Marine tourism boasts unexplored underwater world

Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Sanur, Bali

Robert Koke may not ring a bell to most Balinese. He is not as famous as other Westerners who have big names in arts, such as painters Walter Spies, Le Mayeur and Rudolf Bonnet.

Koke has been making a name for himself thanks to his tireless effort to help promote Bali as one of the world's top destinations for marine sports and tourism.

The first professional surfer in Bali, Koke built the Kuta Beach Hotel in the pristine Kuta beach in the middle of l930s.

"One day, while exploring the island on our hired bicycles, we paddled through a coconut grove and came out on the most beautiful beach in the world, clear surf, lapping miles of white sand, fringed with palms, and no trace of human habitation as far as the eye could see," Koke shared his first experienced in Kuta with Fortune magazine.

From his hotel, Koke introduced Bali as a surfing destination which boasts great waves and panorama. He had lured numerous top surfers to the new surfing paradise after Hawaii.

Koke himself learned surfing while he was working with the giant Hollywood studio Metro Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

But, seventy years later, Kuta has been drastically transformed from a deserted beach area into a crowded surfing hub, which receives thousands of surfers every year.

Yos Amerta, chairman of Marine Tourism Entrepreneurs Associations, said that Bali is currently developing other water sports in addition to surfing.

"Surfing has been very popular, water sports especially since Australian surfers came to roam the island's high waves," Yos said.

Since the l960s, Bali's beaches were internationally exposed through various Hollywood movies and documentary films such Balinese Surfers, Morning in The Earth, In God's Hands, and blockbuster Pointbreaks starring heartthrob Keanu Reeves.

"The arrivals of thousands of surfers have changed the face of Bali's beaches as well as created new lifestyles and also profitable business opportunities," Yos said.

There are a number of top surfing points in Bali including Kuta, Sanur, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Canggu, Medewi, Padanggalak, Serangan and Nusa Lembongan waters.

"The rapid growth of surfing activities in these areas have triggered local and international businessmen to produce and to sell surfing equipment and related fashion items," Yos said.

While you stroll along the streets in Kuta, Seminyak and Kerobokan areas, you'll find a number of surf boutiques selling items from Billabong, Quicksilver, Aloha, Dahui, Mambo, Ocean Earth and other brands.

"Surfing dominated water sports in Bali until early l990s. Actually, Bali has a lot of potential for other types of marine sports," Yos said.

Wally Siagian, a master diver, said that people love surfing because of its image as a popular and glamorous sport. Visitors who prefer more silent water sports chose diving as their favorite activities.

"Bali's underwater world is so tremendously beautiful and unexplored," said Wally. He pointed out a number of the best diving sites in Bali: Tanjung Benoa, Sanur, Nusa Dua in South Bali.

"But the most beautiful sites are mostly located in the eastern and western part of the island," he said.

Menjangan island, which is part of Taman National Bali Barat Park, Pemuteran and Lovina in Buleleng, North Bali, are among the best diving spots.

"North Bali waters is home to wonderful coral reefs and thousands of marine species," Wally said. East Bali also boasts abundant diving centers spreading from Padang Bai, Candi Dasa, Amed and Tulamben in Karang Asem.

The wreckage of the U.S. warship Liberty torpedoed by Japanese submarine in l942 has become one of main attractions for underwater video shooting here, Wally said.

"In the depth of 100 meters, divers may find no less than 400 types of fish, 100 identified marine species and many more unidentified species," Wally said.

Yos said that majority of the association members are diving and surf companies. "We plan to diversify marine sports to extend to wind surfing, wave runner, parasailing, jetskies, cruising, jet boat and power boat. " Despite its abundant marine resources and potential, the growth of marine tourism has yet to be developed more seriously. "So far, the local provincial and regional governments pay little attention to marine tourism," he said.

Bali has yet to create master plan for marine tourism development. "Otherwise, all coastal areas would be excessively exploited by irresponsible companies or individuals. Let's see Kuta beach which was not properly designed for marine activity," he said.

The lack of regulation, masterplan and law enforcement have contributed to the degrading the conditions of Bali's coastal areas and its underwater life.

"We should not only developed marine tourism but should also preserve marine ecosystem. Otherwise, Bali could not be able to net potential visitors to enjoy its marine activities," Yos commented.