Indo in January - Looks like tough choices?

[NickC83]

Hey Guys,

Been lurking the Indo thread for years, planned countless dive trips from advice here but absolutely stumped by a January trip. I can only get late Dec - late Jan off for a decent getaway. Does anyone have an opinion on a good, affordable, 3-4 week trip during this period? I'm coming from Australia and my mate from the UK.
So far I've narrowed down to 2 very weather dependent plans:

Bali/Komodo: Both very suspect weather at this time of year. Happy to deal with Bali being so-so and hope that Padangbai & Lembongan are functional. Komodo the same; potential for getting down south from Scuba Junkies but could also be a wash out.

Tompotika/Togeans/Raja 4: Thanks @Luko for bringing this up recently, place looks awesome. I worked on Bangka for a season and am wary of the prevailing winds spoiling everything down here? Togeans, I'm aware, are not world class for diving but Manado - Luwuk (Tompotika) - Ampana - Gorontalo - Manado looks like a great little adventure with some good diving thrown in - not to mention the flights are dirt cheap. Thoughts on Jan weather here?
Fairly sure Raja4 is pumping in January to make up for any earlier disappointment, too?

Thanks for all the help. I've been to nearly all the big guns in Indo so well up for a bit of a trek if it's affordable and interesting with some good diving. Anything you can add, @Wisnu, @Mike Veitch ?

 

[xmass-Eve]

It's rainy season everywhere in January but all places are functional. Raja just has more divers because it's high season over there. Komodo, Bali, Lembongan... will be much calmer. For sure Lembongan! It's looks plain dead sometimes in winter

 

[Luko]

How about adding in central Maluku : Ambon + Lease islands, for something off the trails. There's a a dive center northeast of Saparua (Mahu lodge) that can provide cheap dives, plus the sandy islands are beautiful (Molana is hard to beat), then you could also do the crossing to Banda.
The bonus is that Ambon is easy to get to/from Sorong (Raja Ampat).

 

[Mike Veitch]

Raja definitely the best at that time. And as Xmas Eve mentions, everywhere is diveable but there just might be some rain. I would suggest a good combo as Raja and as Luko mentions Ambon. Although it tends to be a bit more rainy in Ambon than Raja. Can also try Halmahera at that time. Could fly Sorong - Ambon direct and Ambon to Ternate direct no problem.

 

[Tippytoes12]

I have been in Indonesia on several Februarys now , and have only every had a few hours of daytime rain in total. This had zero adverse effect on diving , in fact there were very few divers. People in Indonesia say that the seasons are now not nearly as distinct as they used to be. We had lots of rain one end of December in Lembongan , but a friend who arrived two days later reported great weather. I would personally go for it.

 

[NickC83]

Thanks so much everyone! Really appreciate it. Will definitely come back after Jan and knock together a review.

@Mike Veitch - Just listened to your podcast with Serge, at work. Great effort. How'd you get him to stop being sarcastic for so long?

 

[Indah]

The last 16 years Dec. January was fine for diving Lembeh Strait and for the East coast of Central Halmahera it is an excellent time of year.
Best regards,
Rob

 

[Mike Veitch]

Thanks so much everyone! Really appreciate it. Will definitely come back after Jan and knock together a review.

@Mike Veitch - Just listened to your podcast with Serge, at work. Great effort. How'd you get him to stop being sarcastic for so long?

He knows I am better at being sarcastic than he is Thanks for watching, glad you liked it!

 

[Dan]

Easy choice: Raja Ampat

 

[chillyinCanada]

@NickC83, where did you and your buddy end up going and how was it?

I'm in Singapore for a bit in between dive trips. Recently returned from LOB in Raja followed by 13 days on Bali, mostly out of Padang Bai. There are some decent deals on a couple if Raja lob's right now, particularly my new favorite MSY Seahorse! However, I'm not keen to return so soon right now.

Normally at this time, I'd be going to Bangka but am thinking it's time to branch out a bit more.

Where did you end up in January please?