Diving Holidays in Indonesia

Explore Coral Triangle Biodiversity, Liveaboards & Remote Island Resorts

Diving Holidays in Indonesia – The World’s Ultimate Dive Playground

Diving Holidays in Indonesia – The World’s Ultimate Dive Playground

With more marine species than anywhere else on Earth, Indonesia sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle. From manta rays gliding over pristine reefs in Komodo to pygmy seahorses hiding in Raja Ampat’s coral fans, it is a diver’s paradise that delivers unforgettable encounters at every turn.

Warm seas, welcoming people, and a huge choice of liveaboards and boutique resorts make it one of the world’s most rewarding dive destinations.

Diving here is defined by adventure. One day you might be swept along a fast drift with reef sharks and eagle rays, the next you could be hovering over a manta cleaning station or focusing your lens on rare critters in volcanic black sand.

Bali’s famous Liberty wreck, the colourful walls of Bunaken, and the remote seascapes of Raja Ampat and Alor are just a taste of the variety on offer. Whether you are taking your first breaths underwater or chasing your hundredth dive, Indonesia offers experiences that keep divers returning time and again.

Diving Holidays in Indonesia

Indonesia Diving Holidays are perfect for…

Indonesia dives Diving Holidays are perfect for…

Biodiversity Hotspot
Over 17,000 islands and more than 600 coral species make Indonesia the most biodiverse diving destination in the world.

Year-Round Diving
With equatorial seas, water temperatures hover between 27–30°C, offering comfortable diving all year.

Something for Everyone
Beginners can enjoy calm reef dives, while advanced divers chase manta trains, hammerheads, and even whale sharks.

Liveaboards & Luxury Resorts
Cruise to remote archipelagos on traditional phinisi boats, or relax at high-end eco-resorts with house reefs steps from your villa.

DO YOU WANT TO DIVE RIGHT IN? Explore our Indonesia Diving Holidays

Where to Dive in Indonesia

Where to Dive in Indonesia

From the coral-rich reefs of Raja Ampat to the thrilling drifts of Komodo and the macro mecca of Lembeh, every region of Indonesia has its own signature dives. Whether you love photographing tiny critters, gliding alongside manta rays, or exploring dramatic walls, there is a destination to match your style.

Each island group offers something unique – Bali with its wrecks and reefs, Sulawesi with turtles and vertical walls, or remote Alor and Banda with schooling fish and pelagics. Whether you choose a boutique resort with a house reef or a liveaboard sailing to far-flung islands, Indonesia delivers world-class diving with unforgettable encounters at every turn.

Komodo National Park
Centre point near Malé, good reference for nearby dive resorts and channels
Raja Ampat (West Papua)
Centre of South Ari Marine Protected Area — ideal for whale shark and manta sites
Bunaken (North Sulawesi)
Close to Dharavandhoo Island and Hanifaru Bay, heart of the UNESCO Biosphere
Bali (Tulamben / Amed)
Use Fuvahmulah for tiger shark dives

What type of diving is available in Indonesia?

What type of diving is available in Indonesia?

  • Shore-based diving (from boutique eco-resorts to budget guesthouses)

  • Liveaboards (multi-day cruises to remote islands)

  • Drift dives through channels and strong currents

  • Muck diving and world-class macro photography

  • Wreck diving, from Bali’s Liberty to hidden WWII sites

  • Snorkelling on vibrant, shallow coral reefs

In February 2026 we explored Misool, Penemu and Dampier Strait aboard Ilike. Read our full Raja Ampat liveaboard expedition report for dive sites, marine life sightings and seasonal conditions.

Marine & Underwater highlights

Marine & Underwater highlights

Common sightings

  • Reef sharks, turtles, schools of jacks & barracuda
  • Pygmy seahorses, frogfish, and rare macro critters

  • Manta rays and Napoleon wrasse

Seasonal highlights

  • Mola mola (Bali & Nusa Penida, Jul-Oct)

  • Whale sharks (Cenderawasih Bay, year-round)

  • Hammerheads (Maluku & Banda Sea, Sept-Nov)

  • Manta trains (Raja Ampat & Komodo, year-round)

Your Indonesia Travel Guide

Your Indonesia Travel Guide

Quick Facts for Travelling to Indonesia

Quick Facts for Travelling to the Indonesia

  • Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

  • Time difference: GMT+7 to GMT+9 (varies by region)

  • Flight time: ~15–18 hours (via Jakarta, Bali, or Singapore)

  • Airports: Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS), Manado (MDC), Sorong (SOQ), Labuan Bajo (LBJ)

  • Visa: 30-day visa on arrival for UK passport holders

  • Language: Bahasa Indonesia (English widely spoken at dive resorts)

Food & Drink in Indonesia

Food & Drink in Indonesia

  • Fresh, spicy, and flavourful Indonesian cuisine: nasi goreng, satay skewers, grilled fish, tropical fruit

  • Resorts and liveaboards mix Indonesian and international menus

  • Vegetarian and vegan diets well catered for at most dive resorts

Is the Indonesia Safe for Divers & Travellers

Is the Indonesia Safe for Divers & Travellers

  • Indonesia is considered safe and welcoming for divers

  • As the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, modest dress is appreciated in villages, but resorts and boats are relaxed

  • Dive operations follow international standards with experienced guides and access to recompression facilities in key hubs

FAQs

Yes. Bali, Bunaken and the Gili Islands are popular spots to try scuba for the first time. Calm reefs, good visibility, and experienced instructors make it a comfortable place to start.

Definitely. Many regions offer sheltered bays and easy reef dives, perfect for building confidence. Bali, Bunaken and some parts of Raja Ampat are especially beginner-friendly, while places like Komodo or Alor suit more experienced divers.

Water temperatures are usually 27-30°C, so a shorty or 3mm wetsuit is plenty. In Bali and Komodo, thermoclines can bring cooler water (22-24°C), so some divers prefer a full 5mm suit there.

Mantas are seen year-round in Komodo, Raja Ampat and Nusa Penida. Whale sharks are most reliable in Cenderawasih Bay and Triton Bay, with occasional sightings elsewhere.

It depends on your style. Resorts offer comfort, flexibility and great house reefs. Liveaboards let you reach remote islands, dive multiple sites a day, and experience places few others see. Many divers try both on different trips.

Yes, it is strongly recommended. Some liveaboards require proof of dive insurance at check-in, and having coverage ensures peace of mind in case of emergency or evacuation.

Ask Jeremy & Filomena

Jeremy, Filomena, and the Sea to Sky team have explored Indonesia extensively – from manta-rich drifts in Komodo to macro photography in Lembeh and the reefs of Raja Ampat. Got questions? Ask us anything about liveaboards, resort diving, or the best time to go.

Contact us

Ask Jeremy & Filomena

Weather: what to expect

Weather: what to expect

Diving in Indonesia is possible year-round, but conditions vary by region. Expect warm tropical air and sea temperatures most of the year, with seasonal shifts in wind, rain and visibility that influence where is best when.

Spring
(Mar-May)

  • Air Temp: 28-32°C
  • Water Temp: 27-30°C
  • Conditions: Calm seas and good visibility
  • Marine Life: Mantas common in Raja Ampat and Komodo.

Summer
(Jun-Aug)

  • Air Temp: 27-31°C
  • Water Temp: 26-29°C
  • Conditions: Dry season in Komodo, Bali and Alor.
  • Marine Life: Best time for mola mola around Bali and Nusa Penida.

Autumn
(Sep – Nov)

  • Air Temp: 287-32°C
  • Water Temp: 27-30°C
  • Conditions: Calm, dry weather across much of Indonesia.
  • Marine Life: Banda Sea liveaboards peak for hammerheads.

Winter
(Dec – Feb)

  • Air Temp: 27-31°C
  • Water Temp: 27-30°C
  • Conditions: Wet season in Bali and Komodo
  • Marine Life: Raja Ampat offers peak manta season and calm reefs.

Explore our Indonesia diving holidays, from manta encounters to beginner-friendly reef dives

Explore our Indonesia diving holidays, from manta encounters to beginner-friendly reef dives

From boutique resorts in Bali and Bunaken to once-in-a-lifetime liveaboards in Raja Ampat, Komodo and the Banda Sea, we offer a curated selection of Indonesia dive trips. Every holiday is backed by our own first-hand experience diving the region, so you can trust you are in expert hands.

  • Komodo National Park

    SHORE-BASED DIVING

    Komodo National Park is one of Indonesia’s most dynamic dive destinations, known for manta encounters, powerful drift dives and exceptional marine biodiversity.

  • Indonesia Liveaboard Diving Holidays

    LIVEABOARD DIVING

    Discover Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda Sea and Alor on an Indonesia liveaboard. Mantas, hammerheads and pristine reefs, curated by Sea to Sky Experiences.

  • Raja Ampat, Indonesia

    SHORE-BASED DIVING

    Raja Ampat sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, offering manta encounters, vibrant reefs and some of the most biodiverse diving on the planet.

  • Dive Indonesia

    SHORE-BASED DIVING

    A tropical paradise where emerald islands meet turquoise seas, Indonesia offers some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. From Bunaken’s dramatic walls and schooling turtles to Raja Ampat’s coral gardens and manta cleaning stations, diving here is an unforgettable blend of colour, culture, and adventure.

“The trip was organised by Jeremy at Sea to Sky. His attention to detail through the booking process, right through to his first hand knowledge of the dive sites was superb. It led to the holiday being truly relaxed, and wanting a teenager to come back with her friends for a diving course.”

G Thompson, on TripAdvisor

“I had already 2 trips with Sea to Sky and I can warmly recommend this company! Friendly people best organisation and professional diving trips. With Sea to Sky you are in very good hands and your holidays are worth booking.”

Muliwahn, on TripAdvisor

“I’d been looking for a trip that blended site seeing, diving, great locale and authentic restaurants and can not recommend this company enough. Travelling as a single person in a new country can daunting, but Sea to Sky made my travels easier than I could have expected”