Dive more, Experience More
12 Days / 11 Nights
The above rates are per person per trip and subject to change. Please note these fees are in line with third party supplier costs.
The remote areas of Bangka, Lembeh and Halmahera are relatively unvisited. So, how do you get there? Your journey begins with an international flight into Indonesia, followed by a domestic flight to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) on the Sulawesi Island. As the capital of Northern Sulawesi, Manado serves as the main gateway for liveaboard dive boats. Though getting to these dive spots requires a bit of extra time and preparation, the rewards are well worth the effort. Indonesia offers multiple international airports throughout its archipelago. Most international visitors typically arrive via Jakarta or Bali, as both airports provide direct domestic flights to Manado.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, passengers are required to go through customs and immigration with all the required documents, including a visa, before proceeding to baggage claim to retrieve their belongings. Most domestic airlines in Indonesia do not have baggage transfer agreements with major international carriers, meaning travelers must collect their luggage and check in for onward domestic flights.
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 seahoroses, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and other exotic critters. At night, the sites transforms into a magical display of bioluminescence and nocturnal creatures.
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 fascinating creatures like stargazers, eels, and tiny crabs hidden in the sand.
The evening reef comes alive with nocturnal animals and 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.
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.
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.
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 really 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.
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.
With pristine conditions and thriving ecosystems, these dive sites offer unforgettable experiences. Spectacular drop-offs and untouched natural beauty make Patintie Strait a true diver’s paradise.
We begin the day with an unforgettable dive at an underwater wreck. This site is teeming with marine life, where schools of fish weave through the structure and fascinating creatures hide within its crevices. From there, we head to a vibrant reef brimming with colourful corals and bustling marine activity. This dive offers a wonderful opportunity to encounter a wide variety of reef fish and other species that thrive in these nutrient-rich waters — a truly immersive experience showcasing the beauty and diversity of the underwater world.
After our morning dives, there will be time to relax on board as we sail towards our next destination. Upon arrival, get ready for a thrilling muck dive at dusk. As day fades into night, the underwater world transforms — revealing a secret realm of tiny critters such as shrimp, crabs, and other unique marine life. It’s the perfect end to a day of adventure beneath the surface.
After a relaxing morning, we arrive at Kofiau Island — a destination renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and thriving marine life. The colourful reefs here are alive with bustling schools of reef fish and a variety of fascinating critters.
Our adventure continues with a dive at a gently sloping reef, where calm currents flow through a vivid mix of soft and hard corals. Schools of fish and an ever-changing cast of marine life create a dynamic underwater display that’s both beautiful and captivating.
We end the day with a magical muck dive at a nearby pier. As the sun sets, the ocean reveals its hidden wonders — tiny critters like shrimp, crabs, and other elusive marine creatures emerge from their hiding places. The soft glow of twilight brings a mystical charm to this dive, making it a truly memorable way to close out the day.
Melissa’s Garden is undoubtedly the highlight dive site in this area, featuring an extraordinary array of coral and fish densely packed into a stunning reef framed by three islands. The vibrant hard coral garden is simply breathtaking — a true natural wonder that must be seen to be believed.
Another exceptional dive is Keruo Channel, known for its gentle drift along a mini wall and sloping reef at the edge of Keru Island. It’s a calm and relaxing dive, ideal for those who want to explore the intricate underwater terrain at an easy pace.
Batu Rufus is another favourite, offering a dramatic underwater drop-off that plunges over 40 metres into the deep blue. The views at around 20 metres are especially striking, where the stark underwater landscape meets open water, creating an unforgettable, almost surreal diving experience.
No visit to this region is complete without experiencing the iconic limestone pinnacles of Piaynemo. A short hike up to the viewpoint overlooking the lagoon reveals one of Raja Ampat’s most famous panoramas — particularly magical in the cooler light of late afternoon.
Start your day with an exhilarating drift dive, where pelagic predators patrol through schools of baitfish. This fast-paced dive offers a front-row seat to some of the most thrilling underwater action in the region.
Following the excitement, we visit a stunning reef adorned with vibrant orange and yellow soft corals. This site offers a more tranquil and colourful atmosphere, teeming with reef fish that dart between the corals — a beautiful contrast to the morning’s high-energy dive.
In the afternoon, we head to one of the area’s manta ray cleaning stations, where these graceful giants can often be seen gliding through calm, sandy waters. Watching them up close is a truly unforgettable experience.
Later, we make our way ashore to Arborek Village, where you’ll get a glimpse into local life, traditions, and the natural charm of this remote island community. Wander through the village and take in the unique culture and warm hospitality that make this region so special.
Cape Kri is one of Raja Ampat’s most dive sites 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 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.
This morning marks the end of your adventure aboard La Galigo. We arrive in Sorong at approximately 5:00 AM, allowing ample time for guests with early morning flights to disembark smoothly. If you prefer a more relaxed start to your day, you’re welcome to remain on board until 11:00 AM.
Our crew will be on hand to assist with luggage and help coordinate your onward travel arrangements, ensuring a seamless transition to your next destination.
After breakfast, take a moment to enjoy a final coffee on deck, exchange contact details with new friends, and relive the unforgettable moments shared throughout your journey. Whether you’re heading home or continuing your travels, we thank you for choosing La Galigo and hope to welcome you back again soon.
La Galigo does not guarantee this outlined itinerary, and it is to be considered as a rough guideline. Information compiled here is based on past trips we have conducted, and includes common dive sites and routes we often visit. Weather and sea conditions in the area can be unpredictable, and La Galigo retains the right to alter an itinerary from advice of the shipʼs captain, cruise director, or owner for the safety of the vessel, its passenger and crew.
