Top Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Locations in Balikpapan, Indonesia

1. Tanjung Picnic Island

A small island with crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, offering great snorkeling opportunities.

Rich Marine Life: Abundance of tropical fish, turtles, and even the occasional shark
Accessibility: Easy boat trip from Balikpapan city
Peaceful Atmosphere: Quiet, unspoiled beach for a relaxing experience

An island known for its stunning coral formations and diverse marine life, ideal for scuba diving.

Coral Diversity: Variety of hard and soft corals to explore
Wreck Diving: An opportunity to dive the remains of a World War II shipwreck
Underwater Photography: Excellent conditions for capturing beautiful underwater photos

A marine sanctuary with diverse and untouched coral reefs that provide an unforgettable scuba diving experience.

Marine Sanctuary: Protected area ensuring healthy and abundant marine life
Manta Ray Encounters: High chances of encountering manta rays during a dive
Biodiversity: Home to over 200 species of coral and more than 1,000 fish species

Famous for its turquoise waters and breathtaking coral reefs, offering amazing snorkeling and diving experiences.

Turtle Point: Popular spot to swim with green turtles
Night Diving: Opportunity to see rare nocturnal marine animals like the bobtail squid
Island Hopping: Option to explore multiple islands within the Derawan Archipelago

A unique destination with both a jellyfish lake and beautiful coral reefs for diving and snorkeling.

Jellyfish Lake: Swim in a safe, non-stinging jellyfish lake
Mangrove Forest: Explore the rich mangrove ecosystem on Kakaban Island
Coral Reefs: Beautiful coral reefs with diverse marine life for snorkeling and diving

A vast protected area featuring a myriad of underwater ecosystems, providing extraordinary scuba diving adventures.

Biodiversity Hotspot: Home to over 400 species of coral and more than 1,500 fish species
Cave Diving: Opportunities for cave diving with stalactites and other unique formations
Humpback Whales: Possibility of sighting humpback whales during migration seasons

A world-class diving resort with pristine reefs and an incredible variety of marine life.

Pristine Reefs: Untouched coral reefs teeming with marine life
Wall Diving: Opportunity for wall dives with breathtaking drop-offs and overhangs
Macro Photography: Excellent conditions for capturing close-up underwater photos of tiny creatures

A remote island with excellent scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities in its pristine waters.

Remote Location: Minimal human impact, ensuring healthy marine life
Shark Encounters: High chances of spotting grey reef sharks and whale sharks
Pelagic Life: Chances to encounter pelagic species like tunas, manta rays, and eagle rays

A world-renowned dive site featuring awe-inspiring coral formations and rich marine biodiversity.

Barracuda Point: Famous spot for swimming among schools of barracudas
Turtle Alley: Popular area for observing turtles passing through
Thresher Shark Point: Chance to see thresher sharks at their cleaning stations

A beautiful island with clear waters and a variety of marine life, perfect for snorkeling.

Shore Snorkeling: Beautiful reefs just steps from the beach
Mangrove Forest: Explore the mangrove ecosystem and its rich wildlife
Island Hopping: Option to explore multiple islands within the Bangau-Ranjet Archipelago

A world-famous macro diving destination with an abundance of small, interesting critters.

Macro Diving: Opportunity to discover tiny and unusual marine creatures
Muck Diving: Diving in sandy or muddy bottoms to find rare critters
Critter Photography: Excellent conditions for capturing close-up underwater photos of small creatures

A picturesque island with excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities in its vibrant coral reefs.

Coral Reefs: Beautiful coral reefs teeming with marine life
Turtle Encounters: High chances of swimming with green turtles
Island Hopping: Option to explore multiple islands within the Derawan Archipelago

A small, secluded island with clear waters and a variety of marine life for snorkeling and diving.

Rich Marine Life: Abundance of tropical fish, turtles, and even the occasional shark
Seclusion: Small, secluded island for a peaceful experience
Beach Relaxation: Relax on the powdery white sand beach

A beautiful island with stunning coral reefs and a variety of marine life for diving and snorkeling.

Coral Reefs: Untouched coral reefs teeming with marine life
Wall Diving: Opportunity for wall dives with breathtaking drop-offs and overhangs
Macro Photography: Excellent conditions for capturing close-up underwater photos of tiny creatures

A popular dive destination with crystal-clear waters and a variety of marine life for snorkeling and diving.

Coral Reefs: Beautiful coral reefs teeming with marine life
Macro Diving: Opportunity to discover tiny and unusual marine creatures
Island Vibe: Vibrant island atmosphere with numerous dive shops, resorts, and restaurants