TRAVEL

The smallest and quietest island in the chain is Gili Meno. There are less accommodation options that neighbouring Gili Air and those that are there tend to be more up market. There is also a bird park on the island.

Takat Malang and Simon's Reef
Malang reef between Gili Meno and Air offers a plateau at around 12 meters that drops away to around 40. There are several big coral heads with some impressive canyons, overhangs and swimthroughs. Plenty of healthy coral, sponges and gorgonians to be found here along with a vast array of marine fish. Simon's reef, which is close by, also offers similar action with eight big coral bommies in a rough figure of eight formation.

Meno Wall
The soft coral carpeted wall drops to around 22 meters and is home to all manner of crusteaceans. Some big groupers and turtles are often seen at this spot which is also a popular night dive destination. Spanish dancers and cuttlefish are the delights after dark.

This is the first of the three Gili Islands off the northwest coast of Lombok. It has the largest population and feels more "lived on" than the other two islands. There is a small turtle hatchery here where conservation efforts are in place to protect the local Hawksbill and Green population. There are plenty of good snorkelling spots around the island and a number of good dive sites.

Japanese Wreck
The remains of a 20 meter World War II Japanese patrol vessel can be found in 45 meters of water to the south of Gili Air. It is home to a large number of lionfish and scorpionfish and often attracts schooling barracuda and jacks. Due to the depths involved decompression or enriched air diving is recommended on this site.

Hans Reef
To the northeast of Gili Air is this reef of bommies and rocky outcrops. This is a great site for macro life and juvenile fish, keep a lookout for frogfish, pipefish and octopus.

Air Wall
This dive offers a drop off to around 32 meters, some good coral formations can be found here with plenty of overhangs and arches filled with glassfish. There are concrete blocks that serve as a cleaning station at 22 meters and a sandy patch that can also be explored.

Java, the most populous island of the Indonesian archipelago, is one of active volcanic activity. The most famous one is Krakatoa to the west which offers some good dive spots. There are also several hundred off shore islands with good coral and marine life to be explored. The Ujung Kulon national park consists of Penietan Island and peninsula, and is home to many marvelous Javanese rainforest animals and surf beaches. Underwater also offers myriad marine life at this spot and at Pulau Seribu, a number of tiny islands that serve as a popular weekend destination from Jakarta.

Bali is by far Indonesia's most popular dive destination. It offers plenty of shore based diving opportunities set against a stunning backdrop of volcanic peaks, rice paddys and breath taking beaches. The diving is varied with drop offs, coral gardens and bommies, wrecks and a huge variety of marine life. The Lombok strait lies to the east of Bali and through it flows the greatest volume of tidal water on earth. It is not surprising then that the waters around Bali are often visited by some big pelagics including the elusive sunfish.

With everything on offer from muck diving at Secret bay to adrenaline drift diving at Nusa Penida to walls and drop offs of Tulamben and even a world class wreck, the Liberty. Bali has something for every divers taste. Many of the sites have very strong currents and are recommended for experienced divers only however there are also calmer shallower spots like those at Amed for beginners.

There are several good reefs off the coast of the eastern side of Kalimantan. Out in the Makassar strait lie a number of sites are famous for the large gatherings of manta rays and breeding grounds of turtles. There is also a unique biological wonderland in the form of a brackish inland lake at Kakaban. All the islands are relatively close together so can be visited in the same trip.

Visibility is often lower here than other parts of Indonesia due to silt from the river in Tanjung Redeb. Samama or Derawan usually have the lowest visibility, Sangalaki a bit better because it is a little further offshore, and Kakaban and Maratua even better because they are even further out.