Seahorse | Komodo, Triton Bay, Banda Sea

Komodo

Best time for diving
May to October, the weather in Komodo is at its best between April and November. During the wet season (December to March) the weather can get a bit windy, with heavy quick rains, sometimes can cause rough surface conditions. However, liveaboards run trips here year-round.

The visibility in the North is excellent at 30 meters or even more, while it ranges between 10-15 meters in the South.
Some dive sites can have significant currents, whirlpools and see downdrafts. Sea conditions might change very quickly. Other dive sites are more quiet and rich in macro, especially in the South.

About temperatures
Air : range between 23°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : in the North Komodo it can be around 26°C -29°C, while it gets colder towards the south where it can drop down to 22° C.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 - 5 mm full wetsuit throughout the year for Komodo area.

Diver requirement
Intermediate to Advanced level, A good level in diving and some experience in drift diving are recommended to participate to Komodo cruise.
You can find out more informations about diving in Komodo here : Komodo

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation / disembarkation will be in Labuan Bajo (LBJ).
Unless the trip is from Bali - Komodo, then the embarkation can be in Bali (DPS).

Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.

Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.

Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.

Triton Bay

Best time for diving
November to April, most liveaboards visit Triton Bay during the Raja Ampat diving season, as from June the winds and rain can cause unpleasant sea conditions. However, rain is possible in West Papua anytime, not just in rainy season.

Some sites are subject to strong currents here, and the visibility in Triton Bay might change abruptly. Rarely exceeding 20 meters, it can lower to less than 10 meters, especially after a lot of raining in Triton Bay. Most of diving is shallow dives, no more than 35 meters.

About temperatures
Air : generally ranges between 25°C - 31°C year-round.
Sea : averaging around 26°C - 27°C from May to October, 29°C - 30°C from November to April.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm full wetsuit for November to April, a 5 mm full wetsuit for May to October.

Diver requirement
Suitable for most divers, however, on a number of sites in Triton Bay, a certain level of currents is necessary to attract interesting fish activities. So divers should be ok with the currents. You can find out more informations about diving in Wakatobi here : Triton Bay

Embarkation / Disembarkation
The nearby airport is Kaimana airport (KNG) in West Papua. However, live­aboards may utilize different ports depends on the itinerary, as often live­aboard trips will combine Triton Bay with other destinations like Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, so please ask our agent to know the exact port for your trip.

Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.

Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.

Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.

Banda Sea

Best time for diving
October to November & March to April, the seas are generally calmer during these months and in October to November there is higher chance to see hammerhead sharks. From May to August the surface conditions can get quite rough.

The visibility is generally good to excellent in Banda Sea areas, except in Ambon bay and in other bays for critter dives. Currents are low to moderate on most of the sites, however, strong currents may occur at times.

About temperatures
Air : range between 25°C - 31°C year-round.
Sea : range between 26°C - 29°C year-round.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 - 5 mm full wetsuit throughout the year.

Diver requirement
Most dive sites are suitable for all levels with a few exceptions that are suitable only for advanced divers. You can find out more informations about diving in Banda Sea here : Banda Sea

Embarkation / Disembarkation
The embarkation / disembarkation can be in Ambon (AMQ), Kaimana (KNG), Maumere (MOF), Sorong (SOQ), Waisai (RJM), Saumalaki (SXK) etc. As some of the Banda Sea trip will combine with other destinations like Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Triton Bay. So please ask our agent to know the exact port for your trip.

Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.

Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.

Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.

Raja Ampat

Best time for diving
Mid October to April, the wind then picks up in May until the end of August, causing rougher seas and this means Misool area in the south will be shut from June to September. From July until September the diving in the north still can be enjoyable. The visibility can vary from 10 - 30 meters, current can be from mild to strong at times.

About temperatures
Air : fairly constant between 25°C - 31°C year-round.
Sea : it is warm all year round, about 27°C - 31°C

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm full wetsuit throughout the year.

Diver requirement
Intermediate to Advanced level. You can find out more informations about diving in Raja Ampat here : Raja Ampat

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation / disembarkation will be in Sorong (SOQ).
Few liveaboards also departs from Waisai (RJM).
The easiest to fly through to & from Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta (CGK), Makassar (UPG), Bali (DPS), or Manado (MDC).

Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.

Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.

Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.

Halmahera

Best time for diving
October to November and March to May, Halmahera can be dived all year round, but due to the monsoon season, from June to September it can be windy and the sea can be rough. And from December to February is considered as the rainy season.

Visibility is usually very good, ranging from 20-30 meters, Inside the bays the visibility may be less. Currents can be strong in the straits, weak in the areas protected by the islands.

About temperatures
Air : generally ranges between 25°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : it is warm all year round, about 27°C - 31°C

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm full wetsuit throughout the year.

Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels, however, divers should have some experience to enjoy the drift dives there. You can find out more informations about diving in Halmahera here : Halmahera

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Depending on which itinerary you choose, the embarkation / disembarkation can be in Bitung > Manado (MDC), Ternate (TTE), Bacan (LAH/WUB), or Morotai (OTI). The international airport with the best connections is Jakarta (CGK). You can also route through Bali (DPS) if you prefer.

However, some live­aboard trips will combine Halmahera with other destinations like Sulawesi (Lembeh), Raja Ampat, then the embarkation and disembarkation will be different. So please ask our agent to know the exact port for your trip.

Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.

Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.

Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.

Sulawesi

Best time for diving
April to October, with peak season being July and August - it's also the best time to spot whales and dolphins (however, in the peak season, it's usually gonna be super busy, so you need to book your space long ahead). The diving can still be great in late March, November and early December, but the rain are generally a daily occurrence in these months, then the rainiest months will be between January and February but still can have good dives if you don't mind the rain.

The visibility range between 20 - 40 meters, currents are different from one location to another, some have minimal-to-no current, while some other sites can experience strong currents that attract big pelagic fish.

About temperatures
Air : range between 23°C to 32°C throughout the year.
Sea : between 26°C - 29°C, with the Lembeh Strait can be as low as 25°C/26°C during the summer (July/August).

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 - 5 mm wetsuit throughout the year.

Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels. Especially the photographers! You can find out more informations about diving in this area here : Sulawesi

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Depending on the liveaboard and the itinerary you chose, it can be Manado (MDC), Kendari (KDI), Luwuk (LUW). Or some itineraries also combined North & Centra Sulawesi with other destinations such as Halmahera, Raja Ampat, Wakatobi (in South Sulawesi). So please ask our agent to know the exact port for your trip.

Visa Requirements
Indonesia offers a free visa on arrival service for many nationalities which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. A list of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival can be found on the Indonesian Government's Directorate General of Immigration.

Please note: Immigration officials in Indonesia may ask for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket).

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD.
Rupiah can be purchased from all major banks and exchange outlets. Credit and debit cards are also accepted in major hotels, restaurants & shops.

Drones
There are very few restrictions on the use of drones for photography purposes within Indonesia. Please check Drone laws in Indonesia for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.