Kalimaya Dive Resort, Bima:
Your Questions Answered

Kalimaya caters to divers and snorkelers of all levels, from complete beginners to highly experienced. Beginners can learn to dive at our SSI Dive Centre. We create a personalised dive plan for every guest to ensure safety and fun. At Kalimaya, divers and snorkelers of all levels can enjoy Gili Banta, Sangeang Volcano, and West Komodo. There is no minimum certification required; after nearly ten years of operation in the region, we know these waters intimately and always dive the safest, most rewarding conditions for the group.

Gili Banta, accessible by daily speedboat from Kalimaya, is one of Indonesia’s finest locations for manta ray diving. Tidal currents attract resident reef mantas year-round. In 2023, the Marine Megafauna Foundation conducted a manta survey at Gili Banta and identified 26 individual mantas, 18 of which had never been recorded before. These are now registered as Kalimaya local mantas, unique to this region.

Yes. Kalimaya is a macro and muck diving specialty resort. With muck diving possible along the Sumbawa coast, at Sangeang Volcano, and right outside your bungalow on the 400-metre private beach house reef, there are endless macro opportunities. Over 150 nudibranch species, 11 species of octopus including mimic octopus, 6 species of frogfish, rhinopia, paddleflap rhinopia, harlequin shrimp, bumblebee shrimp, and candy crabs have all been documented here. Our dive guides are experienced in spotting rare critters and helping photographers get the perfect shot.

The Dive and Stay Package includes 2 guided boat dives per full diving day, plus 1 guided house reef orientation dive and unlimited house reef dives. All equipment is included as part of the package.

Kalimaya has over 40 dive sites across 5 regions of the Sape Strait, all dived exclusively by Kalimaya. Regions include: West Komodo for current-exposed pinnacles, sharks, and large megafauna; Gili Banta for manta ray cleaning stations and coral gardens; Sangeang Volcano for active black sand muck diving and macro life; the Sumbawa North coastline for muck diving and coastal drifts; and Sumbawa South for gentle coral bays and sloping reefs. In winter months (January to March), Kalimaya also dives Pulau Kelapa to the south for warmer water and Indian Ocean exposed sites. As the only operator in these regions, guests always have every site to themselves.

Diving at Kalimaya is possible 365 days a year. The dry season from April to November offers the best visibility, calmer seas, and optimal conditions for northern sites including Gili Banta and Sangeang Volcano. The wet season from January to early March brings warmer water from the Indian Ocean and better conditions in the southern regions of South Sumbawa and Pulau Kelapa. Kalimaya’s team plans daily diving around conditions to ensure quality diving year-round.