Indonesia is one of the best countries for scuba divers, with 3.1 million square kilometres of territorial waters, almost 4,000 species of tropical fish, and 600 reef-building coral species, making it consistently high on the list for diving enthusiasts and marine life lovers.
Compiled by Ari Fajar
Here are our picks for the best diving sites in Indonesia:
1. West Papua (Irian)
The diversity epicentre of the Coral Triangle is Raja Ampat in West Papua, which holds the record for the highest marine diversity on earth. Its 50,000 square kilometres translates to endless diving experiences, from pelagic drift dives to muck dives, and corals ranging from technicolour soft corals to hard corals. You can dive all year long here as many dive sites are sheltered from the rough sea. You can even spot whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay at any time of the year.
Level:
Intermediate to advanced divers
Access airports:
The gate to Eastern Indonesia is Sultan Hasanudin Airport, Makassar, South Sulawesi. From here make a connecting flight to Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong, West Papua.
2. North and Southeast Sulawesi (Celebes)
Sulawesi’s four large peninsulas make it one of the most recognizable islands in the Indonesia archipelago. Here you’ll find curious species living both on the island and in the waters that surround it.
North Sulawesi’s clear and warm waters are home to a high number of corals, sponges and fish. Bunaken claims to have more varieties of coral than anywhere else. Lembeh Strait is the king of muck diving destinations. It’s a magical underwater world where you can meet bizarre marine creatures such as hairy frogfish, ghost pipefish and the master of disguise, mimic octopus. Wakatobi, on the other hand, is a protected area of fossilised reefs with healthy coral teeming with fish.
Level:
Beginner to advanced divers
Access airports:
Sulawesi’s main hub is Sultan Hasanudin Airport, Makassar, South Sulawesi. From here take connecting flights to different parts of the island.
- Bunaken and Lembeh Straits: Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado, North Sulawesi
- Wakatobi: Matahora Airport in Wangi-wangi, Southeast Sulawesi. Alternatively, transit in Haluoleo Airport in Kendari, the capital of the province.
3. East Kalimantan (Borneo)
One of the highlights of the Derawan Islands is the chance to encounter amazing sea creatures. It is possible to see turtles on every dive and there are diving spots swarming with Manta rays. Aside from that, you will also meet white tip, leopard and nurse sharks, in addition to schools of reef fishes. Macro fan? Derawan’s location in Sulawesi Sea means you’ll see critters such as the blue-ring octopus, harlequin shrimp and frogfish. As a bonus, you can also dive among stingless jellyfish in the middle of Kakaban Island’s lake.
Derawan CC BY 2.0 Muhammad ECTOR Prasetyo
Level:
Beginner to advanced divers
Access airports:
Sepinggan Airport, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. From here take a connecting flight to either Kalimarau Airport, Berau, East Kalimantan or Juwata International Airport, Tarakan, North Kalimantan.
4. Aceh (Sumatra)
Famous for its challenging currents all around the island, Pulau Weh (Weh Island) is definitely a place for more experienced divers. It’s a chance for you to test your strength and endurance as you discover a world of colourful fish, devil rays, manta rays, and black tip reef sharks.
Pulau Weh CC BY 2.0 Nazir Amin
Level:
Intermediate to advanced divers
Access airports:
Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, Banda Aceh, Aceh.
5. Southeastern Islands (Nusa Tenggara)
Bali’s dive sites cater to divers of all levels, whether you are into offshore islands, coral reefs, volcanic muck diving, wreck diving or deep walls drift. Lombok Strait has the greatest volume of tidal water on earth that passes through it, thus divers can expect deep water channels and pelagic fish like mola mola. Further east, excellent diving can be found around Flores. Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a pristine diving haven with colourful corals and sightings of grey sharks and even hammerhead sharks.
Level:
Beginner to advanced divers
Access airports:
Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, Bali. From here take a connecting flight to Labuan Bajo Airport, Komodo, East Nusa Tenggara if you want to head to Komodo National Park.
