There is no surprise that Indonesia hosts some of the world's best and most biodiverse dives. This archipelagic country is the largest of its kind, boasting 13,466 islands which lie between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
Aside from household names like Raja Ampat, Bali, and Komodo, Indonesia hosts dozens of other amazing dive regions and even more if you count other remote and undeveloped areas. Most of the best dive areas are located in Central and East Indonesia.
Except for the Banda Sea, and certain dive regions that are incredibly remote, most of Indonesia can be dived through a land-based operation. Depending on where you dive in the country, you can find a wide range of options--from budget-friendly dive hostels to ultra-luxury dive resorts.
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Indonesia Dive Resort Areas
In alphabetical order, here are some of the best dive resort areas in Indonesia.
Ambon Bay, Maluku
Best known for the excellent muck dives, there is a number of reasonably priced and reputable land-based dive operations in the area. Ambon is also often included as the final stop or starting point of liveaboard trips to the Banda Sea or Raja Ampat, making it a great option for an extension after or before your trip.
Alor, East Nusa Tenggara
If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path location with pristine reefs, incredible diversity, teeming with marine life, look no further. You won't find much large marine life in Alor, but if you're lucky you might be able to spot some reef sharks and a mola or two while diving, or a pod of resident whales from the boat. There is a limited number of dive ops, but this area is really worth a visit.
Bali
The ever-popular tourist spot Bali is still going strong, with the unique USAT Liberty Wreck off its northeastern coast, excellent muck dives along the eastern and northern coastlines, and the world-famous Manta Point and Crystal Bay off the coast of Nusa Penida, known to be reliable places to see manta rays and Mola molas respectively.
In Bali, you can find a very wide range of options for any budget. Choosing a reputable dive operation is key to having a safe and enjoyable experience while diving Bali.
Don't hesitate to ask us for recommendations or check out this dedicated page on dive resorts in Bali.
Komodo, east Nusa Tenggara
Apart from being known for the endemic Komodo dragons, Komodo National Park is world-renowned for its thrilling drift dives with colorful corals in various formations teeming with marine life, big and small.
While liveaboard diving is the way to go to dive Komodo, from north to south, in less time, there are numerous great land-based options close to Labuan Bajo for divers who prefer staying on land.
Lembeh, North Sulawesi
Often coined as the world's capital for muck diving, The number species that you can cross off your critter list within a week of diving Lembeh Strait is staggering, to say the least. The dive guides in the area are also known for their exceptional ability to help photographers find the rarest and tiniest critter that is almost impossible to see with the naked eye.
There is a wide range of land-based options in Lembeh, from laid-back guesthouses with minimal amenities to luxury boutique resorts.
Manado & Bunaken, North Sulawesi
Manado is the gateway to diving the world-class Bunaken National Park and nearby Bangka Island. Bunaken is well-known for its pristine coral walls while Bangka Island offers untouched reefs with colorful soft corals. Both islands are frequented by a wide variety of marine life, big and small.
Great macro sites also exist along Manado Bay. Great dive resorts can be found near Manado Bay and on Bunaken and Bangka Islands.
Raja Ampat, West papua
The holy grail of Indonesian diving, Raja Ampat, also hosts great dive resorts many of which feature over-the-water-bungalows. The dive resorts in the archipelago are scattered among its many islands, but in general, there are two main dive resort areas: northern Raja Ampat and southern Raja Ampat.
Visit our dedicated page on dive resorts in Raja Ampat for more information on these areas and dive resort options.
Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi
Find more information on the diving season, marine life, dive sites, and how to get to the destination of your choice on our guide diving in Indonesia.
Dive Resorts in Indonesia
With such a diversity of diving and resorts on offer, choosing where to base yourself can be a tricky task. Bluewater Travel can help you book a dive resort in Indonesia and over 40+ destinations in the world at the same price or even lower than booking any other way. We have expert knowledge on accommodation, diving, and logistics, so here are some Staff Picks to start you off. Email us today or leave us a message through the live chat box to start planning your dream dive vacation in Indonesia!
Check out our staff picks for the world's best scuba diving resorts.
