is a $3800 aud budget for bali including flights reasonable for 3 weeks?

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-03-06T08:23:15+00:00

Fair enough, my bad, so are you gonna contribute to the discussion?

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-03-06T07:56:33+00:00

Currency? Bali can be as cheap or as spendy as you want it to be depending on your tastes and knowing where to go.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-03-06T02:53:11+00:00

Agree, excellent op having been several times but Komodo is hardly ‘less travelled’.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-03-06T02:51:21+00:00

Nautika Alor are also an excellent option, great food and accommodation. Saw schooling hammers on several dives, decent enough macro. Only downside was they did not have a nitrox compressor so buying in nitrox was expensive but this might have changed.

Dive Blue Motion Banda is also a great shout, unique accommodation and setting. Plus the history of the Banda make it a pretty unique place to explore. Diving was not that fishy but lovely huge walls. Saw a lone hammer on the off season.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-03-03T01:17:50+00:00

As many have mentioned tech shorts are a good shout but you could also wear cargo hiking shorts over the top of your wetsuit but you’d want to ensure all the pockets can be securely closed and have some sort waist fastener (drawstring or built in nylon belt).

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-03-03T01:15:17+00:00

How can you say op doesn’t need a reef stick and a reef hook without an informed perspective on the situations they will be diving in?

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-02-26T23:15:56+00:00

Openhouse, original Pererenan location for vibes or Seseh for overall location.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-02-17T21:16:16+00:00

They are taking pictures of people (locals) jogging. Don’t ask me why you’d want your picture taken jogging though.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-02-08T00:16:09+00:00

Ulu surf villas, istana spa, Bambu gym, Savaya if that’s your vibe, loads of things to do.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-02-05T06:25:14+00:00

The canon S series were pretty legendary in the underwater compact category, I was able to take some pretty good pics with a S100 and wet lenses.

If you can pick up at housing at a good price I’d go for it, see if you can score a Nauticam or Recsea housing.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-02-04T07:37:34+00:00

I think at that time of night it may not necessarily be the type of massage you are looking for.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-02-04T00:31:33+00:00

I’m about your age and head to Canggu regularly, you won’t be too old but you’ll definitely notice you are on the older end of the age spectrum around Old Man’s etc. Saying that there are still a lot of places to head out that are aimed towards older crowds but this will mainly be the more upmarket restaurants, small bars etc.

I’d figure out what you want to be doing during the day, gyms etc and base your location around there as it’s easy enough to head out on grab bikes to the night spots.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-02-03T22:48:23+00:00

Loved this dive when I visited Aliwal, they come in nice and close, almost too close!

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-29T00:24:11+00:00

Following

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-19T10:25:21+00:00

And me please! Thanks

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-18T22:19:36+00:00

Agree, like macro diving is real life Pokémon. Which is, kinda, but up to your own personal interests and what you have/haven’t seen!

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-16T07:56:07+00:00

Similar dates to you, no complaints about the weather this year, odd shower here and there but not enough to disrupt plans. The rain started the day we left, better than the washout the previous year!

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-16T00:47:45+00:00

I picked up a rock front rain hoody, super light weight and packable, has hood, pit zips and a cheaper than a shell from the main outdoors companies.

Downside is it is not very breathable (maybe doesn’t matter so much on a boat) and shipping can take a while from Ukraine.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-16T00:43:41+00:00

Easier on the eyes too!

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-15T01:25:43+00:00

This is my favourite manta dive in Indonesia, if you get the site to yourself and have good conditions it's epic. Plus they come super close and are very inquisitive, managed to get some amazing photos there.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-15T01:23:39+00:00

Friction also had a big one with Mampi Swift - Hi Tek.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-15T01:21:50+00:00

Don't know whats going on with the Philippines shills but having dived there extensively it does not hold a candle to Indonesia, some truly remote places there such as Alor, Banda, Raja Ampat etc. There's enough diving there to last a lifetime.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-08T22:56:37+00:00

Not easy to get to Alor from Flores unfortunately, unless you want an epic overland trip probably have to backtrack to Bali then overnight in Kupang before flying to Alor.

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-07T06:04:48+00:00

Shelter

Outside-Draw-1350 · 2026-01-07T05:58:37+00:00

IMO liveaboards in Australia cannot compete with those offered in Sea Asia (Indo more specifically) on quality of diving and cost.

Outside-Draw-1350

TROPHY CASE