Big Fish Diving
Big Fish Diving
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About
Welcome to Big Fish Diving, a scuba diving and yoga resort based on the beautiful island of Lembongan. We offer daily diving for certified divers as well as the full range of Scuba diving courses. All our staff are fully trained to professional standards and have completed hundreds if not thousands of dives locally. The diving around the Nusa Penida Marina protected area couldn't be healthier, with flourishing vibrant corals and abundant fish life. We are also blessed with year round Manta Ray sightings and the magnificent Oceanic Sunfish or Mola Mola from July - October. Onsite at the Secret Garden Bungalows we have a variety of rooms on offer as well as daily Yoga classes. The Yoga Shack also hosts twice weekly marine basd talks by MMF about the local Manta Ray population.
Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
393 reviews
Excellent
334
Very good
37
Average
11
Poor
6
Terrible
5
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Pete’s Pursuits
4 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
I dove two days with two dives each. This was a fun dive and I felt that Gede and Tim were both attentive to the needs of their divers and informative. Gede was very good at keeping the dive relaxed and communicating with the divers before and during the dive. I felt the dive brief on the second day was better than the first but I also knew to ask more questions (responsibility of every diver to ask questions during a briefing) especially if things are a bit rusty!
I recommend asking questions regarding hand signals as I notice they vary by location: Hawaii and Nusa Lembongan were very different signals.
The currents around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida warrant experience or paying for a class to get good and comfortable with if you have limited experience, however Tim and Gede were both informative on what to do under these circumstances.
I would recommend American divers review their conversions and be aware to know how much weight is needed in kilograms and depth in meters. It will save some struggle but nothing the crew won’t gladly assist with.
At no point did I feel unsafe or discouraged. There was constant communication during the dive to ensure everyone was doing alright.
The boat is wet, especially if it rains, so if you have anything that would get wet that you must have handy, bring a good dry bag. They do sell some at the dive shop as well as some other swag.
Wildlife: We saw a marble ray the size of a dinner table, a tiny nudibranch, trumpet fish, cornet fish, trigger fish, mantis shrimp, scorpion fish, clown fish and more. We did not see the ever elusive Mola Mola but understand that this is a rare privilege to see in the wild and should not discourage from booking. It’s not like the dive shops keep their locations a secret or they have some magic power to summon these monoliths from the depths at will.
If you seek Mola Mola it is a cold dive. If the water is warm you probably won’t see them. The cold does not bother me as much but I noticed a lot of folks shivering towards the end of the dive. If you have your own 5mm wet suit it would be worth bringing to get the most of the experience.
They do have little meals of rice with egg and cooked veggies/peanuts wrapped in banana leaves. Tasty but I personally can’t stomach much food on a boat. Coffee was amazing and welcome.
I recommend asking questions regarding hand signals as I notice they vary by location: Hawaii and Nusa Lembongan were very different signals.
The currents around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida warrant experience or paying for a class to get good and comfortable with if you have limited experience, however Tim and Gede were both informative on what to do under these circumstances.
I would recommend American divers review their conversions and be aware to know how much weight is needed in kilograms and depth in meters. It will save some struggle but nothing the crew won’t gladly assist with.
At no point did I feel unsafe or discouraged. There was constant communication during the dive to ensure everyone was doing alright.
The boat is wet, especially if it rains, so if you have anything that would get wet that you must have handy, bring a good dry bag. They do sell some at the dive shop as well as some other swag.
Wildlife: We saw a marble ray the size of a dinner table, a tiny nudibranch, trumpet fish, cornet fish, trigger fish, mantis shrimp, scorpion fish, clown fish and more. We did not see the ever elusive Mola Mola but understand that this is a rare privilege to see in the wild and should not discourage from booking. It’s not like the dive shops keep their locations a secret or they have some magic power to summon these monoliths from the depths at will.
If you seek Mola Mola it is a cold dive. If the water is warm you probably won’t see them. The cold does not bother me as much but I noticed a lot of folks shivering towards the end of the dive. If you have your own 5mm wet suit it would be worth bringing to get the most of the experience.
They do have little meals of rice with egg and cooked veggies/peanuts wrapped in banana leaves. Tasty but I personally can’t stomach much food on a boat. Coffee was amazing and welcome.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fredrik Christiansen
Durban, South Africa2 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
I went diving with BFD on eight days and had some really great dives with mantas, turtles, sea snakes, and many other creatures. My main dive master, Jeff Tiauw, was an excellent dive guide and fantastic at finding small macro organisms that I had never seen before. In addition to that, he was great at leading the dives and maintaining good safety procedures. The staff in general, including the boat crew, was really nice and accommodating. Everything was done calm but efficiently. The lunch was also really nice and there was always coffee and drinks available. The dive gear was of great quality. Prices were also very reasonable, especially if you do more than 12 dives since you get a big discount. All in all a very nice experience and I will definitely go diving with BFD again if I go back to Lembongan. Thanks guys!
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura D
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Solo
Visited Big Fish Diving in December 2019 and January 2020 based on recommendation from a friend. Very experienced and friendly staff. Had a fun dive on Christmas Day, having a laugh and making fun ‘christmas’ pics underwater. Had 7 days of diving, all different places, the staff made it possible to ask for preferred dive spots (if the weather aloud it).
Safety was very important, making sure in low visibility water we stayed together closely. Different level of experience put together as buddies, making it fun for all groups.
The boat is not too big, and the group max 10 people leaving enough room to make it comfortable for all.
Would definitely recommend the dive school and go back!
Safety was very important, making sure in low visibility water we stayed together closely. Different level of experience put together as buddies, making it fun for all groups.
The boat is not too big, and the group max 10 people leaving enough room to make it comfortable for all.
Would definitely recommend the dive school and go back!
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes Christmas and New Year are a great time to visit!
Thank you so much for your review and hope to see you again in the not to distant future
Written January 20, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David N
Stockholm, Sweden6 contributions
Jul 2022
Me and my SO did our Open Water Course here in July instructed by Irwan.
Irwan was great, always with smile, had a very clear and calm way of instructing us throughout the course, and ensured we felt safe at all times in and out of the water.
The dives were amazing in incredibly beautiful dive sites. One of the dives were in Manta Point where we got to see Manta Rays, oh so mighty creatures!
Irwan was great, always with smile, had a very clear and calm way of instructing us throughout the course, and ensured we felt safe at all times in and out of the water.
The dives were amazing in incredibly beautiful dive sites. One of the dives were in Manta Point where we got to see Manta Rays, oh so mighty creatures!
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safiah
5 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
I did my advanced certification with BFD and continued to extend my days here to do fun dives after that. I’m so grateful for the chance to learn from Cas. He gives me opportunities to practice what has been taught but is quick to step in when there is a teaching moment. He is knowledgeable about fish species so it makes the dives more enriching. I had a bout of seasickness and Cas was very kind and patient in assisting me with the equipment and getting me through the lessons. With his help, I managed to get through the dives and completed my certification. If you’re looking to get certified while you’re here, do look for Cas!
I also did a couple of fun dives with Jeff where we finally spotted a Mola Mola. Cas, Jeff and the entire crew know the waters and equipment very well so I felt safe the entire time. There was also alot of time during surface interval for fun chats and good food. Would love to come back soon!
I also did a couple of fun dives with Jeff where we finally spotted a Mola Mola. Cas, Jeff and the entire crew know the waters and equipment very well so I felt safe the entire time. There was also alot of time during surface interval for fun chats and good food. Would love to come back soon!
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nic_George_Zoe_Xavi
Dorrigo, Australia17 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The best crew to get our 10 & 14 year old children OW certified! Sharni was incredibly thorough, patient & caring, taking the time to ensure that they understood everything & knew how to complete each of their skills properly. Yasse looked after us so well at the Secret Garden Bungalows, especially as we arrived with a sick child. Tim was an amazing communicator & planner right from our first message to him, which made us change our initial decision & go with Big Fish Dive. We are ever grateful for his lesson in how to use Google maps offline & his suggestion of renting a car for the rest of our Bali travels. We have absolutely nothing bad to say about Big Fish Dive & couldn’t recommend their team more highly. Thank you so much to you all ! We can’t wait to return to show the kids manta rays & hopefully see mola mola ourselves.
Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danielsQ4004NH
Canton of Thurgau, Switzerland3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Excellent diving. During my stay there were mostly experienced divers present, which enabled us to tackle some spectacular dives with strong currents, which were rewarded with Mola Molas, Manta rays and much more. Individual requests are very well catered for and freedom is given according to the level of experience. Less experienced and more experienced divers were each looked after separately by a guide, which is a great advantage for both groups. Very comfortable and yet fast boat! Thank you Yassy, Gede and Tim - I will be back.
Written December 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim D
3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
They have a very good crew on the boat, and experienced dive guides. You get food, coffee, tea and water on the boat, and all the dive equipment was well maintained, in good condition. The dive sites chosen were amazing (Manta Point and Crystal Bay are especially beautiful), and due to the guide's experience, you get to see lots of stuff! I had a great time and will definitely come back, especially also because they have very reasonable prices, as returning customers even get a discount! 10/10 great experience!
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MeMz91
London, UK5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Amazing experience with the whole team at this dive school- including the woman on front desk (didnt catch name sorry!), the boat crew, and mostly Tim! We booked onto 3 days diving (both hold padi open water certification) and visited range of dive sites across the Nusa islands, amazing corals and marine life (turtles, manta rays, tropical fish galore). I was a slightly nervous diver having not dived in 6 yrs, but Tim was incredibly patient and so useful in giving tips in diving and reminders on the skills (inc safety stops and buoyancy), including how to tackle swell (Manta Point) and drift dives. The team made the diving so fun and were very knowledgable about the local dive conditions and we felt totally safe. So efficient at responding to all our queries (inc from the UK) and so helpful in booking our return boat. Such an amazing place in the world to dive and 100% recommend this dive school.
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dennis Nathaniel
Singapore, Singapore13 contributions
Sep 2022
Excellent people, great fun! Tim and Jef took superb care of us during our stay. Whole thing was planned out very efficiently, dive briefs were thorough and safe. Snacks and drinks onboard - small group dives so everyone gets equal, undivided attention. All-round great diving with the mantas, marble rays, bamboo sharks and crazy coral life. Highly recommend Big Fish Diving for anyone making a trip up to Lembongan!
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi..Can you tell me how much charges..also do we need to take any traning..also please mention the sight for booking this big fish diving
Written June 24, 2018
Hello Imran, if you have a look at our website which is the same name as on tripadvisor you will find all the answers to your question. Feel free to drop us an email as well.
Written August 6, 2018
Hi - im planning a trip to Bali next week and will be staying in seminyak. Do you organize transfers to Nusa Lembongon for a beginners diving experience?
Written October 26, 2016
Sorry we do not. we are based on Nusa Lembongan and offer hotel and diving to those on the island here.
Written August 6, 2018
À quelle période doit on venir pour voir un max de beaux spécimens raies molamola
Pour 14 nuits chez vous
Written April 15, 2016
Best time for Mola mola is between August and October.
Written August 22, 2019
Dear big fish divers,
I am planning sommer diving holiday in Bali/Lembongan for this year’s summer.
I found your diving center on the internet and I would like to check with you, if it is a good match for me.
I plan to stay from July 28th until August 12th (maybe 13th) - depending on flights available.
Do you have contacts to an appartement or bungalow for me and my children (they don't dive) close to your base? We would need 2 separate Bedrooms. If possible, the cost per night should fit into 25 - 40 EURO range. I would be very happy, if you could help organising this - its a bit difficult without knowing the location directly.
I am certified CMAS** /Barracuda master diver with approx 250 dives logged (thereof 50 in 2014) - can I dive with these legitimations at your base? Or do I need something else?
I would like to bring my own diving goggles and regulator - can you provide me with wetsuite and the other stuff (BCD, Fins, …)?
I am 1,87m tall and weigh about 105kg (belly ;-))
I have done some dives in current (Egypt) but I would prefert to dive in small groups with guide, as you offer in your faq's.
If possible, I would be glad if you could send me a quick answer, if available with information about appartements, cost for the diving and equipment rent.
I currently try to fix a flight, so this would totally help me.
I would love to dive with you and really hope to get this work - and I look forward seeing you in July
cheers,
Manfred Oheimer
Germany
Written January 26, 2015
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