Macro Diving in Indonesia

Whether you're looking to discover the bountiful coral reefs, numerous wrecks or mysterious ocean floor, Indonesia's waters are teeming with small creatures, which to the untrained eye remain hidden. From pygmy seahorses that are camouflaged among gorgonian sea fans to bizarre-looking frogfish which can be found on the sandy, silty ocean floor, there is plenty to be discovered beneath the surface.

There are countless spots for macro diving in Indonesia, but we particularly love Ambon, North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat. Each destination is as breath-taking as the last, and we can help you visit one, or all, with a custom-made itinerary.

Ambon

Ambon, also known as Spice Island, is renowned for having some of the best macro diving in Indonesia. With a mixture of muck sites, wrecks and coral reefs, divers will encounter a variety of interesting creatures, including bobbit worms, harlequin shrimp and the elusive psychedelic frogfish, which was first discovered in these waters.

The best sites for macro diving in Ambon are Laha, an area known for frogfish and fire urchins; the 'Duke of Sparta' wreck, which is a hotspot for invertebrates including octopuses; and Air Manis, a fantastic muck diving site where divers can encounter flamboyant cuttlefish, crinoid crabs and crinoid clingfish.

Many divers explore the island and its underwater spots on a liveaboard, visiting Ambon alongside other destinations such as Raja Ampat and the Banda Sea.

North Sulawesi

While North Sulawesi is packed with wonderful dive sites, the Lembeh Strait in particular is a fantastic macro photography destination, renowned for its muck diving. The strait has over 30 dive sites teeming with small critters, interesting fish and nudibranchs. It's not the best place to visit if you're hoping to see megafauna, but when it comes to macro diving in Indonesia, it's a must-visit.

The visibility in the Lembeh Strait isn't always excellent, but for macro diving, this isn't an issue. Expect to encounter creatures such as orangutan crabs, crinoid shrimp, ornate ghost pipefish, mantis shrimp and more.

Raja Ampat

Diving in Raja Ampat is a dream for most divers. In this incredibly diverse and remote part of the country, you'll have the best of both worlds, witnessing both mega and micro fauna. Although most divers head to Raja Ampat hoping to see manta rays and other large creatures, turn your attention to the seafloor and you may see frogfish, nudibranchs, blue-ringed octopus and more.

We recommend adding some night dives to your itinerary when in Raja Ampat. This will allow you to focus on the smaller creatures in front of you and avoid the distraction of what's overhead.

Macro diving in Indonesia is phenomenal, with several world-class spots. However, the best sites tend to be remote and hard to reach, which is where we come in. Planning a trip with Original Diving takes out all the hassle of planning and logistics, as we will handle everything from creating a tailor-made itinerary to organizing pick-ups and transfers.