Late December Diving in Indonesia: anywhere on par with Raja Ampat?

[DivingChipmunk]

Just got back from RA/Komodo so we're looking for something else (second year in a row to dive in RA). I think Palau is a lot of travel from Denpasar so that doesn't work to add on to a Wakatobi trip.

Like the OP, we were starting to plan a trip for Christmas, so late December/ early January 2025. We were just in RA/ Komodo for 3 weeks this last December 2024 and in RA the December before that 2023. So I'm looking at other places besides RA/ Komodo since we've done that two years in a row. I was keen on going to Wakatobi for 10 days and then add another week diving some place else that wasn't a major pain (or expense) to get to from Denpasar (where you pick up the private plane to Wakatobi). At first, I was looking at Sulawesi, but upon further research became aware that it wasn't the best weather/visibility-wise. So I'm just trying to figure out the best 2 locations for diving for a 3+ week trip. Say Wakatobi + ?? OR someplace else like Palau + Philippines? December is not the time for diving in many locations We prefer land based rather than LOB.

We are also planning for Christmas/New Year 2025. Just discovered a LOB (and we prefer LOB) for Triton Bay- Misool in our preferred traval window, but it is a boat I can;t find review on. I started another thread on that.
Triton Bay does not seem to be easy to travel to from Bali though.

Happy Planning!

 

[hiker11]

So Wakatobi is mostly reef diving so are you looking for something different or more of the same? January is the wet season just about everywhere in Indonesia so you always risk rain and swells. I have been to Lembeh(mostly critter diving) in January and have had amazing weather. Anilao in the Philippines has amazing macro/critter diving and doesn't require another domestic flight after the non stop DPS - Manila. Dumaguete/Dauin area requires another domestic flight and gives you a bit of everything including Apo islands. I personally would take everything above over Palau but I have had a couple bad trips there so I am not a fan.

Thanks for the specific suggestions (Anilao & Dumaguete/Dauin). I'll research those. I've heard a mix about Palau. How were your trips there bad? That time of year (Late Dec/ early January) in Indonesia seems to be tricky, weather-wise. Raja Ampat/ Komodo are good then-- but since we've there recently, we're trying to go someplace new..... Maybe we need to scrap Indonesia next Christmas and just go to the Maldives! Then go to Wakatobi, Philippines and Sulawesi another time.

 

[jeremyl]

I enjoyed Dauin - I went June 2023. Easy diving, town is nice - walk to a few restaurants that have good variety, good food, good prices. I am in RA now for 2wks via homestays and I will probably leave after those 2wks to dive somewhere else. I need to check Dauin since I think it is the rainy season there. Also considering Tulumben since it's easiest and its been >10yrs for me. Not sure where else I would consider. I went to Darwin Isands last trip so not there for me. If Analo/PG is right weather-wise that would be a top choice for me too... also been a long time since I went there. I would go to Alor but its rainy season. Nautika has closed until end March. They say its a pretty bad wet season. I might consider Lembeh too, but it has become expensive and I would like to keep my budget in check. <$100/nt + diving.

 

[Centrals]

I enjoyed Dauin - I went June 2023. Easy diving, town is nice - walk to a few restaurants that have good variety, good food, good prices. I am in RA now for 2wks via homestays and I will probably leave after those 2wks to dive somewhere else. I need to check Dauin since I think it is the rainy season there. Also considering Tulumben since it's easiest and its been >10yrs for me. Not sure where else I would consider. I went to Darwin Isands last trip so not there for me. If Analo/PG is right weather-wise that would be a top choice for me too... also been a long time since I went there. I would go to Alor but its rainy season. Nautika has closed until end March. They say its a pretty bad wet season. I might consider Lembeh too, but it has become expensive and I would like to keep my budget in check. <$100/nt + diving.

It is the dry season in Philippines now.
Anilao + PG.
Water will be relatively cold.
Need to check with the resort in Anilao for accessibility to people with restricted mobility(just read your other post), unless you are travelling alone.

 

[Min Lu]

I will go to Tompotika dive lodge in Sulawesi ( Tompotika ) in two weeks .
I never been there but I heard very good things about that place and I have seen very nice underwater pictures .
I have already been in December in Raja Ampat ( x 2 ) and Triton Bay ( x 2 ) so when I came back I can give you a comparative feedback and tell you , hopefully , good things .

Hi, wondered how your Sulawesi trip went? Would you recommend the resort and dive there in December?