Diving
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The Top Dive Sites in Indonesia
There are literally thousands of fantastic dive sites available for divers of every level. This is all due to the fact that Indonesia is in the right geographical place with the perfect number of islands, nestled between the Pacific and Indian oceans with over 80.000 miles of coastline. Yet a list has to be drawn of the best of the best. Here it is, the most amazing, diverse and exciting dive sites in Indonesia.
Diversity at its best, Raja Ampat is arguably the best dive site in the world. This dive site in the eastern most part of Indonesia is secluded and hard to get to but as you will see it is worth it.
You will see things there that scientists are still trying to put names to. Only recently discovered by accident you have entered the Kingdom of the Pigmy Seahorse. These Seahorses start from around 7mm in total length and are a wide variety of colours that will leave you in wonder.
This only exists in Australia and Indonesia and is very different from its relatives in that it does not use power and force as its primary weapon but actually stealth in that it is a camouflaged hunter blending in with sea bed and pouncing on its unsuspecting prey. Plus you will also meet the rather curious Walking shark that is around 1 meter long and actually really does walk along the bottom of the sea bed on its fins.
To be honest there are too many possible diving spots in Raja Ampat to be listed and to go beyond that all the best spots are still not fully known to the outside world. Talk to the locals, tell them what you are looking to see and you will be pointed in the right direction. With all the bays and lagoons there are some real treasures to be found. For example there is one secret lagoon that contains thousands of Jellyfish. For most people that sounds more like a punishment rather than a delight but when you find out that they are harmless and do not sting you find yourself swimming in the middle of a dream world. This dense concentration of jellyfish is extremely rare and well worth investigating.
One more spirit of the deep has to be mentioned, the Black Manta Ray. When you fish sight it you are overcome by its breathtaking majesty as it glides through the water with a shroud of ghostly mystery.
The sea of Flores meets the Indian Ocean, which means that from 2,000 meters deep the sea bed rises to approximately 100 meters. This provides shelter and security for the oceans smaller members of the food chain and at the same time presents an open advertisement for hungry higher members of the food chain to come visit.
What can you expect to see:
Manta rays that are up to a ton in weight jet past like with such serenity that to view this truly does leave you breathless. A great favorite. They have extremely large brains but there heads are included within their bodies allowing for an aerodynamic design which exudes perfection. If you see one , don’t be scared as they are only interested in plankton.
Jack Fish, If you see one then there are more to follow. They are not the most dramatic of marine life as an individual, it is when they form schools of 100s that they become magical. A wall of fish that move to every finch of your body, encircling you and in one second disappearing into the distance. Amazing.
Sweetlips are very distinctive and can be readily seen and identified by their strips and dots. You can find they near the coral walls looking for a quick bit to eat. Their colors shapes make for great pictures but you will need to be quick as they can be very fast when they want to be.
It is argued that there are 7 main types of turtle in the world. In this national park you will find 6 of these types. To be honest this writer is lost for words to describe what it is like to share that moment when you swim along side a beautiful turtle. It is an experience and feeling that most be lived.
Legend has it that this area is the birthplace of Turtles, now how true this is very small but it is the breeding ground and safe haven for Turtles as they journey into the oceans on either side. You are able to see then clumsily make their way along the beaches and then gracefully maneuver themselves through the water.
One type of dive I have to mention which is becoming more and more popular in Manado is the Night Dive. Not recommended to complete beginners but if you have the skills and confidence you will be introduced to a whole new world.
One little unique and fantastic creature of the deep that you will probably meet in this area is the Wonderpus. Yes, it is wonderful and a type of octopus. What makes this animal amazing is its ability to change colour and shape as it wishes. It is truly hypnotic. Ask your guide to point it out, it is well worth the search.
The home of Muck Diving. It doesn’t sound enticing but this is where you will find some of natures most unusual products. What produces these amazing evolution of nature, well, one part Active volcanoes and one part nutrient rich water and you get black sand that is teeming with life. Don’t expect coral with beautiful colours, expect Black….. Muck. Now do not judge
Lembeh too quickly, let me explain more.
Lembeh is the best in the world for Macro Marine Life. At a glance you will think what am I doing here but when you look more closely you will discover a fascinating macro world that you will delight in.
Nudibranch and Flatworms, make their way along the sea bed minding their own business in every colour and shape you can imagine. Their strong colors are to warn other fish of their poisonous protection system.
Scuttle fish use their skin pigmentation to mirror the surroundings and blend in. Watching them transform is beyond anything that Hollywood has produced.
Flamboyant Cuttlefish at first look seem to be completely wrongly named. In fact the name Boring Slow Brown fish seems a more fitting description as they trod along the sea bed in matching colors. Yet when this soon to be flamboyant fish senses your approach he or she changes dramatically into a wide range of the most brilliant colours. This again acts as a self defense system which can be seen so much in this environment where colour truly stands out.
Mauritis Shrimp are the iconic symbol of nature’s evolution at its best. This writer is and will always be, amazed by this fantastic little miracle. It has super sensitive eyes which allow it to react quickly to threats and protect itself. The only drawback is that they are had to find as they spend a large portion of their time digging their tunnels.
Frog fish, the ambush experts of the fish world. But don’t be alarmed as they are targeting much smaller prey than the average diver, in fact a lot smaller. They sit motionless for hours on end dangling a little proverbial carrot in front of then to attract small
fish looking for a bit and when they are in range the frog fish leaps into action. See if you can see them, because they are certainly watching you.
Diving in Indonesia is the best diving you will find in the world. From the variety of locations to the variety of sea life. See you down there.
Where to Dive? Here are some more ideas, find the best dive sites close to you.
Weh Island
Bintan Island
Natuna & Lingga Islands
Padang Coast & Mentawai Islands
Krakatau Island
Ujung Kulon
Thousand Islands
Karimun Jawa
Menjangan Island
Pemuteran
Nusa Penida
Nusa Lembongan
Padang Bay
Candi Dasa
Cemeluk
Tulamben
Gili Islands
Komodo National Park
Maumere Bay
Alor
Raja Ampat
Manokwari Bay
Banggai Island
Halmahera Island
Banda Islands
Bunaken Island
Sangihe Talaud Island
Bangka Island
Lembeh Straits
SelayarTakabonerate
Togean Island
Wakatobi Island
Derawan Island
Please find below some comments from the Diving Community:
Indonesia, the finest dive resorts available. Submerged, immaculate marine coliseums await the diver, the myriad fish and invertebrates that shelters among and encrust the rugged surface provided by the clumps, shelves and branches of coral are overwhelming in their numbers, shapes and colors, all are reminder of a time when all the life on earth existed in shallow, tropical seas will make you feel stepping into time machine.
About 4000 different species are found in the Indonesian waters (over 25% of the planet's fish species), in comparison to the 1000 found in the Red or the 400 from the Caribbean.
The Bird’s Head Peninsula of Western Papua (the sticky out bit in which Sorong is located) has been scientifically assessed to have the greatest marine biodiversity in the world. For divers, this means it’s an unparalleled experience in terms of the sheer overwhelming number of marine species you can spot whilst diving.
So many places for diving in Indonesia. The popular dive sites are Bali (Tulamben, Sanur, Menjangan Island, Nusa Penida island and Nusa Lembongan Island). Other islands with good underwater scenes are Raja Ampat, Derawan Sangalaki, Komodo "Dragon" Island, Alor, Ambon, Maratua, and all of Island around Papua and Kalimantan (Borneo). Nusa Tenggara is one of best dive sites. Moyo island is my most favourite dive site.
