Frequently Asked Questions - Indonesia
General Questions about
Emperor Divers Indonesia
Yes. For your financial security, all payments made by credit card are held in a client account until your Indonesia diving holiday takes place.
This gives you complete peace of mind when booking with Emperor Divers.
No. Emperor Divers does not pass on any credit card fees when you book an Indonesia diving holiday.
The price you see is the price you pay.
We accept Visa and MasterCard payments for Indonesia liveaboard bookings.
All prices are charged in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), so you should check with your bank regarding any international transaction fees or exchange rate charges.
Possibly. Depending on where you are based or arriving, and then travelling to, in Indonesia, domestic flights may be required to reach your liveaboard departure point or diving destination.
In many cases it is cheaper to book domestic flights at the same time as your international flights.
If you need assistance, Emperor Divers can put you in touch with trusted local travel partners in Indonesia who can help arrange your domestic flights and onward travel.
All qualified divers and anyone taking part in a PADI course in Indonesia must complete an RSTC Medical questionnaire.
If you have, or think you may have, any of the medical conditions listed on the form, you will need written clearance from a doctor that is valid within 12 months of your planned trip.
To avoid delays, additional costs or missing diving activities, we strongly recommend arranging any required medical clearance before you travel and bringing it with you. For students under the age of 18, all paperwork must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Yes. Comprehensive dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory when diving with Emperor Divers in Indonesia.
You must bring proof of your insurance cover with you and present it when checking in.
Emperor Divers cannot be held responsible for financial losses caused by circumstances beyond our control, including weather conditions, acts of nature or changes made by local authorities.
You are responsible to check that these include:
- Dive Injury Insurance: covering all risks, costs and expenses likely to be incurred as a result of a diving injury, including but not limited to re-compression chamber treats, air evacuation, and loss or damage to possessions. This insurance should cover all scuba diving or water sports activities that you are likely to undertake during your trip, and
- Medical Evacuation Insurance: covering all risks, costs and expenses likely to arise from a diving or non-diving injury requiring your evacuation to a place of specialist care, including but not limited to low altitude air evacuation; specialist treatment and direct; and indirect losses; and
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance: valid at the time of booking to cover any pre-departure cancellations should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious accident, any changes or cancellation to your travel plans, loss or damage to your luggage and contents.
You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness, diving injuries and medical evacuation.
Should diving insurance not be obtained prior to your departure, it can be arranged on arrival with Dive Assist. Pricing information can be found on the relevant product price list, or contact us at [email protected].
If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, Emperor will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.
The best time to scuba dive in Indonesia depends on the region you are visiting.
Raja Ampat diving conditions are generally at their best between October and May, with calmer seas, less rainfall and better visibility.
The Banda Sea is typically best dived during March and April or from September to December, when sea conditions are at their calmest.
In Komodo, the best diving conditions are usually experienced during the dry season between April and October.
Information regarding diving conditions, itineraries and advice regarding diver experience can be found here: Indonesia Diving Guidelines.
Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth and offers encounters with everything from tiny macro species to large pelagic animals.
Divers may encounter pygmy seahorses, wonderpus, ghost pipefish, frogfish, manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, rays and the highly sought-after rhinopias.
Raja Ampat is recognised as one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, with more than 80% of all known coral species, over 1,300 species of fish, six of the world’s seven sea turtle species and 27 species of marine mammals. Encounters may include wobbegong sharks, manta rays, batfish, groupers, pygmy seahorses, octopus, nudibranchs, frogfish, mantis shrimp, pipefish and large schools of jacks, barracuda, fusiliers and sweetlips.
The Banda Sea is renowned for its pelagic encounters, including hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, silvertip sharks, manta rays, mobula rays and large schools of tuna, barracuda and mackerel. It also offers excellent macro life including blue-ring octopus, pipefish, frogfish, stargazers, lobster and seahorses.
Komodo National Park is famous for its colourful coral reefs and abundant marine life. Divers regularly encounter white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasse, giant trevally, manta rays and mobula rays. Macro enthusiasts can also look for leaf scorpionfish, blue ribbon eels, crocodile fish and numerous species of nudibranch.
Indonesia water temperatures are generally warm throughout the year, averaging around 27°C.
However, Indonesia is a vast country and temperatures can vary significantly by location and season, with water temperatures in South Komodo occasionally dropping to around 20°C.
The best wetsuit for diving in Indonesia depends on where you are diving and your personal preference.
For most Indonesia liveaboard trips, we recommend a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit or shortie.
For South Komodo, where water temperatures can be significantly cooler, many divers prefer a 5mm full-length wetsuit with a hood.
If you are unsure which wetsuit is best for your trip, our team will be happy to advise.
Emperor Indonesia provides DIN tanks onboard and International (INT/Yoke) adapters are available.
We strongly advise divers using M26 regulators to bring suitable adapters for use with DIN tanks, as these may not always be readily available.
No. Emperor Divers does not currently offer underwater camera rental in Indonesia.
Most diver training agencies recommend waiting at least 24 hours before flying after scuba diving.
For your safety, Emperor Divers requires all guests to leave a minimum of 24 hours between their last dive and their flight.
Yes. If you are travelling alone, a dive buddy will be allocated onboard or in resort.
All divers are expected to dive within the limits of their certification and experience.
You are responsible for your own safety and that of your buddy, and should always plan your dive, use a personal dive computer and begin, conduct and finish each dive together.
Possibly. If you are certified through PADI or SSI, we may be able to verify your qualification through their online databases.
However, we strongly recommend arranging a replacement certification card before travelling to Indonesia whenever possible.
Yes. You can still dive in Indonesia if you have lost your dive logbook, provided you can show proof of your diving certification.
Depending on your certification level, estimated experience and when you last dived, we may ask you to complete a check dive or scuba review before your arrival or on your first day.
There is no single answer, as it depends on your certification level, diving experience and how long it has been since your last dive.
If you have not dived within the last 12 months, Emperor Divers recommends completing a Skills Review before diving. This includes a short theory refresher and supervised skills practice with an instructor.
You can complete a Skills Review with any qualified dive professional before travelling and should bring proof of completion in your logbook or digital records.
Divers with fewer than 50 logged dives who have not dived recently will be required to complete a full Skills Review. More experienced divers and those with higher certification levels may proceed directly to the check dive if preferred.
Regardless of certification level or experience, all guests complete a check dive on their first dive at a sheltered dive site.
Our experienced guides will then provide advice and feedback to help ensure you get the most from your diving holiday.
Emperor Divers recommends a maximum recreational diving depth of 30 metres when diving with an equally qualified buddy.
Your maximum diving depth will always depend on your certification level, experience and insurance cover.
It is your responsibility to ensure your insurance policy covers the depth you intend to dive before arriving in Indonesia.
A typical scuba dive in Indonesia with Emperor Divers lasts approximately 60 minutes.
This allows our guides to safely account for all divers throughout the dive.
Emperor Divers is committed to protecting the marine environment and asks all divers to follow responsible diving practices.
Please do not touch, feed, chase, ride, catch or harass marine life, and avoid damaging the reef.
We also ask divers not to use gloves or carry knives unless specifically required.
For safety reasons, divers should return to the boat with at least 30 bar remaining, avoid ascending or descending close to the reef or along mooring lines, and use good buoyancy control at all times, particularly when using cameras.
Solo diving and decompression diving are not permitted.
Following these simple rules helps protect Indonesia’s marine environment and ensures everyone enjoys a safe and memorable dive experience.
Questions about
Emperor Indonesia Liveaboards
We strongly recommend spending a night in a local hotel or guest house after arriving at your final destination before joining your Indonesia liveaboard. This allows time to recover from a long journey and helps protect against potential flight delays.
For most trips, we aim to have all guests onboard by 09:30 on the day of embarkation and leave port by midday.
Check-in and check-out times can vary depending on the itinerary, so please refer to the specific timings provided for your trip.
Disembarkation begins early on the final day, with all guests normally leaving the boat by midday.
If you are staying in a local hotel or guest house before or after your trip, we can arrange complimentary transfers between the boat and local accommodation on embarkation and disembarkation days.
Where possible, we will also arrange airport transfers to suit your flight schedule.
Yes. Guests arriving at the designated airport on embarkation day will be met by a representative wearing a uniform and holding a sign for your specific Emperor Indonesia liveaboard.
The meeting point is normally at the main airport exit after you have collected your luggage.
If you are staying in a hotel before boarding, a collection will usually be arranged before 09:00, with the exact pick-up time confirmed the day before departure.
A contact number for Emperor’s Airport Representative can be found on your ‘Read Before You Leave‘ document.
Yes. Airport transfers are included with Emperor Indonesia liveaboard holidays.
Where possible, transfers are arranged to suit your flight arrival and departure times. We aim to have all guests onboard by 09:30 on embarkation day and depart once all guests have arrived.
We recommend spending a night in a local hotel or guest house before boarding to allow for long-haul travel, domestic flight schedules and potential delays.
If required, we can introduce you to trusted local travel partners who can assist with hotels, transfers and domestic travel arrangements.
Accommodation can easily be booked through websites such as Booking.com, but many guests prefer to arrange hotels, airport transfers, tours and domestic flights through a local travel specialist.
If you would like assistance, Emperor Divers can introduce you to trusted local travel partners in Indonesia who can help arrange all aspects of your trip. We are happy to assist throughout the communication process if needed.
Yes. Complimentary transfers from local hotels are available on embarkation and disembarkation days.
Transfers are usually arranged early in the morning, with the aim of having all guests onboard by 09:30 before departure around midday.
Please check the timings for your specific itinerary, as these may vary.
If you require additional airport or local transfers outside of these arrangements, your hotel may be able to assist, or we can recommend a trusted local travel partner.
Please let us know where you are staying before your trip so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
All Raja Ampat liveaboard cruises begin and end in Sorong, West Papua, Indonesia.
If your schedule allows, we recommend spending a night in Sorong before boarding to help break up the journey and reduce the impact of any flight delays.
If you would like advice on flights, transfers or accommodation in Sorong, our reservations team will be happy to help.
Most Indonesia liveaboard itineraries offer an average of three dives per day, depending on travel distances, crossing times, weather conditions and the specific itinerary.
There is no diving on embarkation or disembarkation days.
Night dives are usually offered every three to four nights, subject to conditions and itinerary.
For safety reasons, all guests must leave a minimum of 24 hours between their final dive and flying or travelling to altitude.
The experience required depends on the itinerary you choose, but Emperor Divers recommends that all guests are certified as Advanced Open Water Divers or equivalent at a minimum.
All diving is conducted from zodiacs, allowing precise entry and exit points. Strong and unpredictable currents can occur throughout Indonesia, particularly around new and full moons, so divers should be comfortable with drift diving.
Many dives exceed 18 metres, so Advanced Open Water or Deep Diver training is required. Please check the requirements for your chosen itinerary, including any minimum number of logged dives.
Please see our Indonesia Diving Guidelines.
No. Specific dive sites cannot be guaranteed on any Indonesia liveaboard itinerary. Weather conditions, sea conditions and government regulations can all affect the planned itinerary.
While Emperor Indonesia always aims to visit the advertised dive sites, guest safety remains the priority. In adverse conditions, the captain and guides will decide which dive sites can be visited safely.
If dive sites are changed or missed because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, refunds or compensation will not be offered.
All guests joining an Emperor Indonesia liveaboard must already hold a minimum certification level of PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Deep Diver or an equivalent qualification.
We offer the PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Specialty course onboard. Course availability depends on instructor availability and itinerary.
Course prices do not include course materials where required or certification fees.
Courses arranged onboard are subject to an additional 11% sales tax.
For students under 18 years of age, all course paperwork must be signed by a parent or guardian.
The number of guests varies depending on which Indonesia liveaboard you choose.
Please refer to the individual boat information page, where the maximum guest capacity for each vessel is listed.
The number of dive guides varies between boats and itineraries.
Please refer to the information page for your chosen liveaboard, where the typical guide-to-guest arrangements are detailed.
Our guides most commonly speak English, German and Spanish.
Additional languages may be available depending on staff availability and departure dates.
If you have specific language requirements, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to check availability.
Email us at [email protected].
There is ample storage space onboard for your diving equipment, and a spares box is available throughout the trip. Dive towels are provided on deck and changed daily.
We recommend bringing a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, wetsuit, regulator, BCD, SMB with at least five metres of line, a dive computer with spare batteries and a torch for night dives.
Indonesia water temperatures average around 27°C, although temperatures in South Komodo can fall to around 20°C. For most trips, we recommend a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit or shortie. For South Komodo, many divers prefer a 5mm full-length wetsuit with a hood.
Equipment rental is available through Emperor Indonesia and should be reserved before arrival to ensure availability. To prepare correctly sized equipment, we require your height, weight, shoe size and usual clothing sizes.
For safety reasons, all divers must use a dive computer, SMB and reef hook on every dive, as well as a torch for night dives.
Some dives in Indonesia can be challenging due to currents and drift diving conditions, so inexperienced and beginner divers may find certain sites more demanding than others.
The Cruise Director may occasionally ask divers to skip dives that are not suitable for their level of experience or training.
For more information about diving conditions, itineraries and recommended experience levels, please refer to our Indonesia Diving Guidelines or chat to us using the live chat on our website or email us [email protected].
Some Indonesia liveaboard itineraries are suitable for snorkelling and offer access to some of the world’s most spectacular reefs and marine life. Other itineraries may not be suitable because of currents, dive site conditions or safety considerations.
All snorkellers must complete a medical form before boarding and a self-assessment before entering the water.
Snorkelling is only permitted when a guide is available, conditions are suitable and the crew are aware of your location. A flotation aid must be worn at all times.
A private snorkelling guide can be arranged before arrival for an additional charge.
While every effort will be made to accommodate snorkellers and guests wishing to try scuba diving, some locations and itineraries may not permit these activities for safety reasons.
Yes. Depending on the itinerary, trip duration and weather conditions, most Emperor Indonesia liveaboards include two to three land-based excursions during the trip.
Many itineraries also include beach visits and evening cocktail gatherings at selected locations.
For details of the excursions included on your chosen itinerary, please refer to the itinerary page or contact our reservations team.
Yes. Children are welcome on Emperor Indonesia liveaboards.
However, children aged 15 years and under must be supervised at all times by a parent or designated responsible adult.
Emperor Divers is unable to provide a legal chaperone service.
Yes. Emperor Indonesia liveaboards can cater for most vegetarian, vegan and allergy-related dietary requirements when notified in advance.
Meals are usually served buffet-style and include a variety of local and international dishes. Indonesian cuisine can be quite spicy, and fish is commonly available onboard, usually frozen with occasional fresh catches during the trip.
To ensure our chefs can prepare appropriately, please advise us of any dietary requirements before travelling.
As ingredients are sourced locally, some specialist products such as gluten-free alternatives, wholemeal pasta or soya substitutes are not always available.
Yes. All Emperor Indonesia liveaboards offer free Starlink WiFi access.
The service is designed for basic internet browsing and communication applications and speeds can vary.
Yes. Alcohol is available to purchase onboard Emperor Indonesia liveaboards.
A local beer typically costs around USD 5 and local wines start from approximately USD 25 per bottle.
Guests are also welcome to bring their own alcohol onboard.
Questions about Emperor Divers Lembongan
We recommend checking in at the dive centre either the afternoon before your first day of diving, ideally around 17:00, or at approximately 07:30 on the morning of your first dive.
Where possible, we prefer to complete equipment sizing, paperwork and check-in procedures the day before your diving begins.
When you book, we will provide your meeting time. As departure times can vary depending on local tide conditions, we will contact you if any changes are required.
Please feel free to check in with the dive centre on WhatsApp +62-811-3757-555 or email [email protected] the day before your diving if needed.
Possibly, but this cannot be guaranteed. The transfer boat from Bali often arrives after our preferred departure time for diving trips, so same-day diving will depend on your arrival time and the day’s schedule.
When diving with Emperor Divers Lembongan, you should bring your towel, swimwear, sun cream, logbook, certification card and any personal diving equipment you own.
Having these items with you will help ensure a smooth check-in process and allow our team to verify your certification and diving experience where required.
A typical day of diving in Nusa Lembongan includes two scheduled dives.
Our boats are usually equipped for an optional third dive, which can either be pre-booked in advance or arranged locally.
A typical day starts with a meet-and-greet at the dive centre at 07:30. While our team transfers equipment to the boat, guests can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee.
We normally board the boat at around 08:00, when divers are asked to check their equipment before departure. A boat briefing and safety briefing are provided as we leave the harbour.
A local vegetarian lunch is served between dives.
On a standard two-dive day, boats usually return between 12:00 and 13:00. Three-dive trips generally return between 15:00 and 16:00.
Complimentary tea, coffee and drinking water are available onboard all Emperor Divers Lembongan boats throughout the day.
Most dive sites around Nusa Lembongan are suitable for beginner and novice divers, although suitability will always depend on weather conditions, currents and sea conditions on the day.
If you are unsure which dive sites are most suitable for your experience level, our team will be happy to recommend the best options for your certification and diving experience.
Emperor Divers Lembongan offers a full range of PADI scuba diving courses from Open Water Diver through to Divemaster level, along with a range of speciality courses on request.
Discover Scuba Diving experiences are also available for guests who would like to try scuba diving before taking a certification course.
If you would like advice on the most suitable course, please contact our team and we will be happy to discuss the options available.
More information on courses can be found here.
No. While non-divers are welcome onboard to enjoy the boat experience, Emperor Divers Lembongan does not currently offer snorkelling or swimming activities from its diving boats.
Yes. Children are welcome on Emperor Divers Lembongan diving boats.
The standard minimum age is four years old, although younger children may be permitted at the discretion of the dive centre.
Children must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult at all times. If both parents are divers, one adult must remain with the child unless an additional carer is present.
Boat crew and diving staff are not able to provide child supervision.
Water temperatures in Nusa Lembongan vary significantly throughout the year and can range from 18°C to 28°C depending on the season and dive site.
The average water temperature is approximately 27°C. The coolest conditions are generally experienced between June and September, while the warmest water temperatures are usually found between December and March.
Nusa Lembongan is one of the best places in Indonesia to encounter manta rays and mola mola.
Manta rays can be seen throughout the year and are resident around the islands, giving divers an excellent chance of encountering them on most trips.
Mola mola, also known as ocean sunfish, are seasonal visitors that typically arrive towards the end of July and remain in the area until around Christmas.
Divers can also expect to see a wide variety of Indo-Pacific reef fish and other marine life on most dives.
Emperor Divers Lembongan offers guests a choice between complimentary diving equipment rental or complimentary Nitrox.
The dive centre and boat provide ample storage space for diving equipment, and a spares box is available onboard.
Rental equipment is washed and returned to the dive centre after each diving day.
Divers using Nitrox must use a dive computer.
We recommend bringing your own mask, snorkel, fins, boots, wetsuit, regulator, BCD and spare batteries for dive computers and torches where possible.
A shortie wetsuit is suitable for many divers during the warmer months, while a 5mm wetsuit is often preferred during cooler periods.
All diving equipment is stored securely at the dive centre overnight.
Items that require charging or downloading, such as dive computers, cameras and torches, should be taken back to your hotel each evening.
Our instructors and dive guides most commonly speak English, Indonesian and Malaysian.
Additional languages may be available depending on staff availability and the dates of your trip. If you require a guide or instructor who speaks a specific language, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to check availability.
Emperor Divers Lembongan can arrange transfers from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar directly to the dive centre.
The transfer service includes airport collection and the boat transfer from Bali to Nusa Lembongan.
We can also arrange transfers from your hotel if you are already staying in Bali before travelling to Lembongan.
Yes. Many guests combine diving in Nusa Lembongan with an Emperor Indonesia liveaboard holiday.
Our team can recommend suitable schedules, help coordinate your travel plans and arrange transfers between Bali and Nusa Lembongan if required.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and itinerary plans and we will be happy to help create the best combination for your trip. Email [email protected].
General Indonesia Questions
Yes. To visit Indonesia for a diving holiday, you must have a passport that remains valid for at least six months after your arrival date and contains at least three blank, unstamped pages.
It is your responsibility to check with the relevant Indonesian Embassy or Consulate that a visa can be issued for the passport you hold and whether you are eligible for a visa on arrival.
All visitors must also hold a return or onward flight ticket.
Vaccination requirements for travel to Indonesia vary depending on your country of residence and individual circumstances.
Before travelling, you should consult your GP or healthcare provider for the latest advice.
Be sure to tell them that you will be scuba diving, as some medications are not recommended for divers.
Port fees and marine park fees are included in the price of your Emperor Indonesia liveaboard holiday. These are included in your upfront payment as per our No Hidden Extras promise.
Please note that equipment rental, special tank requests and onboard purchases paid locally are subject to 11% sales tax.
Indonesia spans three different time zones.
• Western Indonesia (WIB), including Jakarta, operates on GMT+7.
• Central Indonesia (WITA), including Bali, Manado, Makassar, Komodo and Alor, operates on GMT+8.
• Eastern Indonesia (WIT), including Raja Ampat and the Banda Islands, operates on GMT+9.
The time zone you will use depends on which part of Indonesia you are visiting.
The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Most established hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards. However, smaller businesses and more remote locations may only accept cash payments, so it is advisable to carry some Indonesian Rupiah during your trip.
US Dollars are the primary currency used for onboard purchases on Emperor Indonesia liveaboards.
We accept cash payments in US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds and Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Payments made in currencies other than US Dollars are converted using the current exchange rate published by XE.com.
Visa and MasterCard payments are charged in US Dollars and an invoice will be issued for payment.
Before travelling, we recommend checking with your bank regarding exchange rates and any international transaction fees.
It is also a good idea to inform your bank or card provider that you will be travelling to Indonesia to help avoid security blocks on overseas transactions.
Indonesia primarily uses two-pin electrical plug sockets and international multi-standard sockets.
The electricity supply is 220 volts AC at 50Hz, so visitors from countries using different plug types may require a travel adapter.
