Scuba Diving In Indonesia: Experience This Adventure Just Like A Pro!

23 Mar 2023

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The world’s largest island country, Indonesia–located between the Indian and Pacific oceans is a paradise for those in love of scuba diving. More than 17,000 islands surrounded by pristine blue sea is home to the richest and most diversified marine life where you could take deep dive to enjoy the company of over 3,000 species of fish amidst unspoiled coral reefs. Indonesia, a part of the coral triangle, offers you much more than just pristine beaches, volcanoes, and surfing. Once you are here, you must not miss experiencing the breathtaking scuba diving. Whether you are a pro or just an amateur, you have every kind of site to enjoy an adventurous time experiencing scuba diving in Indonesia.

6 Spots For Scuba Diving In Indonesia

Indonesia, heaven for marine enthusiasts, is rated best by diving experts as you get a plethora of beautiful sites for muck-diving and wreck diving. There is no place better than Indonesia to enrich your marine experience as you have deep water trenches, underwater volcanic mountains, sunken wrecks, and rich marine flora and fauna to make you moment special. It is truly a heaven for marine life enthusiasts. Frankly, it is next to impossible to be everywhere; here is a brief guide to help you select the most suitable scuba diving sites.

1. Raja Ampat Diving
2. Wakatobi Islands
3. Komodo Island Diving
4. Pulau Weh
5. Diving In Bali
6. Lombok Islands

1. Raja Ampat Diving

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Raja Ampat, the best-rated diving site in Indonesia, is known for its rich marine biodiversity and WWII history. Just imagine diving in the unspoiled coral reef ecosystem and swimming through fighter plane wreck deep under crystal clear water. The “Frontier Diving ” destination of the iconic Coral Triangle is home to over 1,200 species of fish and corals, a rarity you won’t find anywhere else. If you are in the right place at the right time, you will be lucky to be in the company of whale sharks. If you are in search of the best diving site, then don’t miss swimming through two big “eyes’ ‘ of Boo Rock. In Manta Sandy, you will have the company of famous mantas in large numbers. As the name suggests, the Kaleidoscope site will mesmerize you with the colors of corals and marine animals. If you are a muck diving lover, then you should be at Mucky Bay to discover wonderful species in the sandy bottom. If you want to go beyond to explore more, then go on a liveaboard cruise to feel the vastness of the ocean.

Location: Northwest of Papua, Irian Jaya

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2. Wakatobi Islands

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This national marine park comprising four islands of Kaledupa, Binongko, Tomia, and Wangi-Wangi is heaven for scuba divers and marine conservationists. Gentle currents make this premier diving site perfect for beginner scuba divers. This site is home to 900 marine species and 25 coral reefs. Once you are underwater, sea turtles, manta rays, moray eels, and dolphins will accompany you in your dive. This less-crowded diving site is excellent for liveaboard diving. You should be at House Reef, rated as the best diving site in the world, to enjoy reef diving and night diving.

Location: Southeast Sulawesi, Banda Sea

3. Komodo Island Diving

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This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best diving destinations in the world, especially if you are a professional scuba diver. Colorful shallow reefs full of marine species, deep walls, and pinnacles will enrich your diving experience. Sea current is relatively rough, so you have to be very careful. Apart from the famous Komodo Dragon, you will have the company of sunfish, dolphins, manta rays, and course sharks. There are several scuba diving sites in Komodo Island, each is unique in its way, but Manta Point, Tatawa Kecil, Batu Bolong, and Batu Tiga are rated best by professional divers. If you want to enrich the liveaboard diving experience, then Komodo Island is the best for you.

Location: Komodo, East Nusa Tenggara

4. Pulau Weh

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The rich marine diversity of this unexplored Indo-Pacific destination makes it special if you are in search of a unique diving experience in Indonesia. The vibrant and unspoiled coral reef ecosystem of remote Pulau Weh is the best for professional divers. If you want to swim with black-tipped reef sharks, then you should head to Batee Tokong. To redefine your deep-diving experience, you should be at Sophie Rckemers wreck to dive 134 meters deep and discover the history. For beginners, there is Rubiah Sea Garden for shallow diving with an easy current. Don’t miss the Pantee Peunateung as you will have the chance to see the devil’s rays.

Location: Northwest of Sumatra, Banda Aceh

5. Diving In Bali

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Bali isn’t just about beaches and parties. If you are a dive enthusiast, you have several scuba diving spots rich in marine diversity here to make your sojourn to this leisure island special. Imagine yourself deep under crystal clear water and swimming along coral ridges to see the WWII wrecks. Since it is the most easily accessible destination in Indonesia, you shouldn’t miss this lifetime experience. If you are not a pro, don’t worry. Bali has several shallow reef diving sites. For experts, there are muck diving and wreck diving sites. Some of the most popular scuba diving sites in Bali are Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Malibu Point, and Gili Biaha.

Location: Bali, West of Lombok and East of Java

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6. Lombok Islands

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Say is shadow effect or something else, this pristine island is equal if not better than neighboring Bali. If you are looking for an incredible but less crowded scuba diving site, then you should be in Lombok to explore rich marine flora and fauna of unspoiled coral reefs and pinnacles. If you want to explore challenging dives, then this spot has several deep drop-offs and slopes full of hammerhead and scalloped sharks. Some of the top dive sites in Lombok are the Gili Islands and Belongas Bay.

Location: West Nusa Tenggara

Best Time To Visit Indonesia For Scuba Diving

This tropical heaven is a perfect destination for all seasons, as there aren’t many temperature variations. If you are here specifically for scuba diving, then the best time would be between April and October, as you will get better visibility and the relatively calmer current. Expert divers love to dive during the rainy season (Nov-Mar) as well because this is known as Manta Ray season.

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Scuba diving in Indonesia is pretty safe. Before you plan your diving, you should do some research about local weather conditions, safety requirements, and the status of currents. You should choose your scuba diving destinations depending on your expertise and risk appetite. Apart from the destinations mentioned above, there are several untouched scuba diving sites in Indonesia, including Bangka & Belitung Islands off Sumatra coast, Bunaken Islands in North Sulawesi, Togian Island in Central Sulawesi, and Banda Islands in Maluku. Indonesia is one of the best places to experience liveaboard diving. It is always better to dive under the guidance of PADI certified scuba diving service providers.So now when you know about all the best places to enjoy scuba diving in Indonesia while you’re on a vacation in Indonesia and have a great time around the beach.

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Frequently Asked Question About Scuba Diving In Indonesia

Where can I scuba dive in Indonesia?

Indonesia is heaven for scuba divers. People from across the world reach Indonesia for scuba diving. Depending on your skill, you can choose diving sites like Raja Ampat, Komodo National Park, Wakatobi Islands, Pulau Weh, Gili Islands, Lombok Islands, Bunaken Islands, and of course Bali.

Is scuba diving in Raja Ampat safe?

Raja Ampat is a perfect destination offering all types of diving opportunities. You won’t have to worry about safety, as diving is permissible only under the supervision of certified experts. All sites have requisite safety protocols in place to keep you safe.

What are the muck diving options in Indonesia?

Indonesia is home to some of the best muck diving sites. Whether it is Raja Ampat, Bali, Komodo Island, of Lombok, you have several sites where you could enjoy muck diving. The sand patches, often black volcanic sand, offer you a fantastic range of weird and wonderful creatures.

How to reach Raja Ampat for scuba diving?

You have to reach capital Jakarta first and then take another flight to To go there you Sorong in West Papua, Indonesia. There are flights from Manado to Sorong as well.

Is Bali good for diving?

Bali is one of the finest destinations to enjoy scuba diving. The well-developed tourist site has several scuba diving sites suitable for all types of divers. For beginners, sites around Amed, Padang Bay, and Pulau Menjangan are better as the current remains gentle. If you are a pro diver, you should be around Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Candidasa.

How much is diving in Bali?

Including the basic scuba diving training, diving could cost anything above $60 depending on location and duration. Most service providers normally charge $60 for 2 dives a day and $80 for 3 dives a day.

Is it illegal to scuba dive without certification?

It is not illegal to dive without certification in Indonesia. But, for your own safety, it is necessary to train yourself. Every diving site is unique, so it is better to have some knowledge beforehand.