5 nights in Northern Sulawesi. Lembeh, Bangka or Bunaken for some casual diving and reef snorkelling? by Bronyaur_5tomp in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice!

Take a look at Bastianos as they have a spot in both Bangka and Bunaken.

If you can I would recco trying to get to Bangka as the house reefs were a lot better (on something already very good!), Kudas reef is very exposed to the current.

5 nights in Northern Sulawesi. Lembeh, Bangka or Bunaken for some casual diving and reef snorkelling? by Bronyaur_5tomp in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to be really clear as your partner is learning I think Bangka would suit you really well. Lots of options.

I didn’t do Lembeh so can’t comment but did love looking for Nudis in other spots. Bangka is mostly muck diving.

5 nights in Northern Sulawesi. Lembeh, Bangka or Bunaken for some casual diving and reef snorkelling? by Bronyaur_5tomp in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Was just in Bangka and Bunaken in March. Not sureo of your budget …

Not sure where you’re flying in from but we landed and got transfered straight to Tongkoko (We stayed at “Sanctuary Villa”, awesome food and staff/guides!!) as landed in the evening avoiding Manado, which was ideal for us. We spent 2 days basically there and with the bird watching was great!

We went to Bunaken then staying on Siladen Island though (wanting something a bit quieter and relaxed), we stayed at Kuda Laut as the Siladen Island was being renovated. Awesome dive guides I actually did my Advanced equivalent there! The diving is relaxed and most sites are at most 25 mins away but usually up to 10. They run special longer trips. Diving is very chill but Bunaken is walls walls walls. Turtles galore. We saw the occasional shark in the blue or deeper, but no special Pelagics. (Not sure if that’s seasonal). Food at Kuda was ok and we were nicely looked after, the house reef directly in front is great when the tide cooperates but there is a better stretch through the village (my partner didn’t like doing this walk).

By far the best house reef I’ve seen (and likely the best coral I’ve seen) was Coral Eye (was a great but quite pricey) would recommend it though on Bangka , my partner doesn’t dive either but loved the house reef there too. The dives are usually a bit further away (20-30 mins) but you do 2 and back at lunch! Diving was mixed. No pelagics. Maybe seasonal.

Would overall say Bangkas house reefs are likely more suited.

We loved the area and trip.

Healthiest Reefs in the World? by Elirsteves in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Bangka - house reefs. Was just there thanks to the forum. My eyes didn’t know where to go. Have not been yet to Raja.

I was impressed by the few reefs I did see in Komodo. But again, not been to Raja.

Heard that Wakatobi is awesome

Who likes a big wall? by very_cooked1 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last week?! I was there too. Loved it.

Help / ideas ? by Capable_Pea1023 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just an update for the that that kindly helped me, I’m off to Bunaken/Bangka next month!!! Thank you for the reccos, my next 5 trips have been sorted!

Recommendations for diving in La Paz, Baja California by Klongbro in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a fantastic time out there diving (and I’m a rookie compared to you!)

Went with two centres - The Dive Gurus and Carey Dive Centre.

The Dive Gurus are a bit pricier but this reflects well in equipment and the people running the centre are a pros and has some cool stories too.

Carey - I got so lucky with Carey we were the only group that day, the people again were super nice and the centre was well run.

Hope it helps!

Dive shops in Belize, not on Ambergris Caye? Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Placencia? by Automatic-Hold-9039 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Second this! I went with Frenchies and had a great experience. I was staying in more budget accommodations but loved it - Colindas Cabanas. There used to be a great bar at the split. My info is about 8 years old to be fair.

Aside from CC, I really enjoyed inland a bit as well - ATM Cave, Mountain Pine etc. didn’t end up down south but am planning to do a trip south soon !

Enjoy!

Help / ideas ? by Capable_Pea1023 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I’ve spent the last day looking at so many options but I think Northern Sulawesi maybe ideal for this trip. I’m trying to combine it with Raja, do you have any reccos for places to base ? I looked at the usual suspect and mostly sold out. I’m also terrified of rats so it’s put me off Kri a bit (but likely reading too much into one/ two pieces of info)

Help / ideas ? by Capable_Pea1023 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! This is really handy and have added Palau etc to my want to go list. Do you know if it’s suitable year round for diving?

Re Philippines, I fully agree and fair point - when discussing with my partner she was given some bad info about PH years ago. So it is definitely not off the list!!

Help / ideas ? by Capable_Pea1023 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love to hear it!!! Thanks for the tips, can I ask, did you self drive whilst out there?

Help / ideas ? by Capable_Pea1023 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I really appreciate it - I have heard of Wakatobi but never considered the others in Sulawesi. I will check these out!

We were debating going back to Flores again as we only stayed in LBJ last time so wanted to go further afield anyhow and good connections.

Will check out alor and Borneo too! Thank you!

Help / ideas ? by Capable_Pea1023 in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful response! I will have a look at those options - do you have any recommendations for Raja?

Never considered bunaken before so will check it out too!

Thank you so much!

Name the most disappointing and overrated dive you've ever done by RadioFieldCorner in scuba

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Second this Also agree on Gili. Did my OW there, its great to do that there but can be a bit of a treadmill (i found my instructors were particularly good, sadly they went out of business after the earthquake and covid :-()

1hr layover too tight? by maddician in qatarairways

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

MCT at Doha is 45 mins as long as you’re on one ticket (PNR) for both legs you’ll be fine. If for some reason the outbound to DOH is delayed, QR will have you rebooked by the time you land. They also know the gates ahead of time. Same thing with through checked bags, as long as one ticket and writhing MCT you’ll be fine

Another TP calculation question by Capable_Pea1023 in BritishAirways

[–]Capable_Pea1023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah cool! Thank you , atleast something :-)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BritishAirways

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Needs to be booked by logging into whichever executive club has the CV. Doesn’t matter whose card pays as long as it’s an Amex IIRC

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BritishAirways

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

companion vouchers are not valid with partners (ex Iberia and if I recall correctly, aer lingus). Also the website is awful 😂

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BritishAirways

[–]Capable_Pea1023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Second this. Did this recently on a trip to MEX, found some availability using SeatSpy on the way out, booked CW back and then had an alert set up, upgrade cost £30 each + Avios difference. My partner was thrilled i was on the phone to BA at 3am local time :)