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Indonesia
Indonesia is made up
of a archipelago of some 17,000 islands strewn over 5160 kilometres of
tropical seas. There are 350 differing languages throughout the islands
which results in a cultural diversity rarely seen elsewhere. Access to
Indonesia’s main entry point Denpasar, is via Melbourne, Brisbane,
Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns & Darwin with Qantas Airways, JetStar and
Garuda Indonesia providing regular services from differing ports.
Lying within the
tropics Indonesia enjoys constant year temperatures perfectfor the
diver or general tourist alike. Crystal clear waters await the novice,
orexperienced diver. Come and see "tanah air kita"
translated meaning "our land and water" . With over three
million square kilometres of sea that hold 15% of the worlds coral
reef Indonesia’s waters offer something for everyone. Visit the
dive locations of Bali where the wreck of the Tulamben awaits, dive
Manado and the Bunaken Marine Sanctuary with beautiful reef fish, Derawan
where you can dive with pelagics and Flores/Sunda where divers underwater
dreams are fulfilled.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
CLIMATE: Indonesia
has a warm tropical climate. The rainy season is from November – March.
The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius.
CURRENCY: The
Rupiah is the unit of currency. One Australian dollar is worth approximately
5500 Rupiah. One US dollar is worth approximately 11000 Rupiah.
US Dollars are easily exchanged for Rupiah. In Bali Australian dollars
are also easily changed.
DRESS: As
the climate is warm and tropical light cotton casual clothing is
recommended. Women should dress modestly in public places.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS: Australian
& US passengers travelling to Indonesia require a passport which
must be valid for six months beyond your intended stay. A 30-day tourist
Visa is required, and is available on arrival at most ports in Indonesia.
The 30-day Tourist Visa costs USD25.00. Please ask your consultant
should you have any queries about this.
HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS: Consult your doctor for recommended medication
and inoculations.
LANGUAGE: Bahasa
Indonesian is the official language but English is wide spoken in
resorts and by the locals.
ELECTRICITY: Electricity
is 220 volts.
DEPARTURE
TAX: All taxes are paid on your airline ticket, excluding
the arrival tax.
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BALI
Bali
is the gateway to Indonesia, the main tourist region and the reason
why over half a million tourists visit Indonesia each year. There
are four main tourists areas of Bali: Kuta, Legian, Sanur and Nusa
Dua . Between all areas they offer something for couples, families
single travellers and the diver.
The
better dive sites are upto a couple of hours drive from the tourist
areas of Bali and include: Tulamben, Menjangan Island, Nusa Penida,
Gili Biaha, Tepekong, Amed, and Lembongan island.
TAUCH TERMINAL DIVING
Tauch Terminal Bali invites divers from all around the world for some
of the world's best and most unforgettable diving. Sightings of manta
rays, steep walls full of colour and beauty plus thrilling wrecks in
a flourishing tropical marine biosphere are common sights. Prepare
for excellent diving, bizarre volcano formations, tropical beaches
and the charm and culture of Bali in Indonesia!
Tauch Terminal is able to cater to any of the divers needs. Their
operation is able to provide a wide variety of dive destinations, from
single to multi day activities out of any of the main tourist areas,
deluxe accommodation and extended dive packages as well as liveaboard
cruises and safari style trips. Some of their visited dive sites include
Tulamben, the site of the Liberty wreck, coral gardens, beautiful
walls and the drop off. This is where they have a fantastic dive resort,
Tauch Terminal Tulamben. Other quality dive sites are, Nusa Menjangan,
Amed, The Blue Lagoon, Nusa Penida, Gila Biaha reef, and Lipha reef.
    
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BALI
SAFARI
Would
you like to experience "the Best" Bali has to Offer?
Whether
it is touring the island, visiting cultural places of importance,
meeting the real people of the land, staying in exclusive hotels and
Diving or Snokelling Bali's best locations, then this is the package
for you!
We
have seven day packages including: Accommodation, transfers, water
activities, and some meals, starting from as little as *$990
AUD. per diver
(* conditions apply)
BOUNTY HOTEL (3 star property)
Well located standard property between the main shopping area and beach.
There is a large swimming pool with pool bar, restaurant and games area.
Rooms are air conditioned with IDD telephone, mini bar fridge and in house movies.
All rooms are well furnished with :
- Private Bathroom
- Superior Duplex with two bathrooms
- Queen or Twin Beds
- Pressurized hot and cold water
- Individual Air Conditioning Units
- Built-in Hairdryer
- Private Balcony
- Telephone ( IDD)
- In House Movies ( Free of charge )
- Bedside Panels
- Refrigerator with Mini Bar
- Volt Electric Power Outlet ( 110/220 volt )
- Emergency Power : KOMATSU 300 HP Generator Set
- Television
- 3 Channel International Entertainment& Local Channel
TAUCH
TERMINAL TULAMBEN
Tauch
Terminal Tulamben is a fantastic dive resort, built by divers, for
divers. Situated in Bali's north-eastern corner, the resort sits
at the waters edge, directly in front of the WWII wreck of the Liberty.
The vessel was Torpedoed in 1943 and was moved by the eruption of
the volcano Mt. Agung to it's present days depth. The resort boasts
a Padi 5 star gold palm IDC ratting. It has 9 standard, 9 super deluxe
bungalows and 1 honeymoon suit. The resort has its own dive pool,
restaurant, beach bar, and a private sandy beach. Dive facilities
include a nitrox filling station, large classroom, 44 cylinders and
a full range of hire equipment, consisting of cameras, torches, regulators,
bcds and snorkel equipment. Other dive sites available here are;
The coral garden, The drop off, Tulamben wall and Shark point. Day
trips to other near by dive sites and the other sites of Bali are
available, as well as short or extended liveaboard trips on their
sailing ship the Adelaar.  
ABSOLUTE SCUBA BALI
Absolute Scuba Bali is one of Bali's premier Scuba Diving Bali Dive Centres. Now With over 42 years dive Industry experience from around the world, the owners established Absolute Scuba Bali to meet and exceed only the highest standards of service, comfort & enjoyment that they believe is missing from many Bali Diving Centres. They firmly believe that you, the customer should experience not only the best diving Bali has to offer, but also the best level of Scuba Resorts Bali and customers service. With their wealth of dive industry knowledge & experience to draw on, Absolute Scuba Bali goal is to provide clients only the best service, and of course amazing diving.
DERAWAN
DIVE RESORT
EAST
KALIMANTAN
Derawan
Island is for divers and marine biologists who wish to realise their
underwater fantasies. Dr. Carden Wallace of the museum of
Queensland found over 50 species of Acropora hard coral on one near-by
reef.
Swim with scores of Manta Rays, snorkel in a prehistoric lake with
millions of jellyfish, swim with schooling tunas, jacks and pelagic
sharks. Dive with giant turtles during the day and watch the female
turtles lay their eggs on the beach at night. Dive beneath the jetty
to find an extensive range of sea critters that would fascinate even
the most well travelled diver or photographer. Luminous multi coloured
dumpling squids, pairs of 3 ft (1 m) crocodile fishes, finger sized
purple crayfish, squat lobsters, decorator crabs, sea horses, unidentified
species of worms, tunicates; dwarf scorpion fish and also ghost pipe
fish reside right here at the resorts door step.
The
resort consists of twenty traditional Kalimantan style air-conditioned
or fan cooled cottages with a private bathroom and toilet. The restaurant
serves a delightful selection of Indonesian, Chinese and Western style
cuisine. This area is a must for the keen diver or macro photographer.
 
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LIVEABOARD DIVE
CRUISES IN INDONESIA
Considered by many well-traveled divers to be the best in the world,
Mapia offers great biodiversity. Lush tropical reefs with a dazzling
assortment of macro life coupled with massive schools of large animals.
Sharks, mantas, barracuda, tuna along with clouds of colourful
fish.
Located close of the equator and north of West Papua,
(formerly Irian Jaya), Mapia can only be dived from a liveaboard. The
dives are almost all drift dives off beautiful, vertical walls. The
variety of soft corals, gorgonians and crinoids is outstanding.
Some gorgonians stick out 3 to 4 meters. Hammerhead sharks have
been seen. The west fringing reef has a channel that goes into
the atoll, where during tide changes, everything is in the water with
you. style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Exhilarating!
From March to the middle of July, the Oceanic Explorer will depart
from Denpasar, Bali; nbsp; that wonderful center of culture, and explore
the islands of Nusa Tenggara. The trips will be from Sunday through
the following Sunday, with Komodo, the habitat of the Komodo dragon,
as a highlight. Not only do we visit style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> Komodo National Park, we have the opportunity to
explore its reefs that are considered amongst the finest in the world.
Between mid-July to the end of August we venture forth from Makassar
to explore the Tukang Besi Islands, (WAKATOBI), with its exquisite
reefs that propted the late Jacques Cousteau to declare them the finest
diving site in the world. We explore the many islands
and atolls in this region.
MV
BARUNA ADVENTURER
Divers looking for a more complete view of Indonesia's coast line
should embark on a live aboard journey aboard the "Baruna Adventurer".
Baruna dive cruises allow divers to experience a variety of different
top dive sites and destinations in comfort. The safari style motor
vessel explores the finest under water natural wonders of Komodo, Alor,
Flores, Sumbawa and Lombok. The MV Baruna Adventurer is a custom built
30 metre liveaboard dive vessel that has scheduled departures around
Bali through Nusa Tenggara, Taka Bonerate and other remote atolls year
round.
Accommodating up to twenty divers in ten twin berth cabins with private
shower. Refitted in 1995 there is a crew of fourteen to make your stay
an enjoyable one.
MV
PHILKADE
The MV Philkade, with its 5-star appointments and crew, is the most luxurious way to experience this wonderful part of the underwater kingdom. You will be pampered on board and your interests catered to under water as we cruise all the best Komodo has to offer. The Komodo and Rinca islands are the largest of about 80 islands that lie in between the islands of Sumbawa to the west and Flores in the east. Together with an extensive area of the surrounding ocean, they form the Komodo National Park lying 200 nautical miles east of Bali. Established in 1980, the park was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site in 1986. The park is famous for its Komodo Dragons and its outstanding diving sites.
MV
MERMAID I
M/V Mermaid I is a 28 metre, double engine steel motor yacht. She comfortably holds 15 guests in 1 Master State Room (king bed), 1 Single and 4 Deluxe Cabins (double or twin beds) and 2 Budget Cabins (double/twin beds) below deck. The master, single and deluxe cabins have ensuite bathrooms, refrigerator and panoramic sea view windows. The budget cabins are below decks with ensuite bathroom and refrigerator. All cabins have TV and DVD access, bathrobes and toiletries and loads of fluffy towels. Our huge purpose built dive deck and wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh water showers are a diver’s dream. 4 camera rinse tanks means your valuable equipment is well looked after. Delicious Thai and western meals are served in our “Sawasdee Restaurant” with large windows to enjoy the views or how about trying our delicious Barbeques ! After meals relax in our saloon with our TV/DVD and music center, or select from our extensive library and full range of marine life books. There are two outside decks, one shaded with outside seating and the fabulous sundeck with sunshade plus cushioned sun beds – a great place to relax. NITROX is available on every cruise.
ARCHIPELAGO ADVENTURER
The Archipelago Adventurer II specializes in voyages throughout the Banda Sea, becoming the first dive vessel to predominantly focus on the magic of the incredible region, the Maluku Province. Designed with comfort and quality in mind, the Adventurer embarks on incredible cultural, historical explorations offering magical experiences eclipsing those available on other liveaboards. Indonesia as a whole is a proven destination, be amongst the first to experience the exceptional treasures of Banda and Maluku aboard the premier vessel amongst Indonesia's liveaboards.
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SOUTH
EAST SULAWESI
WAKATOBI DIVE
RESORT
World’s BEST shore diving - Unlimited! Under the stars beach dining
and much, much more… Support marine conservation while enjoying
the diving holiday of your life! Wakatobi Dive Resort is an epicenter
of marine biodiversity. It is consistently reffered to as an eco-tourism
model, resort facilitates donations of school and marine education material
to local community. The resort sponsors marine park reef patrols and
mooring bouy programs. Now in 6th year of operation under Swiss management.
Extended resort facilities for photographers, theme events, liveaboard explorations,
authentic culture and much more!
Offers a very comprehensive package inclusive of:
- Wakatobi’s own air-connection from Bali with meals and
door-to-door guide service. (via Makassar on Garuda flight DPS-UPG-DPS
until further notice).
- Unlimited 24-hr
shore diving on world's best house reef, 20m from room
- Highly knowledgeable,
expatriate dive guides - instructor-level
- 3 boat dives per
day, daily house reef tender boat service
- Daily Chef-prepared multi-course
breakfast, lunch, dinner + 2 snacks
- Wonderful tropical island setting.
White sand beach, swaying palm trees
- Complimentary coffee, tea and
cookies 24 hrs a day
- Weights, weight belt and unlimited air
fill
- Choice of accommodation in Classic Longhouse
(A) or Grand Bungalow (B)
- A contribution to protection of the
Wakatobi Marine Park (min. USD 25pp)
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NORTHERN SULAWESI
MANADO
In the crystal waters surrounding Manado almost every imaginable
species of tropical fish and coral will dazzle the eye of the beholder.
Water temperature rarely drops below 27 degrees and average visibility
surpasses 30 metres on most days year round. Playful Spinner Dolphins
and magnificent Pilot Whales cruise unhurried through the serene
waters. Soaring schools of barracuda are not uncommon and the big
beautiful Napoleon Wrasse is a particular favourite amongst divers.
Manado lies on the northern tip of Indonesia in the Sulawesi group
of islands towards the Philippines. World renowned diving at Bunaken
Marine Reserve awaits all divers. A 185,000 acre underwater marine
reserve has been set up around the islands of Bunaken, Tua, Montehage
and Nain. The tiny group of islands has some of Indonesia's finest
coral reefs, marine life and is frequently visited by underwater photographers
from all over the globe.
MUREX
RESORT MANADO
Nestled on the Manado coast, Murex offers 20 fully air-conditioned rooms
that feature natural timber construction complete with attached bathrooms
and balconys. 3 meals a day are provided as part of the room stay package.
Meals are provided for all boat dives away from the resort and special
meals are available on request. Laundry services are also available. Murex
is located about 15 minutes by speedboat from Bunaken Marine Park. More
than 100 excellent dive sites that include wall diving, pinnacles, cave
and wreck diving are all accesable by boat directly from Murex. The diving
in Manado is excellent all-year-round and boasts excellent visibility.
All diving equipment is available at the resort and trips are supervised
by trained divemasters. Scuba lessons and introductory scuba experiences
are available on request from our diving instructors.
NUSANTARA
DIVE CENTRE MANADO
Nusantara DiveCentre organizes small group tours in traditional dive
boats. This assures you completely hassle free and pleasant vacation
with uncrowded exploration of our large number of dive sites. The boats
leave our base at around 9:00 AM, returning around 4:00 PM. The program
includes two dives at different sites and a picnic lunch. PADI dive courses
are conducted by internationally accredited Instructors.
Our home atmosphere dive centre offers you 45 rooms in local type
seaside cottages, airconditioned or fan cooled with private western
style bath and hot water. Superb home cooked meals consisting of Indonesian,
Chinese, European and regional specialities are offered by our restaurant.
  
BASTIANOS
BUNAKEN DIVE RESORT
Diving Bunaken means diving North Sulawesi, one of the most pristine
natural areas in the world. Relax and unwind on our tropical island
beach while you enjoy a refreshing drink and soak up an amazing
orange sunset, or experience the fine seafood cuisine and friendly nature
of the Bunaken Island villagers. Every Bunaken dive is a great experience.
For sheer exhilaration, join us for some blue-water drift dives down
with the really BIG critters, as you drift effortlessly along the world-renowned
vertical walls of the Bunaken Island and Manado Tua Marine Park. A time
you will never forget, diving in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
TASIK RIA RESORT & SPA
Nestled right next to the clear blue sea, this intimate boutique-style resort has 34 rooms offering a pool or sea view. Located on Tanawangko Bay, on the north-west coast of Manado, you are only 20 kilometers from Bunaken National Park in North Sulawesi. Twenty Pool-View Rooms are conveniently situated around the sweet-water freeform swimming pool, each with air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom, mini-bar, cable TV, IDD phone and safety deposit box. The fourteen Sea-View Cottages are set is lush landscaping along the seafront. Each has a private veranda facing the water.
Eco Divers are the friendly dive operator at Tasik Ria, and will look after all of your dving needs.
 
LEMBEH RESORT
Lembeh Resort offers comfortable accommodations set in beautifully landscaped tropical gardens overlooking Lembeh Strait. For a truly exceptional experience in a relaxed and professional atmosphere, Lembeh Resort is the obvious choice. The resort has 14 air conditioned cottages with spacious verandahs overlooking the Strait.The rooms also have attached Balinese-style (open-air) bathrooms, mini bar & personal safe, while the resort offers a swimming pool, restaurant & bar, library/video viewing room with satellite TV, gift shop, massage service, internet access & laundry service for your comfort.
  
KUNGKUNGAN BAY RESORT
Kungkungan Bay Resort (or just KBR to its many fans) is located in the very heart of the Lembeh Strait, giving access to forty dive sites, all within fifteen minutes of our private jetty. An intimate and exclusive resort, Kungkungan is staffed by a friendly, professional team who will look after your every need from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart.
Facilities at KBR include a private jetty with camera rinse tanks and hot showers, dedicated camera charging room, swimming pool with swim-up bar, lounge, WIFI internet access and lending library. Restaurant service is available
24-hours of every day.
Kungkungan Bay Resort is proud to offer North Sulawesi’s only truly exclusive dive site. Kungkungan Bay (our House Reef) can only be dived by our in-house guests. No fishing has been allowed in Kungkungan Bay since the resort opened, way back in 1994, making this without doubt the fishiest dive site anywhere in the Strait – and it’s your alone to enjoy, when you stay at KBR.
 
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CENTRAL SULAWESI
WALEA DIVE CETNRE
Walea Dive Resort, located in the Tomini Gulf, in one of the most enchanting corners of Indonesia's Central Sulawesi. This area can easily be reached by a short 1 hour plane ride to Luwuk. There you will be met by resort staff and transferred to the resort by boat, approximately a 1.5 hour ride. The Resort is comprised of 11 elegant double occupancy cottages all with private bathrooms with showers and all facing the endless, white sand beach. The resorts features world class Italian & Indonesian cuisine with tasty home-made afternoon snacks. Diving at the resort's Five Star PADI Facility is done from two 30 foot fiberglass speedboats giving guests a wide range of dive sites near & far.
Text and Photo Courtesy Safari Tours and Travel
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WEST PAPUA
Formerly knows as Raja Ampat, West Papua spreads out
over a huge area and consists of over 610 islands. The four largest
islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool and are located
at the Westside of the “Bird
head peninsula” in New Guinea. Only recently discovered
by scientists, West Papua is home to one of the world’s richest reefs systems. Situated near the equator, West Papua is still to this very day virtually unexplored
and unknown due to its size. What we do know is that West Papua harbors an amazing diversity of breathtaking underwater life, and is sure to be one of the hottest new dive destinations in world.
PAPUA DIVING
Papua Diving is a Dutch owned and managed company. Max Ammer, Sven
de Vries and Rob Hoogendoorn are owners/managers, while almost all
the rest of the staff are indigenous Papuan people. They have already
been operating the “Kri Eco Resort” since 1994, while a
more luxurious resort "Sorido Bay Resort" just opened its
doors in November 2004.
The company offers you a whole scale of dive experiences. With nearly
15 years of diving experience in the Raja Ampat, they can share more
locations than you can dive in many weeks. Because of this they enjoy
a very high number of returning guest. Papua Diving was the first to
explore the islands on scuba and a lot of their knowledge was gained
by working with local Papuan people. Almost all of the staff were born
and raised in the area.
New discoveries are still made almost daily. The area never ceases
to amaze!
Diving is available year round in West Papua, with a wide variety of marine life present. Manta Rays are one of the area’s prime dive draw cards, and can often be found in West Papua from November to January, and then again from March to May. Large numbers of ghost pipefish, robust pipefish and nudibranchs can also be located from March to June, however these are also present at all other times throughout the year in smaller numbers and frequencies.
Other marine life that make West Papua home include sharks, dugongs, turtles, and huge schools of a variety of different species of fish. Whales and dolphins can also be seen at West Papua should you be lucky enough to experience it!
  
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KRI ECO RESORT
Sitting on the edge of mountainous Kri Island the dive resort is shaded
by palm trees that run along a long fine white sand beach. This
established resort consists of traditional buildings over the water,
along a jetty and offers traditional Papuan accommodation with excellent
food and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. A jetty built over the large
shallow lagoon in front of the eco-resort also leads to five of the
guest houses. As a bonus, since accommodations are over the water,
often you can see sharks, rays and schools of fish in the "garden".
SORIDO BAY RESORT
The new “Sorido Bay Resort” offers western comforts in
traditional Papuan setting. The resort combines modern and traditional
building methods to create a balanced and comfortable resort. This
resort is built for the more demanding diver and specially the UW photographer.
The owners have worked on building the ideal dive resort. Great accommodation,
fantastic cuisine and TOP diving.
The resort has all comforts but is completely integrated in nature
and has one of the worlds richest dive sites as its house reef. The
boats used are silent (Honda 4 stroke engines) and all diving is tailor
made and personalized, and can and will amaze even the most seasoned
divers.
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