Hi Jory, I really think you will enjoy Tulamben and the Liberty! It’s truly beautiful and the black sand beach is really nice. It’s less touristy than other areas, and
I really enjoyed a trip up there with a shop called Jukung Dive in Amed. Check them out if you’re looking for a dive operator. If you aren’t shore diving they take you out on these tiny balinese boats which is fun. Many of the dive shop guides are Balinese and were super nice, taking me and my friend to temples for a hindu holiday. There was a luxe hotel down the way from the dive shop in Tulamben also,
I wish I could recall the name but it was gorgeous with a killer pool
in the courtyard and very reasonable. We also went to Padangbai, a dumpy town on the east coast between Ubud and Tulamben where we had a blast. The locals were awesome and we wound up playing cards with them and drinking whatever crazy liquor they have around there. I had a nice snorkel - didn’t get to dive there as I was flying the next day, but I understand there are supposed to be giant mantas in that area. I was there in April, so maybe you’ll be close enough to the time they’re visiting Bali.
I also went for an amazing drift dive in Nusa Lembongan, an island off the south shore of Bali. It’s very easy to get there from Kuta area on a ferry. I just went for a day and actually it may have been the prettiest dive I was on, even though the Liberty is amazing in its own right. All I remember about the dive shop is it was female run by a Brit or Australian I believe, blond lady, and they had a great boat with sundeck.
I hear great things about Lombok, so I’d check your Lonely Planet if you haven’t yet. I hope you have an awesome time!