best budget diving in 10 days? which islands and live aboard or no?

[february4th]

My friend and I will have 10 days left in Indo after a week on Java (any suggestions for land adventures here?) this December.

We are looking for the "best bang for our buck" diving! We are both young and love a good atmosphere and fun time but we are also serious about our diving (not interested in Bali . After diving Sipidan, Similan, Galapagos, Caribbean, etc.. I am excited to be impressed by Indonesia!

Bunaken came highly recommended as some of the best diving, but the resorts on land don't seem to be up our alley and not sure if a liveaboard is worth it here.

Raja Ampat also sounds amazing and seems like we could cover a lot by liveaboard, but are there any affordable options?

I hadn't been thinking of Komodo as it seemed fairly touristy but there are budget live aboard options and maybe more chance of finding a younger crowd but is the diving out of this world?

Any suggestions and specific operators we should contact?

Thanks

 

[dirtfarmer]

Komodo diving is fantastic. Great mix of Pelagics and Macro. As you say there are budget liveaboards which will have a younger crowd.There is also day trips from Labuan Bajo but
as the seas have turned it might limit your access...also the day boats from LBJ generally do no go to the deep south. There is a new resort Scuba Junkies, they say that they do
dive the South and the resort is more centrally located in the park. I've done liveaboards twice, but this Jan I'm going to try SJ resort out.

I liked Bunaken, healthy walls and reefs, i liked it, but many here don't praise it's virtues. It can be combined with Lembeh quite easily so 3 days in Bunaken and 7 in Lembeh ( I Love's me some Lembeh) could be an option. I am not aware of any liveaboards diving the Bunaken area. Two Fish is always a good budget option for both Bunaken/Lembeh.

Raja Ampat they say is fantastic, in a few weeks after I've been:banana::banana: I could give you my opinion. As they say affordable is relative, you might find a boat for $300 night. I'm going the budget route and the boat I'm on is $330 night.

 

[LembehR&Critters]

Diving in Bangka is an option too with combine with Bunaken or Lembeh. Bangka has offer spectacular coral diving and huge variety of fish. There are some options for budget accommodation in Bangka Island.