Dive the most biodiverse seas on earth, home to pristine coral reefs, manta rays, whale sharks and spectacular species - deep in the heart of the coral triangle

Diving highlights

Dive with manta rays, sharks, and even the seldom-seen mola mola
Stunning Coral Triangle biodiversity with thousands of species on display
Explore remote diving destinations, only visited by a few intrepid guests each year
Search for spectacular species in the best muck diving destinations on the planet
Cruise the archipelago on board a traditional phinisi, or find your perfect beachfront resort
World-class diving for every diver - from beginner to seasoned pro

The island nation of Indonesia straddles the equator between the Indian and Pacific Oceans at the heart of the Coral Triangle - the epicentre of our planet’s marine biodiversity. This is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most incredible destinations for adventure, both above and below the waves. With over 17,000 islands waiting to be explored, you’ll never run out of things to see and do in this sprawling archipelago. Indonesia is home to an exotic blend of cultures, party hotspots and islands so remote that only a few visitors grace their shores each year. Plus, rumbling volcanic peaks, emerald green rice paddies, and impenetrable jungles dating back millions of years. Even non-divers could spend months exploring and not see it all.

For ocean-obsessed travellers, Indonesia offers even more unbeatable experiences. Nowhere else on earth can visitors experience such a range of spectacular diving - from encounters with massive whale sharks, mola mola, and oceanic manta rays, to muck dives with spectacular octopus and the exceedingly rare psychedelic frogfish. Not to mention a staggering variety of landscapes from dizzying drop-offs and towering pinnacles, to kaleidoscopic fringing coral reefs, and silt and rubble slopes of black volcanic sand. With so much to see and do in this stunning underwater world, you’re nearly guaranteed the trip of a lifetime - no matter where or when you decide to visit!

Top Indonesia experiences

Year round

Learn to dive or improve your skills in the Gili Islands

Great visibility and easy conditions make these islands ideal for earning your certification, continuing your underwater education, and diving with kids!

June to September

Watch Mola Mola being cleaned in Bali

Bali is one of the only places on earth that can offer reliable sightings of this strange and elusive deepwater species as they visit cleaning stations close to the reef.

October to April

Drift over the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs in Raja Ampat

Explore the most biodiverse reefs on the planet boasting a staggering variety of coral and fish species - all set against a stunning backdrop of limestone cliffs.

December through February

Encounter South Komodo’s legendary manta rays and dragons

This is the land of giants - home to mighty manta rays frolicking in the current and prehistoric land dragons patrolling the rocky shores.

Year round

Explore the rich muck diving sites of Sulawesi’s Lembeh Strait

Silt and rubble slopes play host to some of the weirdest wildlife you'll ever see - with hundreds of colourful or cryptic species on display.

September to October

Join a liveaboard cruise of a lifetime in the Banda Sea

Each year, hammerhead sharks gather around current-swept pinnacles and isolated reefs in this remote region - sometimes spotted by the dozen.

March to Ocotber

Dive with turtles and manta rays in the remote Derawan Islands

This far-flung region is Borneo’s final diving frontier, with pristine reefs, turtles and manta rays, and plenty of opportunities for exploration around Sangalaki, Derawan and Maratua.

October through February

Snorkel with whale sharks in Triton Bay

Swim alongside the ocean's biggest fish as they hover motionless beneath local fishing platforms waiting to snag a free meal of anchovies and baitfish.

When to dive in Indonesia

Stretching over 5,000 kilometres from east to west, it’s no surprise that Indonesia’s seasons vary across the country. While this is a year-round diving destination, some careful planning will ensure you are diving in the very best conditions and with the highest chances for incredible encounters with rare wildlife.

Borneo and Sulawesi

The dry season in Borneo and some parts of Sulawesi runs from March to October, with the first rains arriving in November or December. Strong winds in January and February can bring powerful swell and rough seas to exposed areas which can restrict diving activities in remote areas around the Derawan Archipelago. Further winds during August can also cause rough seas around exposed islands such as Bangka and Gangga.

Central Indonesia

Also known as the Lesser Sunda Islands, this massive geographic region stretches all the way from Bali to Wetar near Timor, and includes the Gili Islands, Komodo, and Flores. The diving here is good all year long, with most areas such as Bali, Lombok, and the Gilis offering great diving no matter the month. But there are some slight shifts with the seasons. Komodo is most affected by these changes, with the southern region becoming difficult to access during the dry season, from April to December.

Eastern Indonesia

In Raja Ampat and West Papua, the wet and windy season blows from July to September, with the dry season - and best diving - stretching from October to June. This is also true of the Banda Sea, which is best visited between September and October when hammerheads can be seen schooling en masse.