Diving in Indonesia
During the past years I have noticed that more and more English people traveling to Indonesia to dive, so I found it interesting to write a post about scuba diving in Indonesia.
I decided to ask Singkenken collaboration with a fellow forum lonely planet based on the experience through their contributions saw that I had on this issue, so I put here an exact copy of the text you sent me. Terimakasi
Singkenken Banyak! Thank you so much! Where
diving in Indonesia
This guide is to provide a general overview of diving in Indonesia, for information deeper'm sure there are people far more qualified.
not add any external link and those interested should just do a search on the Internet to get them, would also not bad for a study of the area on Google Earth before leaving.
To begin to comment that in my point of view there are three different ways to go diving in Indonesia, each with its pros and cons: Liveaboard
(you stay on a ship that makes a path) + eat well , do many dives and go to sites that are otherwise difficult to access. - Is expensive and you have to make do with the itinerary and schedule, apart to see the landscape only do diving.
Resort or stay in a fixed location + can take your computer, depending on the quality of the site have good accommodation and good diving area. - These focused on diving and practically do nothing more, depending on the site also is expensive.
On Your Own (my favorite) + the cheapest, you see other things, if you do not like something you go to another site. - Need more vacation time, it is desirable to have prior information and good to know languages \u200b\u200b(at least English)
Regarding prices, they may vary between 25 and 45 euros depending on the dive site. The courses also are cheaper but you have to assess whether it is better to have them in Spain and spend our vacation to enjoy and not to tests that may be a bit stressful.
The material is usually in very good condition and the worst place in Indonesia will always be better than any of Spain at the level of fauna and flora (coral, etc.).
Unlike Spain
normally they are responsible for moving the material from the output until you try it, do everything possible so that the customer is happy. Everywhere English is spoken at least. Depending on the area the best months for diving change, have to learn before.
As Indonesia is a huge start to discuss the different places I know from east to west:
Pulau Weh At the east end of Sumatra and only a few kilometers from the city of Banda Aceh, there is a resort (lumbar back) in a position that carries the whole thing. The area is very far from any tourist route so there specifically to go and if it is to gain for the province of Aceh.
Bintan and Batan (Islands near Singapore) easily accessible from Singapore and with good infrastructure for housing, prices somewhat higher than most places in Indonesia. The water visibility is less than elsewhere in Indonesia.
Krakatau and Ujung Kulon Located at the eastern end of the island of Java. Dives can be arranged Carita area or by liveaboard. Many types of accommodation in all price ranges. Easy to reach from Jakarta. Unpredictable sea conditions and usually strong currents.
Pulau Seribu (Islands near Jakarta) can be reached from Jakarta in less than two hours. Can a house on an island of several resorts that have (most recommended) or go directly from the capital a little tired. The visibility is very good.
Karimunjava (group of islands near the city of Semarang) is an upscale resort (kura kura) on the island of Menyawakan and another center in the capital. The archipelago is largely untapped and without tourism but is difficult to access for which you are on your own. A visit to the various islands is a plus as there are good beaches. There is a wreck to explore.
Bali Island tourist destination where you will find the best price and the largest number of accommodation options and activities that are not dives. All areas are accessible from anywhere on the island or staying at a site near them. It would be the ideal site to make some progress. The company that we hire and informed us of the sites. It is also the starting point arrival of several vessels engaged in liveaboard. Basically
find these areas:
· Menjangan, in the far east of Bali has a good resort and the area is a national park
· Tulamben, the site most visited by divers in Bali, has a wreck in very good 10 to 30 feet deep
· Amed-Cemeluk, good dive a few meters from the coast
· Candidasa
· Padang bay
· nusa Lembongan Nusa Penida and
· Sanur Nusa Dua
·, the area of \u200b\u200bthe pasty
The Gili (Three islands between Bali and Lombok) a good site also for courses and rest for their wide range of accommodation offer. Good beaches, and parties in Gili Trawangan. Easy access from Bali or Sengigi (Lombok). Possibility of strong currents. Lombok
Basically there are three sites for scuba diving: Sekotong bay, bay and Kuta Belong (not to be confused with Kuta Bali) which has widest range of infrastructure is Belong Kuta and there is a resort.
Sangalaki (In northern Kalimantan, Borneo) an exceptional area with the added bonus of being close to Sipadan one of the best parts of the world, for those who want to take the trip and kill two birds with one stone. Mantas, turtles and sharks are easy to see and jellyfish lake on the island of kakaban. Hard to get and expensive since virtually the only option is to stay in a resort on the island of Derawan. Sulawesi
we will extend a bit more in this island since it has several very interesting areas, starting from the north are:
Bunaken The best-known and more options, ultimately the beach has lost a lot of attractive but the dives are still good. Easy to reach from Manado and competitive prices. Somewhat crowded but with virtually no tourism nearby islands (Manado Tua beautiful). A good resort Siladen 5 minutes from Bunaken. Lembeh
A half hour from the airport in Manado, one can stay in Bitung or one of several resorts on the island of Lembeh. Ideal area for nudibranchs and weirdos
Bangka and Ganga A zone consists of several islands. Accommodation in various resorts in Bangka. In Ganga is one that for me is the best by far but very expensive, the other islands without regular housing. Opportunities to see a dugong in the area.
Further south in the area of \u200b\u200bGorontalo and Marisa I have heard some very interesting possibilities islacon to see larger fauna (sharks and whales) but I have no information about the resort in question.
Continuing south, we find:
Togian Islands Group of islands in the center of a large bay with a variety of accommodation options depending on the island: In Waleabahi (Wale Dive Resort) best of all with Togian difference, has a beautiful private beach, is expensive. In pulau Pangempan service have begun to dive into Fahdila Cottages. In pulau Kadidiri have two choices, Kadidiri Paradise and Black Marlin (I recommend the latter). In pulau Batudaka near the village of Bomba is a resort that offers dives. The whole area is very good but I recommend diving in pulau A A. You have to devote two days of our vacation to come and two out of the Togian.
Tanjung Karang Less than half an hour from the city of Palu find this beautiful beach where we have the opportunity to stay and dive in the vicinity at the Prince John Diving Resort or the nearby town of Donggala.
Banggai Islands face Luwuk city, there is potential for accommodation but dives can be arranged from a resort near the city of Luwuk (Maleo Cottage) or by liveaboard. News of sightings of dugongs.
Tukangbesi-Wakatobi national park is a world-class diving. Unfortunately until now was only possible to stay at Wakatobi Resort, exclusive and expensive. Be reached by charter plane from Bali. It seems to have opened a center on the island cheaper Hoga (Hoga Garden Resort) may not offer dives despite announcing it.
Taka Bone Rate Another national park located in the southern tip of Sulawesi. Easy to reach from Makasar, Ujung Pandang and accessible from Bira or from the island Selayar where it would be advisable to stay (Selayar Dive Resort) and have it as a center of dives in the area.
As you have seen a wide range of possibilities we can offer Sulawesi.
Komodo Wide area comprising several islands easily accessible from Labuhanbajo where we can also choose from several companies dedicated to diving. Good prices and very good dives. Exit is a center-arrival of many vessels engaged in liveaboard. Is usually full during the month of August so it would be useful. In addition to dive we can also see the dragons and enjoy beautiful beaches. Currents can be strong. Maumere
Area comprising the coast from the city to Wodonga and a series of islands across the bay. There are several high-end hotels on the coast road offering dives. My recommendation is to lodge and do the dives at a resort run by a mixed couple (her Western and Indonesian) called Ankermi. Adjusted prices, abundant and delicious food and great dives where sharks can be easily seen. We can also get away and see the nearby Keli Mutu.
Alor Diving impressive. Accommodation at Le Petit Kepa, a number of bungalows run by a French couple half an hour from the capital Kalabahi where there are possibilities of accommodation and dives. The best food I've enjoyed in Indonesia (the only reason worth and go) and good beach. It is a site focused on the diving very cheap prices (especially if only we stayed). Have opened a resort on the neighboring island of Pantar (Alor Divers) dives but also offers more expensive. As negative things difficult to get because we lose one day stopover in Kupang and the possibility of strong currents.
Lease Islands Group of islands in Maluku province the most important and it's easier to find accommodation and businesses Diving is Ambon. All dives in the Moluccas are impressive with excellent visibility.
Banda Islands The other group of islands where we can go diving and see quality idyllic landscapes.
Raja Ampat The last great unspoilt area of \u200b\u200bIndonesia is located in the northwest corner of the province of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) and comprise a large number of islands, many of which are uninhabited and the other with a population very small local tribes. Access is difficult and the property is reduced to a few resorts, the most luxurious of which is Misool Eco Resort. Alternatively would have economic staying at a pension in the capital and hire Waisai separately dips in the resort which is located near Waiwo. In Raja Ampat everything is expensive, however we can enjoy one of the best places for diving in the world. Even
areas and islands would be covered but these are only available to people with very strong economies and by liveaboard.
Well, I hope the guide will be useful mostly as a reference and if you raise any questions which you can not solve using the tools provided by the Internet can we ask and try to answer: Sing_ken_ken@hotmail.com
PD: Any mistake is the fault of the word processor.
