Destination Overview
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, stretching 3,200 miles from east to west. It is located in Southeast Asia, neighboring the countries of Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The country is divided into 4 groups: The Greater Sundas composed of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, The Lesser Sundas consisting of the smaller islands from Bali eastward to Timor, Maluku composed of all the islands between Irian Jaya and Sulawesi, and Irian Jaya in the extreme eastern part of the country.

Air transport from the US to Indonesia is very accessible. The three main gateways are Soekkarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Polonia Airport in Medan, and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. Several airlines service these airports. There are also privately owned airlines which offer chartered flights. The flight from Los Angeles to Denpasar (Bali) is approximately 22 hours, and from New York it is 27 hours. Depending on where your final destination in Indonesia is, the flight can be longer.

Indonesia is divided into three time zones: Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, west and central Kalimantan) is seven hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard time. Central Indonesia Time (Bali, south and east Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara) is eight hours ahead of GMT. East Indonesia time (Maluki, Irian Jaya) is nine hours ahead of GMT.

Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. English is widely spoken for business and travel. In the bigger cities, Dutch is also spoken. French is gaining in popularity.

Diving Details
Indonesia makes up one corner of the Coral Triangle and contains 20% of the world’s coral reefs! It’s no wonder that these waters are virtual epicentres of biodiversity. With 600 species of coral and over 3000 fish species, you’ll quickly start checking items off your “must see” list. Whether you’re exploring muck diving at its best in Lembeh Strait, the incredible diversity of Bunaken National Park, or the rich seas of Raja Ampat, you’ll quickly realize why the waters of Indonesia are so scientifically important. Combine different dive areas into one trip, and you’ll be in for the underwater adventure of your life!

Insider Information
Indonesia is a tropical country. June through September is the dry season, and December through March is the rainy season. A period of mixed sunshine and thunderstorms marks the transition between dry and rainy seasons. Temperature ranges between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors are advised to wear light clothing. Cotton and linen are the most comfortable. “Batik” is the local fabric for men’s shirts and women’s dresses. These items can be purchased quite easily.

Dive Operators

Dive Sites

Hotels

image Discover Minahasa Tour
image Minahasa Adventure Tour
image Private Orangutan Tour Houseboat Stay
image Toraja Tour
image Murex Manado Resort
image Tasik Ria Resort
image Kima Bajo Resort
image Onong Resort
image Siladen Resort & Spa
image White Sands Beach Resort Lembeh
image Lembeh Resort
image Dive into Lembeh
image Gangga Island Resort & Spa
image Alam Batu
image Lotus Bungalows
image Villa Almarik
image Papua Explorers Resort
image Kri Eco Resort
image Misool Eco Resort
image Sorido Bay Resort
image Dive Into Raja Ampat - Waiwo Resort
image Wakatobi Dive Resort
image Maratua Paradise Resort

Restaurants

Non-Diving Activities

  • Go snorkeling…many dive sites also set the stage for world-class snorkeling.
  • Hike to Kali Waterfall. (North Sulawesi)
  • Visit Tangkoko Nature Reserve. You’ll see tarsiers, macaques, hornbills, and more. (North Sulawesi)
  • Go white water rafting. (North Sulawesi, Bali)
  • Explore the waters and islands via kayak
  • Take a Minahasa highland tour…visit a food & flower market in Tomohon, WWII Japanese caves, a lake that changes colors, and more. (North Sulawesi)
  • Visit a traditional village
  • Go volcano trekking! A one hour climb will have you at the top of Mount Mahawu, taking in the view from the edge of a crater. (North Sulawesi)
  • Visit Besakih Temple, Bali’s oldest, largest, and most religiously important temple. The temple is located one third of the way up Mount Agung. (Bali)
  • Indulge in a luxurious spa treatment
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Frequently Asked Questions

It is located in the Southeast Asia archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. To its north lie the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand. To its east is Papua New Guinea. To its southeast is Australia.

The flight from Los Angeles to Denpasar (Bali) is approximately 22 hours. From New York, it is approximately 27 hours. Total flight time depends upon your final destination in Indonesia.

They use the rupiah which comes in denominations of Rp 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 100. Coins are in denominations of Rp1000, 500, 100, 50 and 25. As of April 2009, the exchange rate is US $1.00 = Rp 10,775.00

Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. They also have over 580 dialects. English and Dutch are the second major languages spoken.

Yes a passport is needed and should be valid for at least 6 months. U.S. citizens are eligible for a Visa-On-Arrival (VOA). The cost of a 30-day tourist visa is US $25.00, and a 3 day visa is US $10.00. This fee should be paid in cash upon arrival at the airport. If you want to extend your stay in Indonesia for reasons other than natural disasters, accident, or illness, you will have to exit and re-enter the country on a new tourist visa. Upon arrival you will proceed to a special counter to have your passport stamped with the VOA visa before going to the immigration clearance desk. The VOA facility is available in the following international airports: Pekanbaru, Padang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Manado, Halim Perdana Kusama in Jakarta, Adisucipto in Yogyakarta, Adisumarmo in Solo, Selaparang in Mataram, Lombok, Sepinggan in Balikpapan, Kalimantan, Hasanuddin in Makasar, Sulawesi, and Eltari in Kupang, Timor.

For legal reasons, we cannot make official recommendations regarding shots or immunizations. Please consult with your physician or visit www.cdc.gov for more information.

220V/50 Hz (Shuko Euro Plug)

Please check with the airline company that you are flying with for luggage requirements and restrictions.

Yes. Unless otherwise specified, we will arrange all transfers to and from the airport.

Bunaken National Marine Park- Marine reserve known for beautiful coral gardens, huge walls with soft and hard corals, and large fish like Napoleon wrasse, dogtooth tuna, and barracuda.
Lembeh Strait – Great muck and critter diving. Pygmy seahorses, mimic octopus, ornate ghost pipefish, hairy frogfish, Ambon scorpionfish and stargazers. Inimicus devilfish, dwarf lionfish, pufferfish, pegasus sea moths. Soft corals and a few wrecks.
Bangka Island – Soft coral walls, sandy channels, unusual sea critters, and various shark species.
Raja Ampat – pygmy seahorses, manta rays, wreck diving.

Diving in North Sulawesi is all year round. The sunniest season is between April and October, with a few warm rain showers. We recommend a 3mm-5mm wetsuit with full arms and legs to protect you from stinging hydroids. Water temperature is usually 80-85 degrees. Lembeh Strait is a little cooler, so a 5mm wetsuit is recommended.

Thalassa Dive Center – 5-20 minutes to sites in Bunaken, an hour to Bangka Island, and over an hour to Lembeh Strait.
Kasawari Lembeh Resort – The furthest site is 20 minutes away.
Kungkungan Bay Resort – Most sites are within 15 minutes of the resort.
Papua Diving – 5-30 minutes to get to the dive sites.

Kasawari Lembeh Resort – First dive begins at 7:30am, followed by a second dive before noon time. Third dive begins at 3:30pm. Night dives are also scheduled.
Papua Diving – 3 dives during the day, 1 night dive.

Entrance fees to Bunaken National Park, International and domestic departure fees, dive equipment rental, meals unless otherwise specified

E-tickets and vouchers are sent approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure.