Flores and Bali: Contrasts in Indonesia

Nigel Marsh & Helen Rose · Issue 52, Jan/Feb 2010 · pp. 51–56

Products mentioned: Nikon D90, Ikelite Housing, Tokina 10-17mm lens, Inon Z240 strobe, Canon IXUS 110

Planning a recent trip to Indonesia we wanted to do two different dive destinations. Bali was high on our list, so that decision was easy, but for our second location we picked a more obscure and little known destination, the island of Flores. The diving and range of photographic subjects were brilliant at both sites, but the differences between the two destinations made for some interesting comparisons. Bali is of course well known amongst divers, a very popular island for tourists it attracts millions of visitors each year that come to shop, surf, dive or just relax on the beautiful beaches. Flores on the other hand, located 500km east of Bali, is less well known and only receives a handful of visitors each year in comparison. Most of these tourists come to Flores to see its volcanos, the famous coloured volcanic lakes at Keli Mutu and traditional villages. Very few divers visit Flores…