With its 17,000 islands bordered by paradisiacal beaches and crystalline waters, Indonesia is one of the most suitable destinations for a diving trip. In its clear and turquoise seas, discover unique and vibrant fauna and flora found nowhere else on Earth. Across the archipelago, diving sites abound, from Bali to Sumatra, from Sulawesi to Raja Ampat passing through Komodo Island—a kaleidoscope of colors and life awaits you.

Whether certified divers or beginners, Indonesia, the ultimate diving destination, will offer you unique underwater experiences. To guide you through the many diving sites scattered across the archipelago, here is a focused overview of the best islands where diving will truly astound you!

Diving in Lombok and the Gili Islands

Facing the eastern coast of Bali, the small island of Lombok is a perfect exploration ground for divers. Still relatively unexploited, its seabeds remain in pristine health and have not yet suffered the damage caused by fishing and massive tourism.

With its clear and transparent waters, it is very easy to encounter its marine fauna, which is both surprising and remarkably diverse. Sea turtles are the main attractions on each of its three islands: Meno, Air, and Trawangan. Depending on the season, you may also spot reef sharks, the gigantic Mola Mola, and Manta rays.

Aquatic flora is equally impressive, as a spectacular array of colorful corals reveals itself beneath your mask. A truly aquatic paradise to explore!

Diving in Bali

Whenever diving and snorkeling in Indonesia are mentioned, Bali immediately comes to mind. Indeed, the Island of the Gods offers a wide range of sites concealing treasures in their seabeds. Among the most famous are Secret Bay, Crystal Bay, and Manta Point. At these two latter sites, you'll have the opportunity to encounter sunfish as well as Manta rays.

Venturing to the northeast coast of Bali, you'll be amazed by the seabed of Tulamben Bay, a fishing village. Its incredible ecosystem is particularly enriched by the presence of the Coral Garden, the Wall, and the Boulder. But Tulamben's main attraction is undoubtedly the Liberty Wreck. This American military cargo ship was torpedoed in 1942 and offers a fabulous backdrop to admire during a dive in the region.

Diving in Komodo National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Komodo National Park is located in the Sunda Islands archipelago. It encompasses the islands of Rinca, Pantar, and Komodo. The latter ranks among Indonesia's best diving spots both for its beauty and its richness in terms of marine life and vividly colored corals.

Generally, to dive in Komodo, you must take a boat departing from Labuan Bajo. Once it stops, you can immediately dive in. With the island's extremely clear seabeds, you'll have the opportunity to observe the region's gigantic underwater biodiversity with ease, even diving down to 30 meters depth.

As with most Indonesia's diving sites, you'll discover Manta rays in great abundance. You'll also find a wide variety of sharks including whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and gray reef sharks. Jacks, tuna, and pygmy seahorses will also be present.

Diving in Raja Ampat

Divers and photographers from all over the world revere this paradisiacal diving spot. This cluster of islands harbors over 1,000 fish species, 700 mollusk species, and no fewer than 500 coral species. Enough to delight snorkeling enthusiasts.

Beyond jacks and pygmy seahorses, you'll encounter a multitude of marine animals rarely seen elsewhere. Among these, note particularly walking sharks and wobbegongs, Napoleons, and barracudas.

Like its neighbors, the Raja Ampat archipelago is equally populated by sea turtles and oceanic Manta rays. Needless to say, you'll be thoroughly satisfied in every respect by visiting.

Diving in Bangka

A small island off the coast of Sulawesi, Bangka remains relatively unknown to divers, yet! Here, life thrives everywhere on the reef. Hundreds of schools of fish embellish underwater journeys for divers' greatest pleasure. The seabeds remain in perfect health, promising beautiful colors.