Sumbawa

Wild and volcanic, where coral slopes meet whale sharks and remote adventure

Rugged, remote, and rising fast on every diver’s radar, Sumbawa is a wild volcanic gem tucked between Bali and Komodo, and it is best explored with a Sumbawa liveaboard. Less spotlighted than neighboring Komodo, Sumbawa is a rising destination for Indonesia dive holidays. Its underwater terrain includes volcanic slopes, geothermal vents, and whale shark-rich bays — offering variety and excitement for Sumbawa diving trips. Beneath its dramatic coastlines lie surreal seascapes that promise raw, authentic adventure and underwater discoveries to diving reefs Indonesia that feel truly your own.

Main Access Point

Bima

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

April to November

GETTING THERE

Bali (DPS) - Bima (BMU)

Labuan Bajo (LBJ) - Bima (BMU)

MARINE BIODIVERSITY

Macro life, reef sharks, vibrant coral gardens, pelagics

Why Visit

Sumbawa

Sumbawa remains a largely untapped diving destination, rich in diversity and natural beauty. The volcanic island features whale shark aggregations in Saleh Bay, eerie volcanic bubble reefs off Sangeang Island, and exhilarating drift dives around Banta Island near Komodo. The mix of muck, reef, and pelagic diving is outstanding — you can spot nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, blue-ringed octopus, and then switch gears to dive with tuna, sharks, and swirling fish schools. Above water, traditional villages, waterfalls, and views of Mount Tambora add to the island’s wild charm. Sumbawa is ideal for divers who love variety and want to escape the usual routes.

view liveaboards

Diving in

Sumbawa

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Hot Rocks (Sangeang)

Bubbles from underwater vents create a unique dive experience amid black sand critter habitat.

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Bonto Reef (Sangeang)

Slope dive with soft coral, ribbon eels, frogfish, and ghost pipefish.

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Angel Reef (Moyo)

Sheer walls with hard corals and pelagic visitors like tuna and reef sharks.

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Panjang Reef (Moyo)

Gently sloping reef ideal for turtles and colorful macro species.

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Whale Sharks

The largest fish in the ocean, growing up to 12 meters. These filter-feeding sharks are docile and often swim slowly near the surface. Despite their size, they feed mainly on plankton and small fish.

Blue-Ringed Octopus

Common at muck sites in Sangeang.

Frogfish & Ribbon Eels

Abundant in black sand environments.

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Turtles

Seen regularly at Moyo and Panjang Reef.

Pygmy Seahorses

Tiny, camouflaged creatures often found clinging to sea fans. They are only a few centimeters long and are masters of disguise, blending perfectly with their surroundings.

The water temperature in Sumbawa ranges between 24°C and 28°C depending on the season and site.

Featuring coral-covered walls, volcanic black sand slopes, pinnacles, and occasional muck sites. Whale sharks are occasionally seen in coastal bays.

Sumbawa offers a mix of calm and current-swept sites. Sheltered bays like Saleh are usually tranquil, while outer reefs and straits can have strong flow — perfect for drift dives with the chance to spot pelagics. Most dive sites are accessible with proper timing and guidance.

Bali (DPS) - Bima (BMU)

Labuan Bajo (LBJ) - Bima (BMU)

How to get to

Sumbawa

Sumbawa sits between Lombok and Flores, and thanks to short flights and reliable ferries, reaching its rugged shores is more straightforward than you might expect.