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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
