Diving conditions in Indonesia vs Mozambique

[DivingDugong]

Hi there,

I'm currently doing reach for a trip to either Indonesia or Thailand.

I would like to know if anyone have dived both in Indonesia and Mozambique and how does the diving compare.

I've read that some of the reefs (Indonesia) are damaged by dynamic fishing and there is totally different views of Raja Ampat- some say it is beautiful and other say it is the worst ever.

I would really appreciate some assistance to clarify the conditions of the reef and the operators as well.

[highdesert]

I can't address Mozambique diving; I've never been there. But I can say that as far as Indonesia, I have never seen evidence of dynamite fishing in the areas we've been to ...Wakatobi, Raja Ampat, Bunaken, Sangihe archhipelago, Lembeh, Tulamben, Padang Bai, and Komodo. Having said that, I know the practice has been done in some isolated areas, but clearly you could have a lifetime of amazing diving on Indonesian reefs that have never suffered from it. I certainly would not pass up Indonesia based on reports of dynamiting.

Raja Ampat ... "the worst ever"? Hmm, worst in what respect? Thick with fish, a profuse variety of marine life. In some seasons, some areas can have poor visibility, but a lot of that is attributable to the "nutrient soup" that supports the rich life. If Mozambique has crystalline, gin clear water, you may not find that in Indonesia, but the diving is great.

[Warmwater Wank]

DD--Welcome to SB! At the top of this page where it says Search, plug in Raja Ampat or any of the places High Desert mentions or even just Indonesia. You won't find a lot of divers saying things like "Raja Ampat is the worst ever". I could feature a non-diver, dragged along w/ a spouse maybe saying that (if they are blind to natural topside beauty) but not a diver (and non-divers might only say that because places like Raja Ampat are so isolated from night-life, shopping etc.). Indonesia is a huge archipelago. Sure, there has been dynamite fishing in some local areas (not that I've seen any evidence however) but in places where the dive resorts are and where the liveaboards go? Nope.

Actually I did a search on Mozambique and it's not exactly a hot spot for trip reports, so I can't compare opinions but check out what divers say who have been to Indo and then decide. We are back to Tulamben in April and hoping to set up a trip to Lembeh & N. Sulawesi for next fall. I have to say the attraction is not due to blown up reefs! Oh and while diving is the obvious draw I have to mention that the local people I have been around have been universally kind and generous in spirit and action. Hard combination to beat, great diving and friendly, helpful locals. Dang, 2 more months until Indo! :eyebrow: // ww

[DivingDugong]

Thank you very much for the feedback. With regards to the comment on crystal clear water in Mozam - it is still the ocean and not a dam and visibility can be great (up to 30 meters) and some days 5 meters depending on the currents. Now it is just a question of finding the best spot that will suite the budget.

Happy diving!

[Big fish63]

you will probably find reefs destroyed by boat anchors rather than dynamite... bunaken was a good example of this, some of the reefs were so full of dead coral i thought they had been blown up but apparently according to dm's its due to boat anchors but that was 2 dive sites out of about 8 i visited its hardly a reason not to go... in sipadan you can hear explosives going off underwater apparently its coming from the philippines but it sounded pretty close.. scared the **** out of me!!! but it doesnt affect your direct diving experience..

theres quite a big thread on raja being over fished on here apparently its not what it used to be but i cant comment i havnt been there...

if i could recommend something id say komodo liveaboard then lembeh..... amazing.

[Luko]

I have been to both, but it really depends on which part of Mozambique you're refering to. Actually, I thought Nacala bay (at the time Fim do Mundo was operating) and on a lesser extent, Pemba -let's say the Northern Mozambique- was quite comparable to Indonesia, clear blue waters (most of the times), lots of tiny critters, great corals but less big stuff.

I wouldn't say there are lots of coral damage in Komodo, Bali, Bangka, Maumere, Alor, etc. I have seen reefs in worse shape elsewhere.... really... :D.

[Scuba Dive Asia]

Hello DivingDugong,

I would say the two places cant really be compared.

Indonesia has lush coral reefs, full of fishes and amazing critters, colors all over the place. I do not recall seeing many sites damaged by dynamite even though I did hear it a few times around Komodo. I agree with comments above saying Indonesia is probably one of the most amazing place in the world to dive and I cant believe someone has said RA was the worst ever!

Mozambique is to me on a really different level; it is not a place you go for the reefs but for pelagics, pelagics and more pelagics. It is all there, mantas, bullsharks, hammerheads, tigersharks, whalesharks, turtles, dolphins...you name it.
Tofo is the place to go if that is what you are after.

Hope this helps!

[Big fish63]

This thread is great for me aswell as I've done quite a few dives a3ound indo but never moz which is where I'm planning to go next, cheers

[Midget]

I saw heavy damage from dynamite fishing around the Gili Islands which are near Lombok.

[AlMitch]

Hi DD
I have dived Mozam and Indo and I would have to say Indo is more consistanly better than Mozam. I dove Guinjata Bay and Morrongulu (just north of Tofino) for two weeks and the diving was really adventurous and fun, some really good dives and some pretty average.
In Indo I have dived Palau Weh (twice) and Pulau Bangka (near Bunaken) and even though these are not the best Indo has to offer (Komodo and Raja Ampat are apparently much better) they still blew me away with the sheer profusion of numbers and variaties of fish and coral.
I cant get enough of Indo!
In your original post you said you were considering Thailand, I have also dived Thailand and I can catagorically say that both Mozam and Indo are much better than Thailand. Thailand is an amazing country to visit, the culture and food and people are brilliant BUT the diving in pretty average, in comparison.
But if you want both great diving and amazing culture then head to Bali, dive around there and then cruise up to Komodo. That would be my two cents worth!
I am a South African living in Singapore and am loving the fact that Bali is a $200 flight away!!!

[Luko]

I would say the two places cant really be compared.

Mozambique is to me on a really different level; it is not a place you go for the reefs but for pelagics, pelagics and more pelagics.

Sorry to disagree... Mozambique is not only about pelagic fish, you will see much less pelagics and much more coral reef diving in northern Mozambique. Actually I thought northern Mozambique near Ilha do Moçambique/Nacala was quite similar to Indonesia.

Although it's lesser known than the tiger & bull sharks galore we usually see on video, Mozambique has very good reef and macro critter diving. Reducing Moz to Ponta Do Ouro & Tofo would be like saying that Indonesia is only about small critters on black sand because of the famous Lembeh area and forgetting there are other places like Sangalakki or spots on Komodo where the excitement focuses more on manta rays.

[mjh]

We only dove around Bazaruto Island in Mozambique, enjoyed it but it fell well short of any of the diving we have done in Indonesia. We have trip reports, Multimedia shows and Galleries for each. I do know that depending on the area in Moz (as others have mentioned) you can see more sharks and rays then you would typically see in Indo.

Moz Gallery: Aquablue Dreams (http://www.aquabluedreams.com/staticpages/pid/G/44)

Raja Ampat Gallery: Aquablue Dreams (http://www.aquabluedreams.com/staticpages/pid/G/60)

[DivingDugong]

Hi, just a general message to everyone thank replied. I really appreciate the feedback and it is great to hear from real people/divers. I have requested quotations for Raja Ampat and unfortunately we will not be able to go there now- will leave it on the wish list for another trip, this is just due to cost of getting there. At this stage it seems that Bali region will the most accessible from South Africa considering cost of flights. Will keep you updated on the progress..

[Luko]

I have requested quotations for Raja Ampat and unfortunately we will not be able to go there now- will leave it on the wish list for another trip, this is just due to cost of getting there. At this stage it seems that Bali region will the most accessible from South Africa considering cost of flights. Will keep you updated on the progress..
I am not surprized, cost to Raja Ampat is insane! :no:

You should try Komodo, I've never been to Raja Ampat, although I can assure that Komodo diving is second to nowhere else (check out land based operations from Labuan Bajo or live aboards). Much cheaper than Raja Ampat too.

But hey...Bali's not bad either ;) . The main problem being the loads of tourists. Komodo and Flores are much more pristine in terms of tourism.

[Big fish63]

luko is right, go to komodo.