Eight Best Dive Resorts in Indonesia
So you're looking at visiting Indonesia, but can't decide where to stay? We've made it simple and rounded up eight of the very best dive resorts in the country, spanning Sulawesi, Alor, Sumbawa and Raja Ampat, divers staying at these resorts will have easy access to some of the best diving in the world.
Misool Eco Resort, Raja Ampat
In southern Raja Ampat, in 2008, Misool Eco Resort was unveiled after three years' building. The owners' dream was to create a marine protected area, preserving the lush marine biodiversity of this remote region. Now the resort is a sought-out escape for avid divers and conservationists, stationed in a 300,000 acre marine reserve policed by dedicated marine patrols organised by the Misool Foundation. The result is a marine haven for megafauna and pristine coral reefs, the likes of which cannot be seen in many places on Earth.
Misool Eco Resort is a stunning lodge with a collection of simple and elegant rooms perched over the water or nestled on the beach. The house reef is one of the best that could be found anywhere, and with access to over 60 dive sites, this is without a doubt one of the best dive resorts in Indonesia!
Wakatobi Dive Resort, Sulawesi
Indonesian diving is famed for stunning coral reefs and impressive macro life, and virtually nowhere embodies this more than Wakatobi in South Sulawesi. The resort was built with divers and snorkellers in mind, but differentiates itself with a range of accommodation options from simple palm bungalows to lavish two-bedroom hilltop villas with private pools. The star of the show here is Wakatobi's house reef and valet dive boat service which allows divers' and snorkellers to while away hours with unlimited diving on the world famous reef with multiple entry points.
Alami Alor, Alor
For seasoned divers who have already visited hotspots in Indonesia such as Komodo and Raja Ampat, and are looking for something a little different, search no further than Alor. This small bolthole consists of just seven waterfront bungalows and is geared perfectly towards the keen diver. The house reef showcases inhabitants such as mandarinfish and banded sea kraits, while nearby sites are home to exceptional muck diving, mind-boggling wall dives and thrilling current dives where visitors include mola mola and scalloped hammerheads. The resort is beautiful and the remote location means divers staying at Alami Alor are likely to be the only visitors to the local sites.
Bunaken Oasis, Sulawesi
Aimed at the luxury end of the market, Bunaken Oasis is a beautiful resort located in North Sulawesi in the Bunaken Marine National Park. The twelve large Balinese style villas are set around the resort's luxurious infinity pool. Tech divers will find all the support and equipment needed during a stay here, and the diving does not disappoint. The proliferation of corals and macro life in this thriving marine park bring keen divers and snorkellers back to visit time and time again.
Papua Explorers, Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat's most famous diving area is the Dampier Strait, and that just happens to be the location of the gem of a dive resort. Papua Explorers is a charming resort of stilted huts over an excellent house reef and with access to over 50 dive sites within easy reach. These sites are frequented by vast schools of fish, mantas and Raja Ampat favourites like epaulette sharks and wobbegongs. The resort service is friendly and sincere, and the dive guides are eagle-eyed, making this an excellent spot at which to base yourself to experience the world class diving of the Dampier Strait.
Kalimaya Dive Resort, Sumbawa
Outside the famous Komodo National Park, in Sumbawa, lies Kalimaya Dive Resort, a jewel of a resort made up of ten beachfront bungalows with a 'liveaboard on land' feel. Divers can spend the day on the impressive house reef with their unlimited dive package, or venture out to nearby sites by boat. Kalimaya is the only resort within reach of the famous sites of Sangeang and Gili Banta, and is a sensational resort from which to base yourself for diving encounters with everything from mantas to paddleflap rhinopias. The family-style dining in the main area allows divers and snorkellers to get to know each other in a relaxed environment, and the large pool is a great place to relax after a thrilling night dive on the house reef.
Siladen Resort, Sulawesi
On the edge of the Bunaken Marine Park is Siladen Resort, a great spot for families who love diving and snorkelling. The gentle diving conditions in the region make this a fantastic place to stay for beginner divers, whilst the healthy reefs and abundant macro life make ideal subjects for underwater photographers. The food here is fantastic, with Italian favourites being served up, and the rooms are spacious and charming. With a range from garden view to luxury villas, and a couple of two-bedroom villas for families, there is something for every diver staying at Siladen.
Lembeh Resort, Sulawesi
As a muck-diving Mecca, it makes sense that one of Indonesia's best dive resort be set up in the Lembeh Strait. Lembeh Resort blends luxury villas and excellent service with a world class dive centre staffed by sensation dive guides. Muck enthusiasts will be at home here, with a full camera room and photography workshops on site. A visit to Lembeh is a must, and this is the place to stay!
