DIVING BALI - THE EASTERN COAST

Bali has always been a very special place for us... we've spent many months here while trekking around the globe, returned for our honeymoon and many times since. The island is often overlooked as a dive destination, as divers head through Bali to reach better known Komodo.

And now, after the October 2002 bombing, more than ever this delightful island is being avoided. All we can say is - don't be mad! Bali is beautiful, warm, welcoming and as safe as anywhere these days. The diving is wonderful and should not be missed.

The best known dive sites run along the island's east coast and are accessed from the towns of Tulamben, Padangbai and Candidasa. There's the excellent wreck at Tulamben and prolific reefs run from there through nearby Amed and further south. For photo buffs, there's all sorts of weird and whacky creatures... rhinopias, pygmy seahorses and even blue ringed octopus are easily spotted by the local guides.

Offshore, in the Lombok Channel, there are several islands that also have great diving. There's drift diving at Nusa Penida and sites here are known to get mola-mola and mantas rays plus more walls and reef sites around Lembongan Island.

Resort areas vary from the up-tempo Kuta Beach right by the airport on Bali's southern tip - no diving here though - to peaceful and romantic Candidasa. It's a destination with something for everyone. At least once in your life, you have to visit - and dive - the "Island of the Gods".

UPDATE: After a slow but steady recovery, a second bombing in October 2005 meant Bali once again lost out in the tourist stakes. However, over the last 18 months, security has been tightened and tourists are once again returning to this wonderful island.