Diving Destinations in Indonesia
Explore the most incredible underwater destinations in Indonesia. From tropical reefs to dramatic walls, discover your next diving adventure.
Banda Sea
Hidden between Indonesia’s Maluku Islands lies the Banda Sea – an untouched stretch of ocean famous for its schools of hammerhead sharks and abundant sea snakes. Part of the Coral Triangle, this remote sea spans over half a million square kilometres and plunges to depths beyond 7 km. Cold, nutrient‑rich upwellings feed pristine reefs bursting with life: imagine gliding along steep walls encrusted with giant gorgonians while dogtooth tuna, thresher sharks and squadrons of mobula rays cruise past. Volcanic islands such as Manuk and Gunung Api rise from the blue, their warm vents attracting banded sea kraits by the dozen and drawing divers from all over the world. Because there are no large towns here, the Banda Sea is usually explored on liveaboards – the reward is some of Indonesia’s wildest and most exhilarating diving.
Komodo
Komodo National Park is a diver’s paradise full of marine diversity: expect healthy coral gardens, reef sharks, giant trevallies, countless schools of fish, and frequent manta ray sightings at sites like Manta Point and Batu Bolong. Drift dives and dramatic reef structures add excitement, while both macro lovers and big-fish fans will find plenty to love. Above water, the wild Komodo dragons roam, giving a touch of prehistoric wonder to the whole trip.
Lembeh
The Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi has become famous as the muck‑diving capital of the world. At first glance its gently sloping seabed of black volcanic sand, rubble and discarded debris looks bleak. Look closer and it is teeming with weird and wonderful life: hairy and painted frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic and blue‑ringed octopuses, ornate ghost pipefish, tiny seahorses, shrimp, crabs and a rainbow of nudibranchs. Most dives are shallow and calm with little current, making it an ideal playground for macro photographers. There are a few colourful reefs for a change of scenery, but Lembeh is all about searching the sand for critter treasures.
Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan and its neighbouring islands sit on the edge of the Lombok Strait, where strong currents carry nutrient‑rich water between the Pacific and Indian oceans. This constant water flow produces clear visibility and supports vibrant reefs full of reef fish, trevallies and reef sharks. The area is famous for exhilarating drift dives; experienced divers drop into channels and ride the current over coral walls and slopes. Pelagic highlights include year‑round manta rays at nearby Manta Point and Manta Bay, while the rare ocean sunfish (Mola alexandrini) visits from July–October when cold upwellings bring temperatures as low as 16 °C. Beginner divers aren’t forgotten—sheltered sites like Lembongan Bay and Mangrove offer calm conditions, sandy bottoms and colourful coral gardens. With easy access by fast boat from Bali, Lembongan provides a perfect base to explore the more than two dozen sites around the Nusa islands.
Manado
Tucked away in northern Sulawesi, Manado’s coastal waters and Bunaken National Park are a diver’s dream. Sheer coral walls plunge into the deep blue, exploding with sponges, sea fans and tropical fish, while the mainland coast hides muck‑diving gems with seahorses, ghost pipefish and mimic octopus. Dolphins and pilot whales sometimes cruise past, green turtles nap on the reef, and reef sharks and schooling jacks patrol the drop‑offs. Whether you like effortless drift dives along walls or critter hunting in sand and seagrass, Manado balances big‑fish thrills with macro treasures. Warm waters, friendly locals and laid‑back resorts make it perfect for both serious underwater photographers and casual holidaymakers.
Maratua
Maratua Atoll, part of the remote Derawan Archipelago off East Kalimantan, offers thrilling big‑fish dives and rich reefs fed by nutrient‑charged currents. From swirling barracuda tornadoes and reef sharks at the world‑famous Big Fish Country to turtle cleaning stations and macro‑rich jetties, the island’s more than 20 sites deliver everything from ripping drift dives to gentle coral gardens. Expect encounters with green and hawksbill turtles, schooling snapper and jackfish, manta and eagle rays, nurse and reef sharks and even occasional hammerheads. The underwater topography is just as varied—vertical walls, coral pinnacles, sand channels and lush lagoon reefs mean you can pack your logbook with completely different experiences each day. Because Maratua sits far from major tourist hubs, you’ll often have the reef to yourself.
Menjangan(Deer Island)
Menjangan Island sits just off the north‑west tip of Bali and forms part of the West Bali National Park. Protected from heavy seas by Bali’s mainland, it offers calm, crystal‑clear waters, dramatic drop‑offs and lush coral walls covered with sea fans, sponges and soft corals. Healthy reef fish populations mix with turtles, reef sharks and occasional pelagics, while macro enthusiasts hunt for pygmy seahorses, frogfish and nudibranchs. With easy access from Pemuteran and relatively few dive boats, Menjangan is ideal for relaxing wall dives, snorkelling and photography.
Pulau Weh
Pulau Weh lies off the northern tip of Sumatra where the Andaman Sea meets the Indian Ocean. This volcanic island may be small, but its surrounding waters are packed with life thanks to nutrient‑rich currents funnelling through the deep channels. Rugged pinnacles, canyons and seamounts provide habitat for bluefin trevallies, giant trevallies, schooling barracudas and jacks, as well as whitetip and occasional blacktip reef sharks. Macro lovers will find octopus, mantis shrimp and a rainbow of nudibranchs. With affordable dive packages, a friendly local vibe and minimal crowds, Pulau Weh offers thrilling drift dives and calm reefs suitable for all levels.
Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, the “Four Kings,” is an archipelago of more than 1,500 islands at the edge of Indonesian West Papua. Its reefs sit in the heart of the Coral Triangle, where Pacific currents funnel nutrients into shallow seas and feed the world’s richest marine biodiversity. Diving here means gliding over colourful walls and coral gardens buzzing with more than 550 species of hard and soft corals and an estimated 1,500 fish species. You’ll meet blacktip and whitetip reef sharks on almost every dive, witness giant trevally and dogtooth tuna hunting schools of fusiliers, and encounter wobbegong “carpet” sharks, turtles, manta rays and dolphins. From cape pinnacles swarming with life to calm bays rich in macro critters, Raja Ampat offers endless variety. Above water, karst limestone islands and emerald lagoons provide spectacular scenery between dives.
Tulamben
Tulamben sits on Bali’s northeast coast and is best known for the USAT Liberty shipwreck – a 125‑metre cargo ship torpedoed in WWII that now lies just a short swim from shore. Warm water, mild currents and straightforward shore entries make diving here relaxed for all levels. Besides the wreck, divers can explore coral gardens, black‑sand muck sites and dramatic drop‑offs. Macro lovers will find nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, mimic octopus and pygmy seahorses, while big‑fish fans can encounter schooling jackfish, bumphead parrotfish and reef sharks. With a compact coastline packed with variety, Tulamben delivers world‑class wreck and critter diving without long boat rides.