Diving Indonesia

Indonesia Activities

Apart from relaxing at a beach resort or snorkeling and diving, Indonesia offers an abundance of activities in which to engage.

Surfing
Indonesia has some of the world's best waves and there is surf to be found all year round somewhere amongst the many islands. Indonesia's most popular world class breaks include Nias, Mentawai and Uluwatu.

Adventure
Kayaking, treking, surfing, rock climbing ... these are only some of the many exhilarating adventures that are on offer in Indonesia. From white water rafting down the rapids of the Maiting River in Sulawesi to climbing the peaks of one of the world's most famous volcanoes at Krakatau, Indonesia has enough thrilling adventures to keep any adrenaline junkie busy. Climb active volcanoes to take in the awe-inspiring views. Crawl into tight, dark spaces to explore the caves of Java. Hike the high snowcapped peaks of the mountains of Papua or get off the beaten track in the jungle in Kalimantan where you will meet the Dayak people. Search for wildlife and get up close and personal with wild orang utans.

Heritage Sites and Traditional Villages
Indonesia abounds in monuments of the past. There are the temples of the Buddhist and Hindu dynasties; Hindu temples of Prambanan and the Dieng Plateau, the "kraton" (palace) of sultans in Surakarta, Yogyakarta, the Maimun palace of the Sultanate of Deli (in Medan), the Hall of Justice in Bali, ruins of ancient fortresses and museums, mosques and churches steeped in folklore.

Whether you take the opportunity to see traditional batik cloths being made, experience centuries old customs and festivities with a visit to a traditional village, or soak up some history in one of Indonesia's many museums – the list of heritage attractions appears endless.

Shopping
If shopping is your passion, then go no further than the major metropolitan cities of Indonesia. The malls of Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital, vary from those with high end designers to the chaotic crowds of local markets where anyone can pick up a bargain. Try shopping at a traditional market where you can test your bahasa bartering on local produce, handicrafts or antiques. Sample the tropical fruit or take in the sights of traditional bamboo furniture for sale. Browse the traditional wares on offer, from beautiful batik materials to shiny pieces of hand crafted silver jewellery.

Spas
Take the opportunity to recharge your body and soul with a visit to some one of the world's best spas, in Bali, Java and Jakarta. Indonesian spa's range all the way from secluded hideaways in beautiful natural surrounds to serene parlours tucked away in the streets of big cities.

When to Travel to Indonesia

Indonesia has a tropical climate, hot and humid with distinct "dry" and "wet" seasons sharing the year. The East Monsoon, from June to September, brings dry weather while the West Monsoon, from December to March is moisture laden, bringing rain. The months between these two seasons have can still have heavy rain showers. Tempertaures range from 21ºC to 33ºC throughout the year except at higher altitudes which can be much cooler. The heaviest rainfalls usually occur in December and January.

You can dive in Indonesia year round, however conditions will vary in the different regions throughout the year. Generally, the best dive conditions are from April to November outside of the wet season. Please check the details for each region's dive seasons / conditions individually.

Water temperatures range from 20ºC to 30ºC throughout the year and certain areas are affected by thermaclines and cold water currents moving through resulting in some significant temperature variations. 

Scuba Diving in Indonesia

Indonesia forms one corner of the Coral Triangle, which is the epicentre of the world's marine biodiversity. With 20% of the world's coral reefs, it is one of the ultimate scuba diving destinations. Some dive destinations are situated in marine conservation parks.

There are over 3,000 fish species and 600 species of coral. The diving is diverse with steep walls, deep-water trenches, underwater volcanic mountains, World War II wrecks, pelagic life, an endless variety of macro life and extraordinary muck diving.

Many destinations have excellent land-based diving, while some remote areas are best approached by liveaboard.

The main scuba diving destinations are:  

Bali 

South Bali (Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Sanur) – for Mola Mola and Manta Rays
East Coast of Bali (Padang bai, Candidasa, Tulamben, Amed) - USAT Liberty wreck, a WWI US Army transport ship sunk in 1942
North West Coast of Bali (Menjangan Island, Permutaran, Lovina, Gilimanuk) – spectacular wall dives at Menjangan and a muck diving paradise at Secret Bay

Manado, North Sulawesi 

Lembeh Strait – famous for muck / critter diving
Bunaken National Park - wall diving, coral gardens and biodiversity
Bangka Island – drift dives, steep pinnacles and pelagics

Komodo National Park, Flores

Currents and cool upwellings create two distinct marine environments in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Komodo has it all - Big fish capital of Indonesia, critters, manta rays, hard and soft corals, unspoilt coral gardens, pinnacles and drifts and the fearsome Komodo dragon.

Raja Ampat, Papua  

Has the highest biodiversity in the world - remote and unspoilt with 74% of all the earth's known corals, almost 1,400 species of reef fish and more than 600 species of hard coral.

Wakatobi, South Sulawesi

Has one of the most photographed house reefs in the world – a macro photographers delight, outstanding corals and underwater vistas.

Gili Islands, Lombok 

Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air - known for their turtles and drift dives along walls, ridges, canyons and slopes. Good for snorkeling.

Indonesia Liveaboards

	S/Y Indo Siren Raja Ampat, Komodo & Banda Sea	Budget: $$$ Length: 40 metres Max # of guests: 16 No. Cabins: 8	Approx dives per day: up to 4 dives Nitrox: Complimentary Tech Dive: No / Rebreather friendly
	MV Mermaid I Bali to Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, Alor & Lembeh	Budget: $$-$$$ Length: 28 metres Max # of guests: 15 No. Cabins: 8	Approx dives per day: 3-4 dives Nitrox: Yes (extra cost) Tech Dive: No
	MV Mermaid II Bali to Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Alor	Budget: $$-$$$ Length: 33 metres Max # of guests: 18 No. Cabins: 9	Approx dives per day: 3-4 dives Nitrox: Yes (extra cost) Tech Dive: No
	Komodo Dancer Tulamben, East Sumbawa, Komodo & Alor, East Flores	Budget: $$$ Length: 30 metres Max # of guests: 16 No. Cabins: 8	Approx dives per day: up to 4 dives Nitrox: Yes (extra cost) Tech Dive: No
	MV Pindito Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, East Flores, Timor, Forgotten Islands	Budget: $$$ Length: 38 metres Max # of guests: 16 No. Cabins: 8	Approx dives per day: 4 dives Nitrox: Complimentary Tech Dive: No / Rebreather friendly
	MSY Seahorse Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, Cenderawasih Bay / Whale Sharks	Budget: $$$ Length: 33 metres Max # of guests: 16 No. Cabins: 8	Approx dives per day: 4 dives Nitrox: Yes (extra cost) Tech Dive: No
	Pelagian Wakatobi Archipelago, South Sulawesi	Budget: $$$$ Length: 36 metres Max # of guests: 10 No. Cabins: 5	Approx dives per day: 4 dives Nitrox: Yes (extra cost) Tech Dive: Yes incl Rebreather support
	Raja Ampat Aggressor Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, Triton Bay, Cenderawasih Bay	Budget: $$$ Length: 30 metres Max # of Guests: 16 No. Cabins: 8	Approx dives per day: up to 4 dives Nitrox: Yes (extra cost) Tech Dive: No