Location
Indonesia is around 15-20 hours flight from the UK and is made up of around 18 000 islands. It is the largest archipelago in the world straddling the Equator, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most travellers will enter Indonesia through Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS) or Manado (MDC) airports.
This is the stuff of divers' dreams. This exotic nation is the very definition of bio diversity. Find the big fish in Komodo, Raja Ampat or Kalimantan. Drift lazily along the walls of Bunaken and Wakatobi, watching turtles on coral drenched walls. While away the hours hunting for miniscule macro in Bali, Lembeh or Ambon. Cannot decide? Why not combine two locations into a single trip!
Weather and Climate
Indonesia is a vast country, and the weather can be hugley variable. The topography means that weather patterns can be very localised. This is the tropics! For Bali, Komodo & Wakatobi the weather is usually best from April - November, with July and August being some of the best months to visit. Between December and March the conditions can be a bit stormy. November to April is also the wettest month to visit Bunaken, Lembeh and Kalimantan but to a lesser degree than in other locations. October to April is historically the most popular time to dive in Raja Ampat.
Travel
Flight options
As standard, our holidays to Indonesia are quoted with London departures. We are however able to book most major airlines. Popular options for Indonesia include Cathay Pacific (40kgs hold allowance), Singapore airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Malaysian, KLM and Gaurda.
If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Indonesia, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
With a huge range of airlines to fly with, you can easily build in a stop over either on your way to or on your way back from Indonesia. Simply talk to your travel consultant about adding a stop over into your itinerary.
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
UK Passport holders landing in Jakarta, Bali or Manado are able to obtain a free 30 day visa on arrival. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Immunisations
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival in your Indonesia destination, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. Some reps are able to meet you airside. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
If you have a hotel en route please follow any specific instructions in your travel documents. Where possible, you will be met by a representative who will assist in taking you to your hotel. If using a shuttle service, please arrange your return shuttle time back to the airport at the hotel check in.
Domestic flights are common in Indonesia and run frequently. The major hubs of Jakarta, Bali and Manado all have separate terminals for domestic and international departures. Just follow the signs to move between international and domestic terminals.
The service has improved vastly, but there can still be last minute schedule changes. Please ensure you leave plenty of time for check in or transit between flights (usually 4 hours min). Domestic flights can typically only be booked with a 20kgs hold allowance as standard. Excess baggage must be paid for in Indonesian rupiah and costs around $2-$5 per kg per way.
Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
Departures
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. As of Feb 2015, the departure tax for all domestic and international flights is built into your flight ticket price.
Info
Included in your holiday
All state rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with private toilets, showers and sinks. There is a “grazing” breakfast available
from 6 am before the first dive. Breakfast is
cooked to order and is served after the first
morning dive. There is a buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with waiter service. Additionally, fresh mid-morning and mid- afternoon snacks are served. Beverages (non- alcoholic and local beer) are complimentary while on-board. Shampoo, conditioner and
body wash are provided in your stateroom. These have been hand blended and custom made for us in Bali. There are hair dryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed mid-week and fresh towels are changed as needed. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included. Flights from the UK, ground transfers between airport and the vessel at the destination are included.
Excluded
Dive instruction, crew gratitude, dive and photo equipment rentals and “boatique” purchases must be settled on-board prior to departure.
Tipping
Crew gratuities (as a usual guideline, guests normally pay 10% of the cruise fare) are also additional expenses.
Currency
Acceptable methods of payment include: US Dollars, local currency, traveller’s checks, or credit cards (Visa or Master Card). There is a credit card charge of 3%. Personal cheques are not accepted.
Phone coverage
Intermittent and depending on location
Plugs and electricity
The electrical current on Dewi Nusantara is 220 volts. Guests may wish to bring a converter for the use of small appliances in their stateroom. There is a charging station in the camera room which offers access to both 110V and 220V power. The standard current in all of Indonesia is European 220 volts.
Extras
Hire equipment
All scuba unit rental equipment is manufactured by US Divers. Six full sets of scuba gear ranging from small to extra large are available.
Underwater lights and other peripheral and safety equipment for rent and/or sale. Dewi Nusantara uses 11.2 litre (80's) aluminum cylinders.
In addition they have a limited supply of larger 15 litre (100's) and smaller 10 litre (63's) cylinders should you wish to use smaller or larger units.
All cylinder are fitted with DIN adaptable valves.
Extras
Dewi can teach a wide range of courses on board. These must be prebooked and are paid for on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current course prices and options
Souvenirs
Dewi Nusantara has a small, on- board “Boatique” which sells
a selection of logo clothing, custom jewellery, sundries, diving accessories, batteries, logbooks, etc. A crew member will gladly assist you with your purchases
at any time during the week. US Dollars, Euros, Indonesian Rupiah
or VISA and Master Card credit cards are all accepted for bill payment. Unfortunately American Express cards or personal and travellers cheques are not accepted.
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox 32 available for a surcharge
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for DEWI is £1000. This will be due once your holiday has been confirmed. Your balance will then be due 90 days before travel.
Ways to pay
We charge 2% on credit card transactions but nothing on UK debit card payments. All non sterling card payments will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
We had another great holiday on Dewi Nusantara. Three years since our last trip and it’s still the best liveaboard in the world, and Raja Ampat is still the best diving in the world. Now we’ve got to start saving some pennies so we can go back again!