Good to Know…
Nomad Divers Bangka is a small, remote island dive resort, and staying with us is a little different from staying at a traditional resort. There are no shops, ATMs, roads, or big-resort conveniences here — just the jungle, the ocean, our little bungalows, good food, and plenty of diving.
We want you to know what to expect before you arrive, so here are a few useful things to know about life at Nomad.
Getting Here
Getting to Nomad is part of the adventure!
From Manado Airport, it is approximately a 1-hour drive to Pantai Surabaya, where our boat will pick you up for the 45-minute crossing to Bangka Island. From Manado city centre, the drive takes around 90 minutes.
As a small, remote island resort, we need some flexibility with transfer times. Boat crossings may need to be adjusted depending on tides, weather, and other operational requirements.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are available between 7:30am and 14:30 to ensure safe boat crossings and suitable daylight conditions.
If your flight arrives before 7:30am, you will need to wait at the airport until our transfer service begins. We are unable to provide earlier airport pickups.
If you arrive at the airport after 14:30, we are unable to provide same-day transportation. You will need to stay overnight in Manado, and we can arrange your transfer to the resort the following day.
If you need recommendations for somewhere to stay in Manado, just ask!
Public Ferry
A public ferry from Likupang to Lihunu Village generally operates Monday through Saturday, departing between 2:00–4:00pm.
From Lihunu, it is approximately a 40-minute walk through the jungle to the resort. You may also sometimes be able to hire a local ketingting (small wooden boat) for the final stretch.
The return ferry generally departs Lihunu at around 8:00am Monday through Saturday.
The ferry costs approximately 50,000 IDR per person each way.
Please note that the public ferry does not operate on Sundays or public holidays, and we aren't notified of closures in advance. Because of this, we can't arrange or guarantee transportation using the public ferry.
Life on the Island
We love our little corner of Bangka, but it is definitely remote!
There are no shops or ATMs on the island, so please bring any essentials you may need, including toiletries, medication, and enough cash for your stay.
We don't have card facilities at the resort. Extras can be paid for in cash (IDR, USD, or EUR) or by bank transfer.
We are unable to provide change in USD or EUR and have only a limited amount of Indonesian Rupiah available for change, so smaller denominations are always appreciated.
Electricity & Wi-Fi
We're powered by a generator, which generally runs from around 10:00am until 9:30/10:00pm.
There is no electricity at the resort outside generator hours. This means there are no lights or fans in the bungalows overnight.
There is no Wi-Fi in the bungalows, but complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant/lounge area and around the day beds during generator hours.
Bungalows & Showers
We have four Minahasa-style ensuite bungalows — one on the beach and three in the jungle — plus a stone hilltop bungalow that's a little further away and more private.
And about those showers…
We have "one-temperature water." 😉 There are no hot showers at Nomad.
Food & Dietary Requirements
All stays include meals, with complimentary tea, coffee, and drinking water available throughout the day.
Our honesty bar also offers soft drinks, fruit juices, beer, and spirits for purchase.
If you have any dietary preferences, allergies, or special requirements, please let us know before your stay. Because we're on a remote island, we source ingredients in advance and may not be able to accommodate requests made after arrival.
With advance notice, we're usually able to cater for common dietary preferences, including vegetarian meals with options such as tempeh, tofu, and eggs.
Diving
This is why you're coming to Bangka, right? 😉
Daily Dive Schedule
8:00am – Two morning boat dives, with a 1-hour surface interval on the water
2:00pm – Afternoon dive
5:30pm – Night dive
Night dives require at least 24 hours' notice so our staff can plan their time with their families. Night dives aren't available on Sundays out of respect for our local staff's religious observances.
Safety is our main concern, so we ask all divers to dive responsibly and stay within no-decompression limits. A dive computer is mandatory for all divers. If you don't have your own, you can rent one from us.
If you haven't been diving within the last 12 months, a refresher dive will be required before participating in fun dives.
Weather & Sea Conditions
Bangka offers excellent diving year-round, but conditions do change with the seasons.
November–March: Generally rainy season
April–July: Generally drier season
August–October: Windy season, with August typically experiencing the strongest winds
Weather conditions can vary from year to year, and occasional periods of stronger wind or rougher seas can occur outside these typical seasonal patterns.
Diving continues throughout the year, but during the windy season, sea conditions may affect snorkeling, DSDs, and entry-level dive courses.
The ocean doesn't always follow our schedule, so dive and transfer plans may occasionally need to change depending on weather and sea conditions.
Traveling with Children
We love having families at Nomad! Because we're a small, remote island resort, there are a few things families should know before booking.
Children under 12 must be supervised by a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult at all times. We do not provide childcare or child supervision.
If you'd like to go diving, your child cannot be left unattended at the resort or remain on the dive boat while you are underwater. Our staff and boat crew need to focus on their regular duties and are not available to supervise children.
Because we're on a remote island, there are no local childcare services that we can arrange for guests.
If you're traveling with children and have any questions about what will work during your stay, just ask us. We're happy to help you plan ahead.
A Few Little Things…
Mornings and evenings are when the mosquitoes tend to join the party, so bring mosquito repellent.
When the tide is out, the walk to the boat can be a little wet. Shorts and sandals are much more convenient than long trousers and fancy shoes.
Water temperature is around 28°C year-round, so a skin suit or 3mm wetsuit is generally plenty.
We're surrounded by jungle and ocean, so expect nature to be part of your stay — including the occasional insect or other tropical visitor.
Our resort is intentionally small and relaxed. Things don't always happen at exactly the same time or in exactly the same way they would at a large resort, so a little flexibility goes a long way.
Still Have Questions?
We're always happy to answer questions before you arrive.
If there's anything you're unsure about, just ask. We'd much rather help you understand what staying at Nomad is like before you arrive than have you discover something unexpected once you're here.
We look forward to welcoming you to our little corner of Bangka!
info@nomaddiversbangka.com
+62 821 9967 6802 (WhatsApp)
