Posts ByDive Indonesia
Karimunjawa: The Most Wonderful Underwater World
February 14, 2013 | admin
Indonesia has a lot of wonderful diving spots and Karimunjawa is one of them. Karimunjawa Archipelago consist of 27 enchanting islands located on 45 miles Northwest of Jepara, it is about 107.225 ha total area of Karimunjawa Archipelago in territory, which split up with 100.105 ha of sea area and 7.120 ha of land area.
Known as Central Java’s Paradise, Karimunjawa has a lot of attractions to offer; starting from diving, swimming, sunbathing to walking across the mangrove forest. This place is home to natural beauty and various unique species like fish,birds and coral reefs. For those who want to learn how to dive from scratch, this place is the best place to start your diving lesson.
Most of the sea part of Karimunjawa is covered with coral reefs until 40 meter depth. The coral reefs here are stunning as Karimunjawa has 66 types of coral reefs and a type of endangered reef called Musik Reef (tubipora musica). Furthermore, for underwater world lovers, you can do snorkeling or diving to enjoy the amazing sea biodiversity in this wonderful place.
There are various tour packages you can choose to get to Karimunjawa. You can start your trip to Karimunjawa from the capital of Central Java, Semarang. You can reach Karimunjawa from Tanjung Mas port in Semarang by boat. It takes about 3,5 hours to get there.
There are some great attractions you must not miss while you are there. Here they are:
Mangrove forest
Two main islands, Karimunjawa and Kemujan are connected with the mangrove fields. Part of the forests are promoted to be ‘educational forest’ to promote environmental awareness among the locals.
Cemara Besar Island
Cemara is a pine tree, a kind of tree you also can find in Karimunjawa. You can get here by boat for snorkeling or diving (from the main island of Karimunjawa, it takes about one hour). Diving in Cemara Besar Island gives you the most unforgettable diving experience as you can enjoy the beauty of coral reefs. However, no underwater photography is allowed here, so make sure you really enjoy the picture of enchanting underwater world while diving in Cemara Besar Island.
The sparkling blue water really calms you down, no wonder people love diving in cemara Besar Island (and the sea near Cemara Besar Island).
Pulau Gundul (Bald Island)
The best place to escape from your routine. Acutally, this island is a training ground for navy and military and is lacking in vegetation.
Watch the best sunset
Go to the island of Tanjung Gelam, one of the islands in Karimunjawa, to watch one of the best sunsets on Earth. In addition, you can get to the dock of Karimunjawa island to get the sunset spots. However, because of the mountain location, it is a bit difficult to capture the best sunrise spot in Karimunjawa Island.
Cemara Kecil Island
Do you love challenges? Try to swim with sharks in Cemara Kecil Island. It is recommended that you go swimming in the morning as the tide is not that high. Are you afraid of being bitten? Relax, the guides say that the sharks are already benign.
Karimunjawa may not sound so popular and you may be wondering what that place can offer. However, if you love diving and snorkeling, you cannot miss this paradise on Earth for sure! You will not get enough exploring the natural beauty of all 27 paradise islands. Make sure you enjoy your holiday in Karimunjawa!
Diving Centers in Balikpapan
February 14, 2013 | admin
When we talk about diving in Indonesia, the dazzling Raja Ampat in Papua or the peaceful Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara will come to your mind first. However, are there any other good diving spots in Indonesia?
The city of Balikpapan in East Kalimantanmay be less popular for divers, even most of us have never known whether this oil-rich city has a beautiful diving spot. However, Balikpapan actually is one of the most wonderful diving destinations in Indonesia.
You can reach this city by air as most Indonesian carriers serve Jakarta-Balikpapan route. In addition to that route, there is also a flight from Singapore.
If you are wondering about diving centers in Balikpapan, here are some recommended places:
Derawan Dive Resort
One of the most popular diving centers in Balikpapan. Derawan is a group of islands just off the coast in East Kalimantan. There are four magnificent islands with their uniqueness and richness in underwater species you have never imagine before.
Just dive in Derawan Island, the main island of the archipelago. You will see a various of stunning species such as big green turtles (chelonia mydas), whitetip leopard and nurse sharks, schooling barracudas, napoleon wrasses, cuttle fish, spanish mackerel, jacks and batfishes and ornamental reef fishes hang out in record densities and diversity.
This island is also known as critter paradise, you will be absolutely amazed by critters you find under the waters; luminous multi coloured dumpling squids, pairs of 3 ft (1 meters) crocodile fishes, finger-sized purple sea horses and unidentified species of worms, tunicates and dwarf scorpiofish.
The other three islands (Kakaban, Maratua and Sangalaki) also boast their undersea beauty. Kakaban Island, for example. This island is home to some strange sea species. Meanwhile, you can see some scariest fish in Maratua Island to test your adrenaline such as the barracuda. Last but not least, Sangalaki Island is the capital of mantas as you can see manta rays come from all directions. These mantas will accompany your swimming and this really gives you the most unfogettable experience.
About resorts and hotel, no need to worry as there is Derawan Dive Resort, a peaceful resort with all facilities you need. This resort has 27 cottages with traditional style. The floating restaurant with 75 capacity with panoramic sea view and all mouthwatering food varied from Indonesian to Western.
The price of the room varies from standard double priced at IDR 475.000,- per night to suite room at IDR 1.330.000,-. Make sure you check availability of facilities as some facilities are only provided in certain cottages.
Narwastu Dive Center
This is another great diving center in Balikpapan. This diving center is the best place for those who want to learn how to dive. You do not need to be afraid of being under water as all instructors here are PADI and HSA (for people with disabilities) certified. No matter whether you are a beginner or a professional, this place is a must-visit diving center for you.
So, are you ready to dive in Balikpapan?
Dive And Save Raja Ampat
February 14, 2013 | admin
Do you remember the movie Avatar by James Cameron? It is about a very beautiful outer space place called Pandora that has magnificent scenery, thousands of exotic animals and wise local tribes called the Na’vi that is all endangered because of greedy humans that try to mine their precious mineral without considering the consequences. Well, there are some places in this earth that is actually face the same problems as Pandora. Papua, in this case Raja Ampat, is one of them.
Raja Ampat is an archipelago that consists of more than 1.500 islands including four main islands of Misool Island, Salawati Island, Bantata Island and Waigeo Island. This place is located in West Papua Province of Indonesia. To get there, you can fly to Sorong, and then take speedboat or long boat for about one until three hours.
Just like Pandora in the movie, Raja Ampat is a very beautiful place. It is a home for 1.628 species of reef fish, 603 species of hard coral, and 57 species of mantis shrimp. It is also the natural habitat of 13 species of marine mammals and 5 species of endangered sea turtles. This amazing marine biodiversity makes Raja Ampat a sacred place that needs to be saved from all parties that try to endanger it. Around 75% of all species that exist in this earth live there and need our careful attention to stay alive.
Raja Ampat is definitely a heaven for those who love diving. Diving in Raja Ampat will certainly give you an unforgettable experience because there are so many amazing spots with different kind of view every time you move. You can start your amazing diving experience by meeting Manta Rays in Southwest of Waigeo Island. After that, you can go to Northwest of Misool Island to see the famous Blue Mangroves that crazily made beautiful labyrinths. Then, you can go straight to Wayag Islands to see hundreds of limestone islands with silver sand beach and Grey Reef Sharks that swim underwater. Last but not least, make sure you witness the amazing phenomenon that only happen in the darkest phase of the moon. Ride your boat between Bantata Island and Salawati Island and wait for the Wai’s trees to glow with million of fireflies blinking together in the same rhyme.
Done doing diving in Raja Ampat, you might want to try kayaking, exploring the islands by boat, exploring bat caves, catch a fish using traditional Papuan techniques and many more. For those who love beaches, you can go to Sawandarek to enjoy the beautiful white sand beach, home of the sea ducks and magnificent corals.
Tempted by the beauty of Raja Ampat, now write ‘visiting Raja Ampat’ in a piece of paper, frame it and put it in the first place you see when you wake up. It is an amazing place which will continually give you surprises of miraculous unexpected things and events that will always take your breath away. Go there, dive there and do your very best to keep them save. Make sure your children and grand children can have the same opportunities to experience the beautiful Raja Ampat.
Explore the Stunning Dive Site in Kungkungan Bay
February 14, 2013 | admin
Kungkungan Bay may not be as popular as Bunaken. However, the tourists, especially the divers both local and foreign tourists, seem interested to visit Kungkungan Bay because this marine tourism location is perfect for diving. There are beautiful beaches and ocean marine biodiversity premises which are really beautiful when you are diving in Kungkungan Bay.
It would not be difficult to reach Kungkungan Bay. If you are using a private vehicle from the city of Manado, you must head towards Bitung first. This trip can be taken within two hours, followed by a 20-minute trip down the road to the Lembeh Strait. It is far enough and takes mileage but it will be paid by the ethics winding after you have arrived at the location.
One thing that is very unique is that when tourists arrive there, the officials will distribute bread for them. The bread is not for you to eat but it is distributed for snacks to feed the marine fish. The crowd of colorful fish will eat the bread into the typical landscape Kungkungan which is reported not owned by any other resort. Meanwhile, the water is barely wavy as there is no big wave on the sea. It is because of its geography is under the hill. Kungkungan Bay is also flanked by two small islands; Lembe Island and Serena Island. Sea water is calm and clear; making you can easily observe the marine ecosystem such as a blue starfish, yellow tail fish and many more with the naked eye. You will be served by a very charming marine biodiversity in this area. Established in 1995 in cooperation with the city government of Bitung, Kungkungan was built with the concept of underwater tour which will be retained.
There are resorts where you could stay while you are there. To create the private impression, there are 17 bungalows available, which those all are facing the sea. Due to the limited resort, tourists are usually had to book seven day before they come. For domestic tourists, bungalows are rented for between IDR 700.000,- to IDR 900.000,- per day. As for foreign tourists, the price can be twice as expensive to U.S. dollar exchange rate. If you want togo diving in Kungkungan Bay, you will be charged for IDR 180.000,- per hour and IDR 120.000 per hour for snorkeling.
There are at least 38 dive points in a depth of 12 to 15 meters. While you are diving in Kungkungan Bay, you will be accompanied with professional instructors from Eco Divers. The instructors are also acts as a photographer to ensure your underwater tour enshrined. For the convenience of diving, each diver is limited to four people per one instructor.
A variety of marine fish and beautiful coral clusters are typical underwater world in Kungkungan Bay. Even if you are lucky, you may meet rare species such as the pygmy seahorses, hairy frog fish, Ambon scorpion fish and pipe fish to flowers. Have a nice visit in Kungkungan Bay!
Diving for the Anti-Mainstreams in Lembeh Strait
February 14, 2013 | admin
Most people dive to see the beautiful colorful fishes, corals and other living creatures that live underwater. But if beautiful and colorful is not really your thing, you can still dive and enjoy the different kind of beauty in Lembeh Strait.
Lembeh Strait is located in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. To get there, you should fly to Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, then take a taxi or rent a car. There are a lot of fancy resorts around the strait that will give you their very best services.
Diving in Lembeh Strait will give you an amazing experience that you will never get in other places. This place is very famous for its anti-mainstream diving activity that mostly caused by its unique marine biodiversity that live underneath this beautiful place. This place will probably make us realize that beauty is not always identical with cute and colorful. Unique-shaped sea creatures can also be beautiful and breathtaking in their own different way.
You can start your journey with the most famous spot, Hairball. You can meet seahorses and frogfishes here. Moreover, if you are lucky, you can also witness the oddest and the most fascinating sea creatures that swim freely in this site. After that, you can move a little bit to the South to visit Air Prang. This site is the home of varying octopus and frogfish. If want to try the experience of night diving in Lembeh Strait, Air Prang is the right place for you. You will meet bobbit worms, plurobranchs, bobtail squid, large gastropods and snake eels here.
After that, you can go to Goby-A-Crab that lies in the South of Lembeh Strait. If you have no idea how pygmy seahorses, cleaner shrimps, crab eyed gobies, leaf scorpionfish and halimeda ghost pipefish look like, you can go here and start knowing this unique beautiful creatures better. As if it is not enough, you can go to Mawali Wreck to see the huge World War 2 Japanese freighter that lies in her port side. This wreck is now become the home of huge scorpionfish and lionfish.
Walking in the black sand beach can be a fun thing to do after finished observing all those amazing creatures by diving in Lembeh Strait. Lay your back in the sand, make the sand perfectly fit your body, close your eyes and listen to the sound of the nature or maybe start reading your favorite book in the beach. Those things are still amazing and relaxing every time you do it and anywhere you go.
Day diving or night diving in Lembeh Strait will definitely give you an anti-mainstream experience. Go bring your waterproof camera here and start diving around taking pictures of world’s amazing marine creatures that you can ever think of. There are more than 30 diving spots that will give you various kinds of excitement. This place gives the word beautiful a whole new meaning. Lembeh Strait will show you that being unique, weird and uncommon can also make other people love you and adore you.
Exploring The Beauty of Karimunjawa
February 14, 2013 | admin
Indonesia has a lot to offer for diving maniacs as the country is home to several enchanting diving spots. One of the most famous diving spots in Indonesia is Karimunjawa Island. The name may not sound familiar if you only know the most popular in Indonesia is Bali. Karimunjawa is an archipelago consisting of 27 islands in the Java Sea, approximately 80 kilometres Northwest of Jepara. This amazing place is rich in sea biodiversity. There are nearly 250 species of reef fish and 100 species of corals thrive under the water and in the hills of the islands, you can find more than 40 species of birds. Actually, there are several tour packages you can choose and there are lots of things to do there; from taking a diving course for beginners, eco diving or for research. Read More
Exploring the Beauty of Raja Ampat
February 14, 2013 | admin
Words are not enough to describe the magnificent Raja Ampat (Four Kings), in West Papua, Indonesia. Known for its richness in sea biodiversity, this place has been one of the most popular diving sites in the world, let alone Indonesia. Moreover, this exotic place is dubbed as the last paradise on Earth. Read More
Gili Trawangan: Diver’s Best Paradise
February 14, 2013 | admin
Talking about diving, it is impossible not to mention Gili Trawangan. This wonderful island is one of the most famous and developed gilis (island) located off the northwest of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
Its relaxing atmosphere, white sandy beach, stunning coral reefs and crystal clear water, all there really make you want to come back again and again. In addition, most of the dive spots are suitable for all, both newbies and experts. However, some centers are only suitable for advanced divers. There are various kinds of resorts you can choose based on your budget. Read More
Exploring the Waters of Gili Air
February 14, 2013 | admin
Gili Air may not be as popular as Gili Trawangan, the largest island among the Gilis. However, Gili Air actually offers a lot to visitors. This island is the greenest of the three gilis (as you can find more tress there) and its diverse culture among locals make this island more attractive to visitors. Gili Air is also the closest to Lombok and the water there is still the best of all. Read More
Gorontalo: The Hidden Underwater Paradise
February 14, 2013 | admin
Talking about diving in Indonesia, the city of Gorontalo in Indonesia may not be on your list. However, there are some reasons why divers must go to Gorontalo as the city has much to offer, from the world-class dive spots to stunning underwater creatures such as the super coral reefs. No wonder this place is dubbed as the hidden underwater paradise and the new dive destination.
You can go from Jakarta or Surabaya via Makassar or Manado. You have to make sure and check the availability of airlines. From Manado, you can continue your trip by bus and it takes about 8 hours. Read More