs, small caves and overhangs make this a very interesting and beautiful site, Dusky sharks, humphead parrot fish are among the bigger creatures we see here. Cathedral Coral, a gentle slope covered with table corals of every colour and schooling fish, a towering spire of coral with a small cave at it's base is the home to some huge lobsters.

Sabolon

Sabolon kecil a slope on the east side of this tiny island, with two underwater mounds at the southern end with fields of garden eels and sea pens, schools of round bat fish are often seen coming quite close for some nice photography.

Sabolon Besar steep slopes off the southern and western sides of the bigger island, fabulous coral coverage and a good chance of spotting Scorpion leaf fish.

Sebayur kecil walls and slopes of every kind of coral you can imagine, wide variety of marine life to be seen at this site, mantas often seen.

Tatawa Besar slope with soft coral garden changing to hard coral along the slope, lots of shoaling fish, rainbow runners, fuseliers and often turtles and black tip sharks.

Tatawa Kecil (current city) as the name implies, this site is washed by very strong currents, which is why this site is among the many world class sites in the Komodo National Park, schools of pelagic fish patrol the waters, best dived at slack tide.

Batu Bolong

A little further west from current city a small rock outcrop with a hole through it is the surface mark of another world class site, only to be dived at slack tide or with a current not long from stopping or starting to run, these giant slabs of rock which disappear into the depths are an amazing sight to see, covered with every form of marine life and patrolled by giant trevally, Napoleon Wrasse, sharks and turtles with schools of barracuda sweeping in to check out the divers.

Diving the Komodo National Park provides some fantastic conditions:

• WATER TEMPERATURE: 20 - 28 Degrees Celsius (68-85 F) , cooler water is experienced on the southern sites. Full 3mm wetsuit & hood is recommended. More active people will prefer a sports suit in northern sites
• VISIBILITY: 10 - 50M year round. Traditionally clearer water on northern sites.CURRENT: Komodo experiences a strong tidal flow. Not all sites are affected by current. Drift diving is excellent, however during spring tides some sites are impossible to dive. Particular attention is placed on diving the correct sites at the most suitable time to ensure optimum conditions, in accordance with the preferences of the group.
• NIGHT DIVING: The night diving in Komodo is breathtaking. The sheer beauty, color and diversity of life makes it a must see for all divers.
• WALLS: There are numerous walls to choose from. Both drift and static wall dives are offered.
• CANYONS: Huge chasms drop thousands of meters, fringed by extraordinary coral gardens.
• CRITTERS: Found in all locations, however we do offer special sites for encountering unusual marine species.
• OTHERS: Seamounts, fringing reefs, gutters, muck, and sandy locations are also found in the archipelago.

Get There

By daily flights from: Bali - Labuan Bajo/Komodo Airport - Bali (each 1.5 hours)

Tips

For more information on diving around Kodomo Island, you can check the related information on www.floreskomodo.com

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Diving and Snorkeling , East Nusa Tenggara

Semau Island

Overview

Semau Island can be reached about thirty minutes by boat from Kupang. This untainted island paradise is well worth a visit. The surrounding crystal-clear waters offer exceptional sites for swimming and snorkelling. Bamboo bungalows on white sandy beaches are availble for rent, and you can enjoy dinner of barbequed fish fresh from the sea while enjoying a spectacular sunset.

Semau Island has a length of about 45 kilometers (km) and width of 5-6 km. The island consists of two sub-districts, namely sub Semau and South  Semau.

The island is inhabited by two tribes, Helong  and   Rote . Semau Island is one of the big seaweed in Kupang.  Uiasa Beach and  Otan Beach is a beach that has the potential to be developed into tourist.

Several locations around the Semau  Island also have coral reef ecosystems are still in good condition, among others in the Hansisi village and Tanjung Lalaka  is an area where both diving and snorkeling or just swimming

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Diving and Snorkeling , East Nusa Tenggara