The Deep and Extreme Indonesia (DXI) 2026 exhibition officially concluded on Sunday, April 26, following four vibrant days at Hall B of the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Senayan. Guided by the theme #DAREtoXPLORE: Waves of Collaboration, this year’s event stood as the most ambitious edition in DXI history, sending a powerful message that Indonesia’s diving, outdoor, and adventure lifestyle industries have moved firmly into the mainstream.
Over the four-day event, approximately 13,500 attendees—ranging from diving enthusiasts and families to industry professionals and students—converged to explore offerings from 137 exhibitors. International powerhouses such as Marset Diving, Maldives Legend, Junior Scuba, and Hot Dive were among the major participants. The palpable enthusiasm translated into impressive economic activity, with total transactions reaching Rp11 billion. This figure underscores the growing seriousness with which Indonesians view the adventure sector as a lifestyle worthy of substantial investment.
A historic highlight of DXI 2026 was its strategic collaboration with the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), which formally integrated Indonesia into the global marine tourism network. This partnership serves as a vital step in cementing the nation’s status as a world-class diving destination while accelerating the growth of marine tourism and extreme sports industries on an international scale.
A Hub for Knowledge and Inspiration
Beyond the bustling exhibition floor, DXI 2026 served as a center for intellectual exchange. The event hosted 33 talk show sessions featuring experts across fields such as diving, underwater photography, and environmental sustainability. A standout session featured the Governor of North Maluku, Sherly Tjoanda, a dedicated dive enthusiast, who led a national conversation on the untapped marine tourism potential and pristine beauty of North Maluku.
Captivating the audience further, actress Kirana Larasati shared her experience of diving to a depth of 120 meters using Insta360 technology, a feat that earned a MURI record. Her talk highlighted how modern underwater camera technology has become a potent storytelling medium for raising public awareness about marine ecosystem preservation. Simultaneously, the workshop area remained consistently packed, with 11 underwater photography sessions led by practitioners like Ribka Malise and Imran Ahmad. These workshops emphasized that underwater photography is not merely about aesthetic appeal, but about capturing narratives that inspire action.
Among the most discussed sessions was the Wanadri panel, “Women Divers Expedition — Ibu Karang: Coral Transplantation and Beyond,” moderated by Ramon Y. Tungka. Featuring Dr. Rita Rachmawati, Dr. Ratih C. Sari, and Endah Sulistianti, the panel reframed coral transplantation as a measurable, impactful social and ecological movement rather than simple volunteer work.
Global Competition and Grand Prizes
The competitive spirit at DXI 2026 was fierce, with 11 distinct contests spanning categories like Underwater Shootout (Wide and Macro), Adventure Shootout, Mermaid Competition, Underwater Dance, and even Airsoft Tactical and Overland Car Pulling. With participants arriving from Singapore, South Korea, Australia, and Malaysia, DXI reaffirmed its status as a truly international platform.
The closing ceremony celebrated top performers, including Roy Legi (1st Place, Underwater Shootout Macro), Roy Herlambang (1st Place, Underwater Shootout Wide), and Willy Susanto (Winner, Adventure Shootout). Vian Adam was honored with the Visitors’ Choice Award. The evening reached its climax with the announcement of the grand prize: a trip to the Maldives awarded to Ibu Sidah from Jakarta—a symbolic journey from the treasures of the Indonesian archipelago to one of the world’s most prestigious maritime destinations.
Local Innovation Meets Global Standards
A significant milestone for DXI 2026 was the confident presence of local manufacturers. Brands such as Javasidemount, Iwani, Hypocampus, Archipelago, and Azura Indonesia stood shoulder-to-shoulder with international exhibitors, demonstrating the maturity and growth of Indonesia’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem. Additionally, adventure gear brands like RESPIRO, NJS Helmet, Eiger, Alltrek, and Madlife drew large crowds with discounts of up to 70 percent, offering visitors access to high-quality gear at competitive prices.
The community spirit was visible from the opening day, as over 100 riders from the Harley-Davidson Indonesia, CRF Indonesia, and Naikmotor.com Supermoto communities held a joint ride to the venue, illustrating that the spirit of adventure transcends specific sports or clubs. Irfant Rifani, Project Manager of DXI 2026, described this synergy as the core vision of the event. He noted that the exhibition was designed to build an ecosystem connecting communities, industries, and the government, and the overwhelming turnout served as clear evidence of the rising interest in adventure and conservation in Indonesia.
Institutional Recognition and the Future
The success of DXI 2026 was further bolstered by strategic partners including Pertamina, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Bank Mandiri, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and Telkomsel. The participation of these major institutions signals that the blue economy and the adventure lifestyle industry are now viewed as serious, promising sectors for investment in Indonesia.
Ultimately, DXI 2026 concluded not just as a successful event by the numbers, but as a turning point—a moment where Indonesia’s adventure industry signaled its readiness to compete and lead on the global stage.
Summary
The Deep and Extreme Indonesia (DXI) 2026 exhibition successfully concluded at the Jakarta International Convention Center, attracting approximately 13,500 attendees and generating Rp11 billion in transactions. Featuring 137 exhibitors, the event highlighted the rapid growth of Indonesia’s adventure and diving lifestyle industries. A major strategic highlight was the partnership with the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), which effectively integrated Indonesia into the global marine tourism network and reinforced the nation’s status as a world-class diving destination.
Beyond the trade floor, the four-day event served as a hub for knowledge, hosting 33 expert talk shows and workshops focused on marine conservation, underwater photography, and sustainability. The exhibition also showcased the maturity of local manufacturing alongside international brands and fostered community engagement through various competitive sports and cultural activities. By securing support from major financial institutions, DXI 2026 proved that Indonesia’s blue economy is a viable and increasingly influential sector on the global stage.
