微信扫码添加人工客服10:00-24:00（UTC+8）
微信扫码添加人工客服
West Halmahera
Dewi Nusantara will embark on three consecutive cruises that will explore two exceptional regions of the Indonesian archipelago: Raja Ampat and Halmahera.
These itineraries are totally different from each other and follow completely different routes. This presentation covers the second trip, which begins and ends at Ternate.
Part II will explore the outstanding and seldom visited dive sites of the enchanting island collections and reefs located along the Halmahera coastline and many others offshore, far out in the Maluku Sea. Halmahera offers some of Indonesia’s most pristine and untouched dive sites, and the western coastline, offshore archipelagos, and reefs of the western side of the island are no exception.
Nestled in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this remote destination boasts an incredible diversity of marine life, vibrant corals, and crystal-clear waters that make every dive an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or
just starting your underwater adventure, West Halmahera provides the perfect setting to explore a thriving ecosystem teeming with colourful fish, reef sharks, turtles, magnificent pelagics, and an astonishing collection of critters.
One of the highlights of diving in West Halmahera is its stunning variety of dive sites, ranging from dramatic walls and caves to gentle coral-covered slopes. The region is home to some of the most spectacular
Get On-Board with Dewi Nusantara
The team that conceived and constructed Dewi Nusantara in 2007 was among the original group of early pioneers that purpose-built liveaboard yachts to explore the seas of the Indonesian archipelago in the mid-90s. With thousands of miles already under her keel, the Goddess of the Archipelago continues to gracefully glide over the azure water that makes this country so unique.
Begin your next scuba adventure on board the Indonesian archipelago’s premier liveaboard and experience the very best that Indonesia has to offer, along with Dewi Nusantara’s outstanding service, exceptional facilities, and her highly experienced crew.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Check-in at the Dewi Nusantra boat.
Day 2-10: We will offer up to four daily dives, including a night dive. We offer two shallow dives on the last dive day (weather and sea conditions permitting).
Destinations: West Halmahera
1. Teluk Jailolo
Jailolo Bay, nestled along the western coast of North Halmahera, is an emerging hotspot for scuba diving, offering a blend of vibrant coral reefs, volcanic seascapes, and diverse marine life. This lesser-explored region boasts pristine underwater ecosystems, making it an enticing destination for divers seeking unspoiled beauty and unique encounters beneath the waves.
One of the bay's standout features is its volcanic influence, which has shaped dramatic underwater topography, including black sand slopes, geothermal vents, and rugged reef structures.
These volcanic landscapes create ideal conditions for both reef and muck diving, attracting a wide array of marine species. The reefs are alive with healthy coral formations, schooling fish, and pelagic visitors, while the nutrient-rich black sands provide the perfect habitat for rare and fascinating macro life, such as ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and a wide range of crustaceans and cephalopods.
2. Teluk Loloda
Teluk Loloda, located along the western coastline of North Halmahera, is a breathtaking bay dotted with islands and intricate waterways, offering exceptional anchorages for scuba diving and exploration.
The region's premier dive sites are concentrated around Kahatola, the bay's largest island, where divers can experience exhilarating swim-throughs, current-swept channels, and vibrant coral reefs teeming with an astonishing diversity of marine life.
For macro photography enthusiasts and critter hunters, the intricate shoreline near the Halmahera mainland is a treasure trove of hidden coves and inlets, promising exciting discoveries in some of the area's finest muck diving spots.
Above the water, Teluk Loloda's lush, forested islands are a spectacle of rugged beauty. From the striking beehive-shaped rock formation at Poroco to the mesmerising waterfall cascading down the eastern cliffs of Kahatola, the bay's dramatic landscapes are just as captivating as its underwater wonders.
Jailolo Bay is also known for its thriving marine biodiversity, with dive sites ranging from gentle coral gardens to steep drop-offs and current-swept channels. Schools of barracuda, trevally, and reef sharks patrol the deeper waters, while vibrant reef fish and mesmerising critters populate the shallows. Night diving in Jailolo is particularly rewarding, revealing elusive nocturnal creatures like bobtail squid, frogfish, and hunting octopuses.
Beyond the underwater wonders, the bay's surface scenery is equally captivating. Lush green hills frame the coastline, and traditional fishing villages dot the shore, offering a glimpse into the local way of life. With its combination of breathtaking landscapes, rich marine diversity, and untouched dive sites, Jailolo Bay is a true hidden gem for adventurous divers looking to explore the unexplored.
3. The Halmahera Spice Islands
Scuba diving around the original Spice Islands of Halmahera, Indonesia, offers an exceptional experience in one of the world's most biodiverse marine ecosystems. Located within the Coral Triangle, these waters are home to pristine coral reefs, abundant marine life, and unique volcanic underwater landscapes. Strong ocean currents sustain a thriving ecosystem, where divers can encounter everything from colorful nudibranchs to reef sharks and manta rays.
The island anchorages provide easy access to the remarkable dive sites at the islands of Hiri, Ternate, Maitara, and Tidore, featuring vibrant coral gardens, schooling fish, and World War I| shipwrecks that add historical intrigue. Unlike Indonesia's more popular dive destinations, this region remains relatively unexplored, making it ideal for underwater photographers and adventurous divers seeking pristine waters.
Beyond diving, volcanic scenery, tropical forests, and the rich cultural heritage of the island group, offers much to explore. Visitors can discover historic forts, spice plantations, and bustling markets.
Whether you're after thrilling drift dives or serene coral reefs, The Halmahera Spice Islands promise an unforgettable underwater adventure in one of the last untouched marine frontiers.
4. The Goraici Archipelago
The Goraici Archipelago, a secluded island group 30 nautical miles west of Halmahera, boasts crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. Straddling the equator, this remote diver's paradise offers an unparalleled mix of adventure, conservation, and biodiversity.
The islands stand as a model for sustainable marine stewardship. Local communities have successfully safeguarded their reefs, creating a thriving ecosystem untouched by destructive fishing practices. Divers can explore vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life, from colourful reef fish to majestic pelagics.
The diverse sites offer world-class diving, from stunning wall dives to manta ray cleaning stations.
Whether by day or night, these sites reveal an astonishing underwater world, promising encounters with everything from vibrant macro critters to thrilling pelagic encounters.
With crystal-clear waters and calm conditions, Goraici is ideal for underwater photography. Divers can spot pygmy seahorses, colourful shrimp, and elusive crabs hidden among coral formations. After sunset, the reef transforms into a mesmerising nocturnal spectacle.
Beyond macro life, Goraici's coral-covered walls provide dramatic settings for encounters with schooling barracuda, jacks, and reef fish. Whitetip and blacktip sharks cruise the depths, while manta rays occasionally visit as they glide through their natural cleaning stations.
Goraicis seamounts offer thrilling drift dives, where reef sharks patrol and vast schools of tuna, wahoo, snapper, and fusiliers swirl in the currents. Hooking into the reef, divers can watch this high-energy spectacle unfold in a constantly shifting marine ballet.
The Goraici Archipelago offers more than just world-class diving - it provides an escape to an unspoiled marine sanctuary. Whether you seek thrilling underwater encounters or a tranquil retreat, this hidden gem of the Coral Triangle promises an unforgettable experience.
From stunning coral formations and abundant marine life to exhilarating drift dives, every descent unveils something extraordinary.
5. West Bacan
Located in the Halmahera region of North Maluku, Indonesia, Bacan Island offers world-class diving in a pristine and remote setting. Its crystal-clear waters, thriving coral reefs, and diverse marine life make it an ideal destination for divers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Most dive sites are found around the smaller islands to the west, where untouched reefs and minimal tourism create an exceptional underwater experience.
What to Expect
• Marine Life: Encounter reef sharks, barracudas, and large schools of fusiliers, along with fascinating macro creatures such as nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and ghost pipefish.
• Underwater Topography: Explore a variety of dive sites featuring steep walls, sloping reefs, and coral-covered pinnacles.
• Diving Conditions: Enjoy excellent visibility, vibrant coral ecosystems, and both drift dives in strong currents and calm sites perfect for photography.
• Unspoiled Environment: With fewer visitors than Raja Ampat and Bunaken, Bacan offers an exclusive and undisturbed diving experience.
Highlight Dive Sites
• Drift Diving Hotspots: Ride nutrient-rich currents that attract pelagic species, providing thrilling encounters for advanced divers.
• Macro Paradise: Discover shallow reefs teeming with intricate marine life, perfect for underwater photography.
• Remote and Untouched Reefs: Experience the beauty of coral gardens and hidden dive spots that remain largely unexplored.
Beyond Diving
Bacan is not just about the underwater world - its rich history and culture add depth to your journey. Explore remnants of colonial-era architecture, visit traditional Malukan villages, and take in the natural beauty of this remote paradise. Whether above or below the surface, Bacan offers a truly unforgettable adventure for divers and travellers alike.
6. Orang Kaya
Scuba diving at the Orang Kaya island collection is a rare and exhilarating experience for divers looking to explore untouched waters filled with vibrant marine life. Located close to the southeastern corner of Halmahera, this group of islands and reefs remain largely undiscovered, making it an ideal destination for those seeking pristine underwater environments. The island's surrounding waters boast excellent visibility, healthy coral reefs, and a diverse range of marine species, making it a dream destination for underwater adventurers.
The dive sites around Orang Kaya feature a mix of dramatic drop-offs, coral-covered slopes, and sandy seabeds rich with macro life. The thriving reefs are home to an abundance of tropical fish, including schools of fusiliers, sweetlips, and angelfish. Larger pelagic species such as reef sharks, barracudas, and eagle rays are also commonly sighted, while macro enthusiasts can find nudibranchs, seahorses, and cuttlefish hiding among the corals. The island's nutrient-rich currents attract migratory species, offering divers a chance to encounter rare marine life in its natural habitat.
For divers interested in adventure and exploration, Karang Batu Anyer is a short distance to the southeast of Orang Kaya. At first glance, this looks much like any other remote offshore reef in the seas of Indonesia. However, on closer inspection of satellite imagery, it becomes quite apparent that the elongated, surface-breaking, curved reef is in fact part of the caldera of a long-extinct volcano. Completely circular, and with a diameter of 600 metres, this looks to be a location that definitely warrants further attention.
The Orang Kaya region's isolation means fewer divers and a more exclusive experience, allowing for uninterrupted exploration of its underwater treasures. Whether you are a seasoned diver looking for thrilling drift dives or a photographer in search of stunning reefscapes, Orang Kaya offers an unparalleled diving adventure in one of Indonesia's most untouched marine environments.
7. Ganone
The tiny island of Ganone lies on the northwest side of the Orang Kaya group of islands and waterways, close to the south-eastern tip of Halmahera. Surrounded by deep water, the dive sites around the island feature a mix of coral gardens, steep walls, and sandy slopes teeming with marine biodiversity. Schools of fusiliers, snapper, and batfish swirl around the reefs, while moray eels, cuttlefish, and colourful nudibranchs inhabit the sandy slopes and corals
Larger marine species such as reef sharks, eagle rays, and even the occasional manta ray can be spotted gliding through the deeper waters.
The island's underwater terrain also makes it a great location for both macro photography and wide-angle shots, capturing everything from tiny critters to expansive coral landscapes.
8. The Pantinti Strait
Diving in the Pantinti Strait, Indonesia, is an extraordinary experience for those seeking vibrant marine biodiversity, strong currents, and dramatic underwater landscapes. Located in North Maluku, the strait separates the islands of Halmahera and Bacan, creating a dynamic marine environment shaped by the powerful flow of nutrient-rich waters. These currents bring an abundance of marine life, making the Pantinti Strait an exciting destination for divers who enjoy high-voltage dives and pelagic encounters. With a collection of islands blocking and confusing the currents in the middle, the strait is always going to produce absolutely stellar dive sites, much like a mini Komodo or Alor.
The underwater topography at Pantinti is incredible, featuring steep walls, coral-covered pinnacles, canyons, passages, and sloping reefs teeming with marine life. Divers can expect to see large schools of barracuda, tuna, and trevallies patrolling the deep blue, while reef sharks and eagle rays glide effortlessly through the currents.
There are also quiet coves and corners around the complex coastline of the islands featuring healthy and vibrant coral formations. These support an array of smaller creatures such as nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and pygmy seahorses.
The remoteness of the region means fewer divers, providing an exclusive and pristine underwater experience. Whether you are seeking adrenaline-filled drift dives or mesmerising marine encounters, the Pantinti Strait offers some of the best diving in Indonesia.
9. Makian Volcano
Critter diving at Makian Island, located on the western seaboard of Halmahera Island, offers an incredible experience for macro photography enthusiasts and underwater explorers. Unlike traditional coral reef diving, critter (or muck) diving focuses on the sandy, silty, or rubble-strewn seabed, where bizarre and cryptic marine creatures thrive.
The island is actually a volcano, and along with its nutrient-rich waters, a little current, and some patchy habitat, creates an ideal environment for rare critters to flourish. Divers exploring Makian's muck sites can expect to encounter a stunning variety of macro life, including flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopuses, hairy frogfish, and an array of colourful nudibranchs.
The island's dark volcanic sand provides the perfect backdrop for spotting these elusive creatures, many of which rely on camouflage to blend into their surroundings. Pipefish, mantis shrimp, and ghost pipefish are also commonly sighted, making every dive a treasure hunt for marine oddities.
What makes muck diving at Makian Island even more special is its relatively untouched and less-visited dive sites.
Unlike more famous muck diving destinations such as the Lembeh Strait and Ambon, Makian remains under the radar. With the keen eyes of Dewi Nusantara's expert critter spotters, divers can uncover some of the ocean's most fascinating and peculiar inhabitants, making every dive an adventure filled with unexpected discoveries.
Day 11: Check out.
Cruise notes:
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.
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and sites visited are subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics and are at the Captain's discretion.
微信扫码添加人工客服
