Best relatively unknown diving in Indonesia?

[LisaDiveNRide]

Honestly, if you want places that are not dived by hordes of other divers in Indonesia, you need to be liveaboard-based. I've been diving in Indonesia since 1998, and I now charter my own boats and go where I want to go. That is the only way to see the diving as it used to be.

 

[GDMP]

Honestly, if you want places that are not dived by hordes of other divers in Indonesia, you need to be liveaboard-based. I've been diving in Indonesia since 1998, and I now charter my own boats and go where I want to go. That is the only way to see the diving as it used to be.

Thanks @LisaDiveNRide, I understand that. I have to keep one eye on my bank balance though! Out of interest, are there some sites you've been to that almost nobody goes to that you've been blown away by?

The sites I've heard people say that about are just out from the dive sites the dive shops in Alor goes to. I've also heard Abah in Penida is a great dive site, but apparently tourists can't go there and it can be very dangerous because of currents.

 

[cetacean]

Interesting about Halmahera — again, I'd only spoken with a couple of people about it, and they didn't have the best trip. I've only ever used a reef hook in Alor at Munaseli — also 0 hammers after 5 dives there, but also love it, and I'm not fussed about the hammers as have seen lots this year in Revillagigedo and at Darwin and Wolf. Am returning to Mikomoto next month too, which should be great!

Yeah, saw Gorontalo has whale sharks that are consistently around. Topography and corals look very cool too, plus a big mix of sites (caverns, walls, wrecks, etc).

Thanks! I've been messaging Tompotika Dive Lodge to get more info so now have a clearer sense of everything. I read a trip report from an experienced diver saying the person found it the fishiest place he's been and that they had strong currents at the time. Sounds fun!

Thanks for your thoughts on land-based diving in Raja. I'd been looking at two shops— one in Waisai, one on Kri, so that's helpful. Completely agree about dives — my first trip to Raja I had a local guide, the second time I had a European, and he just didn't know the sites very well. What are your favourite dive sites in the Kri / Waisai area, by the way? I can remember many I've been too (Kri, Melissa's Garden, Arborek, Four Kings, Chicken, Sardine, Blue Magic, etc), but there are some I'm not sure I've been to but might have visited the first time (don't know where old log book is)...

Thanks @LisaDiveNRide, I understand that. I have to keep one eye on my bank balance though! Out of interest, are there some sites you've been to that almost nobody goes to that you've been blown away by?

The sites I've heard people say that about are just out from the dive sites the dive shops in Alor goes to. I've also heard Abah in Penida is a great dive site, but apparently tourists can't go there and it can be very dangerous because of currents.

Batu Abah is mostly untouched - only diveable on a research permit or surveying by the local administration. However, researchers often take commercial dive trips to this site, which means anyone on the boat gets to dive the site. I know several divers in Bali that have had the opportunity to dive Batu Abah this way (multiple times)...

BTW - one of the reasons the site is protected is to keep the molas from being harrassed by divers. The reality though is they are just as visible at Malibu, just up the reef from Batu Abah. Currents can be very strong, but it's manageable.

Neither of these sites would be in my top 15 or so in Indonesia - the molas make it special, but they can be seen elsewhere at Nusa Penida.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I've chatted with some folks who have been to some of my Indo faves that have also been to Wakatobi and they say it is not worth it. I think the service and resort stands out, and the context I have been provided is that it is very expensive for the quality of diving, and most that are blown away by it are not seasoned Indo or coral triangle divers so I think this is a YMMV based on the reviewer. As a result, I haven't gone.

"I've chatted with some folks..." (re: Wakatobi) - okay, sure... let's start with it's likely the best run dive resort in Indonesia. Then add in the coral coverage (and reef health) is beyond almost anything you can find elsewhere in Indonesia.

This is going to come across a little defensive in part because I'be been there 5x times (including when you used to have to take the ferry overnight to get there),I know the management team somewhat well, and the local guides are some of the best you can find anywhere in the coral triangle.

Is it expensive? Compared to other places who didn't build their own airstrip, charter their own regular flights (no overweight baggage fees, ever), sponsor electricity for the local viilage (shared infrastructure), sponsoring the waste management for several surrounding villages (for reef health), sponsoring reef education for all 17 of the local schools in the region, sponsoring the micro-credit scheme locally to support the creation of small businesses, sponsoring the local fishing patrols, etc., yes - it's more expensive... that's because they saw these efforts as long term investment plays to keep the surrounding reefs healthy, and the resort viable.

If you can't afford it, or it doesn't seem worthwhile that's one thing, however, the "most that are blown away are not seasoned indo or coral triangle divers" is just completely bogus.

Between RA (multiple times), Halmahera (multiple times), Komodo (multiple times), Lembeh (multiple times), along with Sangalaki, Banda, Alor, Ambon, Maumere (when it was good), Bali, etc. Wakatobi is very good diving (for coral coverage and fish diversity - not pelagics).

The best comparison for quality of operation is Misool. I would rank Misool higher for the diving (definitely more remote - less impacted by humans), However, for food, travel (what it takes to get there), and overall quality Wakatobi is probably a very close comparison.

Wakatobi is not my favorite dive destination in Indonesia, but it's consistently very, very good. Some may not be able to afford it (or may not want to pay that much for diving in Indonesia. that's a personal choice.

Like I said, these are not my own opinions and experiences but those of others and that’s what they have shared with me. It’s not definitive, hence my disclaimer of YMMV based on the reviewer and even the people I spoke to, especially because what one person really likes, another may not like nearly as much or at all.

You’re obviously very passionate about the diving in Wakatobi and I respect that. I’m sure the OP finds your experience and thoughts helpful.

 

[cetacean]

Like I said, these are not my own opinions and experiences but those of others and that’s what they have shared with me. It’s not definitive, hence my disclaimer of YMMV based on the reviewer and even the people I spoke to, especially because what one person really likes, another may not like nearly as much or at all.

You’re obviously very passionate about the diving in Wakatobi and I respect that. I’m sure the OP finds your experience and thoughts helpful.

Sure... except those that have been diving in Indonesia extensively will often say the health of the reefs in Wakatobi region are unmatched relative to much of the larger region. Again, Misool is better - but not much else is...

It's not about passion for a location - it's about having a perspective both learned and useful for other divers.

 

[GDMP]

Batu Abah is mostly untouched - only diveable on a research permit or surveying by the local administration. However, researchers often take commercial dive trips to this site, which means anyone on the boat gets to dive the site. I know several divers in Bali that have had the opportunity to dive Batu Abah this way (multiple times)...

BTW - one of the reasons the site is protected is to keep the molas from being harrassed by divers. The reality though is they are just as visible at Malibu, just up the reef from Batu Abah. Currents can be very strong, but it's manageable.

Neither of these sites would be in my top 15 or so in Indonesia - the molas make it special, but they can be seen elsewhere at Nusa Penida.

Yeah, and I know people who have dived there without permits or anything. I wouldn’t expect it to be one of Indonesia’s best, but does sound cool. I’ll be diving Malibu and Blue Corner next month, which I’m excited about.

Any favourite, remote spots?