A diving holiday in Indonesia is about so much more than simply what is below the water.
With its diverse cultures, incredible scenery and stunning wildlife, some of the greatest experiences you gain might come when being on land.
Not that the marine life is dull. We all know that quite the opposite is true.
So, when visiting Indonesia, what are some of the flora and fauna highlights to look out for – both above and below the surface?
The country is a treasure trove of natural wonders and when you join Emperor Divers on one of our trips we do all we can to ensure you get to see the best of it.
From the rugged landscapes of Komodo National Park to the lush archipelagos of Raja Ampat, you will encounter some of the world’s most remarkable species.
For example, on the islands of Komodo National Park roams the iconic Komodo Dragon. The world’s largest lizard (they often grow to over three meters in length), its powerful body, forked tongue, and razor-sharp claws make this formidable reptile one of the most striking and memorable creatures to spot. And with its ancestry dating back some 4,000,000 years, who doesn’t like a prehistoric encounter once in a while?!
Sharing the Komodo terrain, but in a slightly more understated manner, is the Timor Deer. With their true beauty and gentle personalities, these graceful grazers wander through grasslands and forests and often appear at watering holes at dusk. Just observing them peacefully going about their business is both calming and mesmerising.
There are many wonders to be witnessed under the water, too, of course. Gliding through the waters of both Komodo and Raja Ampat are one of the diver’s big favourites – manta rays.
Graceful, majestic and captivating with their beauty, these gentle giants have wingspans reaching up to seven metres but remain so elegant as soar past in search of plankton. Encountering a manta is a powerful reminder of our ocean’s wonders.
At the other end of the scale comes the tiny pygmy seahorse – an underwater jewel measuring barely two centimetres! Hidden in the corners of coral fans, they camouflage so well they become almost impossible to spot. A star of the Coral Triangle, any pygmy seahorse sighting can be a real badge of honour for divers.
The same goes for another master of disguise in Raja Ampat, the elusive wobbegong shark. Flattened and adorned with frilly lobes around its mouth, it blends perfectly with the coral reefs. Often spotted resting on the ocean floor, it may be much larger than the pygmy seahorse with which it shares the water but is an equally fine example of nature’s endlessly creative ways of producing camouflage.
And as where talking Raja Ampat, why not head back on to dry land where you can see one of the most beautiful animals on the planet. The Bird of Paradise is found exclusively in the lush forests of this region and is renowned for its vibrant plumage and theatrical courtship displays.
These rare birds captivate explorers – and have done for centuries – as they perform elaborate courtship dances amid the treetops, their colourful feathers shimmering in the sunlight. Witnessing this spectacle is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and they provided an endless fascination to pioneering naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace.
We make visiting Indonesia an all-encompassing adventure.
The diving is some of – if not the – finest in the world. But there is obviously so much more to an exploration of the world’s largest archipelagic state.
And when it is done from the comfort and safety of either Emperor Harmoni or Emperor Raja Laut, there really is no finer way to see it.
Find out more about our amazing itineraries and the experiences available on each by visiting our trip pages or contact our team on [email protected] and they will be delighted to guide through the options of offer.