Location
Indonesia is around 15-20 hours flight from the UK and is made up of around 19 000 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!
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
Bali, Jakarta and Manado have re-opened borders with visa on arrival for vaccinated travellers only. You can use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your vaccination record when entering Indonesia. You will need to present both soft and hard copies of your NHS vaccination certificates at various stages of your journey.
If you are fully vaccinated, you can enter Indonesia as follows:
Visa on arrival is idr 500,000 pay at airport by cash notes (no coins) or credit card - please bring cash as back up - cash notes must cover the whole amount or round up the cash
Travellers who have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccination and a booster do not need to have antigen/PCR test to travel domestically. Travellers who have not received any booster vaccination may need to show negative antigen/PCR test to travel domestically.
show proof of a full course of vaccination (travellers under 18 years old or those who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons are exempt)
download and install install the SATUSEHAT ios or SATUSEHAT andriod application
undergo a temperature check upon arrival and, if showing COVID-19 symptoms and / or a temperature above 37.5 degrees, a RT-PCR test. If negative, fully vaccinated travellers can continue their journey
There are no domestic tests required for domestic flights
From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.
It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 2 APR 2023
Weather and Climate
Indonesia is a vast country, and the weather can be hugely 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
Our holidays to Indonesia can be quoted with most major airlines. We are however able to book most major airlines. Popular options for Indonesia include Cathay Pacific, 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 visa on arrival in Jakarta 5000 000 IDR cash. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. 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
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other 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
Tipping
Crew gratuities are not included in the charter. Aggressor believe gratuities should be voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided. When settling your account on the final morning morning, the Captain will have an envelope for gratuities that will be divided equally among the crew.
Currency
The Indonesian Rupiah is the currency of Indonesia. The yacht accepts US Dollars
Phone coverage
There is a satellite phone onboard for emergency communication.
Plugs and electricity
Raja Ampat Aggressor has 220-volt power onboard
Extras
Hire equipment
A full line of rental gear is available aboard including regulators, BCs, dive computers, and night-lights. The yacht offers a full Aqualung rental program onboard.
Extras
Several diving specialty courses are offered onboard including Nitrox, Advanced Open Water, UW Photography and more.
Souvenirs
There is a mini-boutique onboard, which sells a selection of logo clothing including t-shirts, caps, CD’s and miscellaneous items. One day during the week, the crew will have a ‘boutique day’. The Raja Ampat Aggressor accepts cash, Visa & MasterCard. Sorry, no personal checks, Travelers Checks, Amex or Discover Cards.
Nitrox/Gas
Unlimited Nitrox is $100 per 7 night charter/ $150 per 10 night charter
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for your Aggressor liveaboard package will be 50% of the trip cost. Your final balance will be due 100 days before travel.
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX.
All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge.
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees.
We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
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
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Plus travel on a second Aggressor trip in 12mths for an extra $100 discount or $200 on your third trip in 12 mths.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Your liveaboard accommodation is based on a deluxe cabin on a full board basis - your last night dinner is not included in your charter package
Soft drinks, water, tea, coffee and a limited selection of local beer and wine
All diving, 12lt international tanks, air fills and weights are included
Airport transfers for embarkation/disembarkation
Excluded
International flights, domestic flights and any overnight stays where required are not included in your trip. Please ask your travel consultant for a quote to add these
Current Raja Ampat marine park fees $250 - fees may be changed by the local authorities
Indonesian airports may charge a departure tax which must be paid in local currency. This varies from airport to airport. Excess baggage charges may apply. Nitrox for 7 nights is $100 on all Aggressor charters, kit rental, souvenirs or private guiding services are paid for on board.