Luxury Diving Holidays in Sumbawa

Best time to visit

May-October
Marine Highlights

Dive on an active volcano, manta rays, rare nudibranch species, paddleflap rhinopias, sea apples, banded sea snakes, ornate ghost pipefish
Difficulty

Intermediate-Advanced

Overview

Generally speaking, Sumbawa is not somewhere that comes up on a lot of divers’ radars, but this makes it all the sweeter as barely any divers venture to this region of Indonesia, and we can say first-hand that the diving is excellent! Best for more experienced divers due to the strong currents in the area, Sumbawa’s best dive sites vary from glorious muck dives on an active underwater volcano to washing machine currents with excellent manta encounters. There is just one dive resort in this region and they have their pick of 45+ dive sites for guests to enjoy without any crowds.

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Marbled shrimp

An aerial view of the jetty at Kalimaya Dive Resort

Kalimaya dive resort jetty

Sumbawa Reefscape

Reef Squid

Turtle

Coleman shrimp

Sumbawa reef

Bobtail squid

pikachu nudibranchs

Island in Sumbawa

In Depth

Whilst Sumbawa does not have the same volume of marine life as in Komodo National Park, it doesn’t have the volume of divers and boats either. Kalimaya Dive Resort, nestled in this quiet area in East Sumbawa, has access to some of the best dive sites in the country. Sangeang Volcano is a 40-minute boat ride from the resort and promises a unique experience diving on an active volcano, with sulphur bubbles rising from the black sandy slopes at Bubble Reef. The nutrient rich sea floor is dotted with a huge array of nudibranchs which are a photographer’s delight, their vibrant colour popping against the black sand beneath. Galley Rock at Gili Banta promises virtually guaranteed encounters with manta rays, as long as the current is manageable for diving, while sites like Lulu’s Hat boast immaculately healthy reefs.

The house reef at Kalimaya is excellent for scuba diving and snorkelling, and is one of the best dive sites in the region. Divers staying at the resort benefit from unlimited diving on the house reef where sea apples, paddleflap rhinopias and banded sea snakes can be spotted amongst the coral bommies. Diving holidays in Sumbawa do not disappoint, with a great mix of muck, macro, coral diving and exciting drifts, this is a place to disconnect and enjoy some of Indonesia’s quietest and best dive sites.

Beyond the Reef

Scuba diving and snorkelling are very much the order of the day when it comes to diving holidays in Sumbawa, with little else to get up to but relax at the resort when guests aren’t underwater. Kalimaya has lovely beach bandas for an afternoon kip, and a bathwater warm swimming pool facing out over the ocean. Relaxing on a private veranda listening to the sound of the waves, divers will feel in seventh heaven here. The scenery is beautiful on this coastline, with a long stretch of private beach to amble along.

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Places to Stay in Sumbawa

Kalimaya Dive Resort

This is a very special dive resort with only 10 bungalows all overlooking the sea.

Located just outside the Komodo National Park, Kalimaya has access to some incredible dive sites that can only be accessed from divers at Kalimaya or the odd liveaboard.

Contact an expert to start planning your next diving holiday

Call us on

+44 203 307 8676‌ Make Enquiry

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