Red Sea or Indonesia

[Desiree Hudson]

My husband and I are trying to decide between Red Sea or Indonesia. Probably won’t do Raja Ampat but looking for maybe a cheaper Indonesia destination. For those that may been both places which was your favorite and why? If Indonesia, where in Indonesia did you go?

 

[Lorenzoid]

Is Indonesia open to travelers now? I haven't been following. There is no comparison between Red Sea and Indonesia. Indonesia is the so-called Coral Triangle--just spectacular. The Red Sea is nice, and if I lived in Europe I'd go every year, but the biodiversity doesn't compare. Since for North Americans the trip is similarly arduous, I'd choose Indonesia over Red Sea every time.

 

[Darnold9999]

+1 Just got back from the Red Sea. If Indonesia was open would have been there instead. Red Sea is good, Indonesia is spectacular. There is almost nothing in the Red Sea that you cannot also see in Indonesia. The reverse is not the case.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I'm going to weigh in and say ^^^ same

 

[admikar]

+1 Just got back from the Red Sea. If Indonesia was open would have been there instead. Red Sea is good, Indonesia is spectacular. There is almost nothing in the Red Sea that you cannot also see in Indonesia. The reverse is not the case.

Overweight, sunburnt to almost crisp, German tourist in Speedos?

 

[Centrals]

What are Indonesia's Latest Guidelines on International Travel?

Indonesia has now allowed vaccinated travelers to enter the country. Quarantine is no longer required for those who are fully vaccinated.

www.aseanbriefing.com

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No quarantine is required in Egypt but 10 days in Indonesia.

 

[BoltSnap]

but 10 days in Indonesia

As in stay in your cabin and not go diving?

 

[drrich2]

I haven't been, so my contribution is to add questions. You have an interest in a cheaper Indonesian option (than Raja Ampat?). From what I've read, following this over time, a couple of possibilities come to mind.

1.) Land-based 'home stay' options, if you're not high maintenance. I haven't done this and wouldn't, but I hear of it from time to time. Might be worth asking about.

2.) The Philippines. This seems by reputation to be the budget alternative for Indonesia-like diving. Puerto Galera seems to be the mainstream 'go to' I read of the most, and while the Atlantis resort has a rep. for being pricy, you have options. I'd start researching with Trailboss123's trip report:

Trip Report-Philippines-Puerto Galera-El Galleon/Asia Divers-April 1-14, 2019​

Next I'd skim over the ScubaBoard 2016 section on their Invasion trip to the Philippines. Threads like the packing, travel and diving tips one.

 

[Scared Silly]

I have dove both. IMHO, the Red Sea diving is good but of the three weeks I spent in Eygpt only 15% of that time was spent diving. Of thee weeks I spent in Indonesia over 50% of that time was spent in the water. That said I would go back and do both again.

 

[Centrals]

As in stay in your cabin and not go diving?

Why not?
But you will be staying in a room in a dedicated quarantine hotel. The list is available.