Indonesia is an archipelago comprising of over 17,000 islands, a volcanic arc that spreads over two thousand miles from Sumatra in the west to Papua in the east. At the heart of the coral triangle, a region which scientists believe holds the planets highest concentration of marine biodiversity, Indonesia surely plays host to some of the worlds finest dive sites. Of course the quality of a dive is purely subjective but here are my top five for scuba diving in Indonesia.

Pantee Peunateng, Pulau Weh, Sumatra: This high adrenaline dive sites is highly exposed making it an intense experience even when conditions are calmer than most. A fringing reef with dramatic craggy wall sections it has typically strong currents that attract many species of pelagic fish. Black and whitetips are often seen whilst larger fish, attracted by the nutrients brought in by ocean currents include whale sharks, mola mola and mantas. Though might not be the best for beginners, Pantee Peunateng boasts of the most exciting places to dive in Indonesia.

Lekaun One, Bunaken Island, North Sulawesi: The infamous Lekaun dive sites have always been on many a travelers list whilst diving in Indonesia. The reef flat that surrounds the island plunges to hundreds of meters creating a dramatic wall covered in hard and soft corals desperately competing for space.  Hunting reefs sharks and trevally can often been seen working their way up the reef, whilst giant green turtles rest in the ledges of the wall.

The Passge, Raja Ampat: This area boasts of 5-10 meters deep that forms river-like sea fjord that twists and turns to meet underwater grottoes. A truly mystical experience this is one of many in the region like it. The tree canopies overhead close above it whilst the sun rays bring out the dramatic colors of the reef.

Hairball, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi: For macro life there are few places on earth that can compare with the Lembeh Strait. The black sand slope at Hairball plays host to a huge abundance of marine life. On a typical dive here you can expect to find many types of octopus, snake eels, frog fish, star gazers and nudibranchs (sea slugs) where in other parts of the world these sightings would be few and far between.

Langkoi Rock, Komodo: A submerged pinnacle found not far from Langkoi Island to the Southwest of Komodo which makes an exhilarating dive. The walls that surround the pinnacle drop away steeply to great depths. Exposed to strong currents and surge, it attracts many types of shark including grey reefs, white tips, hammerheads and bronze whalers. Many believe it is a breeding ground for many grey reef sharks. Langkoi Rock offers the most thrilling dive anywhere in Indonesia.

The pygmy seahorse was only recently discovered for the first time after a specimen of a gorgonian fan was bought in for research by a scientist scuba diving in Indonesia. The pygmy seahorse is the smallest seahorse species in the world growing only up to 2 centimeters, and it’s highly cunning in blending in with its surroundings. Large bulbous tubercles cover the species’ body which resembles the soft coral polyps of the host gorgonian fan making it extremely difficult to spot in its natural environment.

What is perhaps most fascinating about the Pygmy Seahorses is the way they have taken on the characteristics of so many other species of both marine and terrestrial life. Whilst it has the head of a horse, its tail is much like a monkey’s, which it uses to wrap around its host. Pygmy seahorses incubate its eggs in its pouch like marsupials; it has outer skeleton like insects, and it can move it’s eyes like chameleons.

During courting behavior the male will attach itself to her hitching post and then proceed to vibrate his dorsal fin to attract her attention. She then extends her egg tube and will pass them into his pouch. The male seahorse then holds the eggs during pregnancy and is one of the only species of its kind to carry out birth. Pygmy seahorses are thought to feed on the same zooplankton as their host polyps although very little is known about their life cycle thereafter.

Pygmy seahorses are found all over the world, but are especially widespread in the western pacific, specifically Indonesia, Papua, Fiji, and the Philippines. Those diving in Indonesia are increasingly on the look out for this rare species which is increasingly growing in popularity amongst the diving community since its first discovery. Observe the animal in its natural environment yourself for you to fully appreciate its grandeur.

Scuba diving is the use of independent breathing equipment to stay under the water for long periods of time. This equipment is used both for recreational and professional diving. Scuba diving is not just a fun way of staying fit, but provides sights and experiences which are simply unique. Perhaps the more widespread availability of equipment and certified instructors would induce more people to explore underwater, plus thanks to the internet you can get cheap scuba gear easily.

Scuba diving is not only a popular activity all over the world, but an experience that will be etched in your heart forever. Scuba diving is fun, and we like to see turtles, sharks, coral, fish, invertebrates, nudibranchs, crabs, mollusks, molluscs, eels, sting rays, manta rays, and shrimp. Along with this, we take video and photographs of reefs, reef, fishes, fish, inverts, invertebrates, lobsters, octopus, octopuses, octopi, and coral. SCUBA diving is great fun and can open the way for you to discover the diversity of the amazing underwater world. Scuba diving is a sport that is unparalleled. It’s a great work out, but generally considered a lazy man’s sport (you’re floating 98% of the time).

Scuba diving is greatly different from other sports and recreations in this necessity. In other sports, there is little necessity of belonging to or registering with a certain organization. Scuba diving is popular in Cancun, though it’s not as spectacular as in Cozumel. Look for a scuba company that will give you lots of personal attention: smaller companies are often better at this than larger ones. Scuba Diving is a relaxing, action-packed and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by everybody. Evidence shows that people have been diving for thousands of years, either to hunt for food, seek out treasure, in the art of war or to simply observe the world beneath the waves.

Scuba diving is practiced as a recreational sport as well as a means of conducting military and scientific research.  Scuba diving is clearly one of the most exciting hobbies to take. This activity takes you to depths, literally and figuratively. SCUBA diving is a fantastic way of learning about the seas on which we, the human race, rely to support the world’s eco-system. Australia is very fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most diverse marine biological eco-systems in the world. Scuba diving is safe and very inexpensive compared to other excursions offered at resorts. Scuba Diving is one of the most popular water sport activity in the country – a diver’s paradise, a marine jewel rich in sealife and astonishing underwater scenery. Some of my favorite destinations is Scuba Diving in Australia and Scuba Diving in Thailand.

Cabilao Island is one of the best dive place in the Philippines and it is the perfect dive spot for beginners and experienced divers. Scuba diving is an equipment intensive sport. If we are to become good at it, we must be using the same equipment each time we do it.

So my advice is you are thinking about in learning or not about the amazing sport of scuba diving is: go for it… for sure you will love it and you will become an avid scuba diver.