Scuba diving in Indonesia

This is like asking parents to pick their favorite child. It’s impossible! Each dive destination in Indonesia attracts differ types of divers hoping to experience different things. Photographers will love Lembeh while Raja Ampat will spoil most divers for the rest of their life. Bali offers an array of sites for beginners through professionals and the currents of Komodo and Bandeh Aceh reward advanced divers with a heavy dose of adrenaline and marine life. 
 
Bali
Bali diving is suitable for beginners while simultaneously satisfying the experienced. Claiming the U.S.S. Liberty wreck(one of the best dive sites in Indonesia), unique black sand bottoms, and vibrant soft corals, Tulamben diving is particularly rewarding. In general, Bali provides a mash-up of macro-life and open water giants. Depending on the dive site, you have a chance to spot scorpionfish, bluefin trevally, tuna, snappers, triggerfish, eels, humphead parrot fish, snake eels, and some eye-popping nudibranch. Head over to the neighboring island and dive Nusa Lembongan and up your chances for spotting the elusive Mola Mola (Sunfish) if the time is right.
Bali Bonus: many of Bali’s dive sites are shore dives, or just a quick 5-minute boat ride away. Having some of the world’s best sites mere steps off the volcanic-sand beach is an incredible convenience not found anywhere else.
 
Gili Islands (Lombok)
These three islands – Gili Air, Gili Trawangan (Gili T for short) and Gili Meno all over diving. Thanks to a well-functioning conservation program, Gili Island diving means your chances of encountering turtles are high. It’s also considered a good place for beginners and inexperienced divers since conditions are usually calm and there are many “easy” dive sites. Divers should be aware that in certain areas there is extensive coral reef damage to the shallower reefs due to dynamite fishing. Reef sharks, giant turtles, rays, barracudas, bannerfish, huge barrel sponges and gorgonian fans can be seen here. There’s also a healthy dose of macro-critters.
 
Raja Ampat (West Papua)
Experienced divers who like to differentiate marine life and corals will be blown away by everything Raja Ampat has to offer. Sharks, whale sharks and mantas cruise the waters as do humphead parrotfish, groupers, batfish, and barracuda. Trevallies and tuna swirl so thick that you’ll momentarily lose your buddy. It’s also common to see hundreds of schooling bannerfish and fusiliers. Don’t forget to look down once and while to spot a hidden pygmy seahorse. After Raja Ampat, many other dive spots will pale in comparison.
 
Komodo
Flourishing coral reefs and strong currents attract turtles, dolphins, mantas, sharks, schooling fish, and mighty pelagics. Komodo diving is an advanced diver’s heaven. Komodo dive sites are chock-full of deep-water pinnacles and sea mounts and the current here encourages plenty of drift diving. However, there are more shallow and sheltered reefs appropriate for the less experienced.
 
Lembeh (Sulawesi)
Photography enthusiasts should book it straight to Lembeh, the Macro-creature capital of the Indonesian dive world. The mucky bottoms of the Lembeh Strait create an ideal environment for a host of spectacular critters such as the mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, harlequin shrimp and countless nudibranch.
 
Pulau Weh (Sumatra)
This small island set at the tip of northern Sumatra is the jumping off point for some deeply thrilling dives. More suited for the advanced – although still possible for training courses and beginner divers – the most northwestern island in Indonesia boasts world class diving without the crowds. Not yet common knowledge, Pulau Weh serves as your secluded island paradise and diving hot-spot. Deep wrecks, gentle drifts, tiny creatures and giant pelagics ensure no dive is like the one that came before it. Expect to see different shark species, turtles, frogfish, and devil rays. Whale sharks and mantas are also a possibility. 

In general, world class diving in Indonesia is not going to break the bank. The cost varies depending on whether you are looking to take a certification course or you’re a certified diver ready to book some fun dives. Check out the average prices below. 

Indonesia Discover Scuba Diving

If you’ve never dived before and want to try it out, the Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) is the best bet. Expect prices around $50- $60 USD.

Indonesia Scuba Diving Courses

If you want to get certified, the Open Water Diver Course will cost you around $300 - $350 USD and can usually be completed over 3-4 days. Advanced Diver is typically set between $250 - $300 and the Rescue Diver course around $300. If you’re thinking about going pro, Dive Master courses are typically around $850, materials and additional fees excluded.

Fun/Adventure dives

These kinds of dives can only be booked by certified divers. Expect to pay around $50 per dive, equipment and boat transport included. The price per dive is usually cheaper when you book multiple dives in one day or a dive package. Keep in mind you may have to pay additional fees if you’re diving in a marine park. 

 

Liveaboard 

This is one of the most popular ways to see a comprehensive selection of Indonesian dive sites, especially when diving around Raja Ampat and Komodo. Sorong in West Papua is used as a jumping off point for liveaboards touring Raja Ampat. They run the gamut to hard-core 11-night, 38-dive trips on luxury boats for nearly $6,000 USD to more basic 10-day trips on smaller vessels for under $4,000. Liveaboards around Komodo start at $155 USD/day and extend to roughly $350 USD, making it a slightly cheaper option when compared to Raja Ampat.