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[eclectic]

What are they in your opinions? How does the Surabaya area compete with Bali and other sites?

[tanyakenapa]

Santai Beach
Natsepa Beach
Liang Beach

all in Ambon ...

and beaches around the area of Tual in Maluku ...

I thought Padang Padang beach in Bali is pretty good, no surf though.

I'd love to go to Raja Ampat in Irian Jaya, more famous for its diving though.

[eclectic]

awesome info--I read there's a ferry from JKT to those places. Do you have any info on the ferry? Thx so much for that. Lonely Planet doesnt have too good info on the Jakarta ferry to Ambon. Thank you

[Kipling]

Mr E
A ferry from JKT to Ambon would be a quite journey when you consider the distances. Not sure if there is one. Might be better to fly.
No good beaches around Surabaya at all. About 3 hours up the road toward Bangawangi there is Pasa Puri beach if I remember correctly but it's poor compared to those Tanyakenapa describes. ( the train journey from SBY to BWGI used to be good and cheap 1st class)
Padangbai on the East coast of Bali is the main ferry terminal to Lombok and other destinations. It has a nice black sand beach with traditional style fishing boats, some decent fish restaurants and decent accommodation.
On the other side of the ferry terminal, over a small hill there is a small white sand beach with a few warungs for nasi or beer and there used to be a second hand bookshop. This is a lovely place to chill out. Pandangbai is/was rather sleepy
and overlooked by people going to Lombok but I always used spend a few relaxing days there. Snorkelling is possible too but nothing spectacular.
This info is based on what I experienced 10 years ago so it may be different now ..........or not!!!


Every Day
I am Mr K

[wailing_imam]

http://www.pelni.com/

[wailing_imam]

http://www.pelni.com/

[Kipling]

Wailing_Imam
You are the Man !!!

Excellent Link



Mr K

[SamDant]

Bali is the best place I've ever been

[geoboz]

off the north coast of Sulawesi is a lovely island cluster, the closest of which is bunaken. the snorkeling and diving are incredible. i have never been to ambon, so i cannot compare, but the local jibe on ambon is that is is spectacular. i plan to go to ambon to check it out for myself soon, but my experience in bunaken was life-changing. there is a nice and somewhat cheap place to stay on bunaken called Daniel's Resort. the cost of the room includes 3 meals per day as well, so no big surprises on check out day.
good luck!

[rayman]

www.pulaumacan.com

The best snorkeling I've found in Indonesia. 1.5 hours boat ride from Jakarta would you believe. Not cheap though.

The pelni boat takes about 3 days from Jakarta to Ambon. 1st class tickets cost similar to a flight, so not so popular nowadays.

[Matt_22]

i really liked dream beach in nusa lembongan. one place i won't recommend is the gili islands .. total letdown.

i think there are a lot of amazing coastlines in indonesia (like many beaches around kuta lombok, for example), but some of those areas are so undeveloped that it becomes a negative (imo), and can sometimes be ruined by the handful of desperate hawkers that refuse to take a message.

[extradross]

How terrible for the traveling bule looking to soak up the natural splendor of an Indonesian beach destination-to have their 'vibe' ruined by the unwelcome intrusion of the desperate locals trying to make a buck.

[Matt_22]