Hidden Gems of Indonesia
Product Manager Sarah Wight is always searching for special dive locations and here she gives an insight into three hidden gems in the heart of the Indonesian Coral Triangle, all of which offer a unique experience.
Lying at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the spectacular underwater seascapes and biodiversity of the Indonesian archipelago include some of the best diving experiences in the world. Renowned hotspots such as Lembeh, Bali and Raja Ampat deliver incredible memories for all.
We pride ourselves on being able to offer you the ultimate diving holiday experience, and our team are always on the lookout for new resorts, liveaboards and hidden gems around the world where the marine life is paramount and the experience unforgettable.
We're thrilled to be able to offer you a range of small, dedicated diving resorts in some of the most spectacular locations in Indonesia. There's plenty that makes them special, but none more so than their access to world-class sites seen by few in remote parts of a country full of underwater treasures.
The Sape and Ombai Straits are two main channels of the Indonesian Throughflow where the warm waters of the Pacific flow into the Indian Ocean in huge volumes. It's in and around these channels where marine and coral life thrives best. It's no surprise, then, that two of our hidden gems are in these areas, Alor and Sumbawa. Our third, South Halmahera remains almost undiscovered. Pristine diving, away from the crowds.
Alor: Eastern Promise
World-class diving experiences await those who travel to the remote eastern fringes of Indonesia. This is a must for anyone fascinated with the underwater treasure hunt of macro marine life with resident rhinopias, pygmy seahorse, nudibranch, frogfish and octopus seen regularly. The spectacle continues along the coral walls and in the channel, where passing pelagic species are often encountered between dives. Diving here is incredibly rewarding and suited to experienced divers looking for an off-the-beaten-track adventure.
If you're tempted with a diving holiday to Alor, we recommend staying at Alami Alor Dive Resort.
Sumbawa: Oceans Apart
Exclusive access to sites along the eastern Sumbawa coast offers divers time to discover the variety of resident critters, swim along vibrant reefs, and enjoy leisurely dives. It's the diving around Gili Banta, between the two oceans, that offers all the action with exhilarating drift dives, abundant fish life, schools of pelagic species on the seamounts, manta encounters and more. Macro enthusiasts won't want to miss the colourful critters living on the black sand sites around Sangeang, an active volcano where bubbles rise from the slopes. This is the ideal location for those seeking a mix of diving experiences away from the crowds.
To sample the best dive sites in Sumbawa, we recommend staying at Kalimaya Dive Resort.
Halmahera: Naturally Wonderful
Frontier diving at its finest, South Halmahera offers an exceptional diving paradise with over 70 sites to discover. Expect an immense biodiversity of marine life amongst the coral reefs, on the muck sites and out in the blue. Big schools of large fish, reef sharks and plenty of unusual critters, they're all represented in this remote region at the heart of the Coral Triangle. Diving here is simply incredible, and you'll have the sites to yourselves. Now that's what we call a hidden gem.
Fancy diving in Halmahera? We recommend staying at Sali Bay Resort.
To book one of our hidden gem diving holidays to Indonesia, our friendly team will be more than happy to help - contact them today!
