Recommendations for Indonesia in June

[Pacifico]

Hello all,

I am planning to spend 3 - 4 weeks with my girlfriend (non-diver) in June.

On top of visiting temples and volcanoes, I would like to spend 5-7 days at one location with good diving.

Although I would be interested in diving the Moluccas, I understand that meteorological conditions in June are not ideal for diving. As a result, I have been looking into Sulawesi (Bunaken/Lembeh; the Togean Islands), Kalimantan (Pulau Derawan and Sangalaki), Alor, Flores.
I would be interested in diving Komodo but I will not be able to do a liveaboard and I have heard that it is most suitable to dive Komodo from LOB. I would also consider diving Sipadan should many of you feel that it is worthwile. I tend to enjoy places that are somewhat more removed from large crowds of divers.

I want to experience the scenic beauty and diversity of Indonesian reefs and maybe get to see some blacktip reef sharks or even grey reef sharks

PS I would also consider East Timor!

José
Let me know of some really good spots that would suit my constraints. (I don't plan on going to Wakatobi)

Thank you all so much!

 

[DiveExploreIndonesia]

According to your wishes there is one really appropriate resort for you to visit: Alor Divers Eco Resort Dive Explore Indonesia | Alor Divers Eco Dive Resort
The resort is situated on a secluded part of the beach, providing privacy and offers really quality service. June is great time for diving alor. When I was there, there was a blacktip passing my way few times I heard people mention gray reef ones also, but I haven't had such luck to encounter them.
Hope this info comes handy…

 

[pughio83]

Could spend a week at lembeh and bangka, which has good diving in June. still world
Class diving, and u can go off and explore tangkoko national park, local volcanoes. Lots of endemic wildlife, and easy enough to get to manado from other Asian destinations.

 

[instructorinasia]

I would recommend a Lembeh Trip along with some time in either Bangka/Bunaken and therefore you will get to experience some different but AWESOME diving! What kind of budget are you looking at? I can then help advise on resort for you.

 

[Pacifico]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It is rather difficult to pin a budget seeing as I am planning to dive 3 or 4 locations during our stay but do 4 -5 dives at each. What would you people say about combining Maumere and Komdo national park (land based)? Perhaps add Bali to that and somewhere else in Nusa Tenggara. I had originally considered Alor but I don't know if I would want to add it on to a trip that would alreadt include Komodo and Maumere.
I would love to do Bunaken/Lembeh as well but I think my girflriend and I would rather visit Borneo or Sumatra for a week after the diving.

By the way, is there goo snorkeling opportunities in Komodo and Maumere? What about Halmhahera snorkeling? (I would have loved to have gone to the Bandas but the timing is off.

Thank you all again!

Jose

 

[gekodivebali]

All this sounds like a lot of traveling... My advice is to pick 3/4 destinations max and watch out for easy connections. 2travel website is great for checking flights!
Something like Bali-Komodo-Lembeh can make sense. Borneo may be more tricky from either. Togean is a long way away too and so is Almahera. I guess it depends how much traveling time you want to put in your traveling. I personally also like to relax in a nice place for a few days...

 

[Wingy]

I have combined Bangka, Bunaken and Lembeh with a spot of climbing a few times - not a real climb but if you do end up in N.Sulawesi check out Tangkoko national park - beautiful place to see Tarsiers and Yakis. If you are thinking of going to Sumatra on the way back fly into Padang and spend a couple of nights on Cubadak island - nice different topography for diving very sponge and soft coral rich sights and not a total budget blower. From there you could take the bus to lake Toba etc and perhaps look at diving Aceh. The short connecting flight to KL will give you the option of going to KK and exploring Borneo.

 

[Johanan]

I hope, I'm not hijacking the thread, but I plan a trip to Indonesia, too. In April I will have some free days in Medan, North Sumatra. Is there a good place for recreational diving? I'd be grateful for some advise.

Many thanks! J.

 

[Wingy]

Pulau Weh - do a google search - its reach able from Medan with a cheap flight on Lion Air etc

 

[Johanan]

Thanks, Wingy!