Indonesia is home to some of the best liveaboard diving on the planet. With over 17,000 islands and thriving coral reefs, the country offers a range of liveaboard itineraries that explore world-famous destinations like Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda Sea, and more. Whether you’re chasing mantas, macro critters, or remote underwater frontiers, Zublu’s carefully-chosen collection of liveaboards in Indonesia helps you discover your perfect dive trip.
With ZuBlu, you can book from a selection of Indonesia’s best liveaboards, including modern liveaboards, traditional phinisi liveaboards and luxurious charter yachts. Liveaboards include luxurious vessels with exceptional facilities and service, or budget-friendly, more affordable options, with amenities including nitrox and camera rooms, and year round departures and itineraries that visit Indonesia's top dive destinations at the best time of year.
Read customer reviews, compare itineraries and cabins, and find out exactly how much your liveaboard holiday will cost - there are no hidden fees. Take advantage of ZuBlu's best price guarantee, as well as exclusive rates and last minute availability for Indonesian liveaboards, while flexible booking terms, 24/7 customer support and secure payments means you can book your next liveaboard dive holiday in confidence.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with family or in a group, ZuBlu’s expert travel team will help you book the right liveaboard trip in Indonesia, including trips that cater for both divers and snorkelers, beginners and more experienced divers.
- Choosing the right liveaboard, including itineraries, seasons, experience requirements and costs.
- Recommended liveaboards, including luxury and budget options, and liveaboards for solo divers and groups.
- Booking your liveaboard, including getting there, marine park fees and ZuBlu's guest concierge service.
Your choice of liveaboard and itinerary in Indonesia should be based on whether you prefer a budget or luxury dive holiday, when you are planning on visiting Indonesia, how long a trip you are planning, your experience level, and the facilities onboard. The total number of guests and dive guides onboard is also worth taking into account.
If you need some help choosing a suitable liveaboard, get in touch with one of ZuBlu's experienced travel team who will happily recommend the ideal liveaboard and itinerary for you.
Not sure a liveaboard is right for you? Why not consider a dive resort in Indonesia instead. Chat with the ZuBlu team and they can recommend the ideal dive resort from over 70 of the best in Indonesia.
Liveaboard itineraries in Indonesia
Liveaboard itineraries in Indonesia vary from short 2 or 3 nights trips in Komodo, to 2 to 3 week expeditions traversing the wild reaches of Maluku and Raja Ampat. However, the majority of liveaboard itineraries are around 7 nights, enough time to explore a destination and even get off the beaten track a little. As well as diving, every liveaboard itinerary in Indonesia will include excursions to islands and beaches, villages and famous viewpoints - so you won’t miss out on all that this country has to offer on land.
Most liveaboard itineraries in Indonesia focus on just one destination, sailing from and returning to the same port. The most popular liveaboard destinations in Indonesia are:
- Komodo - extraordinary current-swept dive sites, with stunning reefs, plentiful marine life including manta rays, and dramatic island landscapes patrolled by Komodo dragons. Learn more about the scuba diving here, booking a liveaboard in Komodo, and browse all our partner liveaboards.
- Alor - a remote group of islands separated by narrow straits with pristine reefs, huge amounts of marine life including hammerheads, plus whale and dolphin sightings. Learn more about scuba diving in Alor, and browse our partner liveaboards.
- The Banda Sea - a string of isolated volcanoes arcing through deep water, with hammerhead sightings, abundant marine life, healthy reefs, and the history of the former ‘Spice Islands’ to discover. Learn more about scuba diving in the Banda Sea, and browse our partner liveaboards.
- Raja Ampat - hundreds of karst islands hide reefs, beaches and lagoons, with the highest marine biodiversity in the world - expect manta rays, endemic species, and abundant marine life. Learn more about scuba diving here, booking a liveaboard in Raja Ampat, and browse our partner liveaboards.
Other liveaboard destinations include Halmahera, the Forgotten Islands, Triton Bay, Cenderawasih Bay, Kalimantan, and North Sulawesi.
There are also routes that combine several destinations in one itinerary, visiting different islands along the way and diving the best sites in each area. Liveaboards will normally offer these itineraries in their schedule as they move between Komodo in the west, and Raja Ampat in the east, following the changing seasons - more about these seasonal movements below.
Itineraries that combine several destinations in one trip include:
- Bali to Komodo
- Komodo to Maumere
- Maumere to Ambon, via Alor and the Banda Sea
- Ambon to Raja Ampat, via the Banda Sea
- Raja Ampat to Triton Bay
- Raja Ampat to Halmahera
- Halmahera to Sulawesi
- Sulawesi to Kalimantan
Some of these are longer, expedition-style trips than offer the chance to discover new dives, as well as visit well-established sites. Itineraries such as the Banda Sea crossing are amongst the most exciting in Indonesia!
If you’re not sure what itinerary is best for you, talk to our knowledgable travel team who will be happy to recommend liveaboards and itineraries based on your budget, experience level, and when you are planning on travelling to Indonesia. We know the different routes and seasonal changes very well and will make sure you’ll book the trip that is right for you.
Liveaboard seasons in Indonesia
Indonesia’s sheer size means that its climate varies dramatically across the country and, rather than following a single dive season, different regions are at their best at different times of the year.
Bali, Komodo, Flores, Sulawesi, Halmahera and Borneo experience the best conditions during the dry season from April to November, which brings calmer seas, better visibility, and more predictable weather. The wet season from December to March means more rain, rougher seas and poorer visibility.
The Banda Sea, Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay and Triton Bay in eastern Indonesia experience ideal dive conditions from October to April, while monsoon winds from June to September make it impossible to reach areas such as Misool and Triton Bay.
As the seasons change, Indonesia’s fleet of liveaboards move east to west across the islands, and back again, following the best conditions. So at the end of the Komodo season in September, liveaboards sail east to Alor, then through the Banda Sea to Raja Ampat for the high season there. They then sail west, back to Komodo, at the end of the Raja Ampat season.
Instead of heading back to Komodo during Raja Ampat’s low season, a few liveaboards sail northwest to Halmahera, Sulawesi and Borneo, or east to Cenderawasih Bay. Several liveaboards actually remain year round in Komodo or Raja Ampat and diving in the low season in these destinations has one distinct advantage - far fewer other tourists, so dive sites are likely to be a lot quieter.
The Banda Sea and Forgotten Islands are only accessible during calmer months - March to April and September to November - and liveaboards time their crossings for these periods.
Liveaboards seasons in Indonesia in a nutshell:
- May to September - Komodo, Borneo, Alor, Sulawesi and Halmahera.
- October to April - Raja Ampat, Triton Bay and Cenderawasih Bay.
- Transition months, September / October, April / May - Banda Sea and Forgotten Islands
What experience do I need to join a liveaboard in Indonesia?
The experience needed for a liveaboard trip in Indonesia depends on the itinerary and the specific liveaboard. Many of the country’s top dive destinations are known for strong currents and deep sites, so divers often need some prior experience in these conditions. Ideally, you should have at least 30 dives and hold an Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent). Using Nitrox is also highly recommended. For more challenging trips, each liveaboard will have its own minimum experience requirements, which your ZuBlu travel expert will need to confirm during the booking process.
Some liveaboards cater to less experienced divers and choose easier dive sites for their itineraries, or have more staff onboard to assist with less experienced divers. Others focus on more advanced diving and may require 50+ or even 100+ logged dives to join.
That said, there are still plenty of destinations and liveaboards in Indonesia that are perfect for beginners with just 5–10 dives after completing their Open Water certification. If you’re a new diver looking to explore Indonesia by liveaboard, our travel team can help you find the right trip.
How much will a liveaboard in Indonesia cost?
The cost of joining a liveaboard trip in Indonesia will vary, and depends on the itinerary, the liveaboard and the time of year, but there are vessels to suit every budget. More affordable options will cost from US$ 180 - 200 a day, and more luxurious phinisis and motor yachts from US$ 700 - US$ 1,200+ a day. However, most liveaboards in Indonesia are in the US$ 300 - 500 a day range. This rate includes all food and accommodation, water, tea and coffee, and the diving. It is important to consider additional costs such as equipment rental, purchases onboard, marine park and port fees, dive and travel insurance, and transfers - some or all of these may not be included in the cost of your trip. Special offers and last minute discounts for liveaboards in Komodo are common - you can browse all special offers for liveaboards in Indonesia here.
