LEMBEH, HALMAHERA, & RAJA AMPAT HIGHLIGHTS

• Chance to see vibrant critters in Lembeh Strait.
• Large schools of barracudas, travallies, fusiliers, and groupers.
• See vibrant corals.
• Visit some of the world's best muck diving spots.
• Reef Sharks and Manta Rays.
• Hike to Piaynemo for the view of Raja Ampat's limestone cliffs.
• Visit sites with some of Indonesia's best visibility year round.
• Variety of marine life from pelagic sharks to rare Frogfish.

Sample  Itinerary

DAY 1: MANADO AND LEMBEH STRAIT

Welcome to La Galigo!

A representative from La Galigo will meet you at your Manado hotel at 7:00 am for the 1-hour transfer to Bitung. After a safety briefing and time to settle into your cabin, we will sail to our first dive site.

Lembeh Strait is a macro photographer's paradise and a must-visit for lovers of critter diving. The welcome dive features a coral wall, adorned with soft corals and sponges. Known marine life highlights include a variety of nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and other exotic critters. At night, the sites transform into a magical display of bioluminescence and nocturnal creatures.

DAY 2: LEMBEH STRAIT

Our first full day will be exploring the Lembeh Strait known for its premier muck diving, macro enthusiasts, and underwater photographers. Marine life highlights include flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopuses, Ambon scorpionfish, and a variety of rare nudibranchs. Frogfish, pipefish, and shrimp species are also commonly spotted here, camouflaging themselves in the sand and rubble. Keep an eye out for fascinating creatures like stargazers, eels, and tiny crabs hidden in the sand.

The evening reef comes alive with nocturnal animals and is perfect for spotting glowing squids, hunting octopuses, and other nighttime critters that make the underwater world magical. It's the perfect way to end a day of exploring these incredible dive sites. After the dive, we lift anchor for an overnight sail to Tifore Island.

DAY 3: TIFORE ISLAND

Enjoy a leisurely morning as we sail to Tifore Island located in the middle of the Molucca Sea, far from any surrounding land. Positioned between Halmahera and North Sulawesi, it's a popular stop for liveaboards traveling to or from Raja Ampat.

The diving here is breathtaking, thanks to its remote location in open water. The vibrant coral reefs are alive with soft and hard corals, sea fans, and sponges in stunning colors, while reef fish like butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and lionfish swim nearby. At sunset, don't miss the chance to witness the mandarin fish perform its fascinating mating dance. Larger marine life adds to the spectacle, with barracudas, trevallies, fusiliers, and groupers moving in impressive schools. Sharks, including whitetip, blacktip, and grey reef sharks, are regular visitors, making dives here unforgettable.

DAY 4:TIDORE & MAKIAN ISLAND

Tidore was once a center of wealth and power in Indonesia, thriving as a major producer of cloves. Its prosperity lasted until the arrival of the Europeans clashed over control of the spice trade.

Today, these historic islands are known for their dive sites, such as Batu Angus, Kora-Kora Bay, Oba Bay, and Gamalama Wall. The underwater world here is alive with reef fish like angelfish, clownfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish weaving through vibrant corals, sponges, and sea fans. Schools of tuna, barracudas, and trevallies glide through the open water, while whitetip, blacktip, and grey sharks prowl the depths. Occasionally, divers are treated to sightings of dolphins or whales, making every trip beneath the waves an extraordinary adventure.

DAY 5: GOROACHI & TAMOTAMO ISLANDS

Goroachi and the Tamotamo islands are located in the southwestern part of Halmahera. While their white sandy beaches are stunning, it's the underwater world that steals the show. The walls offer colorful soft and hard corals, sponges, and sea fans, creating an ideal habitat for tiny creatures like pygmy seahorses, shrimp, and crabs. Larger marine life can also be spotted with schools of barracudas and jacks weaving through the reefs, along with angelfish, butterflyfish, clownfish, and parrotfish.

DAY 6: PATINTIE STRAIT

In the waters north of one of the main islands, a rocky outcrop serves as a gateway to a vibrant underwater world. To the east, a ridge comes alive with untouched coral and schools of colorful fish, creating a dazzling rainbow-like display in the shallows that captivates divers.

Along the coastline, another site offers an exhilarating drift dive, where a sandy slope covered with scattered rocks leads to a stunning coral garden teeming with marine life. In the channel between islands, a rocky pinnacle rises from the depths, surrounded by abundant fish life and dramatic drop-offs. The pristine conditions and diverse marine ecosystems make these sites unforgettable for any diver. With drop-offs and untouched beauty, it's a site that promises.

DAY 7: SOUTHERN BACAN ISLANDS

We start the day with a dive at an underwater wreck. This site is alive with marine life, as schools of fish swim through its structure and fascinating creatures hide in its crevices. Head to a lively reef bursting with vibrant corals and marine activity. This dive offers a chance to see a variety of reef fish and other creatures thriving in the nutrient-rich waters. It's a fantastic way to experience the beauty and diversity of the underwater world.

After the morning dives, we'll have time to relax on board as we sail to our next location. Upon arrival, gear up for a muck dive just as the day transitions into night. The underwater environment transforms after sunset, revealing a hidden world of tiny critters like shrimp, crabs, and other unique creatures. We lift anchor.

DAY 8: KOFIAU

After a relaxing morning, we arrive at Kofiau Island, a place renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and bustling marine life. The stunning colorful corals are teeming with lively reef fish and critters. The adventure continues with our next dive at a sloping reef with gentle currents surrounded by a mix of soft and hard corals, while schools of fish and other fascinating marine creatures create an ever-changing display.

The day ends with a muck dive at a nearby pier where the ocean comes alive with unique critters like shrimp, crabs, and other small creatures emerging from their hiding spots. The dim light adds a magical touch and a hidden world of fascinating marine life. It's a memorable way to wrap up the day.

DAY 9: PIAYNEMO (A.K.A. PENEMU)

Melissa's Garden is easily the top dive in this area, with an impressive variety of coral and fish packed into a small, beautiful reef between three islands. The hard coral garden here is breathtaking and truly needs to be seen to be believed. Another spot we might visit today is Keruo Channel, known for its gentle drift dive along a mini wall and slope at the edge of Keru Island. It's a calm and enjoyable dive, perfect for exploring the underwater landscape.

One of our other favorite dive spots is Batu Rufus, where a dramatic drop-off extends beyond 40 meters into the deep blue. The views are stunning, especially at around 20 meters, where the stark landscape creates a mesmerizing contrast as you float in the open water. And, of course, no trip to this area is complete without visiting the iconic limestone pinnacles. Pianemo Lagoon, with its stunning formations, is one of the best places to hike for a view, especially in the late afternoon when the temperature drops.

DAY 10: GAM, MANTA SANDY, SAWANDAREK

Start your day with a drift dive where pelagic predators hunt amid schools of baitfish. It's a fast-paced dive filled with action, offering a chance to witness incredible marine life. After the excitement of the first dive, head to a beautiful reef covered in vibrant orange and yellow soft corals, offering a calm and colorful atmosphere, with schools of colorful reef fish bustling around the corals.

In the afternoon, we head to view manta rays visiting cleaning stations in calm, sandy waters. Observing the graceful giants is an unforgettable experience. After a break, we head ashore to visit Arborek Village, where you'll have the chance to experience the local culture and enjoy the scenery of the surrounding area. We'll have a glimpse into the everyday life of the community and the natural beauty that defines this region. As the day winds down, prepare for a night dive at a village site to discover the nocturnal marine life.

DAY 11: KRI - KALI BIRU

Cape Kri is one of Raja Ampat's most famous dive sites and is known for its incredible biodiversity. This site offers vibrant coral gardens and an abundance of marine life, including schools of fish, turtles, and sometimes even reef sharks. The strong currents bring nutrient-rich waters that support a variety of species, making for an exhilarating dive experience right from the start.

We later head to Friwen, known for its mix of soft corals, dramatic drop-offs, and a variety of marine life, including schools of anthias and snapper. If we're lucky, we might even encounter a reef shark or a Napoleon wrasse. With its stunning coral formations and the potential for exciting encounters with larger marine species, this dive complements Cape Kri perfectly, offering a deeper look into the area's vibrant underwater world.

We head ashore to Kali Biru, trekking through the lush rainforest of vibrant greenery and clear, turquoise waters. The trek takes you to stunning viewpoints with breathtaking views of Raja Ampat's beautiful coastline and islands, offering a perfect break from diving. This peaceful hike is a great way to end your action-packed day, allowing you to soak in the natural beauty of this tropical paradise from above.

DAY 12: SORONG

Today, we say goodbye to the stunning Raja Ampat as we arrive in Sorong around 5:00 AM, giving those plenty of time to catch an early morning flight. For those who prefer a slower pace, you're welcome to stay aboard until 11:00 AM. Our crew will be happy to assist you with transportation to your next destination. After breakfast, take a moment to share photos and exchange contact details with your fellow divers, ensuring you stay in touch with the friends and dive buddies you've made during this unforgettable journey.

Lembeh: Nudibranch galore, frogfish, hairy frogfish, rhinopias, octopus, wonderpus, harlequin shrimp, flamboyant cuttlefish, snake eels, stonefish, ribbon eels, stargazers.

Halmahera: Baracuda Schools, Mantas, Sharks, Hippocampus Denise, Bagibant, Rhinopias, Wonderpus, Mimic Octopus, Nudibranchs.

Raja Ampat: At least 75 percent of all coral species can be found in Raja Ampat. Divers can expect a range of topography from soft corals and sea fans, to hard corals, seagrass beds, mangroves, shallow reefs, deep drop-offs, caves, black sand, and white sand. Giant manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, cuttlefish, pipefish, various seahorse species and massive schools of reef fish are the norm, plus the delightful wobbegong sharks and epaulette sharks inhabit these waters too.

The last dive will be on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive.

(*) The itinerary description is provided by the boat operator. Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only, and the exact route and sites visited may change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics, at the Captain’s discretion.