Skip to main content
x

The Ultimate Divers Guide To Indonesia

Indonesia offers some of the world's most amazing dive sites, from Bali to Raja Ampat

Like many countries in one, Indonesia’s 17,000 islands — yes, you read that right — offer scuba diving experiences that go far beyond what you might expect from any single nation. Whether you crave interaction with big animals, dazzlingly healthy coral reefscapes, a ­macro mecca or thrilling drifts, the six areas highlighted here — Bali and Lombok, Flores and Alor, the Forgotten Islands, Raja Ampat, Komodo National Park and Sulawesi — represent the best places to begin your Indonesia scuba diving adventure. Here’s our travel guide to the best scuba diving in Indonesia.

^Map Illustration by Brenda Weaver^


Bali + Lombok

Explore the Guide

Airport

Bali is served by the Denpasar ­airport (DPS), and Lombok by the Lombok International Airport (LOP).

Travel Tip

Many international flights ­arrive in the early morning — think 4 a.m. Arrange your taxi well before arrival.

Language

Locals on both islands speak Balinese and Indonesian. On Lombok, you’ll also hear Sasak.

Signature Dish

Don’t miss out on a ­chicken satay with a lemongrass-heavy sambal chili sauce.

Topside Activity

Witness a sunrise over Tanah Lot (left), a tiny temple on a massive outcropping overlooking the ocean, for a truly otherworldly spiritual high.


Sulawesi + Derawan Islands

Explore the Guide

Airport

Access to North Sulawesi (Bunaken, Lembeh) is via ­Manado, whereas access to the Derawan Islands is via East Kalimantan. ­Connect via Singapore or Jakarta.

Travel Tip

Indonesia is vast —don’t try to fit too many ­locations into a single trip.

Signature Dish

The Indonesian fried rice called nasi goreng, satay and the national dish tumpeng — a cone-shaped rice dish — are must-tries.

Topside Activity ­

Sightsee and visit nature ­reserves. Check out the ­Tangkoko ­Nature Reserve in the ­northeast of Sulawesi, which is home to hundreds of different species, in ­particular, primates and birds.


Forgotten Islands

Explore the Guide

Travel Tip

Departure and ­arrival ports vary for liveaboards. Popular routes include Ambon, Tual, ­Saumlaki and Kupang, and ­even-­farther-flung Maumere.

Language

Bahasa Indonesian is the main language.

Signature Dish

Find a street vendor serving rujak buah, a salad of unripe mango, pineapple, cucumber, jicama, ­water apple and papaya, with a spicy tamarind dressing.

Topside Activity

Yamdena, the main island of the Tanimbar group, ­offers ­traditional hand crafts such as ikat cloth and carefully carved ­wooden statues.


Komodo

Explore the Guide

Airport

Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo receives flights from Bali daily.

Travel Tip

Take an island tour to see the rugged ­landscape of Komodo National Park and its famous ­residents — Komodo dragons (left) — for a photo op. The early bird gets the worm at these Komodo dragon tours; if you're traveling via liveaboard, try to get there around breakfast — the reward is evident when loads of tourists ­arrive while you  depart.

Signature Dish

Bakso, an ­Indonesian meatball often served in a soup

Language

Indonesian; Manggarai


Flores + Alor

Explore the Guide

Airport

Maumere (MOF), Flores

Travel Tip

Experienced ­divers might prefer focusing on high-energy southern sites in the Savu Sea. Northern dives in the Banda and Flores seas tend to be more relaxing, with clear, warm water.

Signature Dish

Smoked pork se'i babi

Topside Activity

Visit the Aboi hill tribe village on Alor. Once ­headhunters, they now ­welcome guests and share their culture through traditional song, dance and craftwork. Visits to a local museum and market cap off the experience.


Raja Ampat

Explore the Guide

Airport

Most liveaboards depart from the port of ­Sorong, on West Papua, which has a small airport.

Travel Tip

Don’t even think about a trip to Raja ­Ampat without consulting the works of authors and ­photographers Burt Jones and Maurine Shimlock, the accepted authorities on Raja Ampat diving.

Signature Dish

Sambal, the ketchup of ­Indonesia, is a sweet, fiery, garlicky condiment popular everywhere.

Language

Raja Ampat Biak and Malay

Topside Activity

A visit to Arborek or any of Raja’s far-flung villages will be the highlight of your day, and theirs. Visitors often bring school supplies — and candy — to share.


More Indonesia Content