Matahari Beach Resort & Spa Bali

On the North-west coast of Bali, the Matahari Beach Resort is situated right beside a fine sand lava beach at Pemuteran.

There are 32 suites available in 16 bungalows which, faithful to ancient tradition, are decorated with lavish wood carving and stonework.

Each bungalow is only a few yards from the beach and has its own verandah.

A very strong selling point for this resort is the superb level of service, and although it is quite isolated this was one of the reasons behind choosing the Matahari Beach Resort. You can arrive by helicopter, it is I believe a spectacular short flight from the airport, we didn’t arrive that way because my wife won’t get into one, and I wasn’t really prepared to pay the extra. The limo supplied was very comfortable but it was a three hour drive through some beautiful scenery, but it is a bit of a flog after a long flight.

I have to say it was pretty well worth it, for not only the setting, a black lava sand beach is a bit off putting until you get used to it.

The food was spectacular at the main restaurant The’ Dewi Ramona’ or the ‘Paon’ a traditional Balinese kitchen on the beach, where cooking is over a traditional wood fire.

The swimming pool is excellent, but it is a bit tedious to spend 50 minutes in a boat to get to the snorkelling, diving and water sports activities.

The rooms were quite lovely, with the usual facilities, and thank goodness air conditioning, very comfortable large beds, and a huge marble tub.

I’m not sure I’d go again, the drive is a bit off putting, but a very nice hotel if you crave peace and quiet, and wonderful scenery, and if that is important to you, then the Matahari would be ideal

Bali Liveaboard Scuba Diving

What can be a more adventurous and fulfilling scuba diving vacation experience than liveaboard luxury yacht cruising and scuba diving in the tropical islands of Bali?

Contrary to what many scuba divers think, liveaboard scuba diving may not be as expensive as you think. In fact if planned properly, live on board diving vacations may even save you money and inconveniences. Firstly, you will on transportation time and costs traveling to your dive operator's boat and then after your dive, returning to your hotel or resort lugging your cumbersome scuba diving gear with you and repeating the same process for the next couple of days during your vacation in Bali.

Next, you save money on hotel or resort accommodation because since that you are living on the dive boats, there will be no need for hotel or resort bookings. Furthermore, you do not need to hunt for expensive meals in your hotel or resort since all liveaboard scuba diving packages will include delicious meals which will also mean that you will be probably having very fresh and delectable sea food caught by the crew while you are enjoying your cruise or are scuba diving.

The highlight of your liveaboard Bali vacation is that you can dive in many exotic dive locations instead of only the dive spots near where you stay. This is because since that you need not return to your resort or hotel to retire for the day, the liveaboard dive yachts will cruise away to far flung scuba diving locations while you are sleeping. This again saves you time and best of all, you get to save more money by diving in more places for the same price.

Here is a typical example of a liveaboard Bali scuba diving itinerary. It is a 7 days Bali scuba diving excursion.

Day One - Visit one of Bali's most interesting street on the way to Pemuteran & Menjangan North West Bali which will also include a stopover in View Point Restaurant Sanda. You will scuba dive in Pemuteran House Reef & Reef Project or Secret Bay in Gilimanuk

Day Two - Your liveaboard boat will cruise to Menjangan Island. You will be diving at the National Park, Walls, Anker Wreck, Coral Garden, buffet lunch on the white powdery sandy beach of the island. The boat will then land and send you to the north coast and visit a well kept secret Waterfall and a hot spring.

Day Three - Scuba diving activities will be at Amed Tulamben or Secret Spot, Drop Off, Liberty Wreck Dive (American battle ship sunk during WW2) & some wall diving.

Day Four - Some land excursion to enjoy the view of Bali's world famous terraced rice fields in the morning. Then your liveaboard yatcht will take you diving at the Blue Lagoon & White Beach. There will also be a night dive at the Blue Lagoon.

Day Five - Continue your Bali vacation by cruising to Gili Mimpang & Gili Tepekong or Gili Biaha for fantastic dive sites.

Day Six - More scuba diving activities at Gili Biaha or Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. The sea at these diving locations could be rough at times, so the dives would very much be dependant on the weather. However, if the weather allow, you will be scuba diving in one of the most breath taking underwater scenery in the world.

Day Seven - More scuba diving at the Blue Lagoon, White Beach and the Channel and then off to Bali airport to your next scuba diving adventure.

So if you want to save time and money during your Bali scuba diving vacation, why not try liveaboard luxury boats instead?

Where To Go Scuba Diving In Bali

The tropical Indonesian island of Bali is still attracts millions of tourists every year. Tourists on vacations to Bali are attracted by the mystique, charms and allure of the predominantly traditional Hindu culture, spectacular tropical jungles, mountains and beautiful beaches. Many tourists especially from nearby Australia and Singapore travel to Bali for scuba Diving. The islands in Bali are well known for its excellent scuba diving locations.

Scuba divers in Bali can expect to encounter awesome underwater landscape as well as sighting a very wide array of marine sea creatures. Let's visit some scuba diving Bali dive spots.

In Nusa Penida and Lembongan Islands, there are spectacular drop off reefs making reef and wall diving the predominant staple on these two scuba diving locations. It takes about a 45 minute speedboat ride to reach these dive destinations.

Water visibility is excellent all year round but the current here is stronger. Experienced divers will love it here as they can enjoy some drift dives. However, the current may get very strong occasionally and dives may have to be abandoned when this happens.

The dive sites at Nusa Dua and Sanur are just 5 minutes away from the coast and therefore easily assessable. The novice divers will love these dive spots because of the gentle current. Water visibility ranges from low to moderate since they are located in the coastal area and are more affected by pollution. Although hard coral life is limited, the dive spots have a surprisingly diversity of marine fishes, soft corals and sponges which are thriving on the reefs.

There is a very wide variety of corals, colorful sea fans and huge pelagic fishes here. Big schools of sweet lips fish, turtles, sharks and manta rays are often sighted by excited scuba divers.

Jemeluk and Amed Beaches are one and half hour away from Denpasar. Denpasar is a popular tourist coastal town with many wonderful hotels, resorts and night entertainment. Scuba divers need to be very experienced as the current here can get very strong. However the dives here can be very exciting because of long coastal reefs, reef slopes/drop offs and majestic wall diving. Water visibility can be considered as moderate to good. To add a final touch, these dive spots have one of the best hard coral communities in Bali.

The Tulamben Wreck Dive is a must dive spot for scuba divers to enjoy wreck diving. The water visibility here is fair to good and the current is gentle. Night dive on this wreck are often described as breathtaking.

The wreck, USS Liberty which met its fate in 1942 when a Japanese torpedo fired from a submarine in the second world war found its target.

The above are just some of the many splendid scuba diving destinations in Bali. For more superb dive sites,just contact the many scuba diving operators in Bali Island.

An Indonesian Paradise - Bali's Hotel Santika

Bali is noted as the heart of Indonesia's cultural and traditional heritage. Its tropical landscape, mixed with captivating oceanfront accommodations, make it a relaxing sanctuary for travelers and visitors. This is particularly for those seeking refuge from the stressful façade of city living.

Amongst all other oceanfront hotels, Hotel Santika stands out with about 171 stylish and elegant suites, private bungalows and guestrooms. These are all situated across a beautiful garden environment, exhibiting excellent collections of fragrant flora and native trees.

In Hotel Santika, guests will thrive on a committed level of hospitality only Bali is known for. You are also guaranteed with wonderful amenities and quality services. Hence, Hotel Santika takes pride as an icon of excellence throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

Out of respect for the Balinese philosophy of "harmony and balance between man and the environment," the hotel features an elegant selection of room categories. All of which are attuned to the varied needs of their international guests. They believe that for every type of person, there is an appropriate room accommodation. This would include business delegates who would like to participate in important meetings and ventures, families taking a vacation with their children, as well as couples who want to spend some alone time together.

Here are Hotel Santika's room types:

Deluxe Rooms

These rooms offer fascinating garden views and slight ethnic decors. Hotel Santika has a total of sixty deluxe rooms situated a few steps away from their swimming pool. You can even request for inter-connected rooms, if needed.

Premiere Rooms

These rooms, unlike the deluxe rooms situated in the central part of the hotel, is set along Hotel Santika's separate wing. Sixty-eight premiere rooms, showcasing contemporary Balinese designs, promote a feeling of comfort for all its guests. Similar to deluxe rooms, you can also request for inter-connected rooms, if needed.

Garden Bungalows

Conventionally thatched roofs, elegant Balinese designs, handcrafted furnishings, along with indulging bathrooms, outdoor showers, beautiful pathway entrances and spacious units, all make this type of room perfect for couples and honeymooners. This is especially suitable for those seeking a private hideaway and romantic ambiance. Hotel Santika has a total of sixteen garden bungalows.

Garden Double Queen Bungalows

For those wanting enough space for the whole family, this is the appropriate accommodation for you. Designed with a sense of Balinese aesthetic elements, extravagant bathrooms, outdoor showers and canopy beds, a total of sixteen Garden Double Queen Bungalows can comfortably indulge you to stay in Hotel Santika much longer.

Oceanfront Suites

With a total of eight oceanfront suites placed on a secluded setting, you will adore a landscaped Balinese garden compound with your very own pool. These suites not only showcase understated decors and rustic elegance, it also guarantees semi-outdoor bathrooms as well as shaded terraces.

Presidential Suite

Reminiscent to the traditional Balinese Village setting, these exclusive presidential suites are packaged with a private pool, proportional space, two bedrooms and a traditional bale for captivating sunset views. With its local architectural notion, this room type will not only provide you with a sense of privacy and peace, it is also suitable for those traveling with kids.

Hotel Santika Premiere Beach Resort Bali is also capable of providing you with a 24 hour Butler Services (Suite and Bungalow guests only), 2 bars, 3 restaurants and 24 hour room services. This is along with a spa, business center, library, internet and meeting facilities which can accommodate up to 150 guests. They also have a 24 hour on-call doctor, tour desk, shopping arcade, as well as limousine and taxi services.

Other facilities and amenities include car and bike rentals, currency exchange, parking areas, public wi-fi areas, valet services and laundry services. You can also request for an extra cot or babysitter, if necessary. For gaming and leisure, you will enjoy their tennis court, game room, playground and 3 pools.

All rooms are equipped with a mini bar, safety deposit boxes, satellite TV, as well as a hairdryer, tea or coffee making facility and an IDD phone.