Indonesia

If there was one word that could describe Indonesia it would be diversity. A country that is the meeting place of 2 continents, Australia and Asia, and of 2 oceans, the Pacific and Indian, Indonesia is unparalleled in diversity both of the terrestrial and marine eco-systems which one can find here. Indonesia boasts the highest marine biodiversity in the world. There are more different species of corals and fish living in Indonesian waters than anywhere else on earth. In a single dive one may encounter more species of animals than exists in the same area of rainforest, or any other coral reef in the world. This amazing diversity is due to the meeting and exchange of waters between the Pacific and Indian Oceans within Indonesia, allowing species from both of the world’s most productive tropical oceans to be found co-existing here together.

In terms of diving, the country can be described in 4 parts. In the south, you have an archipelago chain running from Bali to Alor, including Komodo, Flores, and Sumbawa islands. In the north there is Sulawesi Island, with Wakatobi lying on the southern edge, and Bunaken National Marine Park and the Lembeh Straits located on the northern side. In the farthest eastern part of Indonesia there is Papua (also known as Irian Jaya), where the fabled paradise islands of Raja Ampat, and the newly explored Triton and Cenderawasih Bays exist. And between all of these are the forgotten islands of the greater Banda Sea, better known as the Spice Islands. In the south (Bali, Komodo, Alor), the dry season is usually from May to October, and the wet season from January to April. While in the North and East of the country the dry season tends to be the opposite, and the wet season runs from June to September. Most liveaboard operators move between the destinations of Raja Ampat and Bali/Komodo throughout the year to take advantage of the dry season conditions in any one part of the country. This means that there is world class diving to be had together with sunshine somewhere in Indonesia at anytime of the year.