Seabed Sensations
Walk under the waters of Lembongan with a revolutionary diving system. You don't have to know how to swim or dive! Just do the walk.
Eight meters or so under the surface awaits an underwater garden adventure. You can also extend your admiration of the underwater scenes and marine life through the experience of snorkeling.
In the midst of our deadlines last month, we were informed by an old friend of the good news — he was unveiling his newest marine tourism endeavor, which he invited us to try out. And as usual, after our team was through our 'hectic time' it was 'pleasure time' – however brief. But no matter how brief it was to be, we surely made use of it. And accordingly, to cast off some of our stress we were delighted to at last accept the invitation... to temporarily be 'cast away' on the island of Lembongan.
The name of this new adventure treat is the Bali Marine Walk. And as its name suggests is simply an enjoyable day out underwater amongst the beautiful seabed of coral gardens and aquatic life. Lembongan Island happens to be a haven for marine-related adventures, but only recently has it been introduced with this whole new feature, which uniquely enables everyone – young or old, experienced in diving or not – to enjoy the splendor of the underwater tropical coral habitat. The main feature is the namesake Marine Walk, which allows guests to walk under the sea by means of a special breathing helmet apparatus, reminiscent of the old days of the first bathyscaphes, but now with a modern touch of course.
Just picture it (we did before we crossed the Bail Strait). Walk under the waters of Lembongan with a revolutionary new diving system. You don't have to know how to swim or dive, you just breathe naturally and girls can keep their makeup on! A non-divers dream come true...
Bali Marine Walk uses an open-ended helmet that allows the wearer to stay underwater by just putting it over their head as they submerge. Guests in helmets descend a ladder to the ocean floor where they can walk and experience the underwater world for 15 minutes.
Day packages are US$98 for adults and US$75 for children under 12 years. And it's only about half an hour from Sanur Beach to the white sands of Lembongan Island aboard a Bali Marine Walk private boat.
The Bali Marine Walk day packages include fully air-conditioned hotel transfers, return boat transfers, snorkeling, cycling, surfing (with board rentals of US$15), mineral water and cold towels, safety instructions and experienced instructor support, safety equipment use, locker, towel, changing room and shower facilities, a set menu lunch, soft drink or mineral water and light snacks, and insurance coverage.
Here's what to bring: swimsuit, sunscreen and change of clothing, and don't forget to bring money for extra drinks and if you want to use your own underwater camera, make sure its designed to withstand depths of at least 8 meters. Also, please note that guests with heart or lung problems, who are on medication, pregnant, have asthma or other respiratory ailments cannot dive. Guests with specific needs can also enjoy Bali Marine Walk as long as they can use both of their hands.
On our early morning trip, we gathered together at the Sanur post where we filled out the brief paper work, and then the boat engines were revved up. Head count and all aboard... we were off in the nick of time. The boat trip is a part of the fun, a sort of wind-in-the-hair and spray-in-your-face moment, a sometimes-bumpy ride over the waves. The speedy craft got us to the shores of Lembongan quite quickly. There we touched firm ground and were greeted with drinks and light snacks.
A smaller boat then transferred us to the pontoon, where eight meters or so under the surface awaited our underwater garden adventure. Because water does not reach your head or face, you can even 'walk' underwater with contact lenses, glasses, or sunglasses on... and what's best is you can still smile at your friends as you are surrounded by schools of fish. From here, extend your admiration by snorkeling.
The company also operates a similar dive feature at Sepa Island Resort in the Thousand Islands just offshore from Jakarta. Its' overseas affiliates also operate in Hawaii, Micronesia, Guam, Japan, and is soon to open a new location in Malaysia. ■
Text by Nyoman Ari Gunadi, courtesy photos
Bali Marine Walk
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 544, Sanur
(0361) 282-654; www.bali-marinewalk.com
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