It doesn’t get much better for water lovers than a diving holiday in Indonesia. This large archipelago, comprising over 17,000 islands in the heart of the coral triangle, boasts the world’s largest marine biodiversity. Whether you’re a wreck head, macro lover, chaser of the big stuff or enjoy gliding over a kaleidoscopic landscape of hard and soft corals, Indonesia can serve all your diving fantasies.

Scuba diving holidays in Indonesia cater to all – from novice divers to adrenaline enthusiasts, and from solo travellers to families – and can involve exploring the exhilarating Cauldron in Komodo, admiring coral-adorned walls in Northern Sulawesi or heading to Raja Ampat which delights with its walking sharks. And while the best diving conditions are between May and September, the temperatures are gloriously warm year-round, even during the wet season when the brief tropical downpours are unlikely to dampen your holiday spirits.

Ready to learn more about Indonesia diving holidays? Read on…

Bali:

Bali, situated in the heart of the Indonesian Archipelago, is renowned for its vibrant reefs, seasonal mola mola (oceanic sunfish), and the iconic USAT Liberty wreck. It’s perfect for all diver levels and with its warm waters (you’ll only ever need your shorty), shore access sites and good visibility, it’s guaranteed to leave even the most seasoned diver spellbound. Diving experiences vary across the island: the north boasts tropical temperatures and the WWII wreck, the south offers cooler waters with strong currents and pelagic encounters, and the east strikes a balance between the two.
The northeast coast promises tiny creatures for macro enthusiasts. In Seraya Secrets (one of Bali’s most famous critter diving sites) see nudibranchs, frogfish and harlequin shrimp against a volcanic sandy backdrop, and in Secret Bay dive over walls decorated with colourful corals. For the wreck heads, head to the USAT Liberty. Just 40m from Tulamben’s shore, it’s one of the world’s most accessible wrecks and is loved by turtles. In the southeast, you’ll find Nusa Penida, a site where you can encounter reef sharks (such as black and white tips), manta rays (particularly at Manta Point) and the elusive mola molas.

Raja Ampat:

Raja Ampat (meaning ‘Four Kings’) is a remote archipelago located in West Papua, eastern Indonesia. It stands out as a diving paradise with the world’s most biodiverse marine life, pristine coral reefs teeming with marine life, and bucket-list encounters with species like the walking shark. We recommend opting for a liveaboard here to fully explore its vast and diverse underwater landscapes, although there are some wonderful resorts on the islands too.

From pelagics like manta rays, reef sharks and Spanish mackerel to critters such as pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs, Raja Ampat’s underwater highlights are plentiful. At the heart of the world’s coral triangle, the marine area boasts an unrivalled biodiversity, including 540 hard coral species – over 75% of the world’s total.

Komodo:

Located in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands, Komodo promises encounters with magnificent creatures, ranging from massive manta rays and dugongs to the elusive mola mola and tiny wonders like the poisonous blue-ringed octopus and pygmy seahorse. The volcanic underwater scenery is adorned with frogfish and spectacular hard corals, adding to the allure of Komodo’s diverse ecosystems.

Some of our favourite dive sites include: Batu Bolong, which stands out with its vibrant coral pinnacle and strong currents which attract sharks, rays and schools of fish; Manta Alley, which lives up to its name, offering encounters with graceful manta rays at cleaning stations; Cannibal Rock, which boasts rich biodiversity, including pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs, drawing macro photographers; and Tatawa Besar, where you can see sharks, rays and thriving coral landscapes on drift dives. If you’re after a pop of colour, head to Pink Beach to laze on some, you guessed it, pink sand. And if you’re after some underwater thrills, embark on a captivating drift dive to the Cauldron, where you can experience the exhilarating ‘Komodo shotgun,’ an underwater phenomenon created by strong currents converging in a narrow channel.

Wakatobi:

Wakatobi is a haven for those seeking a resort-based diving holiday in Indonesia. Thanks to its status as a marine conservation area (since 1996), and now a National Park (since 2002), this protected marine park offers captivating underwater experiences, an impressive 400 species of coral, and 700 species of fish. What’s more, the pristine landscapes – think white sand beaches, palm-fringed shores and tropical clear waters – create an idyllic setting for divers.

Diving conditions are generally calm in Wakatobi, catering to divers of all levels, with clear visibility making the colourful corals and reef fish all the more spectacular. Macro photographers will be in their element here, with opportunities to snap shots of mandarin fish during dusk dives, flamboyant cuttlefish and a vibrant array of nudibranchs.

Northern Sulawesi:

Northern Sulawesi, a haven for macro critters, is renowned for the Lembeh Strait, which offers unparalleled muck and macro diving experiences. Here, you can encounter an enchanting array of strange creatures from wonderpus octopus and rhinopias, to flamboyant cuttlefish and the intriguing hairy frogfish. The Bunaken National Marine Park further distinguishes the area, boasting walls covered in vibrant coral formations. Diving conditions in Northern Sulawesi are favourable, with warm water throughout the year, moderate currents and excellent visibility. In the Bunaken and Bangka areas, dolphins and pilot whales may grace the surface, while underwater encounters include green sea turtles, schools of trevally and colourful reef fish along the imposing walls. Additionally, Bangka and Manado Tua feature myriad critters to delight divers.