Snorkeling Indonesia

The Indonesian Archipelago is made up of over 17,000 islands which boast a staggering length of coastline and an equally impressive range of coral reefs. For those who enjoy snorkeling Indonesia is a dream come true – and there’s no better way to explore it than by cruising on board El Aleph.

Snorkeling Indonesia’s Coral Reefs

Snorkeling Indonesia will not disappoint even the most well-travelled of ocean enthusiasts. Indonesian reefs boast over 500 species of coral, 10,000 species of invertebrates and sea plants and over 3,000 species of fish. They are home to 6 out of 7 of the World’s turtle species and form part of the migratory routes of over 30 species of marine mammals. Indonesian waters also accommodate more than one third of all whale and dolphin species and support the most varied and abundant marine life on Earth.

The best conditions for snorkeling are undoubtedly calm waters, great visibility and shallow water reefs that are home to a host of marine life – and that’s exactly what you’ll find. Our years of experience in cruising these waters has taken us from border to border, locating the most pristine reefs with the best conditions for our discerning snorkeling guests.

A male snorkeler in a mask and fins is lying in the ocean, surrounded by many coral reefs.

The Best Regions for Snorkeling Indonesia

There is certainly no shortage of incredible options when you are trying to decide where to go snorkeling in Indonesia. Here a few of our top picks:

Banda islands Indonesia ocean surrounded by hills.

The Banda Sea

The Banda Sea is an off-the-grid haven for those who have a taste for adventure. When snorkeling Indonesia, the Banda Sea offers a wealth of coastline with thriving fringing reefs. When exploring these reefs, you’ll be mesmerized by the abundance of fish, the staggering colours of the corals and the impressive visibility.

Unlike when snorkeling other world-renowned regions such as the Great Barrier Reef, snorkeling in the Banda Sea is a highly exclusive experience. You and your guests can enjoy having entire bays, coves and beaches to yourself with no other boats on the horizon. If you are looking for a bespoke experience away from the crowds, the Banda Sea is an incredible option.

We tailor make all itineraries and it’s possible to combine parts of the Banda Sea with Raja Ampat for those who prefer a longer cruising experience.

Raja Ampat west Papua ocean is surrounded by hills with a boat in sight

Raja Ampat & Misool

Raja Ampat and the Misool region are world famous for offering the most productive and abundant reefs in Indonesia. This is the chance to explore the ocean like nowhere else on earth. Marine biomass is beyond belief with fish densely packed into schools, manta rays hovering over cleaning stations, and vibrant corals competing for space on the reefs.

Raja Ampat was created for sea exploration, the vast region has so much to offer that it simply makes sense to cruise the area to maximize your snorkeling opportunities. Our experienced team know the Raja Ampat islands like the back of their hands, they know the best snorkeling spots and they’ll take you to areas where other vessels haven’t ventured before.

The stunning seascapes of Raja Ampat are breathtaking, and the region is well known for its migrating whale sightings and pods of dolphins – all of which can be observed from El Aleph’s lavish deck with a cocktail in hand!

Komodo island Indonesia with hills surrounding the ocean.

Komodo Marine Park

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a marine protected area – and it shows! The no fishing policies that are in place have resulted in snorkeling sites that are literally teeming with schooling fish.

The islands of the park are rugged and wild – there are spectacular viewing points awaiting those who choose to trek to the peaks and, of course, a trip ashore to Rinca Island to see the Komodo Dragons is not to be missed.

A person is swimming beside a beautiful big underwater cliff.

Alor and the Savu Sea

When researching snorkeling Indonesia, there is comparatively little information available about Alor – and that’s just the way we like it. Alor is a truly hidden gem in the Savu Sea which promises adventure, exploration, and an absolutely incredible snorkeling experience.

Shallow water coral gardens that give way to staggering walls and the deep blue sea make for phenomenal snorkeling which will excite even the most seasoned of snorkelers.

For a longer cruise experience on board El Aleph, we can tailor make an itinerary that combines Alor and Komodo or the Banda Sea.

Snorkeling Indonesia Aboard El Aleph

As Indonesia’s most lavish and exclusive phinisi yacht, our onboard service is nothing short of exemplary. Our snorkeling services are no different – our comfortable zodiac tender is ready at any time to whisk you away to the nearest underwater paradise and our snorkeling guides will be right by your side.

Bespoke Itineraries

Your itinerary and your schedule are all tailor-made according to your wants and needs. If you’d prefer not to have a schedule and simply snorkel whenever the urge takes you, we can also accommodate you. If there are particular snorkeling sites that you want to visit, we’ll seamlessly weave them into your cruising itinerary and if there are certain marine species that you’d like to see, we can ensure that you visit the sites where you have the best possible chances of an encounter.

Our Snorkeling Guides

Our Snorkeling Guides are among the most experienced in Indonesia with an in-depth knowledge of all regions and they are experts at reading the conditions to give you the best possible experiences. With thousands of hours snorkeling and scuba diving in Indonesia they have an extensive knowledge of Indonesia’s marine life and where to find different species.

Safety is of paramount importance to us and all guides are trained in rescue scenarios and have been certified in first aid, CPR and emergency oxygen administration.

Snorkeling Indonesia

What We Offer

  • Full range of snorkeling gear available including smaller sizes for children
  • Weights and weight belts for those who want to freedive
  • Floatation devices including life rings, floats and life jackets
  • Unlimited snorkeling time, whenever you desire
  • Individual scheduling and snorkeling site selection to fit your preferences
  • Experienced multilingual snorkeling guides
  • Detailed snorkeling site briefings and debriefs including marine life ID
  • Facilities for snorkelers with underwater cameras including Go Pros (freshwater rinse tanks etc)

If you have a taste for adventure and don’t want to compromise on the finer things in life, then a bespoke cruise onboard el Aleph guarantees exemplary service, luxurious and spacious cabins, privacy, and of course – the very best experience of snorkeling Indonesia.

For reservations or enquiries, please contact us using our contact form – or email us at info@elalephcruising.com and we will promptly reply.

Please note that we are not a yacht agency — your enquiry will be addressed directly by el Aleph’s owner. All of our charters and land excursions are custom designed to suit your tastes and interests. For your comfort and privacy, we accept bookings for full boat charter only — not by the cabin.

logo