Need recs for schooling fish and macro dive sites in October

[Leftcoaster7]

About me: 200+ dives, PADI rescue w/ nitrox. Into UW photography, mostly macro but a bit of wide angle as well

I’m going back to Indonesia for the entire month of October this year. My basic plan is to spend a week at each diving destination which would allow me to visit four separate places.

I’ve been to Nusa Penida, Komodo, Raja Ampat, Derawan and Amed. Except for Nusa Penida, I am not looking to go back to any of these destinations on this trip. That leaves 3 destinations that I need advice on choosing.

I’m specifically looking for two types of destinations in Indonesia (1) those with schooling fish - anything from sardines on up to barracuda and sharks, and (2) world class muck and macro diving, I’m a huge fan of nudibraches so the crazier and more colorful the better.

Ideally, there’d also be fewer tourists/ inexperienced divers, very healthy reefs/ biodiversity and little trash. I have no problem in traveling far out there to more remote places.

I know that Sipadan and Wakatobi are recommended for (1), and Lembeh and Bunaken for (2). Thoughts on these places and suggestions for alternatives? I’m also considering Alor, Timor Leste and Palau, but have no idea about where to go in these regions.

 

[Cali_diver]

I think 10-15 days will be a great start. Do know that currents in Alor can be very tricky... that being said, if you are using a reputable local dive op/liveaboard you shouldn't have to worry.

 

[Luko]

Im thinking Nusa Penida, Permuteran and Alor as that would reduce my travel time.

As much as I understand why you would dive Alor (May is a better season for nudis in Alor though) and Nusa Penida from your description, what do you expect from Pemuteran? This is pretty mediocre in terms of fish school and you might find the macro quite disappointing (Secret bay is not the place it used to be 15 years ago).
Providing you already dived Tulamben and don't want to give it another chance (although it's hands down the BEST area for macro esp.nudibranchs in Bali -much better than Amed-, I would also state one of the best in Indonesia) you should take a look at Padang Bai, there are some very good macro dives around.

Just for your thoughts, I found Sangeang and East Sumbawa really good for nudibranchs, West Komodo area was good for fish too. You can dive these place from Kalimaya resort (1hr flight to Bima from Bali+2hrs drive).

 

[outofofficebrb]

@Leftcoaster7 my first trip to Alor, I did 8 or 9 and I felt it wasn’t enough so I went back for 15-16 the second time. I’m a big wide angle and muck diver and never get tired of diving 4 dives a day for a month or more so YMMV.

I recently did sipadan and Mabul and was a little underwhelmed with sipadan given the costs of just the permits then cost of going. You’re limited to 2 dives per permit. I had 3 permits. The schooling bumpheads, jackfish, barracudas were cool but not unique to sipadan though maybe more reliably seen. The coral there is duplicated elsewhere that’s cheaper, and better, IMO…. So YMMV. But I am a very veteran and serial repeat diver of my favorite places in Indonesia. Sipadan and Mabul attracts a lot of newer and casual divers. Lots of Tour de France diving and guides holding divers by tank valves if you end up on a site with another op so just be aware.

Pass on Bunaken. Repetitive and lackluster compared to nearby Bangka.

For macro, Tulamben is amazing for nudis and incredible value and variety. Ambon is also great for macro. Hot take, but after being to Lembeh 2 times, Ambon 2 times, and Tulamben too many times that I can count, I have decided I like Lembeh the least, especially given the cost.

Fewer tourists automatically eliminates high profile areas like Komodo and Raja Ampat. It’s too early for Triton Bay. Halmahera is amazing and there’s no one there but pick an op that knows the sites extremely well. No blended itineraries on a liveaboard. Ternate round trip. It’s amazing and some of my favorite diving I’ve ever done in Indonesia.