Indonesia
Indonesia hosting a greater variety of marine life than anywhere else on earth. With the South China Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean converge here on the world’s largest archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, of which only 6,000 are inhabited, making it the world's top diving paradise!
Indonesia, as the world's largest archipelago, is a diver's dream, offering some of the most spectacular underwater experiences on the planet. This tropical paradise is situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to 76% of the world's coral species and over 3,000 species of fish.
Whether you're a novice or an experienced diver, Indonesia offers something for everyone : from mangroves to deep walls, and black sand volcanic bubbles, the entire archipelago teems with life. There’s exhilarating drift diving, extensive reef diving, fantastic night diving, unique muck diving and breathtaking steep walls. Tec divers probe the deep trenches and wreck divers love the many World War II relics.
The country's diverse dive sites are accessible year-round, though specific regions have optimal seasons.
Liveaboard Diving Regions :
Alor Archipelago
Located between Flores and Sawoe Sea, Alor archipelago is one of Indonesia’s last frontiers, also part of the volcanic belt which stretches from Sumatra, Java and Bali to the east of the Indonesian archipelago. It is perfect for those seeking off-the-beaten-path diving adventures. Known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, Alor offers a mix of challenging currents and calm dive sites. Highlights include stunning walls, volcanic ridges, and muck diving in Kalabahi Bay, where you can spot rare critters like the frogfish and mimic octopus. Reef sharks, mola mola, pygmy seahorses, and rhinopias are also can be seen in this area.
Komodo National Park
Located in the strait of the same name at the confluence of the Indian Ocean and the Banda Sea, where nutrient rich currents underpin a vibrant ecosystem. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its powerful currents and thrilling drift dives. The nutrient-rich waters attract an abundance of marine life, it is famous for it macro life also large pelagic like manta rays, reef sharks, turtles and large schools of fish. Dive sites like Batu Bolong and Castle Rock are must-visits, offering a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life. Komodo island and Rinca island are also the only places where we can still see these Komodo Dragons in the wild.
Wakatobi
Located in Southeast Sulawesi, comprises several islands including: Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko. Wakatobi is famous for its pristine coral gardens and incredible biodiversity. The protected marine park is a haven for coral lovers, with over 850 species of coral and countless marine creatures. The calm waters and excellent visibility make it ideal for photographers and macro enthusiasts. There are leaf scorpionfish, pygmy seahorses, ribbon eels, and spinner dolphins can be seen.
Triton Bay
Lies to the south east of Raja Ampat, Triton Bay is often dubbed the "Lost World of West Papua", offers some of the most biodiverse and untouched dive sites in Indonesia. The nutrient-rich waters, fed by underwater currents, support a vibrant array of marine life. Soft coral gardens, towering rock pinnacles, and whale shark encounters are just a few highlights of this remote paradise. Divers also can often see wobbegong sharks, giant groupers, and schools of barracuda here.
Banda Sea
The Banda Sea, also known as the Spice Islands, surrounded by hundreds of islands. It is a diver's playground, offering everything from exhilarating deep walls to historic wrecks. The area is characterised by a generally very good visibility and is famous for its pelagic encounters, including hammerhead sharks during the September to November season in the "Ring of Fire". The dive sites are remote, ensuring an exclusive and uncrowded experience.
Raja Ampat
Also known as "Four Kings". The myth goes that each King reigns over one of four main islands: Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo. It is a global hotspot for marine biodiversity. With over 1,500 islands, the region offers an unparalleled range of dive experiences, from vibrant coral reefs to steep walls and mangroves. Raja Ampat's marine life is so diverse that it's possible to see more species in a single dive than in many entire countries. Manta rays, wobbegong sharks, pygmy seahorses, and walking sharks are very common.
Halmahera
Located in the North Maluku region, is one of Indonesia's least explored dive destinations. The dive sites here offer a mix of volcanic reefs, stunning coral walls, and pelagic encounters. The underwater terrain is diverse, with a rich variety of hard and soft corals, making it a must-visit for adventurous divers. During the dives, you can encounter feef sharks, turtles, barracudas, and schooling fish.
Derawan archipelago
Located off the coast of East Kalimantan (Borneo), a hidden gem known for their unique marine life and diverse dive sites. The area has 5 main islands : Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban, Sangalaki and Pulau Sambit. Derawan archipelago is famous for its stingless jellyfish lakes, whaleshark, manta rays, barracudas and the chance to spot the rare giant green sea turtles.
Cendrawasih Bay
Situated in West Papua, on the opposite side of the Bird’s Head Peninsula to Raja Ampat. It is one of the few places in the world where divers can encounter whale sharks year-round. The bay's calm waters and rich plankton supply attract these gentle giants, making for unforgettable diving experiences. Besides whale sharks, the area is known for its WWII wrecks and vibrant coral reefs, and if you are lucky you can alsp spot dugongs there.
Bali and Lombok
Bali and Lombok are among Indonesia's most accessible dive destinations, offering a wide range of dive experiences from macro diving in Tulamben to drift diving in Nusa Penida. Bali's USAT Liberty wreck is a world-famous dive site, while Lombok's Gili Islands are known for their vibrant coral reefs and marine life. Here divers can find mola mola, reef sharks, turtles, and mantas very easily.
North & Central Sulawesi
This region offers some of the most varied diving in Indonesia, from the muck diving mecca of Lembeh Strait to the stunning walls of Bunaken National Park. In recent years the small island of Gangga has been emerging as another favourite place for divers to base themselves. The island's diverse geography provides a range of underwater landscapes, making it a favorite among divers seeking both big and small marine life.
