Indonesia

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https://leisurecrew.com/place/sumatra.htmlDiving

          Known worldwide for its incredible diving sites, Indonesia’s best diving can be found in Pulau Bunaken (off Sulawesi) and Pulau Weh near Sumatra. There are also a number of great sites in Bali including the renowned Liberty wreck; you’ll easily find reliable tour operators at any of the major resorts here. The ideal season for diving is late April to early October. Dive centres can be found at the largest beach resorts, but you’ll require your own equipment at more remote locations. For $30 to $100, you can get two tanks and lunch on a day trip; this also usually includes basic equipment. Make sure you’ve checked out the operators’ reputation before you decide to join a trip; this includes checking their accreditation – PADI or other – if possible and asking other divers for their recommended operators on the island. Always be sure to check your equipment no matter how safe it looks because impure air tanks can result in serious injury. It’s also important to check out the credentials of your dive guide because trips can be very far from decompression chambers in an emergency.

Surfing

          You can find some of the world’s best surfing locations in Indonesia. Head to Bali, Java’s G-Land (Grajagan) or southern Sumatra’s Krui for the best waves. Sumba and the Mentawai Islands, which are more remote, are also gaining in popularity.

          June and July are the best times of the year for consistent surf, but expect lots of crowds at this time – particularly in Bali and Java. Many Kuta surf companies in Bali offer all-inclusive tours to other parts of the country. Although it is possible to rent decent surf boards on many of the more popular beaches for surfing, it’s advisable to bring your own board if possible. Most surfers tend to rent motorbikes in order to transport their surf boards because there are often surcharges for boards when using public transport.

Trekking

          Like other parts of Asia, Indonesia offers a plethora of options for trekking from volcano favourites like Gunung Batur on Bali and Gunung Bromo and Gunung Merapi on Java to the more challenging locations such as Lombok’s Gunung Rinjani and Sumatra’s Gunung Sinabung. Sumatra is also home to Southeast Asia’s large national park, the Gunung Leuser National Park, where you’ll find the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Sanctuary. You’ll definitely need a guide for many treks including the one to Ketambe from Gunung Leuser; this is something that must be planned in advance as many people in the remote villages are wary of anyone who is not from the village. Though it’s common for the cost of guides to be higher when arranged through a travel agency, the average day-rate is Rp120,000 – Rp250,00 for guides available in local tourist centres and villages.