Indonesia Diving Guide: Practical Tips for Travel

Where to Go When? Use our Indonesia diving guide to plan your trip.

Indonesia may only be one country, but with over 17,000 islands it encompasses a dozen or more world-class dive destinations! How do you zero in on the extraordinary sites when you don’t have months to island-hop? You pick a liveaboard! Indonesia is a diver’s paradise in the heart of the famed coral triangle. You can visit many times, and never repeat the same liveaboard itinerary. You might be asking yourself but ‘When should I go?’ and ‘ What area is best to visit, and when?’ With so many spectacular places to see, created a quick reference guide to assist in planning your next Indonesian dive adventure.

First, you should know that diving in Indonesia is year-round. When you dive is determined by where you want to go next, and by the same token, where you want to dive can determine when you go. The following reference guide should help you look at it from all angles.

Like always, if you don’t find the information you are seeking, please reach out to our team who are standing by to help you plan your perfect diving holiday – info@explorerventures.com.

Indonesia’s Amazing Destinations:

Ambon/Banda Sea – We’ll take you to the hammerhead hotspots! See schools of hammerhead sharks, especially in September / October / November in the Banda Sea. Experience manta rays, some silky shark and whale shark encounters, dive spots with dozens of peaceful sea snakes, pristine coral reefs bursting with life, huge sea fans and sponges, some monumental hard corals and more fish than your mask can cope with. Loads of rare and colorful critters in Ambon Bay and Banda Neira Island. Real heaven for macro-photographers.

Raja Ampat /Misool – Diversity is the word! Raja Ampat will immerse you in a diving paradise with 50,000 square Kilometers of islands and reefs, 580 kinds of coral, and 1,397 species of fish including 23 endemics, this truly is the epicenter of marine biodiversity. Regular manta ray encounters and the rare opportunity to see the endemic wobbegong shark (Orectolobus leptolineatus). Pygmy seahorses and shockingly cobalt-colored ribbon eels will fascinate you, while astonishingly large schools of fish will make sure you look into the blue. These are the reefs of your technicolor dreams!

Komodo – Hang out in Manta Alley! Explore some of Indonesia’s most bio-diverse and healthy reef systems, submerged pinnacles and stunning fringing coral reefs. Big fish, adrenaline-pumping currents, reef sharks, dolphins, and mantas, mantas, mantas! More than 1,000 species of tropical fish, 260 species of coral and rare marine mammals such as the dugong live within Komodo National Park. You’ll experience amazing macro discoveries to giant Komodo Dragons. Adding a few days topside in Bali makes this itinerary the perfect combination of iconic beaches, Balinese culture, and incredible diving!

Sangalaki/Maratua – ALL in ONE! Located on the east coast of Kalimantan (Borneo), the Derawan Archipelago is famous for five islands: Derawan, Sangalaki, Maratua, Kakaban, and Pulau Sambit. During an extraordinary 7 nights cruise, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to dive with grey reef sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, green turtles, chevron barracudas, travellies, thins leopard and thresher sharks. You’ll rave home about all the rare macro creatures and especially the exciting freshwater lake snorkeling session with thousands of non-stinging jelly-fishes!

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Where To Go By Diving Seasons:

December to April/May

• Raja Ampat

April and May

• Crossing Trips – Ambon/Banda Sea* – Sangalaki – Komodo

Mid-May to August

• Komodo
• Sangalaki

September to November

• Crossing Trips – Ambon/Banda Sea

*rare hammerhead encounters during that period in the Banda Sea.

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When To Go By Destination:

Raja Ampat

• December to April/May

Crossing Trips – Ambon/Banda Sea – Sangalaki – Komodo

• April and May

Komodo

• Mid-May to August

Sangalaki

• Mid-May to August

Crossing Trips – Ambon/Banda Sea

• September to November

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Where To Go By Boat and Month:

Blue Manta Explorer

• Raja Ampat > December to April/May
• Crossing trip – Ambon/Banda Sea – Komodo > May
• Komodo > Mid-May to August
• Crossing trips – Ambon/Banda Sea > September to November

White Manta Explorer

• Raja Ampat > December – April to May
• Crossing trip – Ambon/Banda Sea – Sangalaki > May
• Sangalaki > Mid-May to August
• Crossing trips – Ambon/Banda Sea > September – November

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We hope this quick guide was helpful! Please connect if you have any questions that weren’t answered here. Our reservations team is standing by to help you choose your perfect Indonesia diving holiday.

Phone: 1.800.322.3577
Email: info@explorerventures.com

For More Information:

Book your trip! See our Availability and Pricing.
Visit our Indonesia Destination Page.
See our Indonesia Photo Galleries.