A reader's choice award has once again recognized Indonesia as the best scuba diving destination in the world. This year, 17,000 divers around the world have voted for DIVE Travel Awards by DIVE Magazine.
Raja Ampat topped the popularity list as Indonesia's best places in the world for scuba diving. It was followed by Komodo, Bali (including the Nusa Islands), and North Sulawesi (including Lembeh and Bunaken National Park), with Gili Islands coming in fifth. As these places represent beautiful Indonesia underwater, it is no surprise that Indonesia has once again claimed its well-deserved crown.
Previously, Indonesia won the same award in three consecutive years from 20017 to 2019. Dive Magazine is the world's leading scuba magazine, available in print and digital formats. Since 1995, DIVE has been published in the United Kingdom. Each year, they invite readers to vote for the DIVE Travel Award.
If you wonder what other countries made it to the Top Ten after Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Philippines, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Galapagos, and Thailand. We are very proud to be number one in the world because we always believe Indonesia is the best!
Why Indonesia? As quoted on their website, Indonesia has been voted as The best scuba diving destination in the world every year and by a clear margin each time. Not only does it dominate the vote for the best destination, but its dive centers, resorts, and liveaboards fill many places on their respective category leaderboards. A tropical island nation with the world's third-longest amount of coastline, Indonesia's vast archipelago offers a fantastic array of excellent diving.
Coralia Raja Ampat won the Best Scuba Diving Liveaboard 2021
On top of winning the best scuba diving destination, Indonesia also won the Best Scuba Diving Liveaboard 2021, represented by Coralia in Raja Ampat. The Coralia is 48m long phinisi and caters to 16 guests in eight air-conditioned cabins with private balconies. In addition, there is a large indoor salon and dining area, an outdoor lounge with tables set up for al-fresco dining, sun loungers and sofas, a massage area, and a vast dedicated camera room with charging points.
Dewi Nusantara won the third place of The Best Scuba Diving Liveaboard 2021
The third place of the best scuba diving liveaboard 2021 is Dewi Nusantara. Named after the goddess of the Indonesian archipelago, Dewi Nusantara is a 57m, three-masted schooner launched in 2008, designed to cater to a maximum of 18 guests, accommodated in eight spacious en-suite, air-conditioned staterooms.
Mermaid II, Mermaid I, and Wunderpus also made it to the Top Ten Best Scuba Diving Liveaboard 2021. It means half of the liveaboards belong to Indonesia! Readers voted for 245 different vessels, and many of them are Indonesian vessels.
Papua Explorers Raja Ampat won the second place of The Best Scuba Diving Centers & Resorts
Other Dive Travel Awards 2021 are The Best Scuba Diving Centers & Resorts. Papua Explorers Dive Resort in Raja Ampat won second place. Papua Explorers is a small eco-resort with 14 bungalows on stilts over the water on Gam Island in the Dampier Strait. The resort uses local natural materials and traditional Papuan building techniques. A restaurant and spa are all designed to be as eco-friendly as possible.
Siladen Resort & Spa in North Sulawesi and Scuba Junkie in Komodo made it to the Top Ten Best Scuba Diving Centers & Resorts. Readers voted for more than 750 establishments, and Indonesia won three out of ten best dive resorts!
Indonesia also won The Best in five categories from the Scuba Diving Awards 2021
Indonesia also won Scuba Diving's 2021 Readers Choice Awards in most categories. Based in the USA, Scuba Diving Magazine is owned by a PADI worldwide company. Nearly 6,000 divers came together through Scuba Diving magazine's 28th annual Readers Choice survey to name the best diving destinations, operators, resorts, and liveaboards in the world in 2021.
The awards went to Indonesia in the following categories;
- #1 Best Wall Diving
- #1 Best Advanced Diving
- #1 Best Photography
- #1 Best Health of Marine Environment
- #1 Best Macro Life
- #5 Best Overall
- #5 Best Value
- #6 Best Big Animals
- #6 Best Shore Diving
- #7 Best Wreck Diving
- #8 Best Snorkeling
In summary, Indonesia is the best scuba diving destination for macro life, wall diving, advanced diving, photography, and the health of the marine environment. We couldn't agree more!
Scuba diving in Indonesia is more than in Bali, Komodo, and Raja Ampat. But did you know there are 99 scuba diving places in Indonesia? First, download our free ebook here. Then, read our in-depth information about scuba diving in Indonesia on our blog here to give you reasons to dive into the world's best destination.