Indonesia simply considered one of six nations that make up the Coral Triangle within the Pacific, and diving in Indonesia is a deal with for anybody who loves exploring the magnificent underwater world. When you have ever explored the Coral Triangle, you will have an thought of simply how spectacular and numerous the coral reefs are on this nook of the world.
The Coral Triangle is an epicenter of marine biodiversity the place 76% of the world’s coral species are recognized to exist. Diving within the Coral Triangle is nothing wanting heaven. Divers from around the globe flock to Indonesia to discover every thing from macro life in Lembeh, education fish round Komodo Nationwide Park, Mola-Molas in Bali, to a spectrum of reef sharks in Raja Ampat.
Imagine me, when you dive in Indonesia, it’s arduous to dive anyplace else! I hope you get pleasure from this detailed information to the highest 5 places for diving in Indonesia, which can absolutely have you ever planning in your subsequent scuba journey.
1. Lembeh
Positioned in Northeast Sulawesi, Lembeh Strait is named the muck diving capital of the world. Discovering among the rarest creatures within the sand (or “muck”) is the last word dream for underwater photographers and scuba diving fans.
The marine life in Lembeh Strait is claimed to be so wealthy that you just hardly ever run out of issues to see in a dive. From the tiniest pygmy seahorses to probably the most colourful mandarin fish, the fun of seeing among the treasured underwater critters retains avid scuba divers flocking to Lembeh 12 months after 12 months.
Should you get pleasure from attempting to find the distinctive and weird creatures of the ocean, you don’t wish to miss Lembeh when scuba diving in Indonesia!
When to Go: July and August are stated to be the most effective time for diving in Lembeh Strait, with probably the most variety of critter sightings reported throughout this season. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to dive all year long round Lembeh.
Dive Expertise stage: Should you intend to go to Lembeh particularly for muck diving, you need to have glorious buoyancy management in order to not fire up the sand.
Water temperature: 25 – 26°C between July – September; 28 – 29°C remainder of the 12 months
Depth of dive websites: 7m – 30m
Visibility: 5 – 20m
Currents: none to mild drift
Entry Level: Mandado Airport (MDC) in Sulawesi
2. Bali
Diving round Bali is just spectacular. There’s nearly every thing to see round Bali from the pristine corals in Menjangan Island to the north, the world-famous shipwreck USS Liberty to the east, to the manta rays and mola-mola (aka Sunfish) round Nusa islands simply off the mainland.
What makes Bali an ideal dive vacation spot is that the island affords a lot greater than seashores and marine actions. There are some gorgeous temples, waterfalls, volcanoes, and cliffside views, to not point out procuring, culinary experiences, and cultural and nature excursions which you could get pleasure from all through the island.
Diving in Indonesia is an unbelievable expertise in itself, however Bali would make a super vacation spot if you’re in search of further issues to do exterior of scuba diving.
For macro followers and underwater photographers, quite a few dive websites round Padang Bai, Tulamben, and north Bali supply phenomenal muck diving. In these areas of Bali, I’ve seen every thing from rhinopias, ornate ghost pipefishes, frogfish, and mimic octopuses, to probably the most colourful nudibranchs. Should you want extra “motion” underwater, head to Nusa Penida for lovely drift dives alongside colourful reef slopes.
You merely can’t go unsuitable with Bali.
When to Go: When you can dive all year long in Bali, January – March is the “wet season.” The visibility and sea situations should not the most effective through the wet season. The very best Bali diving season is between June to October when the water is obvious, and the colours of the reef seem extra vibrant. Nonetheless, these months are thought of Excessive Season in Bali so you’ll be able to count on to pay higher-than-usual costs for flights and lodging.
Dive Expertise stage: Divers of all expertise ranges can get pleasure from a lot of the diving round Bali. Nonetheless, there are just a few dive websites (reminiscent of Tepekong, Crystal Bay, and Toyapakeh) that ought to be reserved just for skilled and superior divers as a consequence of probably sturdy currents. For the most effective scuba diving in Bali for freshmen take a look at Tulamben or Amed areas for calm and straightforward slopes.
Water temperature: 16 – 26°C between June – September; 26 – 29°C remainder of the 12 months. The water temperature may be frigid in some dive websites through the peak season in Bali, notably round Nusa Penida. However the excellent news is that in these “chilly” water months, there’s a increased probability of seeing the notorious Mola-Mola round Nusa Penida. So if in case you have not but had the pleasure of encountering these “greatest bony fish on this planet,” it’s definitely value a visit!
Depth of dive websites: 5m – >40m
Visibility: 15 – 40m
Currents: North Bali – none to gentle drift. East Bali (Amed, Tulamben, Padang Bai) – none to medium present. Nusa Islands – may be very sturdy.
Entry Level: Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport in Denpasar, Bali (DPS)
3. Komodo Nationwide Park
Komodo Nationwide Park, or the Land of the Dragons, is a UNESCO World Heritage Website made up of three primary islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar in addition to 26 further smaller islands.
The merging our bodies of water from the Pacific Ocean from the north and the Indian Ocean within the south present nutrient-rich water which offers situations for an extremely wholesome and dense marine biodiversity that leaves scuba divers in awe of this magnificent underwater world.
Count on to see pelagics reminiscent of manta rays, reef sharks, and eagle rays; faculties of jacks, trevallies, surgeonfish, and barracudas; and macro critters together with frogfish, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses and a lot extra!
When to Go: Regardless that the land-based operators in Labuan Bajo are open year-round, most liveaboards function from April to about October, as these months present the most effective climate and sea situations. I dived in Komodo in Could, and the situations (underwater temperature, visibility, and topside climate) had been excellent.
Relying on the place you sail to (north or south Komodo), the seas can get uneven. Should you plan a liveaboard journey round Komodo Nationwide Park, you should definitely take some anti-seasickness remedy with you.
Dive Expertise stage: Some Komodo dive websites may be loved by newbie divers, however some are solely applicable for superior to skilled divers. Relying on the dive websites or locations, some dive operators require minimal logged dives or Superior Open Water certification, so it’s greatest to verify earlier than reserving.
Water temperature: 27 – 29°C
Depth of dive websites: 10m – >30m
Visibility: 10 – 30m
Currents: You’ll be able to count on to expertise some sturdy currents round Komodo. When you have your dive gear that you’re already comfy with, I’d extremely suggest that you just take them.
Entry Level: Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo (LBJ)
4. Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, also referred to as the 4 Kings, is made up of 4 islands Misool, Waigeo, Batanta, and Salawati situated in West Papua.
As it’s appropriately named, Raja Ampat is certainly, THE king of scuba diving in Indonesia. From the gorgeous coral gardens to the numerous fish species you’ll encounter in its seas, Raja’s archipelagos will certainly not disappoint.
Mantas, wobbegong sharks, reef sharks, dugongs, dogtooth tuna, Napoleon wrasse, and large trevallies are only a handful of ordinary suspects. On the macro aspect, you’ll be able to count on to see frogfishes, pipefish, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and a ton of intriguing crustaceans.
Jaw-dropping dive websites are loads in Raja Ampat, and that is one dive vacation spot in Indonesia you don’t wish to miss. The staff at The Final Journey Firm might help you craft a custom-made journey there.
When to Go: Open to dive year-round, however the most effective time to dive in Raja Ampat is Oct-April. June-July is liable to heavy rains and uneven seas.
Dive Expertise stage: Though divers of all expertise ranges can get pleasure from Raja Ampat, some dive websites are well-known for sturdy currents reminiscent of Blue Magic or the Passage. Verify along with your dive information and choose dive websites which can be applicable in your diving expertise and luxury stage.
Water temperature: 27-29°C all year long
Depth of dive websites: 5m – >30m
Visibility: 15 – 40m
Currents: Straightforward, light present to very sturdy present
Entry Level: Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong (SOQ)
5. Wakatobi Nationwide Park
Positioned in Southeast Sulawesi, Wakatobi is thought to host among the greatest coral reefs on this planet. I can let you know from my expertise that within the 2000+ dives, I’ve executed in SE Asia alone, I’ve by no means seen colours as vibrant and coral species as different as I’ve seen in Wakatobi.
Wakatobi is an underwater wonderland – the biodiversity of the marine life on this area of the world is like nothing you’ve ever seen. The reefs round Wakatobi had been among the most untouched and pristine, and despite the fact that this area isn’t as accessible as the opposite dive locations in Indonesia, you’ll by no means remorse making a visit to this particular place on earth.
When to Go: Whereas diving may be loved year-round in Wakatobi, January – March is the “wet season” when you’ll be able to count on sporadic spurts of rain all through the day. For the most effective visibility and diving expertise, head to Wakatobi between July and September. Nonetheless, be warned that wind can decide up throughout these months and the floor can get uneven.
Dive Expertise stage: Dive websites are applicable for all ranges
Water temperature: 24 – 26°C between June – September; 26 – 29°C remainder of the 12 months
Depth of dive websites: 7m – 30m
Visibility: 15 – 40m
Currents: Principally simple, light drift
Entry Level: Sultan Hasanuddin Worldwide Airport in Makassar (UPG) or Matahora Airport in Wangi-Wangi (WNI)
In the case of diving in Indonesia, it’s arduous to go unsuitable as a result of the diving is unbelievable regardless of the place you go. So when you’re planning a scuba diving journey to Indonesia, don’t fear about making the “proper” selection – you might be just about assured to have a good time wherever you find yourself diving!
I hope you loved this information to Finest Diving in Indonesia – if in case you have any questions, be happy to succeed in out to me through my bio hyperlink beneath! I’d be joyful to assist additional or reply any questions you will have.
