Diving in Indonesia
Welcome to Indonesia, where every dive is a portal into another world. Stretching across thousands of islands, this archipelago sits at the epicenter of the Coral Triangle, home to the richest marine biodiversity on Earth. From the legendary currents of Komodo to the kaleidoscopic reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia offers an underwater experience like no other. 🐠
Whether you're chasing graceful manta rays, diving with schools of barracuda, spotting tiny pygmy seahorses, or floating above vibrant coral gardens, Indonesia delivers magic at every depth. Warm waters, dramatic underwater landscapes, and endless marine life make it a bucket list destination for divers of all levels. 🌊
Welcome to the Underwater Kingdom
Top Dive Destinations in Indonesia
Komodo Island - National Park
Home to the famous Komodo dragons, this UNESCO World Heritage site is not just known for its land-based giants — it’s also one of Indonesia’s most thrilling underwater frontiers. Diving in Komodo National Park offers a wild ride through strong currents, steep pinnacles, and nutrient-rich waters that support everything from oceanic manta rays to colorful schools of fish.
The underwater landscapes here are dramatic, with towering rock formations, coral walls, and seamounts swarmed by napoleon wrasse, turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays, and enormous clouds of fusiliers and jackfish. For experienced divers, Komodo offers some of the most adrenaline-pumping drift dives in the world, while calm sites near central Komodo still offer plenty for beginners.
Access is via Labuan Bajo, a small town on Flores Island that’s just a short flight from Bali or Jakarta. From there, day trips and liveaboard safaris can take you deep into the park’s best dive zones.
The ideal season runs from April to November, with the dry season offering better visibility and optimal conditions for spotting mantas.
Raja Ampat – The Crown Jewel of Coral Reefs (West Papua)
Often described as the best diving destination in the world, Raja Ampat lives up to its legendary status. Nestled in West Papua, this remote archipelago sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle and boasts the highest marine biodiversity on the planet. The waters here are rich with nutrients brought in by strong ocean currents, which feed an astonishing range of marine life. From the tiniest pygmy seahorses hiding in sea fans to massive oceanic manta rays gliding past coral-covered slopes, every dive feels like stepping into an underwater Eden.
Diving in Raja Ampat typically involves exhilarating drift dives through vibrant coral gardens, sloping reefs, and channels where pelagics roam. Expect to see turtles, reef sharks, barracuda tornadoes, wobbegongs, and a riot of colorful macro critters — all within the same dive.
Highlights: Manta Ridge, Blue Magic, Cape Kri.
Best for: Advanced divers, photographers, and reef lovers.
Dive style: Drift dives, pinnacles, vibrant reefs.
To get here, divers usually fly into Sorong, typically via Jakarta or Makassar, and then transfer by boat to one of the remote eco-resorts or hop on a liveaboard, which is often the best way to explore Raja Ampat’s vast marine territory.
The best time to dive is between October and April, when the seas are calmest and visibility is excellent.
Indonesia isn't just a destination — it's a dreamscape for divers. With over 17,000 islands scattered across the equator and located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, Indonesia boasts the most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, diving in Indonesia offers breathtaking encounters at every level — from vibrant coral reefs to pelagic-packed drift dives.
Why Dive in Indonesia?
🌍 Unmatched biodiversity — Over 3,000 fish species and 600+ types of coral
🐢 Encounters with manta rays, reef sharks, whale sharks, and even mola mola (sunfish)
🪸 Home to legendary dive sites like Raja Ampat, Komodo, Bunaken, and more
🌞 Warm waters year-round (usually 26–30°C / 79–86°F)
📷 A haven for underwater photographers — from wide-angle walls to macro critter wonderlands
📅 Best Time to Dive in Indonesia
Indonesia is a year-round destination, but seasons vary by region:
Region Best Season Highlights:
Raja Ampat: October – April calmer seas, excellent visibility
Komodo: April – November dry season, mantas, strong currents
Bali & Nusa Penida: July – October Mola mola season, great for drift dives
Lembeh/Bunaken: March – October macro life and clear conditions
Banda Sea: September – November (short season) hammerheads, pristine reefs
Last updated: October 2024
Bunaken Marine Park – Wall Diving Heaven (North Sulawesi)
Located just off the coast of Manado, Bunaken Marine Park is famous for its towering coral walls that plunge hundreds of meters into the deep. These walls are adorned with soft corals, sea fans, and sponges, and are frequented by sea turtles, reef sharks, lionfish, moray eels, and countless tropical fish species.
What makes Bunaken particularly attractive is its ease of access and calm conditions, making it a great spot for new divers and underwater photographers. The gentle currents along the walls allow you to drift effortlessly while taking in the biodiversity — from tiny nudibranchs to massive schooling snappers.
Divers typically fly into Manado and take a quick boat ride to Bunaken Island or nearby dive resorts on the mainland.
The best time to visit Bunaken is from April to October, when conditions are dry and visibility can reach up to 30 meters.
Derawan Archipelago (East Kalimantan, Borneo)
For divers who crave remote adventures and unique encounters, the Derawan Archipelago in East Kalimantan offers a truly special experience. This group of small islands is home to whale sharks, manta rays, stingless jellyfish, and critters galore — all set against a peaceful and secluded backdrop.
Derawan’s claim to fame includes swimming alongside massive whale sharks that gather near fishing platforms (called bagans) to feed on discarded baitfish. On Kakaban Island, you can snorkel in a jellyfish lake filled with non-stinging species, while nearby Sangalaki Island is a known hotspot for manta rays and sea turtle nesting.
Dive sites range from colorful reefs and sloping walls to shallow coral gardens perfect for long, easy dives. Getting to Derawan requires some effort: fly to Berau, then take a combination of ferry or speedboat transfers, but the untouched charm is well worth the journey.
The best diving conditions are between March and October, with peak wildlife sightings during the dry season.
Alor – Indonesia’s Hidden Gem (East Nusa Tenggara)
Alor remains one of Indonesia’s most under-the-radar dive destinations — and one of its most rewarding. The area is known for cooler waters, exceptional visibility, and rare marine species not easily found elsewhere.
Thanks to cold upwellings from the south, Alor attracts fascinating creatures like rhinopias (weedy scorpionfish), frogfish, and even thresher sharks in deeper waters. Divers will find a mix of environments: volcanic rock, coral slopes, and black sand muck dive sites, where macro lovers can spend hours spotting strange and rare critters.
The underwater seascape is matched by a pristine topside setting, with little tourism and a chance to dive with only a handful of other people. To get to Alor, you’ll fly through Kupang (on Timor) and transfer to the regional airport in Kalabahi.
The dive season runs from April through November, when waters are clearest and marine life is most active.
Tips for Diving Indonesia💡
Liveaboard or Land-Based?
Remote areas like Raja Ampat and Banda Sea are best explored by liveaboard. Bali, Bunaken, and Komodo also have excellent dive resorts.
Visa Info
Many nationalities get a 30-day visa on arrival, extendable once.
Dive Insurance
Strongly recommended — especially for remote diving. DAN or World Nomads are popular.
Equipment
Most dive shops provide rentals, but if you're serious, bring your own mask, computer, and camera gear.
Certification Levels
Some dives (especially in Komodo or Raja Ampat) require Advanced Open Water due to depth or currents.
Whether you're drifting alongside a swirling tornado of jackfish in Raja Ampat, hovering with manta rays in Komodo’s wild currents, or hunting for rare critters in the volcanic sands of Alor, diving in Indonesia is pure magic.
This country isn’t just the world’s largest archipelago — it’s an underwater kingdom of vibrant coral reefs, elusive megafauna, and mind-blowing biodiversity. Beyond the dives, you’ll find warm hospitality, rich local traditions, and landscapes as breathtaking above water as they are below. In Indonesia, every dive isn’t just an adventure — it’s a soul-stirring journey into the heart of nature.
What to Pack for Diving in Indonesia
🌡️ 3mm wetsuit (water temp: 27–30°C)
🔦 Dive torch (for night dives + spotting macro life)
📷 Underwater camera or GoPro
🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen
🩴 Dry bag & surface marker buoy (SMB)
🤿 If you have your own mask/snorkel, bring it — gear quality can vary by location
Conservation & Responsible Diving
Indonesia is working hard to protect its marine biodiversity — but reef damage, plastic pollution, and overfishing are still issues in some areas.
💙 Always practice buoyancy control to avoid touching corals
🚫 Don’t feed or touch marine life
♻️ Say no to single-use plastics
🌱 Support eco-friendly dive centers (PADI Green Star, Project AWARE, Reef Check Indonesia)
How Divers & Travelers Can Help Protect Coral Reefs
🌱 Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, which harm corals. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
🐠 Follow "Look But Don’t Touch" Rules – Never touch, stand on, or break coral. Even slight contact can cause damage.
⚓ Practice Responsible Diving & Snorkeling – Avoid stirring up sand, as it can smother corals. Always secure dive gear to prevent accidental contact.
🚤 Support Eco-Friendly Tourism – Choose dive operators committed to sustainable practices, such as reef restoration and responsible waste management.
🗑️ Reduce Plastic Use – Plastics break down into microplastics, which are harmful to marine life. Always dispose of waste properly and participate in beach cleanups.
🐟 Eat Sustainable Seafood – Overfishing depletes reef fish populations. Use seafood guides (like the WWF Seafood Guide) to make responsible choices.
🔬 Support Coral Restoration Efforts – Many organizations, like Coral Restoration Foundation and REEFCheck, are working to plant and restore corals. Consider volunteering or donating.
Where Can You Still See Healthy Coral Reefs?
While some reefs are suffering, many still thrive, especially in marine-protected areas. Here are a few of the best places to see vibrant coral reefs:
Raja Ampat, Indonesia – One of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world.
Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines – A UNESCO World Heritage Site with pristine coral.
The Maldives – Home to spectacular coral atolls and marine life.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia – While parts have suffered bleaching, conservation efforts are helping reefs recover.
The Red Sea, Egypt – Warm, clear waters and incredible reef diversity.
Coral reefs are fragile but resilient—with the right actions, they can recover and thrive. As divers and ocean lovers, we have a responsibility to protect them for future generations.
Let’s keep our reefs alive! 🌊🐠
✅ Must-Haves (Don’t Skip These)
Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Regular sunscreen damages coral reefs. Go reef-safe (and it actually works in the humidity). This one’s great https://amzn.to/426EeAr
Universal Travel Adapter – A universal adapter is a lifesaver if you’re bouncing to other countries.
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Portable Power Bank – Keep your phone alive during long bus rides or power cuts.
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Reusable Water Bottle (with filter if possible) – Stay hydrated without buying endless plastic bottles.
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Bug Repellent – Jungle + dusk = mosquitos. Go DEET-free or natural if you prefer.
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Essential Packing For Your Upcoming Adventures 🎒
✨ Nice-to-Haves (Make Your Trip Way Easier)
Waterproof Camera (GoPro) – For underwater snorkeling, surf footage, and waterfalls.
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Camera (Good but Affordable) – If you want better photos without going pro-level, something like the Canon EOS R50 or Sony a6400 with a kit lens is a solid travel pick: https://amzn.to/3HAU67w
📷Why it’s worth it: Not everyone wants a bulky DSLR. If you want high-quality photos without spending thousands, something like the Canon EOS R50 or Sony a6400 is a great balance. Both are lightweight, great in low light (hello, jungle sunsets), and come with decent kit lenses for beginners.
DJI Mini Drone – Capture epic coastlines and jungle views without carrying a giant drone.
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Headlamp / Compact Flashlight – Jungle nights get dark fast.
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Earplugs – Between howler monkeys and surf towns with late-night music, you’ll want them.
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Travel Hammock (lightweight packable) – Perfect for chilling on the beach or jungle stays.
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Sun Hat/Cap – Foldable ones pack easily. This one works well: https://amzn.to/4pfaAmP
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