MV Mermaid II

The vast Indonesian archipelago was almost made for liveaboard trips. Thousands of tropical islands slide into the most biodiverse seas on Earth, where all manner of fascinating and rewarding encounters await on every dive.

With so many wonderful scuba diving opportunities spread over such a large area, a liveaboard is an ideal way for more experienced divers to get the best from this incredible destination, with both classic and off the beaten track itineraries available.

If you’ve not yet experienced Indonesia, now's the time to open your eyes to a world of wonder! The Coral Triangle, macro diving and more awaits.

Liveaboards diving to & from Bali

Eastwards from Bali, a string of picturesque islands stretch east towards Komodo, offering a wealth of different dive sites to choose from as you dive your way to or from Komodo National Park. Lombok, Gili Islands, Sumbawa, Moyo, Satonda and Sangeang are the main land masses, with numerous other islets.

This group of islands further east are surprisingly dry, looking more like parched grassland on steep volcanic formed slopes than the expected lush green tropics, unless visiting during the more rainy season (winter months).

Liveaboard diving in Komodo, Flores & Alor

Officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1986, the Komodo National Park comprises Komodo, Rinca and Padar Islands. The variety of islands within the park, combined with the current, wave and wind exposure have resulted in an incredible diversity of coastal and marine habitats.

Underwater, strong currents and deep upwelling's transport nutrient-rich waters throughout the area, which supports a cornucopia of life. Mangrove forests, sea grass beds and pristine coral reefs define the main habitats within the borders of the park. Dive sites vary from walls and coral gardens to pinnacles, drop offs and quiet bays that are ideal for macro lovers seeking rarely seen species.

Over 1,000 fish species, 260 reef building coral species and 70 sponge species have been recorded in the Komodo National Park, with a particularly high number of organ pipe coral, which accounts for the famous pink sand beaches. Turtle and dugong frequent Komodo's waters, while manta ray are regularly seen. The area is even known for the occasional whale sighting as they migrate through the park.

The islands of Komodo are also home to many rare and endemic land species including a population of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragons. Most cruises covering the park incorporate an island visit to see these interesting reptiles in their natural environment.

Occasionally, liveaboard boats venture farther east from Komodo to Flores and Alor. The currents that flow through the straits which connect the Banda and Savu seas create thrilling drift dives that attract large animals such as whale, tuna, shark (including hammerhead), giant grouper, eagle and manta ray, napoleon wrasse, schools of big eye jack, mola-mola, and other pelagic fish. In the Pantar strait between Alor and Pantar pilot-whale and dolphin are common as they pass between the islands during their seasonal migration to the Pacific Ocean.

Liveaboard diving Ambon & Raja Ampat

Vast areas of West Papua's land and sea are designated conservation areas. With over 3,000 reef fish and 400 coral and sponge species recorded, as well as dolphin, dugong, green, hawksbill and leatherback turtle, the diverse marine life will not fail to amaze. Above water, exotic creatures such as the venus fly trap inhabit the region.

Diving Raja Ampat by liveaboard tends to focus between December and March when the winds in this area are favourable. This is a large area with some liveaboards focusing on the north, central or south of Raja Ampat, or a combination thereof, including the dive sites of Cenderawasih Bay and Triton Bay. The entire region has world-class diving however.

Before and after this period, the focus moves to Ambon and the Banda Sea, part of the Maluku Islands. These seldom visited reefs and atolls are known for thrilling encounters, including hammerhead shark. This big fish action is complimented by incredible muck diving, particularly around Ambon.

Transition cruises taking in the Banda Sea and Raja Ampat are particularly sought after.

Some great Raja Ampat footage from our friends at Mermaid Fleet:

Extended itineraries & off the beaten track cruises

Occasionally, special itineraries are offered which either take in multiple regions on an extended itinerary, or head to more unusual regions of Indonesia, such as Wakatobi, Halmahera or the Forgotten Islands. Eye-catching options include itineraries starting in Manado, North Sulawesi and finishing in Raja Ampat (or vice versa), or beginning in Maumere and journeying east towards the Maluku Islands.

These itineraries, which are best suited to those that have already experienced Indonesian liveaboards previously, often have an exploratory feel, allowing eager divers to feel like pioneers exploring seldom charted waters!

Itineraries

Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain. View all our Indonesian liveaboards below.

Flight information

The most common entry points for a liveaboard holiday to Indonesia are Jakarta and Bali.

International flights are available on multiple airlines serving this region, for example: Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.

For most liveaboard departures, domestic flights are also required, which will form part of your holiday package on flight inclusive holidays. There are numerous domestic airlines providing for a wide variety of routes and options in Indonesia. The length of journey to certain liveaboard locations necessitate an overnight stop on route, which also allows valuable time to recharge and recover after a long flight.

Flight changes can be a regular occurrence in Indonesia, therefore we recommend to build in plenty of time between domestic and international flights to account for changes and delays.

Typical flight duration:

Approx. 15–17 hours including flight change.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.