Explore West Nusa Tenggara

Located in the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, West Nusa Tenggara is a province in Indonesia which consists of Lombok, Sumbawa, Moyo, Sangeang and the Gili Islands. Lombok and the Gili Islands, the first link in the Lesser Sunda Islands, offer dive sites in calm, pristine coral reefs for novice divers while the more experienced can brave the ripping currents found at Belongas Bay, Lombok. The Gili Islands are known as the ‘turtle capital of the world’ and Lombok is one of three places that showcase both the scalloped and giant hammerhead shark. Throughout Lombok, you can experience muck diving as well as deep wall dives, swim-throughs and drop offs.

The final links of West Nusa Tengarra, Moyo Island, Sumbawa, Sangeang and Santonda also have dive sites with a range of topography. Diving at the volcanic Sangeang and Santonda islands will find you searching in sandy seabeds for interesting critters while off the coast of Sumbawa deep vibrant walls and strong currents await your arrival. Scuba diving in West Nusa Tengarra gives divers access to everything from manta rays, mola mola and whale sharks to clown frogfish, blue-ringed octopus and nudibranch.

On most of the islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands you can choose from a variety of dive resorts and dive centres. Yet, to access the more remote dive sites of West Nusa Tenggara, hop on one of the many liveaboards that travel across the diverse Indonesian waters. For dive courses, the calm dive sites at the Moyo Island provide a relaxed environment while the Gili Islands often have the best deals.

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

  • Dive Activity

    Diving in West Nusa Tenggara

    West Nusa Tenggara, a gem for divers, offers exhilarating underwater adventures. Wreck divers will be fascinated by the USS Liberty shipwreck near Lombok, an iconic site teeming with vibrant marine life and coral gardens. This historic wreck offers an unparalleled glimpse into the past, making it a must-visit for history and dive enthusiasts alike. For those who prefer shore dives, the Gili Islands provide easy access to stunning coral reefs and diverse marine species. Here, night dives reveal the mesmerizing bioluminescence and unique behaviors of nocturnal creatures. Liveaboard options are also available, allowing explorers to venture further into remote spots, ensuring a balanced dive experience that caters to both novice and experienced divers.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in West Nusa Tenggara

    West Nusa Tenggara, encompassing the islands of Lombok and Sumbawa, is a paradise for divers, offering a rich tapestry of marine life. The region's vibrant coral reefs are home to a variety of reef fish, including the iconic clownfish, angelfish, and parrotfish, which are commonly spotted throughout the year. The reefs are teeming with life, providing an underwater spectacle for both novice and experienced divers.

    Seasonal visitors to these waters include majestic manta rays and several species of sharks, such as whitetip and blacktip reef sharks. The months of April to November are particularly rewarding for those hoping to encounter these larger marine creatures. Additionally, sea turtles are frequent year-round, with green and hawksbill turtles often seen grazing on seagrass beds. Diving in West Nusa Tenggara offers a high likelihood of encountering these fascinating species, making it a must-visit location for marine enthusiasts.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    55k Sightings
    J
    3k
    F
    3k
    M
    3.6k
    A
    4.5k
    M
    4.6k
    J
    4.5k
    J
    6.6k
    A
    7k
    S
    6.5k
    O
    5.6k
    N
    3.6k
    D
    3k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    24k Sightings
    J
    1.5k
    F
    1.5k
    M
    1.8k
    A
    2.2k
    M
    2k
    J
    1.9k
    J
    2.3k
    A
    2.7k
    S
    2.5k
    O
    2.5k
    N
    1.7k
    D
    1.4k
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    23k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    1.8k
    M
    1.9k
    J
    2k
    J
    3k
    A
    3.2k
    S
    2.9k
    O
    2.5k
    N
    1.4k
    D
    1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    9.8k Sightings
    J
    704
    F
    791
    M
    902
    A
    983
    M
    731
    J
    608
    J
    904
    A
    1.1k
    S
    1k
    O
    910
    N
    612
    D
    553

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    32k Sightings
    J
    1.9k
    F
    1.8k
    M
    2.3k
    A
    2.9k
    M
    2.7k
    J
    2.6k
    J
    3.7k
    A
    3.7k
    S
    3.4k
    O
    3.1k
    N
    2.1k
    D
    1.7k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    24k Sightings
    J
    1.4k
    F
    1.3k
    M
    1.7k
    A
    2.2k
    M
    2.1k
    J
    2.1k
    J
    2.9k
    A
    2.9k
    S
    2.8k
    O
    2.4k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.2k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    22k Sightings
    J
    1.3k
    F
    1.2k
    M
    1.5k
    A
    2.1k
    M
    1.9k
    J
    1.8k
    J
    2.5k
    A
    2.4k
    S
    2.3k
    O
    2.2k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.1k
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    21k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1.2k
    M
    1.6k
    A
    1.9k
    M
    1.9k
    J
    1.7k
    J
    2.2k
    A
    2.5k
    S
    2.4k
    O
    2k
    N
    1.3k
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    20k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    1.7k
    M
    1.6k
    J
    1.7k
    J
    2.4k
    A
    2.6k
    S
    2.3k
    O
    2.1k
    N
    1.4k
    D
    1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    19k Sightings
    J
    1.3k
    F
    1.3k
    M
    1.6k
    A
    1.7k
    M
    1.5k
    J
    1.5k
    J
    2k
    A
    2.2k
    S
    2k
    O
    1.9k
    N
    1.4k
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    19k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.3k
    A
    1.6k
    M
    1.4k
    J
    1.5k
    J
    2.2k
    A
    2.3k
    S
    2.1k
    O
    1.9k
    N
    1.2k
    D
    1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    18k Sightings
    J
    997
    F
    945
    M
    1.3k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    1.5k
    J
    1.3k
    J
    2.1k
    A
    2.2k
    S
    1.9k
    O
    1.8k
    N
    1.1k
    D
    886

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    17k Sightings
    J
    954
    F
    917
    M
    1.2k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    1.4k
    J
    1.4k
    J
    1.9k
    A
    2.1k
    S
    2.1k
    O
    1.9k
    N
    1.1k
    D
    904

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    16k Sightings
    J
    916
    F
    854
    M
    1.2k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    1.3k
    J
    1.3k
    J
    1.7k
    A
    2k
    S
    1.9k
    O
    1.7k
    N
    1.1k
    D
    806

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    14k Sightings
    J
    739
    F
    821
    M
    939
    A
    1.3k
    M
    1.2k
    J
    1k
    J
    1.4k
    A
    1.6k
    S
    1.6k
    O
    1.5k
    N
    949
    D
    678

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    12k Sightings
    J
    729
    F
    654
    M
    848
    A
    966
    M
    969
    J
    872
    J
    1.4k
    A
    1.6k
    S
    1.4k
    O
    1.2k
    N
    808
    D
    624

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    11k Sightings
    J
    579
    F
    610
    M
    770
    A
    927
    M
    901
    J
    812
    J
    1.2k
    A
    1.3k
    S
    1.2k
    O
    1.1k
    N
    709
    D
    518

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    10k Sightings
    J
    665
    F
    604
    M
    762
    A
    917
    M
    828
    J
    776
    J
    963
    A
    1.2k
    S
    1.1k
    O
    1.1k
    N
    806
    D
    566

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    7.7k Sightings
    J
    469
    F
    549
    M
    578
    A
    663
    M
    727
    J
    647
    J
    844
    A
    771
    S
    803
    O
    756
    N
    453
    D
    460

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    7.4k Sightings
    J
    455
    F
    461
    M
    483
    A
    619
    M
    516
    J
    492
    J
    936
    A
    959
    S
    819
    O
    818
    N
    446
    D
    373

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    7.3k Sightings
    J
    415
    F
    414
    M
    516
    A
    697
    M
    596
    J
    589
    J
    888
    A
    935
    S
    762
    O
    693
    N
    455
    D
    367

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    7k Sightings
    J
    444
    F
    452
    M
    526
    A
    720
    M
    484
    J
    539
    J
    609
    A
    712
    S
    702
    O
    736
    N
    606
    D
    454

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    6.7k Sightings
    J
    465
    F
    414
    M
    501
    A
    676
    M
    574
    J
    687
    J
    674
    A
    661
    S
    555
    O
    608
    N
    487
    D
    382

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish

    5.3k Sightings
    J
    511
    F
    628
    M
    739
    A
    599
    M
    285
    J
    364
    J
    392
    A
    541
    S
    345
    O
    322
    N
    213
    D
    343

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    4.7k Sightings
    J
    257
    F
    280
    M
    321
    A
    428
    M
    379
    J
    301
    J
    518
    A
    580
    S
    531
    O
    536
    N
    353
    D
    223

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    4.7k Sightings
    J
    247
    F
    283
    M
    330
    A
    375
    M
    374
    J
    304
    J
    575
    A
    680
    S
    555
    O
    487
    N
    272
    D
    203

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish

    3.6k Sightings
    J
    164
    F
    182
    M
    248
    A
    387
    M
    368
    J
    294
    J
    391
    A
    399
    S
    401
    O
    382
    N
    211
    D
    188

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    3.5k Sightings
    J
    223
    F
    235
    M
    182
    A
    266
    M
    251
    J
    254
    J
    415
    A
    555
    S
    403
    O
    336
    N
    169
    D
    189
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    3.3k Sightings
    J
    211
    F
    213
    M
    268
    A
    172
    M
    209
    J
    247
    J
    375
    A
    439
    S
    450
    O
    317
    N
    194
    D
    204

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    2.9k Sightings
    J
    145
    F
    155
    M
    185
    A
    337
    M
    260
    J
    222
    J
    257
    A
    335
    S
    285
    O
    325
    N
    157
    D
    191

    The best Months to dive in West Nusa Tenggara

    West Nusa Tenggara offers excellent diving conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F. These consistently warm temperatures make it an inviting destination for divers at any time of the year. Visibility is typically between 15 meters/49 feet and 30 meters/98 feet, although it can vary with the season.

    The region experiences a dry season from May to October, characterized by calmer seas and optimal diving conditions. However, the rainy season from November to April brings stronger winds and currents, which may affect visibility and diving comfort. While diving is possible year-round, the dry season is generally considered the best time for diving enthusiasts.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites