Most articles about diving in Indonesia wax lyrical on the warm beautiful world underwater, with a variety myriad of fish and coral of kaleidoscopic colors, et cetera, et cetera.
This is quite justified, that the Indonesian diving is one of the best diving destinations in the world, especially because it is so accessible. The combination of scuba diving quality, accommodation and people is exceptional and so much better value for money than most other destinations in Oceania such as Australia and Papua New Guinea.
But there are dangers, or at least hassle, even in this paradise. This article by some of them.
CURRENTS
Some common in Indonesia are formidable, including Komodo and Nusa Penida Bali. Drift dives, where you cruise about the same depth, are exciting and fun, but not really dangerous. The currents to avoid are those that drag you deep down very quickly, which is bad enough, but sometimes you are too quickly again, at the risk of decompression sickness.
The worst 'drag you down' currents I knew had long been on a liveaboard to Komodo. It was maiden voyage of the boat to Komodo. The crew did not worked out how to prepare properly for diving. They relied too much on dive tables, wanting to get the guests in the water fixed, dressers regular times for meals. I went to Komodo several times since and always checks my favorite liveaboard diving in advance, adjusting the dive time if necessary.
Obviously, the best thing to do is avoid the downdrafts. Easier said than done, but it helps to watch the fish; if they swim very erratic at funny angles, beware. And not be in front of a group of divers - let someone else "test the waters" literally Also, be very careful in the corners of reefs. High and low currents seem to be more active in the corners. If you approach a downdraft, turn around, or climb on or near the reef as possible.
But if you are caught in a bad current focus strongly on your depth gauge and, using your BCD inflator, come to the surface as safely as possible (including making a safety stop). do not fight against the current. most common die much faster than you imagine.
This is a real problem, especially if diving with operators not maintain their equipment as much as they should. If something important seems not working properly, especially if your regulator or BCD, do not dive.
This self-discipline can be difficult, especially if you notice a problem only when in the water. If you decide to continue diving (definitely not recommended), stay shallow (less than 12 meters) and at least make sure that you reported to your friend (and dive guide) you have a problem, and dive near them at all times aware of where their breathing emergency octopus is - make sure it is not tied or zipped into a pocket
FISH DANGEROUS aND CRITTERS
I've never been (badly) bitten. or dive while scuba diving in Indonesia. I, however, had a handful of experiences that have had a reasonable chance of a bad outcome. All these experiences have been because of my stupidity
Looking diving deaths, they are almost always due to an error or failure of the human equipment -. Not by sharks or deadly creatures. In other words, if you follow a few simple rules (do not touch or harass wildlife), the most dangerous thing in the water yourself.
ABOVE WATER EQUIPMENT
Resorts and liveaboards are often in remote locations. Whether bungalows or liveaboards, poor aircon systems appear to be a major source of problems. I was recently at a 12-day cruise trip (with one of the most expensive cruises in Indonesia) when the central air conditioning unit fell on the second day. Steering the boat were rude, uncommunicative and offered inadequate compensation. I will never go again with this operator (they have two boats with the same design flaw), nor any boat with a central air conditioning system (rare, for good reason). It was not life threatening, but to be at sea for 10 days without aircon you realize that when a liveaboard, you are really thank you to the gods of poor maintenance and incompetence.
other guests are not generally new "dangerous", although a panicked diver in water is probably 1000 times more dangerous than any shark. But other guests can certainly be "unpleasant".
A liveaboard is usually a great experience to meet like-minded individuals who are simply enjoying a pleasant holiday. But we are forced to live with other divers say 10-20 in a confined space for a while
And there are sometimes some people on a boat that tend to spoil it for others. the chain smokers who start smoking fortunately the wind non-smoking guests; videographers who 'pork' a subject, believing that their friends really want to look their 30-minute clip; the "famous" photographer who acts as if they have the liveaboard; people who play their favorite music non-stop, and to the late every night party; those that affect the underwater creatures as they feel they have a "connection" with them, and at the other end of the spectrum, people who lecture others if they see the sand or rocks touch. The best thing to do is spend your complaint to the cruise director, although do not raise your expectations that will make all the difference. Take comfort in this underwater fish often have better manners.
All these dangers and hassles are relevant to other places, to a greater or lesser extent. The key is that the potential downsides are possible, but rare, and the upsides are enormous, particularly in Indonesia. On balance, it is far better to take the plunge, but with eyes wide open.
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