At Don't Forget To Move we help promote and inspire adventurous, authentic and responsible travel around the world. With a lot of crazy stories in between! We show travelers how to see the world authentically through unique stories, engaging photography and videos, honest reviews and practical travel tips.
Hopeful travelers often overlook Brazil as a potential destination; maybe because it’s too far from where they’re located, or maybe because their impression is that the country is not tourist friendly. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! The ninth largest country in the world brims with potential for activity, excitement, and meaningful adventure. And now traveling to Brazil is even easier thanks to the recent eVisa changes from the government. A visa process with no headaches and no hassles is just one of the reasons to explore the enthralling, massive country.
Brazil Visa: Getting There Legally
The Brazil visa application process differs by nationality, but as of June 2019 it has become a whole lot easier for a big portion of the world. On June 17th 2019 the Brazilian government officially announced that travelers from the United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada no longer need an eVisa to travel to Brazil. Similar to countries from the EU, it now means no tricky online application or fees, just book your ticket and away you go!
Upon entering Brazil all you need now is proof of a valid return ticket and at least 6 months validity on your passport expiration. It’s also good practice to have proof of financial records to support yourself while in Brazil in the very unlikely case that they ask for it. And as always, it’s HIGHLY recommended to have travel insurance! While there’s no need for concern, there are areas of Brazil known for a higher crime rate, especially during busy holidays seasons like Carnival. Travel insurance helps relieve the stress of worrying about how you’re going to pay those medical bills or replace that camera if something goes wrong on the road.
Going to Carnival Responsibly
There are so many things to experience in Brazil since its one of the largest and most populated countries in the world. However, no visitor arriving in mid-February would want to miss the Carnival held in Rio de Janeiro, when the streets are flooded by parade floats and celebrators alike in a tradition dating back hundreds of years. One can absorb the inherent joy of Brazil just by attending the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Attendees dress extravagantly and the party extends deep into the night, making the experience total pandemonium –yet a memorable pandemonium. Just be wary of street dealers or any other suspicious characters trying to convince you to do something out of the ordinary. Pickpockets are common, and tourists are easy targets for scams as benign as overcharging for a meal.
Of course, Brazil also has hundreds of other activities in Rio de Janeiro, a city widely considered to be unique in its own right. But outside of Brazil’s largest city, there are vast tropics and rain forests for the more environmentally minded traveler. That’s not to mention the hundreds of miles of coastline. In Brazil, the possibility of stumbling onto some new off beaten path is seemingly endless.
Traveling Outside of Rio
Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world by both population and size by landmass. This means that given the opportunity, tourists should venture outside of Rio de Janiero and check out all of the relatively small, yet still massive, cities in Brazil other than Rio. There’s Sao Paulo, Foz do Iguaçu, and Paraty to name a few. Each of these places contain their own perks. Foz do Iguaçu is known for its incredible waterfalls that actually consist of 275 individual falls.
Paraty is shrouded in the country’s ancient history, reflected by its visually stunning churches and architecture. Sao Paulo is nearly as massive as Rio de Janiero, rivaling its vivacious culture, tourist attractions, and history in almost every way. Of course, beyond the dozen or so major urban areas of Brazil, there always lies the Amazon, which is an untenable adventure in and of itself. The sheer intensity of nature can come into full force in the Amazon unlike anywhere else in the world.
Unfortunately, most tourists either don’t allot enough time to explore Brazil, making it difficult to travel domestically, or plan their itinerary exclusively around the happenings in Rio. Staying in Rio the whole time you’re in Brazil is still a great experience; it’s a sprawling metropolis, one of the largest in South America, and there is a lifetime of cityscape to explore. However, it’s only outside of Rio that a traveler will find the coveted off-beaten path. Whether that adventure comes from exploring the Amazon, going further down the coastline into even more mountainous regions, or simply traveling to other cities within Brazil, there’s no dearth of experience outside of Rio, nor any regrets of staying confined to a single city within the entire country.
If you’re going to explore outside of Rio de Janeiro, visiting the rest of Brazil requires either meticulous planning or a sense of bold adventurism. Wherever you go you’re likely to stumble onto something new and interesting. However, the sheer size of Brazil can be intimidating for some. Despite this, Brazil attracts a large number of tourists each year. Having hosted the Olympics in 2016 only bolsters its popularity, which was already increasing. The number of travelers who enter Brazil annually is expected to rise, which may encourage more tourists to consider visiting such a dynamic country. The main worry is not finding activities to allot during your stay, but the fear of not having time to see enough.
Kuwait is a beautiful country that people rarely mention when suggesting new places to travel. Tucked right above the Persian Gulf, this tiny country has one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world to commemorate its freedom, overshadowing the authentic beauty of its number of mosques, museums, and other historic sites. History buffs would be thrilled to discover all of the things they didn’t know about traveling to Kuwait; but better yet, they could discover them firsthand by visiting Kuwait.
Kuwait Visa
The Kuwait visa form can be a rigorous process depending on your country’s standing with the government of Kuwait. However, one common myth is that someone who has visited Israel is barred from visiting Kuwait. Since 2013, Israel has not been stamping passwords, instead placing stickers on them. This does not establish an official visit to the country, which would otherwise prevent passports with Israeli stamps from entering Kuwait. Some other countries are barred from entering Kuwait, but most will be eligible for a 90-day single entry tourist visa into Kuwait.
Kuwait’s passion and dedication to its religious practices express themselves in many forms, one of which being the architecture of religious sites. One of the greatest experiences is to view the inside the Grand Mosque in Kuwait City. With the azure Persian Gulf sitting in its backdrop, this outer design resembles a miniature Taj Mahal. But given the understanding of its importance to the people, it becomes a holy site for even an outsider.
The inside is not flashy, but that only adds to the feeling you get from the outside. It would seem opulent, or too distracting, to adorn the inside with immaculate decorations when the real purpose of the building is religious ceremony. You can feel the energy that was spent purely on prayer and congregation, and not on interior design. It’s truly breathtaking.
Of course, there are many other palaces and mosques in the city inspired by similar architectural thought, and while none are as significant as the Grand Mosque, others may be more picturesque. The Iam Baqir mosque, for example, is decorated by color and pulsating effect.
Sadu House
Somewhere in between the deeply religious, yet multi-ethnic, history of Kuwait, and its more recent history of Westernization driven by their economics for the future, lies the history of the Bedouin people. These people are a nomadic Arab group who inhabited Kuwait, among many other countries. Their most significant landmark in Kuwait is the Sadu House, built to protect and consolidate the culture of the Bedouins.
This is a place where Bedouins still live, but also where a large part of their regional history is preserved. Their ancestors were passionate about Sadu weaving – dying, spinning, and coloring wool into geometric patterns – and modern-day Bedouins offer a glimpse into their craft at the Sadu House. While much of Kuwait’s geographic history is tied to the sea, this section of Kuwait history focuses on the desert, where the Bedouins lived nomadically for centuries.
Kuwait Towers
The Kuwait Towers are an imposing monument. Standing at 614 feet, they rank among the tallest towers in the world and serve as a testament to the progress of Kuwait as a country. Visitors can enjoy the sights of the towers from almost anywhere in the city, but to find them up close and personal, you have to witness them at the ground level. There, you may also want to catch a glimpse of the city and the restaurants located inside of these towers. For a reasonable entrance fee, you’ll be able to do that. The three towers have a peculiar, bulb-shaped design. They were originally also functioning as water towers, and one of them still holds some reserve water for the city. Kuwait gets paltry amount of rain water throughout the year, which is very common to the region.
Kuwait City Waterfronts
Kuwait’s Musical Fountain Park attracts a lot of tourists because, for one, it is designed to host a large number of attendees. The famous park, located nearby the Kuwait City Towers, engulfs multiple square miles; at certain points in the park, one can forget they are surrounded by the city, encapsulated in a nature center of its own.
The park is structured like a more Western park, complete with winding, roundabouts walkways with natural attractions complementing either side of the passersby throughout the stroll. The stark contrast to a Westernized type of park is most notably at the central fountain in the park, where the music blaring attracts locals and tourists alike. The music is akin to the flavor of the region, which is generally a hybrid of local and more Western styles.
The songs are usually comprised of upbeat tempo alongside string instruments and drum sounds uncommon in popular Western music. When situated alongside a very melodic set of vocals, which are usually sung in a deep male voice in Arabic, the songs can feel both soothing and potent. But since many of the same music popular in the West is also popular in Kuwait, there is commonly a dualistic element of Western music with regards to structure and ethos.
On the other hand, may of the songs contain fundamentally religious themes whereas most popular Western music is generally secular. Sometimes a lush cultural experience entirely different from your own can be most easily expressed by music. This attraction presents a grand opportunity for someone unfamiliar with the culture of the country, or even the region, to immerse themselves by way of music.
Kubbar Island Trip
If after a long night a curious visitor still has some energy left to burn, Kuwait City does not suffer from a lack of beachfront to trek. Moreover, the city has popular oases and islands accessible by ferry, some at any hour of the day. Kobar Island is one popular oasis destination that has received near universal acclaim for its secluded, yet increasingly popular, sense of serene beauty. There are relaxing terraces as well as beaches, both contributing to its unique atmosphere. Within the same horizon of the Persian Gulf sits these imposing, stone bridges, granting the best of both worlds; the calmness of the beach mixed with the extravagance of architecture synonymous with the Persian Gulf.
There is seemingly no end to the many different types of waterfront attractions in Kuwait City. In addition to these beaches, islands and indoor pools there is also the Al Kout nearby, a popular tourist attraction for those who want to feel surrounded by azure gulf in the comforts of a total oasis. When considering the endless options for waterfront attractions just within Kuwait City, the natural beauty is inescapable.
Swimming with whale sharks is becoming an increasingly popular tourist activity around the world. As more and more travelers seek out this experience, the rise in tour agencies offering whale shark tours also increases to meet the demand. Unfortunately, with the sudden rise in popularity, this often mean sustainable and ethical practices are bypassed in order to make a quick tourist dollar.
Whale shark tours that involve feeding, touching or disturbing the natural environment of these majestic animals means that whale shark populations around the world are suffering at the hands of tourists wanting to interact with them.
Fortunately, for those looking at ethical whale shark experiences, you’re in luck! All around the world there are many great companies working to support sustainable whale shark excursions and interactions. We’ve put out a call to some of our favorite responsible travel blogger friends to fill us in about their first hand experiences around the world. All of these tours are strictly no touching, feeding or interacting with the whale sharks. So if you’re looking for an experience, look no further!
What is a Whale Shark
Before you consider swimming with whale sharks it might be good to know what one is. A whale shark, despite its name, it not actually a whale, it’s a shark! If you’ve seen a picture of whales sharks it might be hard to imagine you could swim with this scary looking shark. But don’t let the ‘shark’ name put you off, whale sharks pose no threat to humans and feed almost strictly on plankton. They are docile, shy animals that are safe to swim with.
Whale sharks range in size, with the average adult size being almost ten meters long and weighing around nine tonne! Their mouth, one of the most impressive features, can span almost 1.5m wide (5ft), containing up to 350 rows of teeth that work to filter plankton from the water.
Whale sharks are found closer to the equator, as they prefer warmer, tropical waters. With a lifespan of 70-100 years, these majestic creatures truly are some of the most amazing animals you could encounter in the water. Their protection, and the future survival of their species, relies heavily on how we decide to interact with them.
Whale Sharks in the Philippines
Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines is an activity on the rise! As more and more tourists add the Philippines to their list of ‘must see countries’, whale shark tourism has quickly become a top activity on any Philippines travel itinerary.
As more people look to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, the pressure is on local tour providers to ensure strict regulations are enforced. While there are many locations that offer this experience, Donsol is the best place to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines without compromising their natural habitat. Oslob, Cebu is also a spot that is popular amongst tourists, but we would encourage you to read on to hear about both experiences before organizing your Philippines trip.
Donsol Bay is a small village on the island of Luzon where whale shark ecotourism thrives. Fishermen who previously hunted whale sharks are now employed as spotters for tourists. Unlike other whale shark interactions, the whale sharks at Donsol are not fed. They naturally migrate here from the months of December to May. To protect the whale sharks only 30 boats are permitted on the bay at one time, with a maximum of 6 people per boat, not including the boat crew. The boat trips go out three times per day at 8:00am, 11:00am and 2:00pm.
During the interaction, the spotter sits on top of the boat looking for whale sharks. As soon as they see one, the guide encourages guests to position themselves on the boat’s edge while getting snorkels and fins ready. Once the boat is in the ideal position, slightly up current from the shark, the guide yells for everyone to jump in. The current naturally takes swimmers into the shark’s path where they swim along with it for as long as possible. The other boats wait until one boat’s group is done before they try to obtain a good position. This routine is repeated during the 3-hour tour as many times as a whale shark is spotted.
I booked with Donsol Ecotours. They provided airport transfers and a choice of other activities in the region. During the Donsol whale shark tour I didn’t witness anyone disturbing the whale sharks, but I still think there should be fewer people around the shark at one time. Unless you are a strong swimmer, you have to compete with others to see the whale shark clearly beneath the bubbles and splashing caused by frantically kicking fins. Those who could stay with the shark longer had it all to themselves.
As well as the sustainable efforts being made at Donsol, the recent boom of whale shark tourism to Donsol Bay has given the community a welcome income and they now value the whale shark’s welfare more than ever.
Oslob Whale Shark
First hand experience and research by Don’t Forget To Move
If you’ve been following our blog, or if you came across the article separately, you’ll know that we wrote extensively about how unethical the Oslob whale shark experience was. After initially considering the activity while in the Philippines, we decided to do more research before booking. Unfortunately, after researching numerous articles, as well as speaking with marine biology experts in the Philippines, we discovered that this activity was not in the best interest of the whale sharks in Cebu. If you are considering this activity we encourage you to first read our article before booking. Click to read our Oslob whale shark experience article.
Whale Sharks Mexico
Just a few of hours flight from the United States, there are some great ethical opportunities to swim with whale sharks in Mexico. Ecotourism in Mexico has been on the rise, with more and more companies prioritizing animal welfare over profit. With the continued support of sustainable travelers looking for ethical whale shark encounters, as well as other animal interactions, this will continue to help push the trend into the future. Here are some top locations for swimming with whale sharks in Mexico.
Whale Sharks Cancun
First hand experience submitted by Ernest Shahbazian from Trip Astute
We participated in a whale shark tour in Cancun, Mexico, which was an incredible responsible tourism experience. Our day trip was run by EcoColors Tour, which has been operating whale shark tours in Mexico for over 18 years. They were one of the first tour operators to offer this excursion, and were well organized and staffed.
While we were being transported to the harbor, the tour guides took the time to educate the group on the whale shark and explained what makes them so special. We were nervous as we loaded into the boats and headed toward open water, but we never questioned the integrity of the organization or our tour guide. They expressed great respect for the animals and made it clear that rules and limits were in place to ensure that future generations would have the opportunity to experience this adventure.
We were particularly impressed that the tour operators strictly adhered to conservation rules and standards, even when pressured by tourists in the group. The tour operators insisted that sunscreen was not allowed on the boat due to its contamination of the water and particularly plankton, the main food source for the whale sharks. They only allowed two people, plus one guide, in the water at a time. We were also told to keep our distance from the whale sharks and that touching and feeding the animals was prohibited.
The tour also managed our expectations well. They told us that there was a possibility that no whale sharks would be found since the sharks are not baited. If that occurred they said we would have the opportunity to snorkel at a nearby reef, though luckily, that was not the case on our tour.
Isla Mujeres Whale Shark
First hand encounter from Alexandra at Travel Fashion Girl
As a scuba diver and marine life lover, responsible ocean tourism is very important to me. I’d heard about the potentially unethical practices in the Philippines and refused to participate in these tours. However, I did have the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks in Mexico and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience.
The whale shark season in southern Mexico is between the months of June-August. During this time whale sharks migrate off the coast of Cancun near an island called Isla Mujeres. It’s an incredible experience and the whale sharks naturally come together along with manta rays. During this time of year there are hundreds in the area.
I found the Isla Mujeres whale shark experience to be very responsible, with the animals being viewed in their natural state, not fed and not harmed. While there were a large number of boats that brought tourists to see the whale sharks, but the area is vast and there were at least three whale sharks per boat, so the area is not overcrowded.
I didn’t use a specific company, but I researched the most ethical options on TripAdvisor and found a local guy named Captain Tony. Not only was he the most cost effective option, but he also had great reviews about being respectful of the whale sharks, which was incredibly important to me. He was passionate about the Mexico whale sharks and shared local insight on the migration. He was also very entertaining! During the tour there is no scuba diving allowed, but you can enjoy some whale shark snorkeling.
First hand experience submitted by Elaine J Masters of Trip Well Gal
Once the call came in we sprang into action. A seaplane had spotted the whale sharks and gave our captain coordinates. We scooted away from dock quickly and within twenty minutes the small boat slowed. My first glimpse of a whale shark was that huge mouth swallowing gallons of water slowly, as it hung vertically in the water. Our boat stopped close and carefully and four of us slipped in at a time, paddling quickly closer and closer. Whale sharks feed in plankton rich water, which usually means a murky encounter. It was so cloudy that once I had to back-paddle quickly to avoid the large wide mouth approaching. What an amazing experience to be so close to that gentle and immense beauty.
Since that first encounter, I’ve returned and the next tour was smoother. Our group was small, including a family with an older couple who were happy to watch from the bow. They were prepared as the website cautioned those who couldn’t swim swiftly to stay on board and with a sustainable awareness, it also suggested wearing a bio-degradable, reef safe sunblock. The captain and guide were professional and respectful. They only let a handful of snorkelers get in at a time.
Whale Sharks Exmouth, Western Australia
For those looking to swim with whale sharks in Australia you can’t look past Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Located just outside of Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef offers an amazing opportunity to ethically interact with whale sharks. All companies have a high quality of respect for sustainable tourism at Ningaloo Reef, so you can feel confident that you’ll find an ethical company when doing your research.
First hand experience by Brittany at The Sweet Wanderlust
The Ningaloo Whaleshark-N-Dive tour begins in Exmouth, Western Australia on the Ningaloo Reef. Board the Ningaloo’s largest purpose built dive vessel, converted for luxury and take off on the turquoise waters of the Northwest Cape. Get your sea legs as you snorkel one of the world’s largest fringing reef systems, where you may see manta rays, dugongs or sea turtles. And that’s just the practice swim!
Once a spotter plane locates a whale shark, it’s full steam ahead, and the swimmers are briefed on how to behave in order to have the best and safest whale shark interaction. The Ningaloo is known for consistent whale shark interactions and on the day I swam, we swam with three different whale sharks. All interactions are done on the whale sharks’ terms though; tour operators never feed or entice them in any way. As a bonus, most tour operators in the area will give you a second chance on another day for free if you don’t get to swim with a whale shark.
After your swim, join a marine biologist to learn about whale shark conservation and leave with practical steps to make a difference in the research and conservation of sharks of all kinds and a newfound or rejuvenated love for the creatures of the sea.
It really felt like we’d been brought to experience a hidden gem. The year was 2011, and the water was as turquoise as you could ever imagine. On an organized tour of the country’s more remote coast, I found myself on the west coast of Australia. Near the town of Exmouth, at Australia’s “other” reef, Ningaloo Reef. As a backpacker at the time, I debated whether to dig deep into my shallow pockets to go swimming with whale sharks, an optional excursion on our tour. In the end, I was persuaded by the following: this being the only place in Australia to do so; it being the time of the year (June) that these gentle beasts visit the reef; and such affirmations as “a once in a lifetime experience”.
At the time, the word “sustainable” wasn’t part of my travel vocabulary. I was aware enough to recognize if a company was labelled as “eco-friendly” but didn’t know much past the sticker designating it so. As it turns out, I learned a great deal about sustainable tourism by participating in this excursion with Ningaloo Blue.
We swam alongside several Ningaloo whale sharks that warm June afternoon. Prior to every encounter, I remember thinking how procedural the staff were with their instructions for getting us into the water: breaking us up into 2 groups, lining us up in a straight line parallel to the path of the swimming shark and insisting on us keeping a minimum distance at all times. At the time I mostly attributed this behavior with keeping us safe. After the first swim, once the apprehension had eased, it was clear it wasn’t just about us. The staff of Ningaloo Blue clearly had the welfare of the animals in mind as well.
The captain was in constant contact with a pilot playing spotter overhead, giving us the best opportunity to see these magnificent creatures without impacting their chosen course, or using bait to attract them. Not only did we learn a lot about whale sharks from observing them in their natural habitat, but also from the knowledgeable staff on board the vessel. You could not deny their passion for the reef itself and the ocean in general, not to mention the local sea life. It was a pleasure listening to them.
After the first sighting, we embarked on a high that is hard to describe. We rode it through long past the time we docked, each one of us outwardly grateful we didn’t hold onto our money in hope of a better experience. Truly a “once in a lifetime” experience.
Whale Sharks in Honduras
If you’re looking at swimming with whale sharks in Central America then look no further than the small northern island of Utila in Honduras. Famous as a dive spot for travelers, Utila has a lot of options when it comes to dive schools and tour operators offering ethical whale shark interactions. For those looking to get their PADI open water training, or advances training, Utila offers some of the most well priced courses anywhere in the world. But don’t worry if you’re not a scuba diver, there are plenty of whale shark snorkeling trips that can be taken from Utila and the surrounding Bay Islands. Below are two first hand experiences of ethical whale encounters in Honduras.
First hand experience submitted by Sheri Doyle of So Off We Go.
In 2016 I lived in Utila for 6 months while volunteering. During my time I had several opportunities to snorkel with whale sharks. All of the dive centers in Utila are incredibly respectful of the whale sharks. They follow strict guidelines to protect not only the whale sharks, but also the reefs and ocean life surrounding their beautiful island.
Each morning, before heading out to dive, the boat captain at Utopia Village called local fishermen to ask for updates on whale shark spottings and tuna boils in the waters around Utila, Honduras. After the call comes in the captain heads out in that direction and the adventure begins. During the ride out they explain how the boat captain uses the tuna boils as clues to find the whale sharks. I knew there was no guarantee that I would see whale sharks when choosing a sustainable experience, but it was a risk I was willing to take in order to protect the whale sharks and their environment.
Utopia Village is dedicated to sustainable whale shark experiences by refusing to allow any feeding, touching or diving. At first I wrestled between my desire to interact more with the whale sharks and my deep belief that I should leave the ocean without a trace of having been there. Lead by the dive masters and owners of Utopia Village my selfishness gave way to the sustainable vegetarian in me and I celebrated the opportunity to interact peacefully with the whale sharks.
Once the captain spotted a whale shark we were instructed to slide off the boat as gently and quietly as possible, so as to not disturb or frighten them. Ultimately I was able to make several trips with Utopia Village where we spotted whale sharks, each experience more incredible than the last. I floated above or next to them quietly observing their natural way of life. All of the divers agreed that the sustainable approach was rewarding. We felt as though we had a hand in finding and preserving these amazing creatures habitat, and protecting their way of life.
The primary purpose of my scuba diving trip to Utila, Honduras, was to spot a whale shark. After many unlucky scuba diving trips, it was in the waters of the Bay Islands that I finally got the chance to swim with three whale sharks. As part of my daily scuba diving trips with Utila Dive Center, the captain of our boat was always scanning the horizon searching for the signs of their potential presence. The scuba diving instructors and divemasters on board briefed us with the highest standards when it came to swimming with whale sharks. We were taught how to interact without scaring them off or chasing them. “No splashing when entering into the water, no chasing, no touching!” and again and again “remember, no touching!!!”.
It was on my final scuba diving day that I finally saw whale sharks. The captain signaled that they were in sight and everyone rushed to get ready in their snorkeling gear. We were all waiting in line silently to get the “go ahead” from the captain to slide underwater as gently as possible. While in the water we could all observe the whale sharks for a few seconds without chasing them before they naturally swam away. After the whale sharks disappeared out of view we went back on board, slowly caught up to them again and repeated the operation seven times. Being a small group made the experience a lot easier to respect the natural habitat of the whale sharks.
My experience swimming with whale sharks was on Dhigurah Island, as a volunteer for the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme’s (MWSRP) data collection programme. When volunteering with MWSRP, you are trained on how to appropriately interact with the whale sharks in the Maldives. During my experience I was also able to learn important whale shark facts about their biology. I got a close-up look on how scientific research is carried out, which was the interaction I was looking for. Doing it this way means committing a solid two weeks, and fairly hard work – albeit in a gorgeous location.
Photo by Clara Perez via Nuraini Arsad
Alternatively, for those looking for a less committed experience, there are many Maldives whale shark tours. Snorkeling with whale sharks in the Maldives offers many exciting opportunities for tourists around Dhigurah Island. The seas around Dhigurah are a congregation area for whale sharks and the probability of encountering a whale shark is quite high. Both the research boats and tour boats look for whale sharks using spotters on the top decks. Throughout the tour there is no attempt to influence the whale sharks’ natural behavior and the level of conservation awareness among tour operators in Dhigurah is fairly high. There are a set of whale shark tourism guidelines that the government of the Maldives has endorsed.
While researching whale shark tours in the Maldives you should look for tour operators and resorts who are members of the Big Fish Network, an online citizen-science platform for marine megafauna in the Maldives. The Big Fish Network means that information about the whale sharks and other megafauna you encounter on your holiday would be logged into the central database – and you could be part of that! And with the mobile app you can keep track of those same Maldives whale sharks you met on your trip, keeping Maldivian memories alive long after the holiday.
In October of 2014, I was lucky enough to have a free day as part of an overseas business trip to Djibouti. I reviewed the different options for tour operators and, based on what I saw, I chose the one that was least impactful on the whale sharks in their natural habitat. Rather than chase the whale sharks the tour waited for them to come in closer to the spot where the boat stopped.
I am a patient traveler, who enjoys seeing animals in their natural habitat. I enjoy spending time observing them, rather than feeling like I need to “check an animal off of a list.” I had a far better experience with a more sensible and sensitive operator than others with whom I swapped stories that night, and recommend that anyone trying to see the whale sharks in Djibouti budget sufficient time. It is already a distance to get to them out on the water, so allocating a little longer while waiting for them to approach your vicinity is time well-spent.
The stunning Nusa Islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan are a must see destination for any traveler visiting Bali, Indonesia. Just a hop and skip away from mainland Bali, the Nusa Islands offer a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of busy Bali locations like Kuta and Seminyak.
Take a step back in time to Bali 20 years ago, with less development and tourists. Add amazingly beautiful beaches, great surf, luxurious villas and good food and it’s easy to see why many more tourists are choosing Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan as their next destination. But hurry, you don’t want to wait too long and miss out on the raw beauty of these islands. This ultimate Nusa Islands travel guide takes you through all the best places to eat, stay and visit on the islands, as well as how to get there and how to get around.
How to Get to the Nusa Islands
Getting to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida can be done on individual trips, or you can go out to one of the islands and then easily island hop between all three. There are basically two ways to get to the Nusa Islands. You can organize your own transport, negotiating prices along the way. Or you can book with one of the many Nusa island tour agencies that will organize it for you.
If you want to save money, the cheaper option is to organize your own transport to the islands. Most fast speed boats leave from the docks at Sanur, with a few public boats leaving from Padang Bai. Note that the public boats will be a lot cheaper, but take much longer and be a bit more of a rocky ride. We decided on the cheaper option, so we rode our scooter from Canggu to Sanur. The ride to Sanur takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. The route keeps you on main highways, so you’ll be cruising along without too much stop and start.
Once you arrive in Sanur, make your way down to the dock. Ask any local for the boats to Lembongan or Penida and they’ll know how to direct you. You can park your scooter in a parking lot near the dock for 10,000 (75c USD). It’s a secure lot and there’s somewhere there watching the bikes throughout the day. We felt perfectly comfortable leaving our bike there for 4 days while we went exploring.
If organizing is not your thing, and you don’t mind paying a little extra to have someone arrange it for you, there are a ton of tour agencies that will help you book a Nusa islands trip. You can book through a company that will provide transport from your Bali hotel to Sanur, the boat ride over to the island, a transfer to your hotel once you arrive, as well as the return trip. This is definitely the easiest option if you want everything pre-arranged for you.
Be aware that it’s possible the driver will be late to pick you up from your hotel, which could put you on a later boat to the island. For Nusa Lembongan this option costs around 500,000 to 650,000 rupiah, depending on the company you book with and where you’re coming from.
Nusa Lembongan
This sleepy little island is on the rise with tourists, as people flock to get a slice of authentic Bali lifestyle without the hordes of crowds, tattoo shops on every second corner and people trying to sell you knockoff Ray-Ban sunglasses. You can already see its growing popularity with the amount of new shops being constructed around the island. It’s unfortunate, but it won’t be long before this transitions into a new must-visit spot for tourists. So get in while you can!
Nusa Lembongan Video – What to Do and How to Get There
Nusa Lembongan from Bali
Located off the southeast coast of Bali, Nusa Lembongan island is just a short, 25 minute speedboat away from the town of Sanur. There are tons of boat companies lined up at the top of the beach, all ready for your business.
For the budget travelers, there are a handful of cheaper options with local boats that cost around 60,000 to 100,000 rupiah and take anywhere from 1 to 1 ½ hours. Personally, I get seasick, so taking a slow boat was not gonna happen. Instead, we haggled with the boat operators until we got one down to 300,000 per person return. The operator we ended up going with was called Sunrise and we caught the 11:30 AM boat, but they had multiple departures and returns daily.
While at the dock we noticed many of the boats seemed to be leaving around the same time (11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, etc.). So one option is to arrive right before the boats leave and try to haggle down the price as a last minute add on. If they’re not sold out (which some of them are), they’ll most likely give you a reasonable price just to fill empty seats. We arrived right before a boat was taking off and found the negotiation process a lot more swift!
On the way back, they had 3 times available- 10:30, 12:30 and 4:30, but the 12:30 was sold out already. The ride itself is not too choppy, but this will depend completely on the weather. I get seasick and I didn’t really have a problem on the speedboat. One thing to note is that there is no physical dock that the boats leave from. Instead, you need to wade about shin-deep into the water. The water is pretty calm, so it’s not difficult, but something you should be aware of.
Once you arrive on Nusa Lembongan island you’ll be dropped off at the main center of town. We recommend renting a scooter to get around the island. Starting price for a scooter is usually 70,000 per day, but speak to your guesthouse about a discount. We rented from Chillhouse for 50,000/ day because we were staying for a few days. They come with a full tank of gas, which we didn’t even use after 2 full days of scooting around. The roads around Lembongan are mostly paved so it’s not too sketchy to drive around.
NOTE: It’s interesting to note that the different companies seem to advertise to different demographics. Sunrise was almost entirely filled with Chinese travelers, while Scoot was filled with younger backpackers. If you’re traveling solo and looking to meet someone to explore with, this information might help.
Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan
For a small destination, the island of Nusa Lembongan offers lots of great attractions to explore. Kick back and relax on the beach or hit the waves and catch yourself some world class waves. Leisurely cruise through the mangrove forest or marvel at the jagged cliff face and natural rock formations that have been carved out of the waves.
Devil’s Tear
An easy drive from the main area in Lembongan and an easy first spot to visit when arriving. It’s basically a jagged cliffline overlooking the water. When a big set of waves come in, the water will rush up and cause a huge ocean spray that pumps out of the rocks. Not only is it a pretty cool sight to see the power of the ocean, but the water is incredibly blue! Be careful walking around the coastline here. It’s not uncommon for people to slip or for a huge wave to come and sweep you off. We definitely wouldn’t recommend swimming here, although people mo cliff jump when the waves are calm. The current below the cliffs is strong and could easily bash you against the rock wall if its rough. This is a much better spot for grabbing an epic Instagram shot!
Mangrove Forest
There is a fairly big Mangrove forest on Lembongan where rivers are formed by the large trees connecting overhead. Not only are the mangroves a tourist attraction bringing in money for the local people, but they also serve an important role for the environment by protecting the coastline from erosion and natural disasters. You can get a guided boat tour or take out a kayak or stand up paddle board on your own. Prices are generally negotiable, with a stand up paddle board being anywhere from 100-150K IDR.
Mushroom Beach
One of the best things about traveling to the Nusa islands is visiting their gorgeous beaches! The beaches on Bali leave something to be desired. Nusa Lembongan beaches, on the other hand, have the iconic white sand beaches of your tropical dreams. Mushroom Beach is a bit on the touristy side, but it’s definitely worth checking out on Nusa Lembongan. There are a lot of boats coming and going from here, so it’s not the best for swimming. There are also lots of restaurants and bars down by the water if you’d like to grab a beachfront meal.
Nusa Lembongan Surf
If you’re keen for a surf, Nusa Lembongan has plenty of amazing surf spots around the island. These include Playgrounds, Shipwrecks, Razors and Lacerations. The names of some of these spots give you an idea of the obstacles that may await you in the surf. If you’re a beginner, be careful of shallow reef breaks that can cut you up. Ask the locals what’s best for your surf level and what waves are working best.
Nusa Lembongan Accommodation
There’s no shortage of accommodation on Nusa Lembongan. For us, we enjoyed staying on Lembongan because it was easy to get to the other islands and it is developed enough that you have access to everything. As we mentioned earlier, there was a lot of construction going on throughout the island when we were there, so this place is probably going to blow up in the next couple of years. For now it’s still a relatively sleepy place, with a chilled out island vibe.
Chillhouse Lembongan
While visiting Nusa Lembongan we stayed at the Chillhouse Lembongan, just a short walk from where the boats drop you off. It’s a small guesthouse with a handful of rooms. The owner Gede and his family are incredibly hospitable. During our stay there we felt welcomed into their family. They taught us some Indonesian words, told us about the local culture and shared some local snacks with us. They are also a wealth of information for recommendations. We loved Chillhouse because we could walk to restaurants and shops.
The Jingga Villas
If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, these Nusa Lembongan villas are beautifully decorated and just 10 meters from Seaweed Beach. Yep, just a one minute walk to the sand! Doesn’t get much better than that! Each of the Jingaa Villas villa has a traditional Balinese thatched hut, but is still air conditioned and comes with a refrigerator and a kettle. The property is very clean with a lovely pool and plenty of places to sit and relax after a long day of exploring. It’s a family owned hotel with super friendly staff. There is a restaurant and bar on site serving up delicious Indonesian food. You can grab a double room here for about $45/ night.
Click to book the best deals for Nusa Lembongan
221 Homestay
Located in the Mushroom Bay area of Lembongang, 221 Homestay is another great choice if you’re on a budget. Each room is its own stand alone hut. They’re traditionally decorated and very clean. You’re greeted with a juice upon arrival, which is an extra little treat! The grounds are very quiet, but just a short motorbike ride away from all the action of Nusa Lembongang. The Deluxe double rooms have a balcony with a garden view and some rates include a beautiful free breakfast. Double rooms start at $18/night.
Want the best Nusa Lembongan deals? Click the pic!
Twin Island Villas
If you’re planning on doing some diving in Nusa Lembongang, Twin Island Villas is the spot for you. With rooms from $33/night, with balconies overlooking the famous Yellow Bridge and Nusa Ceningan. The staff can even bring breakfast straight to your balcony. The plunge pool bungalow even has its own private mini-pool! Nestled amongst the trees, the hotel is extremely peaceful. If you’re a diver, the hotel has its own dive shop, so you can arrange everything easily through them!
If you’re not looking to stay on the island you could easily do a Nusa Lembongan day trip and see all of the attractions in one day. However, we’d generally recommend staying on the island a little longer so you can really experience it.
Nusa Lembongan Restaurants
There are plenty of places to eat in Nusa Lembongan, from cheap warungs to upscale tourist restaurants. Here’s a couple of our top suggestions.
WBC Warung
A simple warung just 50 meters from Chillhouse. This is a good cheap option with all the standard Indonesian classics. Perfect spot for a feed just after you’ve gotten off the boat.
Pandok Baruna Warung
This place was so good we ended up eating there twice. A bit more expensive than a local warung, but the food is amazing and well worth it. We split a few fish dishes and loved every one of them. The crowd favorite was the Ikan Goreing, a fried fish fillet in a beautiful rich tomato sauce. Yum!
Mama Mia Bar & Grill / TAWE Warung
These two spots are right next to each other and both overlook the ocean. They both have great seating to watch a gorgeous sunset drop over the west side of the island. We didn’t eat at either of these spots, so we can’t comment on the food. But they’re both a great place for a drink!
Sunset Villa
A bit of a mission to find, but not far if you’re visiting Devil’s Tear. This restaurant is a great spot to grab a beer and watch an epic sunset. Even though it poured with rain while we were there, the sunset in the distance was amazing and we happily sat in the rain just to continue watcing it.
B’fresh Juice Bar
A crowd favorite, this is a good spot to fill up on a good breakfast before exploring for the day. Prices are reasonable and they have everything from smoothie bowls to delicious banana pancakes, and light lunches as well.
Nusa Penida
The island of Nusa Penida is an ‘off-the-beaten-track’ travelers delight! This is what adventuring is all about. Sketchy gravel roads twisting and turning throughout the island, pop you out at hidden beaches and marvelously jagged cliff lines.
How to Get to Nusa Peninda
There are two main ways that you can get to Nusa Penida Bali. The first it to go there directly from Sanur. As mentioned in the Nusa Lembongan section, there are multiple boat companies that leave from Sanur and head towards Nusa Penida. There are both public and private. There are also cheaper public boats that leave from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida. They cost as cheap as 20K IDR per person, but are quite slow and not advised if you get seasick. Like Nusa Lembongan, you can organize one-way or return trips on your own, or go through a tour agency and have them book everything for you.
The second way to get to Nusa Penida is to island hop from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida. From Nusa Lembongan you can take a small boat that leaves near the Yellow Bridge. While we were staying on Nusa Lembongan we drove our scooters to the far eastern side on the island near the Yellow Bridge. You can also take one of the transport vans that runs loops around the island, but we found it easier to drive a scooter and park there for the day.
From the Yellow Bridge you’ll need to negotiate a trip with one of the small speed boat drivers. We paid 100K each for a return trip to Nusa Penida, or 50K each way. We heard you can charter your own boat for around 200K, so if you’ve got 4 people or more that could be the most economical way to get to Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan. The trip takes 20mins and is an easy ride across the channel that separates Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. Once you get to Nusa Penida you can work out with the driver when you want to go back. Our captain advised us that the last boat likes to leave around 5pm, so unless you plan to stay on the island you need to factor that into your Nusa Penida day trip.
Things to Do on Nusa Penida
Once you arrive on Nusa Penida, like many places around Bali, you’ll be able to rent a scooter or driver to get around. You could also organize a Nusa Penida tour, but we always recommend taking your own time to explore a new area. Renting a scooter on Nusa Penida is the easiest way to get around the island, with the most freedom to explore.
Do be warned, if you’re pretty new to scootering, some of the roads are unpaved and a little sketchy. We didn’t have any troubles, but some beginners on the road found the loose gravel and hill combination a little hairy. When in doubt, just drive slow, there’s no rush.
Renting a Scooter on Nusa Penida
After catching the short boat across from Nusa Lembongan we landed in Toyapakeh and rented our scooter for 70,000 per day with a full tank of gas and two helmets. It’s possible you’ll get it for 10K cheaper if you’re prepared to haggle, or want it for more than a day trip. But if you’re only there for a day you don’t have much negotiating ability.
Make sure you get your driver to check the tire pressure, and give the scooter a drive to test the breaks. With its steep hills and loose gravel, Nusa Penida is not a place you want to be with a defunct bike. If you plan on carrying a day bag around the island, ask for a scooter with a big storage compartment under the seat. It’s super useful.
Crystal Bay
Our first stop in Nusa Penida was Crystal Bay. It’s not far from where you land on the boat. It’s a bay with a big wide beach overlooking the ocean. Not far off the shore is a tall rocky island with a temple on it. You can rent a boat here to take you around the bay or snorkel in the water. Unfortunately we’ve heard that the temple is closed to tourists.
Angel Billabong
Angel Billabong is… you guessed it, a billabong! Don’t know what a billabong is? Neither did we! Apparently it’s a pool water that is created when another body of water overflows into it. In this case, large waves from the ocean fill an otherwise calm pool of water. You can actually take steps down and swim in the billabong. Don’t go too far toward the ocean though, a big wave can come and knock you down. They even have a ‘lifeguard’ (most likely a man that will take pictures of you with his phone) on duty to whistle if you get too close.
Broken Beach
Broken Beach is a viewpoint just a short walk from Angel Billabong. Erosion to the cliff face has created an arch that opens to an alcove of water. You can’t actually get down to the beach unless you’re willing to make a hell of a jump (KIDDING!) But it’s an epic view and a great spot for photos. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of manta rays swimming in the ocean below. Word of warning- be careful on the cliffs overlooking the beaches, there is erosion on the rocks, so be careful not to slip.
Kelingking Beach
If you’ve done any research at all on Nusa Penida, you know that this the spot you cannot miss. This viewpoint offers a stunning view with a peninsula jutting out into the water. Many people think the peninsula is in the shape of a T-rex, but personally we think looked more like a whale. You can get some beautiful photos overlooking the green of the rocks and the beautiful blue water below. There’s no fence here so please be careful!
This place gets pretty busy, so we recommend coming early in the morning before the hordes of tourists arrive. If you’re feeling adventurous you can take the hike down to the beach. There is a big warning sign at the top of the hike that says you’ll be going down at your own risk. Full disclosure, the hike is a bit sketchy, but if you’re game it’s totally manageable. There are steep steps carved out of rock and lined with bamboo. While there’s no official fence, someone has put up a bamboo and rope railing on either side.
These aren’t secure, so test any piece of bamboo before you lean on it. There are two parts to the hike. The first part is easier than the second. It’s still steep and you have to be careful, but it’s definitely doable. The first part of the hike ends at a landing that is a great view point to the beach below. If you’re really up for an adventure, the second half of the hike has parts that are nearly vertical. You’ll be relying on the bamboo rails to get you down.
It’s definitely a strain on the thighs and I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re deathly afraid of hikes. But, if you can handle a tough hike, it’s absolutely worth the trip down. The beach is gorgeous, with white sand and beautiful water. It would great if the water down below was calm, so you could float leisurely after the strenuous journey. Unfortunately, mother nature has other plans. The waves are pretty rough and I got knocked on my butt a couple of times and went skidding across the sand. If you’re not a strong swimmer, it’s best to stay on the shore.
After a long hike and a tiring swim, you have something else to look forward to, the hike back up! Just as tough as the hike down, but using a whole different set of muscle groups. You’ll feel like you’re rock climbing for some of it, but most of it is just steep rock stairs. Hell, we even saw a few ambitious people do it in flip flops. If you’re fairly fit we recommend doing the whole hike. Just be sure to pack water, because the height, sun and strain can make you feel dizzy. There is a woman with a little stand on the beach, selling various items and beer, so grab a water bottle if you’re out. Take your time, take breaks and let people pass, because it’s a pretty narrow path.
Warning: In this post I’ve repeatedly recommended that tourists to take caution. At the risk of sounding like a nagging mom, you really do have to be careful. A lot of these sights, as gorgeous as they are, include sheer cliff drops. The day we visited Kelingking a young Russian woman tragically fell off a nearby cliff and died. She lost control of her motorbike on a narrow gravel path and fell over 200 meters into the water. This incident is incredibly tragic and an important reminder that you have to be very cautious in areas like this. Please be careful! No Instagram picture or crazy adventure is worth your life.
Nusa Penida Accommodation
Being the bigger Nusa island it makes sense that Nusa Penida island has the most options for accommodation, but they’re also the most spread out. The island itself is a series of paved and unpaved roads, some being quite difficult to navigate via scooter. A lot of the great attractions are on the northern point of the island, so most of the accommodation is centred around the area of Tojapakeh. This also makes it easy to do Nusa Penida day trips from that area if you’re short of time and can’t get around the whole island.
Nusa Garden Bungalow
For under $10 a night, the Nusa Garden Bungalow is a budget travelers delight! They have room options for solo travelers, couples and larger groups or families. There is a catch at this amazing price though, most of the rooms don’t come with air conditioning. If you’re willing to sweat it out for the price there is a fan and a mosquito net, so you can open up some windows. Otherwise there are limited rooms with A/C, but it’ll cost you a little more at $20-$25 a night.
All this for under $10! Click the photo to book this crazy deal now!
Ananta Bungalow
This brilliantly located set of Nusa Penida bungalows is only a quick 2min drive to the iconic Crystal Bay. With a thatched roof, private entrance and terrace area, each bungalow is it’s own little self-contained slice of Balinese life on this amazing island. Wifi, A/C, blackout curtains and even a clothes dryer make the Ananta Bungalows a perfect spot to stay while exploring the north western side of Nusa Penida island. Price range from $25-$30 a room, so it’s in the low-mid range of prices, but well worth the extra couple of bucks purely based on location and how pretty the bungalows are.
Click the photo to book this place!
Rumah Pohon Tree House
Located on the far side of Nusa Penida, this hidden gem is a little harder to get to, but check out those views! Wooden, thatched roof bungalows sit perched on top of the trees and offer stunning views of the ocean from your door. Live out your inner child with these beautifully designed trees houses. There’s no wifi or A/C, but you do get one of the best views in all of Nusa Penida! At just $30-$40 a night, Rumah Pohon Tree House is one place you can’t miss if you’ve got the time to explore.
Stay amongst the trees in this gem. Click the photo to book!
Bukit Sunrise Nusa
Open the door to your balcony and walk out to a breathtaking view of Nusa Penida’s northeastern coastline. Or better still, draw the curtains and lay in bed and watch the deep blue waters roll in from on top of your cliffside view. As the name suggests at Bukit Sunrise Nusa, you’ll be facing the sunrise in the morning, so this is a great spot for early risers and those wanting to start the day right. Simple rooms with A/C and wifi, but well priced considering the amazing view. It’s a little out of the way if you want to visit Kelingking beach, but still only an hour long drive.
Nusa Penida Restaurants
A lot of the restaurants on Nusa Penida, like the accommodation, are focussed on the northern side of the island. There isn’t a lot to choice when you’re exploring the western side and checking out places like Kelingking Beach, but there are a lot of local warungs that you can grab a some delicious Indonesian food from. All along the roads we saw random warungs pop up, especially at the attractions. For example, at the carpark area on Kelingking Beach there were at least half a dozen to choose from that are cheap and probably all taste like your standard Indonesian food.
Penida Colada
Well priced local bar that also serves up smoothies and food. The vibe and atmosphere are one of the main reasons to visit, as well as the view and two for one happy hour that runs from 4pm-7pm. You can get two cocktails for 70K IDR, and the dragonfruit daiquiri comes highly recommended. The reviews speak for themselves, with many people saying they visited this place numerous times on a short visit to Nusa Penida
Warung Jungle
A great local warung that serves up delicious food and is well priced. The location is good because it’s on the way to a lot of the north western attractions. Like many of the warungs you’ll find standard Indonesian classics like Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng. There’s also grilled squid and a drink speciality called Jungle Tea that is delicious.
Nusa Ceningan
Just a stones throw away from Nusa Lembongan is the tiny island of Nusa Ceningan. You probably couldn’t literally throw a stone across the bridge, but you could get close in two. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Nusa Ceningan.
Traveling to Nusa Ceningan
Getting to Nusa Ceningan is pretty easy. It’s only a small island, so chances are you’ll be arriving from either Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. From Nusa Lembongan there is a conveniently located Nusa Ceningan bridge on the far eastern side that connects the two islands together. Wide enough to scooter over, or walk, you can get across to the island within a minute. It’s quite a small island, so if you’re staying on Nusa Lembongan you can easily get across for a Nusa Ceningan day trip.
From Nusa Penida our best recommendation would be to take a boat to Nusa Lembongan. Boats arrive at a small dock in front of the the Yellow Bridge. From there you can walk across or organize a scooter rental. Simple!
Things to Do in Nusa Ceningan
It might only be a small island, but there’s still some really fun things to do on Nusa Ceningan. If you’re staying on Nusa Lembongan you can come across for a day trip, or take your time really exploring slowly while staying on the island.
Blue Lagoon
This cove has some of the brightest water you’ll see in Indonesia. It is vibrantly blue! Unless you’re brave enough to cliff jump into the water, there’s not much to do here except take photos. If you do want to jump (at your own risk!), you’ll have to walk over to the point where the water is deeper. Be careful as the swell here can get pretty big and could possibly push you up against the rocks or pull you out to sea.
Secret Beach
While nothing is really that secret anymore, especially on the tiny island of Nusa Ceningan, Secret Beach is a nice tucked away spot for those looking to cool off in the ocean.
Surfing at Secret Point
While the Nusa Lembongan surf might be where it’s at, Nusa Ceningan has a very nice little left-hand point break at Secret Point if you’re staying on the island and chasing a wave. An easy paddle out from the beach, Secret Point can vary in size, but doesn’t seem to get as crowded as some of the surf spots on Nusa Lembongan.
Nusa Ceningan Accommodation
For a small island, you have a surprising amount of Nusa Ceningan hotels, villas and guesthouses to choose from. Ranging in price from $10USD a night, right up to $150USD, there is something to appease everyone’s budget, without breaking the bank.
Yellow Bridge Homestay
Named after the iconic Yellow Bridge that connects Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan, you won’t find a nicer hotel on Nusa Ceningan for the price. For only $15USD a night you get a stunningly decorated Balinese homestay, with spacious A/C rooms, wifi, social areas, a pool, daily housekeeping and room service. The only problem, it’s constantly booked out! Everyone wants to stay at the Yellow Bridge Homestay, and it’s not hard to see why. Be sure to book ahead of time through Agoda to get the best deals.
Want to book the Yellow Bridge Homestay? Click the pic!
The Ocean Sunset Villa Ceningan
This Nusa Ceningan villa couldn’t be located in a better position! And at just $30-$60 a night (depending on the room and deals at Agoda), the views are well worth the extra cost for a couple of nights if you’re ‘splashing out’. As the name states, this villa gets a perfect view of the sunset and is also located right next to the iconic Blue Lagoon. A stone’s throw away from the beach if you want to take a dip in the ocean, or lounge around in the infinity pool that overlooks the beach. A/C, wifi, free breakfast, kids under 12 stay for free and all the usual features, plus a shuttle service to help you get around the island if you’re not game to ride a scooter. Book the Ocean Sunset Villa Ceningan ahead of time on Agoda to find the best deals.
Want this view in Nusa Ceningan? Click the photo to book!
Secret Point Huts Bungalow
This gem of a spot is absolutely perfect for the surfers out there. Located at Secret Point surf spot, which isn’t as secret as the name alludes to, you can literally check the waves from your bungalow and be in the water within a minute. Secret Point Huts Bungalow rooms range in price from $40 to $100 a night, but if you look last minute you can get some incredible deals for only $20 a night! There’s a really beautiful infinity pool that overlooks the water and ice cold Bintangs for those hot afternoons. We didn’t stay here, but we did knock back a few beers in the pool one afternoon while watching the surfers get those left-hand point breaks.
Check the surf right from your window! Book now!
The Dafish Accommodation Bar and Cafe
It mightn’t be right on the beach, but don’t let that dissuade you from checking out this spot. If you’re looking for a little more space, then this might be the place for you. Book a deluxe cottage or two bedroom bungalow and really spread out and make the place feel like home. And when we say it’s not close to the beach, I mean it’ll take you about a few minutes to walk to, making that ocean dip even more enjoyable. The pool and the decor are the especially beautiful highlights of this place, and once again you can get up to 75% off the asking price if you book last minute and there is availability. Check out the reviews at The Dafish Accomodation Bar and Cafe and you’ll know why its a favorite!
Click to book and start your Nusa Ceningan adventure!
Nusa Ceningan Restaurants
There mightn’t be as many places to eat on Nusa Ceningan, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great selections to choose from. Here are a couple of our best picks.
Sea Breeze Ceningan Bar and Restaurant
With over 160 reviews (for a 4.6 star rating) this is one of the favorite spots for tourists visiting Nusa Ceningan. Good food, lovely staff, well priced and with great views overlooking the water. The veggie curry and smoothie bowls are the top picks here!
Blue Lagoon Resto
A simple warung style restaurant that is close to the Blue Lagoon if you’re feeling peckish. One review says it’s the best Nasi Goreng he’s had in 20 years of coming to Indonesia. Now that’s worth a shot!
Le Pirate Beach Club
Part of a chain of beach clubs, the Le Pirate on Nusa Ceningan offers the same well known hospitality and class. There’s a cocktail bar and woodsy restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat or cold drink to take in the atmosphere.
Nusa Islands Extra Advice
Carry small change with you (2,000’s and 5,000’s). Periodically you’ll be stopped just before different tourist spots and asked to fork over a bill for entrance and parking. It sounds sketchy, but it’s just a way for the local government to cash in on these otherwise free attractions.
Bring a handkerchief or buff if you’re driving a scooter. It can get pretty dusty on the roads, so this will be useful to cover your mouth and nose.
Carry a sarong or towel and leave it on the scooter seat while you’re exploring around. The black seats get INCREDIBLY hot, baking in the sun and can literally burn your butt!
Have fun, be safe and get to the Nusa Islands before these relatively quiet tourist spot really blows up!
As full time travelers and bloggers we’re always looking for ways to make our online lives easier. Any new tools or devices that can make our business run smoother and faster means less time feeling frustrated in front of a computer and more time adventuring around! AmpliFi Home promised to do just that with their new travel tech device, the AmpliFi Teleport. When they first emailed us about participating in their AmpliFi Teleport Home Connect Challenge we were a little skeptical about how much this little device could really do. Well, we’ve been using the Teleport in Bali, Indonesia for about a week now and it’s a pretty incredible! Don’t let the size fool you, this little puppy has a lot of capabilities perfect for travelers and people working abroad.
The AmpliFi Teleport Home Connect Challenge
If you haven’t seen our blog post detailing our thoughts and anticipation before this challenge, you can check that our post about the importance of staying safe online while traveling. As a summary, the AmpliFi Teleport is a small device that plugs into a power outlet and allows you to connect to your home wifi network from anywhere in the world through a local wifi connection.
That means you can access files on your home server, create a secure network even on public wifi and go to websites that may be blocked because of your location. For such a robust device, the set up was surprisingly easy. That’s part of the charm of the AmpliFi Teleport. It’s not just for techies looking for a hardware VPN to connect to their mesh points (yea, who even knows what that means!). It’s for normal travelers and people, like us, who travel and work online.
After the initial set up, you really just need to plug in the device to a power outlet and you’re good to go! I mean there are a few more steps than that (see our detailed set up instructions below), but if my mum can set it up for us via a FaceTime call, you’ll be just fine!
Watch our video review of the AmpliFi Teleport + awesome shots from Bali, Indonesia
AmpliFi Teleport Outcome
Our challenge was to see how many different ways we could use Teleport to connect to our home network. Here’s what we found:
Accessing Files Remotely
One of the greatest features of Teleport that we definitely underestimated was accessing files on our home server. At home we have a network attached storage device, which is like a hard drive that connects to our home network. It’s filled with documents like old blog articles, photos from our travels, movies, music and more. Using Teleport we’re able to access these files as if they’re on our laptop. On a personal level, it’s amazing to be able to stream music and watch movies that we didn’t previously upload to our MacBooks or iPad.
Professionally, it’s made our lives so much easier because we can access important documents without having to load up our laptops before leaving for our trip. So if I need photos from a previous trip for a new blog post I’m writing, instead of being out of luck if I didn’t upload them, I can download them with ease using Teleport. If I want to continue working on some writing projects that I may have forgotten to put on my laptop, I can use my word processor on my laptop to continue writing and then save them back on our home network storage device. This is crazy useful for our travel blogging. It’s also perfect if you’ve forgotten an important document, like a copy of your passport or credit cards, so you’re able to access them in an emergency situation.
Online Security While Traveling
Online security is one of those things that you don’t realize how much you need it until it’s too late. We’ve been fortunate enough to not have had any incidents with online hackers, but it’s becoming more and more common. Because we travel so much, almost all of our online banking is done overseas using public wifi. That leaves us wide open to a security breach. With Teleport, using our home network means accessing a safe and private network. That means we never have to worry when we’re paying credit bills, shopping online or even making hotel reservations. We recently paid a credit card at a cafe in Bali and had no hesitation using the public wifi because we knew it was being re-routed back home using Teleport!
Yes we sometimes watch TV while we’re traveling. Sometimes after a full day of adventuring around beautiful Bali, we just want to relax with a binge-watching session of our favorite shows. So sue us! Unfortunately, most of our streaming networks are blocked in Indonesia. Yes, we can use a VPN, but plugging in our Teleport is an easier and more secure option. It’s as simple as connecting to our home network and voila! The computer thinks we’re in the United States, giving us access to all the streaming networks we have at home. We’ve been able to watch Netflix US, HBO Go and Xfinity, which our local cable provider. That means that we can stream important live events like the Olympics! Besides our favorite television streaming sites, there are other sites that are geo-blocked in Indonesia. Sites like Reddit and Vimeo are partially blocked, it seems to depend on the internet provider. Either way, having the Teleport ensures that we can access any site we’d be able to in the US.
Other Uses
The above were the features that most stood out to us, but the AmpliFi Teleport also has other functionalities. You can use the access to your home network to check your house security system or other smart home devices. You can video call with your friends and family back home easily. You can create profiles for your family members and schedule times to pause the internet so you can get quality family time. I’m sure more tech-savvy users can think of a ton of other ideas to utilize the access to their home network!
Setting up the Amplifi Teleport
The package comes with an AmpliFi Router to be kept at your home, an AmpliFi Teleport to keep with you when you travel, an AC adapter and 2 ethernet cables. An important thing to note is that the AmpliFi Teleport will only work with an AmpliFi brand router, so you need the full package. The first thing you need to do is download the AmpliFi app on your smartphone. Then connect your AmpliFi Router to your broadband modem using the ethernet cable.
Plug in your AmpliFi Router to a power outlet using the AC adapter. Go to the AmpliFi app on your smartphone and follow the instructions to configure your device. We actually had my mom set this up in California and even though she is (self-proclaimed) technologically challenged, it was a breeze. After those steps, you’ll be prompted to name your wireless network and create a password. Click save and continue, then you’ll see your newly named wireless network in your list of available networks. Connect to it and enter the password. Then you’re good to go!
The installation of the AmpliFi Teleport is equally as easy. Using your computer, phone or tablet at home, connect to the AmpliFi Router wireless network that you just created. Tap the Teleport icon and click Test Connectivity. Then plug your Teleport into a power outlet and watch as the LED light starts to flash with a full circle. Connect your computer or phone to the wireless network named Teleport XXXXXX (it will be a six digit combination of letters and numbers that are located on the device’s label).
A set up portal will open on your device and all you have to do is sign in and it will configure the wireless network you will use to access Teleport in the future. Select the network you want to access. A sign in portal should pop up so you can connect to the wireless network you have configured (or go to if it doesn’t open automatically). Using your mobile app, tap “Yes, pair this Teleport,” after verifying that its MAC address matches the code on the device label. Teleport should then connect to your home network. Double check that it worked by opening your web browser or check the Teleport’s status in the mobile app.
Phew, that was a mouthful! It may seem confusing written out, but once you’re going through the steps in the app, everything becomes clear. Trust us, it’s easy!
AmpliFi Teleport Review: Final Thoughts
After a week of taking the AmpliFi Teleport Home Connect Challenge, we can say with confidence that we’re big fans of the AmpliFi Teleport. As a traveler, being able to stream all of our home television channels is a dream. As a travel blogger, having access to our home files like photos and videos is super useful. We’re excited to keep using our AmpliFi Teleport and find new ways to use it abroad, as well as new countries! Here’s to making our travel work life easier, so we can spend less time on the computer, and more time enjoying these gorgeous destinations!
This was a sponsored challenge between Don’t Forget To Move and the team at AmpliFi. As always, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If you’ve been following our blog for a while you’ll know that sustainable tourism and responsible travel are huge factors for us in choosing accommodation when we travel. As eco-friendly travel becomes more popular, it can be difficult to know whether a hotel is really committed to environmental protection, or just trying to cash in on a growing trend. Sometimes you have to visit a property in person to really understand the level of commitment to sustainability. Sometimes we have high hopes for a hotel or resort and then arrive to find their “eco”-ness is limited to a recycling bin and a yearly beach clean up.
Luckily, sometimes the exact opposite happens and we’re pleasantly surprised with how much a resort is going above and beyond to be sustainable. That was the case for Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. Not only are they practicing what they preach in terms of environmental sustainability, but they’re also committed to wildlife protection and cultural preservation. The commitment to all three is what really knocks it out of the park for us. Here’s what the Holiday Inn Kandooma is doing to keep the Maldives an incredible place for locals and tourists.
Ethical Animal Tours in the Maldives
Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
We’re always weary when hotels and resorts offer animal tours to their guests. We understand that tourists are interested in interacting with exotic animals when on vacation, but too often these activities negatively impact the wildlife population. Before booking any excursions where animals are involved, we always run through a checklist to see if the activity includes touching, feeding, or otherwise impacting the natural behavior of the wildlife. We were very excited to see that the activities at Holiday Inn Maldives passed our checklist! All of their excursions limit interactions to simply observing the animals from a respectful distance.
Our first tour was the Turtle Point Reef snorkeling. We took a speed boat to Turtle Point, about 45 minutes from the resort. We donned our mask and flippers and jumped into the water. Just a few minutes after arriving, our guide Ushan had already spotted our first turtle! It’s pretty incredible to watch the turtles float lazily in the water, cruising with the currents and occasionally popping their heads up above the surface.
Sea turtles are incredible creatures. Some species can hold their breath for several hours, with some able to hibernate under water for months! Turtles are protected in the Maldives. Since 1995, it’s been illegal to catch, kill or collect them. All fishing in the Maldives is pole and line fishing, which cuts down on the number of sea life killed from discarded fishing nets. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for “ghost nets,” nets left or lost by fisherman in other countries, to make their way to the waters of the Maldives. Ushan told us that not long before our arrival a turtle was found tangled in a net. Luckily they were able to cut him free and put him back into the wild. During our snorkeling tour we saw about 6 turtles, each one magnificent and breathtaking. Excursions like these are so important because they educate guests on the fragility of the environment and how our actions at home can affect the environment around the world.
Dolphin Tours
We also took part in the Dolphin Cruise. On this excursion you observe the dolphins from the boat, as opposed to snorkeling with them. It’s not guaranteed to see dolphins, so we felt very fortunate that not long into the trip our boat was surrounded by dozens of them! Huge pods of dolphins were swimming within feet of the boat, their grey fins gliding above the water. Every once in a while a little baby would show off by jumping in the air and spinning around. They really put on a good show for us. Side note: If you don’t see any dolphins on your trip, don’t worry! The hotel will let you join the next Dolphin Cruise free of charge!
Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Maldives
One activity we wanted to go on, but unfortunately couldn’t due to the weather, was the whale shark snorkeling. If you’ve kept up with our blog, you may know that we are big advocates for ethical whale shark tours. One of our most popular articles is why we chose NOT to swim with the whale sharks in Cebu, Philippines. We were very excited to hear that the Holiday Inn Kandooma whale shark snorkeling tour does not include feeding of the animals.
“Chumming,” or the act of luring animals to your boat by throwing fish parts into the water, can affect the eating and migration patterns of sea life. Instead of attracting the whale sharks by chumming the water, the boat operators are always on the lookout for the animals and coordinate with each other via walkie talkie. The guides also educate the guests on keeping a safe distance from the animal, but not because they are dangerous. Whale sharks are actually not sharks, but rather the largest fish species in existence. They’re gentle giants and not at all harmful to humans. They can be quite shy though, so it’s natural for them to take off when they spot you. Because there is no feeding of the animals, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll see any whale sharks.
To get to the snorkeling location, you have to take a speed boat across the channel and depending on the weather this can take 1 and a half to 2 hours. The waves can get quite choppy in the channel, so it’s not recommended for those that get seasick. But even if you experience some seasickness, you may get lucky with a calm day. I can also recommend the motion sickness tablets Bonine, which don’t cause drowsiness like Dramamine. Unfortunately I completely forgot to bring some on this trip! Either way, if you’re able to take the whale shark tour, you’ll be amazed by the beauty and sheer mass of these incredible creatures.
Reefscaping Sustainability Project
One of the activities we were most excited about was the Reefscaping Project – and it did not disappoint! We always look for hotels that go above and beyond with sustainability initiatives. That’s what Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma has done with their Reefscaping Project. Unfortunately the Maldives have suffered through a series of coral bleaching. Coral bleaching happens when the water temperatures rise and the algae that lives in their tissues is expelled. This causes the coral to turn white and become more susceptible to dying.
There was a terrible coral bleaching in 1998 that killed about 90% of the coral in the Maldives. It began to regrow, but then another series of bleaching in 2010, 2012 and 2016 killed around 60-70% of the Maldives’ coral. Coral are incredibly important to the ecosystem of the ocean. Not only does coral provide shelter for small fish, it also plays a part in the ocean food chain, giving nutrients to other sea life. Bright, vibrant coral is also a huge draw for tourists wanting to snorkel in the Maldives coral reef.
Thankfully, the Holiday Inn Kandooma is doing its part to regrow the coral population. With their Reefscaping Project, they snap off pieces of live coral and use wire to tie them to a structure. The structure is then placed in the ocean. By cutting the coral, you’re actually stimulating new growth. It’s a similar process to cutting off the top of a pineapple and replanting it to grow a new fruit. Ushan, the resort’s marine biology expert, leads the Reefscaping project.
Guests can sponsor a structure and even have their name written on a tag to be placed on the structure. Guests who sponsor the project have the opportunity to sit down with Ushan and learn more about the importance of reefscaping. They can participate in creating the structure with coral pieces, as well as snorkeling out out to the location to ‘plant’ it in the ocean. Guests will also receive periodic updates on the project. So much cooler than bringing home a souvenir is knowing that you’ve contributed to reviving the coral reef!
Sustainability at the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma
Not only is the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma doing its part to protect the Maldivian ecosystem, they’re also doing their part to look inward and examine their own impact on the environment. Several sustainability initiatives have been adopted to reduce waste and lower their carbon footprint. One simple, but incredibly effective initiative is using reusable glass bottles of water in guest rooms. This may not seem like a huge undertaking, but it reduces the resort’s plastic use by approximately 650 bottles a day! They’ve been using the glass bottles for the past 8 years. Imagine how much plastic has been saved during that time. I’ll tell you, it’s almost 2 million bottles!
All of the water used at the resort is produced by the island itself. Their desalination plant produces on average 15,500 liters of drinking water per month. Rain water is harvested to be used for guest laundry, saving approximately 50 tons of water per month during the rainy season. The heat generated by the resort generators is used to heat the water in 22 staff rooms and in the desalination plant. This reduces energy consumption needed to heat showers, as well as reduces use of diesel. The resort is planning to expand this project to heat the water in all staff rooms. They also have plans to install solar panels to produce energy from that hot Maldivian sun.
There are tons of small initiatives like these that all add up to reducing the resort’s carbon footprint. From using low wattage light bulbs, to re-using maintenance materials like gloves and paint brushes, it all adds up to help ease the impact on the environment.
Connection to Community
For us, traveling responsibly is much more than just being environmentally friendly. Sustainability ensures that destinations are protected and preserved for generations to come. That includes cultural traditions, animal welfare and supporting a thriving local community. Too often when tourists visit a resort, they’re unable to get a deeper insight into local life. They’re limited to just interacting with hotel staff. Which, don’t get me wrong, can be a great way to connect with locals. We had an incredible time connecting with the staff at the resort. The hospitality at the Holiday Inn Kandooma is incredible. But when the opportunity presents itself to dive deeper into the local culture, we take it. That’s why we were excited to see that the resort offered a 2 hour tour to the neighboring island.
The local tour is a great way to gain some insight into local culture. The Maldives are made up over hundreds of islands. At the moment there are 365 resort islands established for tourism (yep, one for every day of the year!). And there are over 200 local islands, some of which have guest houses, inhabited by local residents. There is a local island a stone’s throw away from Kandooma (literally, if you have a good arm). You can’t swim there because there is a deep channel separating the two. But you can hire a boat from the hotel or take the local island tour.
The tour is only about two hours and you’ll be connected with a local guide. Our guide, Mohammed, gave us a great tour of the town and was happy to answer all our questions about Maldivian life. The Maldives are 100% muslim and the religion has a strong influence over the island. There are 3 mosques on the island (two for men, one for women) and all of the local women wear a burqa or hijab. Every island in the Maldives must have a mosque if there are any people living on it. Even if its a plantation island with only two farmers living there, it still must have a mosque. Visiting local islands is a great way to get a different perspective of the country. You can also add a few extra days to your trip with a stay on the local islands, which is a great way to extend your trip f you’re traveling to the Maldives on a budget.
If you’re hesitant to do a tour that exploits the local people and puts them on show for tourists, this is far from it. Locals just went about their daily lives as we strolled through the town. Mohammed showed us interesting things, like how high the water level went to when they suffered through a terrible tsunami in 2004. Toward the end of the tour, the guide will take you to a shop to purchase souvenirs. They alternate which shop they take visitors to, giving each shopkeeper a chance to sell their wares. We’re not really souvenir people, but we do like to support local economies so we bought a couple of small items. There is also a mini-mart in town, which is a good place to pick up some affordable snacks (and yes, they take credit cards). At the end of our tour, Mohammed dropped us back off at the boat and the call to prayer began over a loudspeaker. Mohammed wished us farewell and joined the groups of men making their way to the mosque.
The local island tour may not be a high priority on your Maldives bucket list, but we encourage you taking a couple hours out of your sunbaking to see how Maldivians live. Supporting locals in this way ensures that community’s will profit from tourist. Spread the wealth, spread the love!
Overall, the sustainability initiatives at the Holiday Inn Maldives exceeded our expectations. From the Reefscaping Project to the eco-initiatives, it’s clear that the resort is committed to protecting the gorgeous environment that draws so many people to this stunning destination. Beyond the environmentally conscious efforts, the resort is focused on protecting the wildlife population and the local culture. It’s the combination of these efforts that make the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives such an outstanding place to stay.
Thanks to the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives and InterContinental Hotels Group for hosting us in the Maldives. As always, all opinions and thoughts are our own and we’d never recommend a destination or hotel we didn’t fully support.
As travel bloggers, so much of our lives revolve around being online. It has its pros and cons, but ultimately allows us to travel, build our business and live a life of freedom. It also means we’re always on the lookout for tech gadgets and tools that will make our life easier. So when AmpliFi contacted us about their new Teleport product, that will allow us to access our home internet and server, we were intrigued. When they told us we’d be able to connect to US Netflix overseas, we were sold!
Even for the tech-challenged (my name is Christine and I am technologically challenged), their product is easy to understand. It works like this: Say you’re in a foreign country and just want a quiet night in your hotel room to watch the new season of Stranger Things. Hey, no shame. You sign onto your Netflix account and whomp whomp, Netflix doesn’t run in the country you’re in! So now not only are you stuck watching TeleMundo 7, but you also run the risk of seeing spoilers.
Secure Internet Connecting While Traveling
Luckily, with the AmpliFi home router and new Teleport device you’re home free! The two products combined help provide a safe and easy way to access resources at home, even when you’re abroad. Using any Wi-Fi connection abroad, your Teleport creates an encrypted connection between you and your AmpliFi router at home, allowing you to access your home network wherever you go. When you’re abroad, simply plug in your Teleport device, connect with the AmpliFi router that you set up at home and you’re able to re-route to your home connection from the connection abroad. That means that your computer thinks you’re at home and you can load any site you’d normally be able to. Netflix travel movies binge, here you come!
Online Security for Travelers
But in all seriousness, AmpliFi boasts incredibly helpful features for anyone traveling abroad (not just TV junkies like us). Using a local WiFi network presents a variety of problems that AmpliFi aim to solve. Besides the frustration of not being able to watch your TV shows, you also run the risk of a security issue. Shared WiFi (even those that require a password) are prone to hackers. Anything like online banking, shopping or inputting private information is risky on a public WiFi network. Hackers are only getting smarter and more advanced unfortunately, so we have to be more diligent about keeping our information secure online.
You may be thinking that the AmpliFi Teleport product sounds like a VPN. And it’s definitely similar. A VPN (virtual private network) creates your own private network even if you’re using public WiFi. There are free ones and paid versions. Many people use them to download TV shows, so their internet provider can’t see it and bust ya for illegal downloading (or so I’ve heard…). It’s also common for people to try to use VPNs to watch programming that isn’t available in their country. Unfortunately, there’s a Netflix VPN block, meaning the guys and gals at Netflix have outsmarted most of the VPNs out there!
The best Netflix VPN workaround is to connect to your home device. Another problem with VPNs are that they can often slow down whatever you’re working on and, even more nerve-wracking, track what you’re doing online. This isn’t the case with all VPNs, but some “watch” which sites you’re going on and some even sell that data to third parties. Creeeeeepy. Using AmpliFi to connect to your home WiFi is the easiest way to ensure your safety online.
To showcase all the great features, AmpliFi has asked us to participate in their AmpliFi Teleport Home Connect Travel Challenge. We’re challenged to test how many different ways we can connect to home while we travel. We’ll also be detailing how to install the product and what we’ve found it most useful for. For now, we just want to chat about what we’re expecting from the challenge.
The Challenge
Over the course of a week it’s our challenge to see how many different ways we can use the AmpliFi Teleport to make our lives easier online. Here are some of our ideas:
Watch TV! – Over the next week we plan to try out the Teleport by logging into all of our at-home TV networks. I know, I know, it’s gonna be a lot of work. But we’re willing to do it so we can give you guys a fair review of the product! You’re welcome 🙂
We’ll be trying out Netflix, Hulu, Xfinity (our at home cable provider) and HBOGo. All of those are restricted in Indonesia, with the exception of Netflix. Netflix was recently allowed here, but not with all the great shows and movies you get in the US. That’s why we need the Teleport to unblock Netflix US. We’ll see how the device works with streaming video, in terms of speed and quality.
Access files at home – Another great feature of the Teleport is that we can access all of the files on our home server. For non-tech geeks, it’s a bit like being able to use our desktop at home through our laptop abroad. We can access our documents, photos, videos, music and movies that we have at home. This will be super useful to us because we often need to access old photos and video to include in our blog posts. It would be great to be able to grab a movie that we forgot to put on our laptops. We’re not sure exactly how this works, so we’re looking forward to trying it out!
Banking security – Because of our travels and our remote business we do almost all of our banking online (also, who goes into a bank anymore?) We’ll admit, sometimes we’re not the most careful with where/how we log into our accounts. Hopefully using the Teleport will give us some peace of mind that all of our information is secure.
Aside from these main features, we’ll be looking at the ease of setting up and using the device. We’ll be on the lookout for any other uses that we didn’t anticipate and how other travelers might use the product. We’re very excited to try out the AmpliFi Teleport here in Bali and can’t wait to share with our readers!
This is a sponsored challenge between Don’t Forget To Move and the team at AmpliFi. As always, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
For as long as I can remember, traveling to the Maldives has been at the top of our bucket list. Who doesn’t dream of that gorgeous blue water and white sand beaches? We were smitten by Instagram photos of the iconic overwater villas and videos of undersea adventures. Let’s face it, a destination like the Maldives pretty much sells itself.
But when it comes to putting your money where your mouth is, and actually choosing accommodation, there are a dizzying amount of options. That’s why we were looking for a resort that stood out among the rest. Maybe it would have stellar reviews on its super friendly staff, maybe it was committed to environmental sustainability and had the practices to back it up, maybe it would have a plethora of activities that let us interact with animals from a safe and respectful distance. Or maybe…. It would have all three!
Yep, we actually found a resort that knocked it out of the park in terms of hospitality, sustainability and overall gorgeousness (yep, making up a word there) – the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. I know what you’re thinking. The Holiday Inn? Isn’t that a city hotel? That’s what we thought, but this resort couldn’t be further from that. It’s every bit the luxury island accommodation you want from the Maldives.
Arriving at the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma
After arriving at Male international airport we boarded a Holiday Inn speed boat to the island of Kandooma. Upon boarding we were immediately met with the warm hospitality that makes the Holiday Inn Maldives so special. Zuhree, the staff member that accompanied us on the ride, greeted us with a bottle of water and a cool, mint-scented towel, both a refreshing treat after the stuffy plane ride. Not 5 minutes into our journey we looked to our left and spotted a pod of over 100 dolphins. The driver kindly turned the boat around so we could get a closer look. It was a perfect introduction to the natural wonders of the Maldives.
One of the perks of staying at the Maldives Holiday Inn is its convenient location to the airport. Unlike further resorts that are further from Male, you don’t need to coordinate taking a seaplane, which only runs from 6am to 6pm. Instead you’ll hop on a speed boat which takes less than 45 minutes to reach the resort. A seaplane might be a novelty, but trust us, once you get to the Maldives you’ll want to spend a much time as possible on the water.
Like clockwork, our boat pulled up to Kandooma 40 minutes later, the water beneath us quickly turned from deep blue to bright turquoise. As soon as you see the color of this water you know that the raving reviews of the Maldives have not been exaggerated. Yep, the water really is that blue! Docking at the island, it felt like our eyes were bulging as everything looked like technicolor. From the turquoise water to the white sand to the green palm trees, every color was bright as can be.
Checking in at the Holiday Inn Resort Maldives
The first smiling face that greets you when you pull up to the dock is Russel. With her million dollar smile, she gave us a warm welcome and escorted us across the bridge to the lobby. Russel is from the Philippines and she graciously let us practice our rusty Tagalog (the national language of the Philippines), without laughing too much at us.
At check in, we were greeted with a refreshing drink and another cool towel, which was much needed because it is warm in the Maldives. Our bags were transported to our rooms so we didn’t have to lift a finger. With our cold drink in hand we were ready to leave the real world behind us and soak up this island paradise.
Accommodation Review
For the first two nights we stayed in an overwater villa. And we’ll start off by answering your most pressing question. YES! Yes it was amazing and just like the photos we dreamed of. There are no cars on the island, so to get to our villa a golf cart escorted us to the opposite side of the small island. At the end of the sand stood the quintessential Maldives overwater villas. With the curving dock that you’ve seen in a million Instagram photos and the villas jutting out over the water on either side. Our villa was filled with natural light from the three sets of sliding glass doors that opened to the breezy outside. The decor is simple and beachy, with white wood floors and furniture. Leading out to the deck is an outdoor shower and an outdoor bathtub (!!!) Yes, there is a regular indoor shower in the bathroom, but why shower indoors when you can soak up the sunshine while under the water? Don’t worry, you’re hidden from view so feel free to toss those inhibitions into the wind!
The balcony and the villa’s deck are really the “pieces de resistance.” Walk down your private deck and you’ll find yourself looking at some of the clearest water you’ve ever seen. You can lounge in the deck chairs or hop in the overwater hammock, where the only thing separating you from the water is a thick netting. The view extends out to the deep blue of the ocean, where a break water keeps the rough waves at bay (pun intended). On a windy day there’s still a bit of a current, so make sure you don’t drift too far out, unless you’re ready for a workout swimming back. Also, the sand below has sharp rocks, so we recommend bringing water shoes. Other than that, all you need is a swimsuit and your SPF 30!
For the rest of our stay we were in a beach house overlooking the water, which we thoroughly enjoyed as well. The set up was similar to the overwater villa, except the beach house has two stories. The ground level is an outdoor sandy lounge space with a daybed and chairs. Upstairs the room has a balcony with an ocean view. There was a row of daybeds a few hundred feet from our villa and the water was just 50 feet in front of those. It was a convenient spot to go out in the morning and grab a bed before they were all taken. We also loved that the bed in our room was facing the balcony, so we could pull aside our curtains in the morning and wake up to a view of the gorgeous ocean.
Hospitality at the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma
When we were initially researching the Holiday Inn Kandooma, we were stoked to find their sustainability initiatives and ethical animal activities, but we wren’t sure if the hospitality would live up to their incredible reviews. We had read TripAdvisor reviews that raved about the staff in every department, praising cooks, servers and receptionists by name like they were old friends. Surely, the hospitality couldn’t be that good, could it?
Spoiler alert: It is! Over our week at the resort we actually developed genuine friendships with the staff. It was a joy to hit the buffet every morning and catch up with our friends from the food and beverage team. (Side note: At the buffet breakfast, you’re greeted by a staff member to take your drink order. You can choose from a warm pot of tea or an entire pot of coffee, freshly plunged right at your table. If you’re a coffee drinker, you know what you a treat it is to have a hot pot of coffee all to yourself. OR you can ask for an espresso drink made to order. Complimentary lattes with breakfast? Keep ‘em coming!)
We loved that when we settled into breakfast, our favorite team members would often come to our table to see what we were up to for the day. This seemed to be consistent during our time at the resort. We often had staff members checking in with us to make sure everything was perfect and to see if they could make our stay even more fantastic. And before you assume that we received special treatment because we’re bloggers, we actually saw many instances of staff members going above and beyond for other guests. Whether it was a very patient waiter communicating with a guest through Google translate, or staff from the Kids Club making funny faces for the younger guests. Everyone seemed to be truly have a great time.
During our stay we often ate at the the poolside restaurant Bokkurra Coffee Club. During our leisurely lunch and dinners we’d chat with the staff there and really learn more about their story. We made friends with Nayez, who just finished school and has dreams of becoming a graphic designer, with the talent to back it up. And Issey, who got married in February of last year, the same date that we got engaged! He’s a fantastic artists and shared with us drawings of his cat.
Or Saika, our favorite bartender at the beach bar. She’s from Nepal, but has worked around the world, including the Seychelles and now the Holiday Inn Maldives. She loves working at the bar because she can get to know guests as they sit and chat with her over a drink. By asking about their vacation she can find out if there is anything she can do to make their stay even better. Or Ratheesh, one of our favorite cafe managers, who made us a plate of curry from the buffet just because he thought it would compliment our meal at the cafe (it did!). These are just a few of the many, many wonderful staff members we befriended while at the Holiday Inn.
Before the week was over we were invited to watch the last game of the staff football tournament. There are over 400 staff that work at the resort, many of whom live on the island. To keep fit during their time off, the Holiday Inn organizes sports tournaments, where different departments compete against each other. We were expecting a friendly lowkey game, but it was actually very official. The teams had uniforms and trophies were handed out afterward. The final game was between security and housekeeping. After a thrilling match, it came down to penalty shots and security won. During the rest of our stay it was really fun seeing the players around the resort and chatting about the game. These little interactions and the friendliness of the staff are what makes this resort stand out from the rest.
Resort Facilities
You could spend all your time in the picturesque Maldives ocean during your trip and be happy, but it doesn’t hurt that the Holiday Inn Resort Maldives has some pretty spectacular facilities available to enjoy. The infinity pool is somehow the PERFECT temperature and overlooks the beach closest to the lobby. If you want to be in the mix, this beach is the most popular, but never once did it feel overcrowded. There are lounge chairs and bean bags, and the beach bar is so close that the waiters will bring a drink directly to your chair.
If you’re looking for a quieter area to swim and relax, the swimming area near the overwater villas is blissfully quiet. Just a few day beds and a handful of lounge chairs are scattered around the sand, overlooking some of the bluest water you’ll see on the whole island of Kandooma. There’s a little alcove here so the water is protected from the current. It’s a bit like floating in a natural pool.
But it wasn’t all laying around on the beach working on our nonexistent tans. Jules pumped some iron in the well equipped fitness center and I (Christine) took a fantastic yoga class with Simone, the Perfect Wave surf and yoga instructor. They have twice daily classes, a morning Hatha class and an evening Yin class. Both take place on the jetty and are a perfect way to start or end the day overlooking the water in full zen mode.
If you’re a keen wave rider than you can add surfing in Kandooma to your list of holiday activities. Kandooma has some great surf breaks just a short paddle from your door, making it the perfect way to catch some waves while also having a super relaxing vacation.
Those that prefer the type of wellness that doesn’t require breaking a sweat can enjoy a spa treatment at the Kandooma Spa by Como Shambhala. We had the signature Como Shambhala couple’s massage and enjoyed every second of it. The treatment started with a foot scrub, followed by a full body oil massage. We left feeling gloriously relaxed. The facilities at the spa are immaculate and serene. We recommend the signature massage treatment, as well booking the Spa Suite’s private garden with your very own plunge pool. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a blissful afternoon for two.
Overall there’s a million little details that make this resort so enjoyable, from the facilities, to the gorgeous surroundings. But the biggest thing that made our stay so incredible was the hospitality. Every morning Jules and I walked out of our villa feeling like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, with housekeepers, gardeners and other staff greeting us with a big, cheery “hello” on our walk to breakfast. Resorts have a reputation for being cookie-cutter and a bit stuffy, that’s why it’s so incredible to feel like you’re part of the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma family. On our last day we walked around the resort to say goodbye to everyone and that’s when it hit us just how many new friends we’d made. After cheery hugs and exchanging Instagram details, we promised to be back someday to enjoy this incredible island once again. And we plan to make good on that promise!
Thanks to the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives and InterContinental Hotels Group for hosting us in the Maldives. As always, all opinions and thoughts are our own and we’d never recommend a destination or hotel we didn’t fully support.
San Francisco, SF, The City or however you want to call it (anything except the tourist misrepresentation ‘San Fran’) is one of the most visited cities in all the United States. Each year this small seven by seven mile area packs in nearly 20 million visitors coming from all over the world, trying to get a taste of this hip, groovy, tech driven, historical and culturally diverse city.
In a city so small it’s hard to believe San Francisco has been able to pack in so many exciting attractions, delicious restaurants, hip bars and historical wonders, but it does. It does it so well that most people don’t just visit San Francisco once, as this magical city has a certain draw that evokes a return visit to see all the most prolific and hidden attractions.
From the awe inspiring Golden Gate Bridge to the timeless cable cars; the iconic dragons that guard the entrance to Chinatown to the seaside wonders at Fisherman’s wharf; the fabulous nightlife in the Castro to the edgy hipsters around the Mission. San Francisco has something for everyone, you just need to know how to take advantage of it. And one of the best ways to do that is by simply walking around San Francisco and seeing what you find!
They say you never really understand a city until you’ve walked around it. I’m not sure who said it, but it makes sense and I’m sticking to it. When you’re traveling it can be easy to jet into a city, see the main sites and then jet off again. And while there’s nothing wrong with seeing a city’s main attractions, one of the best things about traveling is getting the opportunity to travel slow, learn the ins and outs and really get to know the places you visit.
Best Way to Explore San Francisco
While taking yourself on a self guided walking tour in San Francisco is always interesting, there’s nothing like exploring a city with an expert at your disposal. And with so much to offer in San Francisco, you really don’t want to miss a thing. That’s why finding the tour company that really focuses on your experience is key.
Few tour companies do this better than Context Travel, a company dedicated to small group tours for the intellectually curious. In 2017 Context Travel, who operate walking tours all over the world (from learning about Communist history in Budapest, to supporting responsible tour companies in Colombia), launched a series of compelling walking tours in San Francisco. Now you can experience everything this fantastic city has to offer knowing you’re getting expert insight from a local historian, professional or scholar.
Walking Tours in San Francisco
Among the San Francisco city tours on offer, a great place to start is with an introduction to the city. Start at the beginning, learning all about the first inhabitants, and work all the way through to contemporary times, covering the Gold Rush, Chinatown, North Beach, the Beat Generation and more. You’ll also get insider knowledge on how the history of the city continues to shape San Francisco today. For anyone new to the city it’s a great way to acquaint yourself with San Francisco’s unique history over a leisurely 3 hour walking tour. It’ll get you prepared and excited to explore more, as well as give you your bearings for taking in the City by the bay.
If you’re into art, both classic and contemporary, you can check out one of Context Travel’s renowned San Francisco art tours. The SFMOMA tour takes you through the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, where you’ll get an appreciation for their extensive collection and the architecture that encloses it. The Art in the Park tour explores the de Young Museum and Japanese Tea Gardens, two iconic spaces within the gorgeous Golden Gate Park. Both of these tours are three hours long and pair you with a local art historian or artist.
Other tours on offer are a more detailed look into the famed Beat Generation that was prevalent in San Francisco during the 1950s. Literary legends like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg played a huge role in the rise of the beatnik and in this tour you’ll learn all about their struggles and triumphs during this revolutionary period of American culture.
If art and history isn’t your taste, and you literally want to taste the best that San Francisco has to offer, try the San Francisco food tour that takes you through the Ferry Building. Sample your way through local cuisines as you get a taste for homegrown Californian products and companies. During the tour your guide will be a local chef or food writer, so expect to get a complete break down all the products you come across.
Gaining a New Perspective on a City
For me, being a local to San Francisco, I enjoyed exploring the city from a new angle with the Architectural Place and Space tour. Led by a retired San Francisco city planner, this tour offered a unique perspective by showcasing the different styles of city architecture and how they fit into the broader context of the city. We walked around Market St and the surrounding areas, taking in the rise of the high rise and how larger corporate buildings are helping transform public spaces in the city.
It was interesting to note just how many fun and creative public spaces were situated all over the city, often with few people using them. Located on the top of tall office buildings, or at the bottom of high rises, public spaces in San Francisco can be found all over the city and utilized by residents and visitors alike.
After completing my San Francisco walking tours I was left with a new appreciation for a city that I’ve called my second home since 2012, a city I thought I knew pretty well until I got led around by an expert. This is one of the key benefits to booking a walking tour in San Francisco, or anywhere else in the world, through Context Travel. Beginners and first time visitors will marvel at their new encounters, and experienced veterans will be amazed at what they can still discover.
