In Reply to: What kind of boat they use? posted by Jan on Sunday, 19. February 2006 at 10:22 Bali Time:
Hi Jan, The public boats are about 20 metres long with a roof. very basic. no toilets. just two rows of seats and a central walkway. They hold around 100 people! and really pack them in. People sit on the roof when the seats inside are all taken. Although it was an adventure my wife said 'never again' We'll pay the extra a and travel in luxury. The tourist boats are a bit smaller than the public boat and a lot less crowded. They will also drop you off wherever you want [normally].
I think that I would use the Bali Hai for the mum to be...no question!!!!!!
The trip by Public/tourist boat takes about 1-2 hours depending on tides. You will have to wade through the sea to get on and off, it can be a pain if you have luggage! Pack everything in garbage bags to keep dry!
The bali hai cat is less than 1 hour and you get a snack and drinks and comfortable seats, and stay dry, and be amused by the poor Japanese tourists who really dont seem to have fun on boats.
There are other options: you can sail over on a big sailing cat, or a large yatch that leave from Tanjung Benoa, {very nice and civilised] or even by speedboat from Sanur...very quick but about $100 I think.
We actually met a european couple with a baby and a 3 year old who travelled across in a tiny fishing boat/canoe...it took about 4 hours...thats what I call brave. The boat held 4 people with a squeeze and was powered by a whipper snipper motor! The left from Padang Bai if your crazy enough...it was really cheap tho???????!!!!!!!