Bali Online Information Where to Stay Candidasa5|

Where to Stay – Candidasa

Ever heard of a gecko that dives, establishes funds for local villages, is concerned about plastic rubbish and spells its name in the Indonesian way as “geko”? If not, then come to Padangbai. With its 10.5m boat, Geko will take you to all the diving sites in east Bali (US$50-60 for two dive trips to Amed, Tulamben, or Nusa Penida). Ask for Geko's drift dive specialty and mingle with marine life like the Napoleon wrasse, sea turtles, and even occasional mantas and molas (sunfish). Glass-bottom boat tours are also available to check the underwater world without getting wet.

Geko is as busy out of water as it is in the water, initiating tree-planting programs, organizing beach cleaning and waste collection for recycling, and supporting the local school and clinic.

Growing Corals with Yos Diving Candidasa

This well-established dive shop, based in Sanur and Pemuteran, now has a branch in Candidasa at the new Asmara Dive Resort, offering courses and dive trips around the island (about US$60 for two dives). Like in its operation of Pemuteran, Yos plans to promote coral rehabilitation to replace the lost reefs in front of the beach, inviting divers to participate in the operation and to come back after a few years to monitor the growth of their coral.

In Search of “The Beach”

While the beaches of Padangbai and Candidasa have lost their splendor, the area harbours two quiet, unspoiled beaches. Biastugal Beach is nestled in the small and calm white sand bay of Pantai Biastugal (or Pantai Kecil), within walking distance to the western end of the main bay of Padangbai. Sun worshippers can laze undisturbed in the sole company of a few food stalls.

prevent further erosion

bungalows are built

simple bamboo furniture

stretching from Padangbai

concerned about plastic

down through coconut