Indonesia, with its over 17,000 islands, can boast of having the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet. The archipelago has over 20% of the world’s coral reefs, over 2,000 species of fish, 6 of the 7 species of sea turtles, dugongs, mola molas, hammerhead sharks, mantas, and all kinds of reef sharks, which has earned it the nickname of the “Amazon of the seas.”
The best time to dive in Indonesia
Surely you have already got goosebumps after reading everything that you are going to find under the sea to go diving in Indonesia, but when is the best time to go? Although it is possible to dive in Indonesia throughout the year, we must consider it that besides having a tropical climate, it is an exceptionally large country. We can say it that the dry season and the best for diving in Indonesia go from April to October. In November, the monsoon rains usually begin and last until March.
You also must qualify according to the area you are going to visit. For example, in the Moluccas, the seasons are totally opposite. The dry season is usually from November to March. In Bali, the Gili Islands, or the Nusas the visibility is good throughout the year. Also, in Komodo, although visibility is not the best in the rainy season, it is a blanket season which is wonderful! August to October is the Mola mola (or sunfish) sighting season in Nusa Penida.
Diving conditions in Indonesia
Indonesia is an amazingly comfortable place to dive. The temperature of the water usually oscillates between 26ºC and 30ºC in most of the country. Of course, in some areas, such as the Lembeh Strait, it can drop considerably and stand at around 16ºC.
The visibility is good and is in a range between 10 and 60 meters, depending on location and season.
As for the currents, it depends a lot on the location and the tides. In Komodo and Pulau Weh there are dive sites with moderate to strong currents, only recommended for those divers used to them.
Get the diving license in Indonesia? How much does it cost?
If you have never dived and want to dive in Indonesia, you have two options: do a baptism dive or get a license called Open Water Diver (OWD).
A baptism will only allow you to make a dive up to 12 meters deep, accompanied by your instructor. However, with the title of Open Water Diver, you can dive anywhere in the world and for a lifetime.
In Indonesia, you will find thousands of diving schools to get your certification from one of the two great diving agencies in the world: PADI or SSI. The course usually lasts 3 or 4 days and costs about 6 million rupees, or about €350.
TOP 5 dive spots in Indonesia
Diving in Indonesia is a must for lovers of the underwater world. More about the TOP 5 dive spots in Indonesia find here.