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Liveaboard Diving in Indonesia
Liveaboard SCUBA diving in Indonesia boasts the greatest variety of marine life found throughout the world.
Indonesia is an undisputed liveaboard diving and SCUBA diving mecca. As the world's largest archipelago, Indonesia holds four times more ocean than land and stretches from Indian Ocean paradises to the Pacific's bursting biodiversity hotspots. This wealth of water makes liveaboard diving in Indonesia the best way to plunge into a kingdom of unparalleled sights and experiences. With 34,000 miles of coastline, 11,000 uninhabited islands, more than 500 species of coral and over 2,000 species of fish, this really is what makes scuba diving in Indonesia such a diver's paradise.
Liveaboard dive trips in Indonesia can speed you off to Komodo National Park for sharks, mantas, dolphins and tiny macro-critters, or to Raja Ampat's pristine coral gardens and record numbers of crazy coral reef species. Explore the gin-clear waters of the Banda Sea and its undersea mountains, or feast your eyes on Alor's rugged volcanic terrain while enjoying unspoiled diving below the surface. Pioneers may choose Indonesia's untouched 'Forgotten Islands,' accessible only by liveaboard. And don't forget Lombok Strait for amazing drift diving along the walls of dramatic ridges and canyons.
Liveaboard Diving in Indonesia
Komodo National Park, a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits at the centre of the Indonesian archipelago. Its dazzling collection of offerings ranges from dugongs to seamounts, to the legendary Komodo Dragon. Attractions of Komodo diving include wildlife large and small, nourished by deep upwellings and nutrient-rich waters. Komodo dive sites enjoy an abundance of mantas, sharks, whales, turtles, and hundreds of fish and coral species. Komodo offers everything from unique macro critters to larger marine life such as Hammerhead or Whitetip reef sharks and dolphins.
The length of most Komodo dive safaris is 8 to 12 days. Diving in Komodo can be done year-round, but the most popular months for liveaboard boat trips coincide with the Southeast Monsoon, from May to October. At this time, the water in the north of the park is warm (up to 30 C), and visibility is at its best. Budgets for Komodo liveaboard trips range from 200 to 500 euros per. day; though especially luxurious boats can run over 900 euros per. day.
Komodo liveaboards depart from Bima Bay (Sumbawa), Labuan Bajo (Flores), or Maumere (Flores), all about one hour's flight from Bali or Jakarta. However, trips that include Lombok dive sites begin in the port of Benoa on Bali. Dedicated Komodo liveaboard trips often visit dive sites around Sangeang Volcano and Sumbawa island. On dive safaris departing from Bali, many Indonesian liveaboard trips additionally include Moyo, Satonda, Gili Banta, and Gili Lawa Laut dive sites.
Escape to some of the worlds most untouched scuba diving on a Raja Ampat liveaboard, where you will experience arguably the most pristine and diverse scuba diving in the world. The remote archipelago of Raja Ampat (also known as The Four Kings) in West Papua is considered the pinnacle of pristine biodiversity hotspots and the crown jewel of the Coral Triangle's many world-class dive areas. Jungle-clad islands brimming with tropical life complete the view above water.
Diving Indonesian liveaboards is truly an unforgettable experience that offers challenging dives for intermediate and experts and also easy diving for beginners. Many of the divers who visit Raja Ampat are well-seasoned, serious marine life enthusiasts treating themselves to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At dive sites like Kri Island, Manta Ridge, and The Passage, you'll see a whopping 75 percent of the world's coral species, mantas and sharks, and hundreds of unique critters, creatures, and ecosystems that give Raja its claim to fame as the 'global epicentre' of tropical marine biodiversity.
The length of most Raja Ampat itineraries is 7 to 12 nights. Diving in Raja Ampat can be done year-round, but most Raja Ampat liveaboards run their trips between October and April when the sea and skies are calmest. The water temperature ranges from 27-30 C. The budgets for a Raja Ampat liveaboard ranges from roughly 200 to 500 euros per. day, though especially luxurious boats can run over 900 euros per. day. Raja Ampat liveaboards often depart from Sorong, reachable by domestic flights from Jakarta, Manado, Makassar, or Ambon. Liveaboards departing and landing in Sorong often spend their time between the well-endowed 1500 islands of Raja Ampat. Other boats offer adventurous tours that include the Banda Sea, whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, the Halmahera Sea, and more.
More Liveaboard Trips in Indonesia
- Be a pioneer and travel back in time to the Forgotten Islands, the most pristine, unexplored dive area in Indonesia and only accessible by Liveaboard boat.
- Enjoy the unspoiled Banda Sea alongside Dogtooth Tuna and the Ambon Scorpionfish.
- Beat the crowds in Alor, and experience top-quality, crystal-clear diving all to yourself.
- Grab your camera for Lembeh Strait's unparalleled collection of wild and wacky critters.
- Take the plunge in far-flung Wakatobi's exclusive, vibrantly healthy reefs and tropical paradise islands.
Tips for Travellers
The best time to dive in Indonesia is between May and September; however, Indonesia dive safari season really is year around. Monsoon season usually hits in December and lasts through June. If you are looking to see sunfish, you should go between July and October. Water temperatures in Indonesia range between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius (71 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit) depending on what time of year and location. Visibility ranges between 6 to 50 meters (20 to 160 feet) or better with depths going up to 40 meters (140 feet). Currents are generally mild but can be strong in some areas.
Departure Ports and How To Get There
Bali is one of the main departure locations for liveaboard diving Komodo via Lombok. Bali's main liveaboard departure port is Benoa, in the south of the island. SCUBA diving off Bali can include a visit to Crystal Bay for a chance of Mola Mola (Sunfish) encounters, or a dive at the famously colourful Liberty Shipwreck, full of marine life in a shallow location. Bali dive sites hold a variety of underwater landscapes and special species; depending on where you choose, you can enjoy high-quality muck diving, large pelagics, or quiet, coral-filled bays. Expert divers will be challenged and excited by wild currents around Nusa Lembongan, and entry-level divers can find ample offerings of beautiful locations suitable for beginners and coursework.
International flights to Bali depart regularly from around the world, often with a transfer in a nearby Southeast Asian country like Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. If you're in Southeast Asia already, direct flights are available. Standard itineraries for liveaboards departing Bali are usually Komodo-bound. However, they stop at premier Lombok dive sites along the way, such as Moyo, Satonda, Gili Banta, and Gili Lawa Laut. Extended itineraries may additionally venture farther east from Komodo to Flores and Alor for serene, world-class diving without the crowds.
The port of Sorong, a city in the province of West Papua, is a major departure location for liveaboards in Indonesia travelling to Raja Ampat and Ambon. From Sorong, dive sites in Raja Ampat and nearby are easily accessible. Land tours for waterfalls and bird-watching add to the offerings, as well as Cassowary Cape, with its white-sand beach and cassowary trees. Snorkelers and divers alike can enjoy the area.
Domestic flights to Sorong depart from Jakarta, Manado, Makassar, and Ambon. Standard liveaboard itineraries departing Sorong are focused on the Raja Ampat area. Extended liveaboard boats departing or disembarking in Sorong offer a great variety of dive tours, some to/from Ambon and the Banda Sea, some to Cenderawasih Bay Bay for whale sharks, and some traversing the Halmahera Sea.
Indonesia Diving Reviews
- 9.1 Superb
- 450 Verified Reviews
Magical and memorable trip. Great nature. The 12 days on the boat went by too fast! I am concerned with increased number of tourists, however, as I have seen many times careless behavior of many divers around the reefs.
Diving Indonesia in November on the Ambai
Indonesia has some of the best diving in the world. Other than Malaysia, I’ve never been anywhere equal to it.
Diving Indonesia in December on the Samambaia
Beyond my wildest dreams
Diving Indonesia in November on the Tiare Cruise
Excellent - as a single country - the best diving in the world I've ever experienced.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Raja Ampat Aggressor
Probably the best in the world.
Diving Indonesia in November on the Carpe Diem
Good Environment with amazing underwater world
Diving Indonesia in November on the Ratu Laut
Very good. But keep an eye out for heavy currents.
Diving Indonesia in November on the Komodo Shalom
Currents brings food for all sea life.. Most dive site in Komodo comes with current, so you are almost guaranteed a good healthy corals and marine life
Diving Indonesia in November on the Komodo Shalom
Bis auf gaffende Männer im Hafen von Labuan Bajo ... die immerhin nicht betrunken (muslimisch) sondern nur schlecht erzogen und dumm waren, alles fein. So sind sie halt die Hafenstädte. Im Vergleich zu Bali war es auf Flores viel dreckiger obwohl dort viel weniger Touristen waren... Vielleicht genau deshalb. Preis Leistung ist gut und alle Unterkünfte waren sauber, wenn auch manchmal heruntergekommen und nicht alles funktionierte... Aber dann waren sie auch günstig. Service und Personal immer freundlich und hilfsbereit.
Diving Indonesia in November on the Komodo Shalom
A fantastic place to dive but very mixed conditions. From easy to undiveable, good visibility to terrible visibility, cold water to warm. Saw some amazing fish life on some dives and very little on others. This is not a destination for inexperienced divers.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Empress II
Great experience, very various dive sites from walls to drifts, to coral gardens.. Be aware that some currents may be strong in Raja Ampat :)
Diving Indonesia in November on the Epica
great value, one of the last best reef systems in the world
Diving Indonesia in October on the Tiare Cruise
Simply amazing!
Diving Indonesia in October on the Kira Kira
Diving in Indonesia is always excellent - every dive site offers something different.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Coralia
We didnt do any diving just snorkeling but that was one of the best I have ever done. Close to snorkeling in Australia
Diving Indonesia in November on the Vidi
Overall, the diving in Indonesia was amazing. Raja Ampat was the highlight.
Diving Indonesia in November on the Nyaman
excellent. Love Indonesia very much
Diving Indonesia in October on the Calico Jack
Amazing and so much more to explore!
Diving Indonesia in August on the Leyla
Great to see Indo underwater will be back.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Emperor Raja Laut
Pour moi , mon plus bel endroit.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Epica
Really good! Almost as incredible as Palau.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Emperor Raja Laut
Sehr gut immer gern wieder.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Empress II
Very good. Komodo Island should be on every Divers bucket list
Diving Indonesia in October on the Cajoma IV
Raja Ampat is the best diving I have done so far. It was fabulous.
Diving Indonesia in October on the Epica
Great
Diving Indonesia in September on the Komodo Shalom
A million stars!!
Diving Indonesia in October on the Komodo Shalom
Indonesia has the best diving in the world
Diving Indonesia in September on the Jaya
Diving was AMAZING!
Diving Indonesia in September on the Cahaya Bersama
Great Diving Spots - really enjoyed seeing manta rays and reef sharks :) Current (end of September, beginning October) is sometimes strong but manageable!
Diving Indonesia in September on the Mikumba 2
Great value. Some of the best food that I have ever had(Jakarta).
Diving Indonesia in March on the White Manta Indonesia
Just one word insane! Best place to go diving in my opinion.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Ratu Pelangi
Wonderful. So happy to see healthy reefs, sharks returning and so many beautiful schools of fish.
Diving Indonesia in February on the Calico Jack
Beautiful, lots of marine life- big and small. Beautiful coral, highly recommended.
Diving Indonesia in September on the Queenesia
The diving was spectacular. Indonesia is the Mecca of diving to which all divers should visit. The bustling human life seen above the waves is replicated among vibrant reefs with bountiful sea denizens.
Diving Indonesia in September on the La Galigo
Overall fantastic. Would recommend to experienced divers
Diving Indonesia in September on the Tanaka
Simply amazing.
Diving Indonesia in September on the Akomo Isseki
A nice mix of calm and challenging dives. Beautiful biodiversity and reefs.
Diving Indonesia in September on the La Galigo
Excellent - some of the best we have been lucky enough to do anywhere in the world.
Diving Indonesia in August on the Mutiara Laut
Love diving in Indonesia and keep coming back for more
Diving Indonesia in March on the Jaya
It was an incredible trip.
Diving Indonesia in August on the Ambai
Our experience with diving was great in Indonesia. Highly recommended with the Jaya!
Diving Indonesia in August on the Jaya
Good. Nice combination of big and small things. VERY healthy and lush reef.
Diving Indonesia in August on the Solitude Adventurer
Overall it was dynamic and new. Personally, I am satisfied. I beat me!
Diving Indonesia in August on the Dragon Dive Komodo
Excellent vibes and diving, coral in relatively good condition and marine life more plentiful than plenty of other locations.
Diving Indonesia in August on the Kira Kira
We dived in Alor and Wakatobi during this trip, Indonesia was simply amazing for diving. Macro, Muckdive, jetty dives, big stuffs... always something new to observe or discover.
Diving Indonesia in July on the La Unua
I loved it, this was my second trip to Indonesia and I would go again.
Diving Indonesia in August on the Coralia
Great places, lovely mantas, mantis and macro
Diving Indonesia in August on the Jaya
Bunaken is the best site so far, but everywhere is beautiful!
Diving Indonesia in August on the Jaya
Indonesia has a lot to offer. The good dives outnumbered the not so good dives by 10 to 1.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Kira Kira
We keep coming back to Indonesia because of the diversity of life, warm waters, and affordable diving. Highly recommended!
Diving Indonesia in August on the Emperor Raja Laut
Excellent and beautiful, some of the best spots I've ever done.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Kira Kira
An amazing experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. Raja Ampat is rightfully called "the last paradise."
Diving Indonesia in July on the Epica
Diving in Indonesia is always going to be one of the best places in the world to dive! This is your Coral Triangle of the World!!!
Diving Indonesia in August on the Carpe Diem
Very positive! We will be back.
Diving Indonesia in February on the Carpe Diem
Really really good! The captain and the divemaster helped to get an itinerary that suited all of the guests and made the most of the conditions.
Diving Indonesia in August on the La Unua
Best diving in the world
Diving Indonesia in July on the Coralia
Best diving in the world. I have done several dive trips in Indonesia as well as worldwide so know what I am talking about. Coralia is the best liveaboard i have been on.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Coralia
beautiful (from Manta, shark to nudibranches)
Diving Indonesia in July on the Tidak ApaPa
Excellent, already wondering when I can come back.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Lady Denok
Bali has grown massively since I 1st visited & as such is now busy, congested & hectic. Labuan Bajo, will be ruined if the few ugly concrete edifices are permitted to overtake the town. The diving is more 'busy' than you would expect, but there is still excellent coral, varied and plentiful life & excellent diving.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Jaya
Love Indonesia the people are very friendly.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Sunshine
Absolutely world class loved the boat, the crew and the diving - will be returning!!
Diving Indonesia in July on the Jaya
In a sense disappointing to see general decline of reefs and large predators. Having dived around Australia in 86/87 clearly the effects of climate change are very visible. Also too many vessels operating these sites IMO
Diving Indonesia in July on the Manta Mae
Indonesia is the best diving in the world. Best blend of water clarity, reef health, small and pelagic wildlife exposure.
Diving Indonesia in June on the Mermaid II
Fantastic! It was our 2nd time diving in Indonesia and we want to continue visiting the other sites that we haven’t been to yet
Diving Indonesia in September on the La Galigo
Beautiful nature
Diving Indonesia in July on the Ratu Pelangi
The best coral reefs I can imagine.
Diving Indonesia in June on the Kira Kira
Pleasant and impressed with the professional approach to all aspects.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Mari
Great diving, but lots of currents
Diving Indonesia in June on the Jaya
Manta paradise. Best liveaboard ever.
Diving Indonesia in July on the Dragon Dive Komodo
spectaculary good
Diving Indonesia in June on the Carpe Diem
Amazing, unique and wonderful
Diving Indonesia in July on the Ratu Pelangi
Very good excellent diving overall!!!
Diving Indonesia in June on the Komodo Shalom
Incredible, will definitely return as soon as I have the chance:)
Diving Indonesia in June on the Dragon Dive Komodo
Excellent diving! Some of the best in the world.
Diving Indonesia in May on the Lalunia
Komodo is interesting as a dive and land package. Raja is the best for diving
Diving Indonesia in June on the Tanaka
Great dives helped by a great diving schedule!
Diving Indonesia in June on the Empress II
Nice current dives with macro and as well big life. Mantas, reef sharks, octoous and turtles. We saw ghost pipefish, juvenile frogfish, juvenile lobater, porcelain crab and electric clams in Menjangan.
Diving Indonesia in September on the Tanaka
Komodo and Raja Ampat together with PNG have been among my best dives overall
Diving Indonesia in August on the Ilike
Top notch, can’t wait for my next trip there!
Diving Indonesia in May on the Ambai
Only been to Raja Ampat
Diving Indonesia in February on the Aurora Liveaboard
Just perfect
Diving Indonesia in May on the Mikumba 2
The liveaboard itself was a nice experience
Diving Indonesia in May on the Mermaid II
Diving in Indonesia is simply magic!!!
Diving Indonesia in May on the Epica
This was our first time diving in Indonesia and for this first time we choose Komodo. So I cannot compare other places in the vast country like diving Sulawesi for example. I am afraid I will be so spoiled now that I never will be satisfied as much as I was during our 4 days on the Cajoma IV diving Komodo !
Diving Indonesia in May on the Cajoma IV
It was great, looking forward to visiting Indonesia soon.
Diving Indonesia in May on the Mermaid II
There are many great spots for diving all over Indonesia. From what I have seen so far Raja Ampat and Misool belong to the top locations!
Diving Indonesia in April on the Empress II
Indonesia is my favorite place to dive in the world, so many thing to see, which can only be seen here
Diving Indonesia in April on the Indo Aggressor
Indonesia is one of my favourite countries for it's ecological diversity
Diving Indonesia in May on the Moana
Belles plongées mais ce n’est pas une expérience exceptionnelle pour Raja Ampat (un peu survendue).. les paysages sont grandioses grâce à la multitude d’iles..
Diving Indonesia in April on the Empress II
Very good. I am very happy to have started my diving in Indonesia.
Diving Indonesia in April on the Empress II
Great diving in Komodo, Gilis and shore dives in Bali
Diving Indonesia in April on the Adelaar
Lots of fun, great currents and great fish/ coral life
Diving Indonesia in April on the Dragon Dive Komodo
Fantastic, 10 out of 10
Diving Indonesia in April on the Komodo Shalom
So amazing; I am ruined forever now - it was that cool!
Diving Indonesia in May on the Moana
Very good but it's always upsetting to see the effects of rubbish pollution in remote areas.
Diving Indonesia in April on the Kurabesi
amazing place with a rich history and lots of incredible diving
Diving Indonesia in May on the Coralia
Excellent, saw tonnes of fish life and by and large the vis was amazing. Lots of good photo opportunities.
Diving Indonesia in May on the Tiger Blue
Fantastic, hands down the best diving of my life so far. And I have done Maldives, Red Sea, Palau, Far North Australia and so on.
Diving Indonesia in December on the Mermaid I
Enjoyed it very much. Granted, we had exceptionally good weather and visibility. Crossing that were rough in the past were quite smooth. For 10 days straight we had no rain.
Diving Indonesia in April on the Aurora