Indonesia is one of the best countries for scuba diving in the world. The country straddles the coral triangle, an area with the highest reef biodiversity in the world. From Raja Ampat in the East through to Pulau Weh in the West there are some amazing dive sites. To help you plan your trip to the country we shortlisted the best diving and snorkelling sites in Indonesia.

 

The best time to go diving in Indonesia is during the dry season, from April to December. This is when the visibility is at its highest. During the wet season the visibility decreases and the currents are generally a bit stronger, making it more dangerous for divers. Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s take a look at some of the best diving sites in Indonesia, starting with my three favourites.

 

Raja Ampat off the coast of Papua offers some of the best diving in Indonesia. It’s probably one of the best places to go scuba diving in the world. You’ll find over 600 types of coral in the reefs and more than 1,200 species of fish (including the friendly giant Whale Shark). That’s just below the waves. The scenery is also breathtaking, with more than 1,500 emerald green tropical islands poking through the clear waters of the ocean. Add this to your scuba diving bucket list!

 

We all know that Raja Ampat is exotic, but  a bit difficult to get to. The Komodo Islands, on the other hand, are just as spectacular with amazing opportunities for reef and drift diving. Plus they are a lot easier to reach. All of these facts make the Komodo National Park one of the most popular destinations for snorkelling and scuba diving in Indonesia. The National Park is also a favourite destination for liveaboards with some boats even running cruises between Bali and Flores. Make sure to check out Manta Point when you visit. The dive site is challenging because of the strong current, but visibility is amazing and on a good day you’ll find dozens of mantas sweeping majestically through the ocean. It’s a really special experience.

 

Bunaken is justifiably one of the most famous dive sites in Indonesia. Like the Komodo Islands, it’s easy to get to (it’s just a short boat ride away from Manado). The island is surrounded by an impressive coral wall that drops more than 100 meters into the deep blue ocean. There are over 70 species of coral, hundreds of species of fish and if you go on a deep dive you’ll even find hammerhead sharks.

 

 

Source https://discoveryourindonesia.com/diving-in-indonesia/

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash