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Tipping is not obligatory in Indonesia, but it is appreciated and has become customary in the dive tourism industry. Dive guides, boat crew, and liveaboard staff often rely on tips as an important part of their income.
| Situation | Suggested Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day trip dive guide | IDR 50,000–100,000 per day (~$3–7 USD) | Per diver, given at end of day or end of multi-day package |
| Day trip boat crew | IDR 20,000–50,000 per day (~$1–3 USD) | Shared among crew, given at end of day |
| Liveaboard crew (budget) | $10–15 per day total | Collected in a communal tip envelope, distributed among all crew |
| Liveaboard crew (mid-range) | $15–20 per day total | Communal envelope or box on the last day |
| Liveaboard crew (luxury) | $20–30+ per day total | 10–15% of trip cost is a common guideline at luxury level |
| PADI/SSI course instructor | IDR 100,000–200,000 total (~$7–13) | At end of course, based on your experience |
| Dragon trek ranger | IDR 20,000–50,000 per group (~$1–3) | Small tip appreciated for good guiding |
Other ways to show appreciation include:
Tip: Withdraw cash for tips in Labuan Bajo before your liveaboard departure, as you will have no ATM access at sea. Bring a mix of smaller denominations for day-to-day tipping and a larger amount for the communal liveaboard tip.