Easy Island from Bali w Great Beaches

Old Jul 2nd, 2017, 07:46 PM
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Easy Island from Bali w Great Beaches

We will be spending about a week near Ubud, and several days near/in the National Park for some birdwatching. (this November)

We have another week... and would like to find a smallish hotel with a great beach on one of the nearby isands. We want to keep things relaxing and simple, so are looking for a spot that has an easy ferry or boar from either end of Bali.

We love when we can find a place with a beautiful water view... especially from the 2nd floor. If you know of a perfect hotel spot, that could convince us on where to go as well.

Also hope to choose a place where the transfer to Denpasar Airport will be fairly simple. Thoughts??
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Old Jul 2nd, 2017, 08:23 PM
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In honesty, I don’t think I have suggestion that would meet your needs, but you might want to look at your options for a night or two at the Bali Dream House on Bali’s NE coast.
http://www.balidreamhouse.net

For me, falling to sleep and waking up to the sound and sight of the surf was a delight.
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Old Jul 2nd, 2017, 08:25 PM
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More info in my trip report. It’s long, but searchable.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a-and-bali.cfm
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Old Jul 2nd, 2017, 09:34 PM
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Lombok would probably be your best bet. You can take a fast boat from Pandangbai on Bali's eastcoast (about an hour from Ubud) to the westcoast of Lombok and to the Gili islands. Or you can fly into Lombok International Airport from Bali airport and several international locations.

There are quite a few choices in a range of price points on Lombok itself and also on the Gilis. The beaches are sandy, the water calm and the atmosphere laid back.

I wouldn't necessarily eliminate Bali's beaches. November which is the cusp of the rainy season is a fairly quiet time in Bali and you can find serene water views all around the island.
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Old Jul 2nd, 2017, 09:37 PM
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Hi. Thanks for above.

I read your whole report, kja... and some others as well... and much of your input to others. SO MUCH information here. I guess I'm looking more for specifics on which islands are easiest to get to... but maybe will just settle on a great beach on the park side of Bali, hoping that they will be a bit more quiet. Have cut and pasted many notes for sights and restaurants, etc.

"falling to sleep and waking up to the sound and sight of surt" ... yes !! It's the sound that i truly crave... and lots of the places mentioned here seem like they are a little walk from the water, so thinking i might not hear the water. THanks .
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Old Jul 2nd, 2017, 09:41 PM
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Marmot... will research Lombok. fast boat sounds good (i hate flying, though i travel all the time... extreme & irrational fear)... and we are flying back from Denpasar. I think I saw that there is great birdwatching on Lombok as well-- a bonus for my husband. Have read many, many of your posts also.... thanks.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2017, 05:49 AM
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I would recommend Lombok, and specifically, Qunci Villas. If you book an ocean view room, you'll be on the second floor with a great view of the ocean, with a view across the water to a mountain on Bali - maybe Batur?
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Old Jul 3rd, 2017, 01:43 PM
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Thanks much, Kathie. I love getting specific recommendations... however... Qunci Villas looks great... but out of our price range. $150 is pretty much our top end...

Meanwhile, as I look at the ferry maps... is Lombok hugely better ( beaches/cultural opportunities etc) than Lembongan? Wondering, because Lembongan is so much closer ???
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Old Jul 3rd, 2017, 02:54 PM
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Wow - the prices have really gone up - we paid $70 per night for an ocean view room, including breakfast. Of course, we were there during the rainy season. Make sure you are looking at the room rates not the one bedroom villa rates.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2017, 06:35 PM
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Kathie. Oh! You know what?? I was looking at the wrong time frame... it's MUCH less booking for November... just under our budget for an ocean view. This is on the definite possibilities list... Sterling feedback on TA and just looks great!

BUT, as I get more serious, I wonder if we just want to go to a closer island... or even a great beach spot below the National Park. (Hadn't paid attention to how long it takes to get to the National Park from Ubud until now.)

Am realizing that after being in Ubud, we travel 4 hours to the Park, then 4 hours back to get a ferry to an island for several hours.. then the ferry back.

Still, we have a lot of time... so maybe stop second-guessing????
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Old Jul 3rd, 2017, 07:55 PM
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There are a string of beach communities along the north coast from Pemuteran to Lovina to Singaaraja. The black sand beaches aren't all that noteworthy, but there's some good snorkeling and scuba in the area, especially around Menjangan Island.

Heading south from Bali Barat Park, the beaches in Jembrana and Tabanan regencies are mostly black sand, big wave spots favored by surfers. It's a beautiful undeveloped part of Bali, rugged and windswept.

On the north east coast there are several beach villages clustered around Amed extending south to Candidasa. Again, the beaches aren't spectacular, but it's a friendly, laid back area with lots of low key accommodation.

I haven't been to Lembongan. It's recently developed as a tourist destination and gets inundated by day-trippers, but I understand it's quite nice after the boats leave.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2017, 08:57 PM
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ok. researching all and need to think this through. Marmot-- Love "windswept" and don't need a perfect beach... just like to look/hear the water. DO like to snorkel, so will check into the area you mentioned.
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Old Jul 4th, 2017, 12:30 AM
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Snorkeling is good around Pemuteran (especially on Menjangan Island) and also around Amed. The "wildwest" of Jembrana and north Tabanan is where you get big waves and beautiful sunsets. A week might be too long in any of these places, but you could combine with a nearby location e.g. Pemuteran + Munduk or Amed + Sidemen.

Are you aware that November 1-11 is Galungan and Kuningan, a major holiday period in Bali? It's a great time for temple ceremonies and festivals especially in Ubud and the east coast.
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Old Jul 4th, 2017, 06:25 PM
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Marmot... i was NOT aware of this holiday... and hoping it doesn't interfere with our first choice spots to stay... but YES... could be a great time for absorbing sights and sounds! Thanks for letting me know... we arrive in Bali on the 9th, so will catch the end of this.

planning to go to Ubud first... but waiting to hear from a bird guide for my hubbie...so not making reservations until i'm sure about the guide's schedule... will plan around that variable.

yes... maybe a week along that is too long, even though the key is relaxation. i think i've found a place actually inside the part proper, so possibly 2 of the nights there for hikes and birds.

thanks again.
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