Page 18 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019
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Sumatra & Pulau Weh Sumatra & Pulau Weh
ulau Weh undoubtedly offers some of the best ‘off the grid’ Conditions Snorkeling
diving in Indonesia. If you don’t like diving in large groups or From May through to and Freediving
P“meeting” other divers at dive sites, then Pulau Weh should September is the dry Highlights
definitely be on your list of Indonesian islands to visit. season which brings with it
comfortable temperatures of Pulau Weh’s highlights are multiple!
around 28 degrees, rare rainfalls, cleaner Remote dive sites away from the crowds,
water and better visibility for diving and sharks, pelagics, manta ray and whale
snorkeling. shark sightings, schooling fish and a
plethora of critters make Pulau Weh a
Many of Pulau Weh’s most iconic sites are melting pot of marine life!
subject to currents which pick up around
the time of the full moon. While Weh’s The coral reefs here, which are nourished
currents can make for more challenging by the flow of nutrient rich water, are
diving, remember “no currents – no fish!” vibrant, healthy and bursting with color.
For less experienced divers, beginners and A multitude of dive sites from sloping
those who prefer to make more relaxing reefs, drop offs, drifts, sandy bottoms
dives there are several dive sites which and even wreck opportunities mean that
offer calmer conditions, and most sites, Pulau Weh has something to offer almost
when dived around slack tide, are suitable every diver. If you are looking for great
for all. Indonesian diving coupled with incredible
marine life and less divers then Pulau
Weh check all of the boxes.
Snorkeling and Freediving Highlights
ith great visibility and amazing marine life, ranging For snorkelers, a definite highlight of Freedivers will be equally enthralled
by the diversity of marine life and
this region is the colorful reef tops and
from small creatures to big swimming pelagics, the abundance of fish and multitude of impressive by the visibility. Attention
WPulau Weh offers something for all levels. Pumping species which can be seen in the shallows. must be paid to the currents when
currents flow around the island making for good drift dives, Boat snorkeling affords snorkelers the making deeper freedives around Weh
deep wrecks are great for technical diving and an underwater opportunity to drift along with currents as currents on the surface are not
always the same as those underwater.
volcano is something different for even the most experienced and cover a much larger area. For those For those diving a little deeper there is
who prefer calmer waters there are
diver. several more protected sites which are a good chance to see schools of fish as
equally as vibrant and productive. Many well as larger species. Boat support is
Pulau Weh diving is simply bursting with color, teeming with of the pelagic species which are spotted recommended.
life and a major hotspot for observing marine life in motion – around Pulau Weh venture into the
everything underwater around Pulah Weh appears to be on shallows and so are also possibilities for Areas
surface snorkelers too.
the move, whether it’s hunting or being hunted!
to visit
- Pulau Weh
32 Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory Sumatera | Natural Beauty and Exceptional Wildlife 33
