Professional dive guiding services in Indonesia for private yachts
Diving 4 Images offers a service with professional expertise in organising the most effective itineraries with the most knowledgeable cruise directors and dive guides.
Our guides are able to show snorkellers, divers, film makers, photographers, scientists and marine life enthusiasts the most unique features of each region.
Diving 4 Images leads expeditions with the worlds leading film makers, photographers, scientists. Recently we have led the BBC's number one coral reef film maker Peter Scoones on a filming shoot with footage that was aired on Shallow Seas episode of Planet Earth 2006/7. We have guided a variety of photographic teams on assignments for the likes of GEO and National Geographic including their number one photographer in residence David Doubilet and many of the worlds best underwater photographers -- Why settle for second best?
With extensive experience in just about all the different diving & cruising vessels, Diving 4 Images can offer first class service to private yachts within this incredible archipelago for the most memorable experience of a lifetime.
Click for more about the safety within Indonesia
Many years of living and diving within Indonesia have brought on a feeling of not just home, or a job, but a lifelong passion. The many islands (over 17,000) that make up Indonesia all offer something very unique whether it be culture, traditions, landscape, snorkelling, diving or trekking. It is always an honour to be able to guide those interested in seeing the highlights of these wonderful islands. Although our main passion is the unique marine life, there are many other amazing things to do and see while cruising these waters. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit small villages very rarely seen by westerners. Being able to purchase locally made handicrafts, trekking to see some of most beautiful panoramas, barbeques on pristine, untouched beaches where people rarely tread. A few very easy jungle treks can be taken to view the rare and most gorgeous birds of paradise, hornbills and other rare wildlife. Just to be under the dense canopy hearing all the wildlife is worth the short trek alone. You can even go all out and take special bird watching tours within Irian Jaya (West Papua) and the Banda Sea.... professional bird watching guides are best brought in for this tour.
Photo by Mark Erdmann
In order to make your cruise in these waters even more special Diving 4 Images can work with other specialists to make sure the experience is even further enhanced when required. Very knowledgeable bird watching guides, anthropological and culturally knowledgeable guides can brought in to suit your requirements. We aim to enhance your experience with all the very best stories and information on historical events, local traditions, arts and crafts. It is always of most importance to ensure you have a very memorable experience. Diving 4 Images enjoys teaching others all about the nature of the marine animals that you will see, in this, the most diverse oceanic environment in the world. A whole marine life library can be brought along, after each dive or snorkel we can sit down and browse books to see images and learn more about the marine life seen on each dive or snorkelling tour. Bird books are at hand to browse over the days sightings too. All your diving or snorkelling experiences are on beautiful pristine coral reefs. In some other areas you will have the chance to do what we like to call "alternative environment dive sites" to view some of the oceans rarest and exotic marine life, these are often very difficult to find without local knowledge and keen eyes. Professional videographers can be brought in if needed to film your expedition both topside and underwater, for your memories forever!
Permits and visas - working closely with our agents & local authorities in Indonesia there is always a simple and more efficient way to arrange all the necessary permits for any vessel to cruise Indonesia at leisure. In order to arrange an easy entrance we need enough advanced notice to arrange all the paperwork well in advance of arrival, this process takes approximately 4 to 5 weeks though allowing a longer length of time is advisable where possible.
Refueling - in the past this has been a big issue with any vessel in an archipelago with over 17,000 islands - not anymore... All we need to know is the vessels fuel capacity, it's range and then from this information an itinerary can be tailor made to suit these parameters. Fuel can be taken on in a few various ports in Indonesia and we even have knowledge and access to be able to organise fuel barges to come to the vessel whilst on anchor to refuel.
Food - of course we all prefer and want fresh fruit and vegetables on a regular basis, this is also no big deal, we can arrange for fresh produce to meet vessels in a whole variety of areas on route. We have shipped huge amounts of food to the remotest regions to ensure the freshest produce for those wanting the best!
topSafety - one of the first questions boat owners and even regular visitors ask, is what about safety. The big question being "what about pirates?" It is true Indonesia has a terrible reputation of having high counts of piracy. Though the fact is, I have personally been travelling, diving and cruising throughout Indonesia since 1997 and have never heard or seen any hostility towards cruising vessels and tourists travelling within Indonesia. There have been rumours going around for many years about pirates in these waters. There have been no known pirate attacks or any other attacks on tourist vessels, private yachts or pleasure boats whilst in Indonesian waters. All the local cruising and diving operators have experienced nothing but friendly, welcoming people throughout Indonesia. The only known incidents are of local people and rangers asking for help with small amounts of fuel or fresh water for their own personal use. The only incidents are when tourists dive in certain areas without permission from the nearby villages, a recent local requirement in certain areas if for the locals village leader to ask for a small amount of cash to dive round their island or in front of their villages.
Etiquette - as with any country, there may be cultural or local sensitivities. A certain etiquette is advised and taking a guide who talks the local language and understands local systems and procedures will make your stay here much more fun, just kick back, relax and let someone else deal with all cruising matters.
- Always report in to local villages before making any activities on or near the islands, asking the permission of the local village leader.
- Locals can provide extra information on where to and not anchor, remember the locals also want and need to protect their reefs, please do not impact local reef with reckless anchoring.
- In certain areas villages may ask for a small reef tax for the protection of their reefs. Locals have taken to caring for their own reefs and do not allow outsiders to fish or impact their reefs. Follow local guidelines if or when the locals ask.
- Be sensitive to local cultures, through the outer islands of Asia it is always best for ladies more so, to try and cover up shoulders and knees. Try not to sunbathe in view of local wearing revealing clothing, this can seen as rude and very culturally insensitive.
One thing I like to do to avoid any issues when entering small villages is to take along some gifts as welcome offerings. I have learnt that clothes, even 2nd hand clothing is very much appreciated (remember the local people are often much smaller than the average westerner), children's books, pencils, crayons, things that the local people will be able to use in schools. Local people open up much more when tourists come prepared. Please do not give out plastic items that may often only end up as garbage on the beach.
There are procedures when entering small villages and certain regions of Indonesia to avoid any problems. In some places locals have been known to think divers are taking away marine life that the locals often harvest. This has been known to cause problems though a brief talk and the locals are then willing and more than happy to see tourists in their area. Boats entering near to known pearl farms without permission or prior notice are not always welcome, hence knowing these certain area's often avoids any confusion.
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