Page 25 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Diving Overview
Dive Site and

Conditions Marine Life
Highlights
Conditions around the dive sites
in the Jakarta region vary – often At dive sites located within reach of
according to two key factors: Jakarta you’ll find a pleasing array of
proximity to the mainland, and marine species and common sightings
weather. Sites which are closest to Jakarta include sweetlips, batfish, moray eels,
tend to have more limited visibility and Moorish idols and sting rays, anemones
water clarity improves exponentially as you and anemonefish, angelfish, parrotfish,
increase distance away from the mainland. puffers and an array of colorful damsels.
Rainfall will also reduce visibility as water
runs off into the ocean from the land. Larger fish, schooling fish and pelagics
are seen in the region but not with
Currents are generally mild but increase regularity. Most common sightings
around full moon. The Thousand Islands include white tip reef sharks, hawksbill
offer some longer stretches of reef which turtles, black tip reef sharks, tuna and
make for pleasant, gentle drift dives. The barracuda.
year round easy calm conditions make
several sites perfect for those learning to Highlights of dive sites in the region
dive. of Anak Krakatau are definitely more
topographical and the underwater
Some sites around Krakatau offer more bottom composition is unique to diving
challenging conditions for more seasoned in a volcanic region – an experience
divers. which is only available in a few places
in the world. The lava flow boulders,
swim throughs, caverns and canyons
Snorkeling and may be lacking in fish life but are no less
Freediving Highlights impressive and geologically fascinating.
For wreck enthusiasts, there are
Pulau Seribu offers pretty and opportunities to explore in both Pulau
shallow reefs which are home to Seribu and Krakatau.
a range of reef species. This is an easy trip to
he diving in Java is mediocre at best (especially when compared make from Jakarta and with a selection of island For divers who are visiting or staying in
to diving else where in Indonesia) and realistically nobody comes resorts to choose from it’s easy to see why this Jakarta, by far the biggest draw card of
Tto Indonesia with the sole intention of ‘diving Java’ which when is a popular weekend destination for snorkelers diving here is the proximity and ease of
compared to the ‘world class diving’ found in other parts of Indonesia just and freedivers alike. Snorkeling conditions are access to dive sites, without the need to
does not seem worthwhile, particularly when one considers the low cost of easy and most islands have reefs which can be fly. Both Pulau Seribu and the Krakatau
domestic flights. accessed from the shore without the need for a region make pleasant weekend diving
The main downside of diving in Java is the visibility – which is usually in the boat. trips from Jakarta.
region of 5 – 10 meters and can be less in rainy season. If you are based in
north Java or Jakarta and are desperate for a quick dive trip the Thousand There are a handful of sites in the Anak Krakatau
Islands (Pulau Seribu) are pretty and quiet and diving around the mighty region which are interesting to snorkel for those
who wish to see the lava formations underwater,
volcano Anak Krakatau offers a different underwater seascape. however, the lack of fish life and coral in this Areas
region means it has limited appeal to many. It’s a to visit
region to see once but perhaps not return to.
Ujung Kulon sites are a mixed bag of reef and
rocks and Pulau Seribu generally offers more
suitable conditions and variety. - Pulau Seribu (the Thousand
Islands)
46 Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory - Krakatoa and Ujung Kulon 47