Best Halmahera Liveaboard
Join us for the best Halmahera Liveaboard! This Raja Ampat and North Maluku itinerary gives you the opportunity to indulge the Raja Ampat’s underwater paradise, and discover the underknown area of Halmahera.
The National Park of Raja Ampat, is the epicentre of Biodiversity on Earth. Dampier Strait, Kawe and the iconic Wayag are the main stopovers of this cruise. Dive with with reef sharks, napoleon wrasses, big eye trevallies, barracudas and oceanic manta rays. Macro lovers will be delighted with a great variety of nudibranchs, and pygmy seahorses such as the Denise or the Bargibanti but also the Pontohi-way rarer!
The reefs of Halmahera are just as good as those in Raja Ampat. Years of exploration in this area, have allowed us to discover amazing and unfrequented dive sites. The reefs are very colourful, with a great amount of healthy soft and hard coral. Obviously, an abundance of life is growing here.
Four Days in Raja Ampat
The Highest marine biodiversity in the World
World-renowned marine biologists (such as Gerry Allen) and respected organisations such as Conservation International (CI), all claim that Raja Ampat underwater biodiversity is unrivalled. It hosts more than 1508 species of fish, 537 species of corals (75% of the total world species), and 699 mollusc species. Myriads of tropical kaleidoscopic fish, turtles, schooling barracudas, trevallies and various kinds of sweetlips hover around its rich waters. Enjoy the encounter of an elusive reef shark, or blink at an impressive oceanic manta ray, merely armed with a single mask and snorkel.
Cruising Eastern Halmahera
Different than any other Halmahera Liveaboard
Cruising eastern Halmahera with a Liveaboard is really unusual. Only few yachts are proposing this route, and they’d rather take the southern itinerary through Misool. So why did Konjo choose to follow this itinerary? Indeed, because there are really good dive sites along the way. Weda Bay Eco Resort stopped to operate the area before of the mining operation close by. But a off the coastline, the reefs we know are still plentiful and ripped for further inspection.
Western Halmahera Liveaboard
The most famous diving is located in the western part of Halmahera. The first time we explored this area, it was completely empty from any resorts. There are 3 nowadays. Fair enough, I would say, as the quality of diving reach 5 stars into the Patintie Strait. A main oceanic current is flowing in between the island of Bacan and Halmahera. It brings all the nutrients needed for the coral reef, and prolific biomass regeneration. Still poorly known, it offers plenty of Worlclass dive sites. Goraichi archipelago consists of four main islands: Siko, Gafi, Laigoma and Tomakomafatu, but is sprinkled by rocks, and islet. A paradise for divers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to reach the Expedition?
How to reach Raja Ampat?
Embarkation from Sorong harbour, after landing at Domine Eduard Osok airport (SOQ).
For the international flights from Paris we recommend Quatar Airways. This company works in collaboration with Garuda Airlines and operates direct domestic flights from Jakarta to Sorong (GA-682 | departure at 00h30am arrival at 06:35am).
These flights are quite tiring this is why we recommend you to arrive the day before the departure of the cruise in order to rest in one of the hotels of Sorong.
If you’d prefer arrive from Bali, you will have to transit through Makassar. From Bali via Makassar we recommend the flight operated by Sriwijaya (SJ-726 | departure at 9:35pm arrival at 10:55pm at Makassar). The only inconvenience for any flights, is that you will have to wait for the next flight at Makasar airport until 3am. You will land at 06:55am in SOQ airport. Garuda and Batik Air operate the same kind of flights.
During your transit at Makassar airport (UPG), seek for one of the two lounge rooms located respectively in front of the Gate 1 and the Gate 6. It will cost you around 10 € for an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet, and a comfortable seat.
How to leave from Ternate:
To Jakarta, Batik Air operates from the airport of Ternate (TTE) the ID-6141 flight leaving at 4:40 pm and arriving at 6:25pm. This allows you to respect a 24 hour of no flight required after a 12 nights liveaboard. There are no direct flights from Ternate to Bali. But Sriwijaya operates the SJ-599 flight leaving from Ternate (TTE) at 12:35pm, arriving in Bali at 4:35pm with a stopover at Makassar (UPG) for 1h40min.
Domestic flights may be delayed and this is why we do advice you to spend a night in Jakarta or Bali before international flights.
Where to sleep in Sorong?
We recommand you to stay in one of those hotel, as they are following the international standarts in terms of cleanliness and service. We can help you with your reservation and organize evrerything for you.
MAMBERAMO MARINA: The closest from any supermarket and restaurants. Provides a good bar and restaurant considering the city of Sorong.
SWISS BEL HOTEL : The more comfortable hotel in town. Close form the ferry terminal for Waisai, but far from any restaurant. Correct breackfast, but avoid the dining. An extra charge will be added for early bookings.
VEGA HOTEL. The closer from the airport, and the more recently built. The best thing is that you can checkin anytime withour extra charge.
Where to eat in Sorong?
Ask to your taxi to bring you to the Marina, if you want to have good food while sitting watching harbour activities. The Marina is where every sea people, and liveaboard operators meet in between cruises. Perfect for a sunset drink on their terrace, and a followed diner. They are specialize in seafood and fish barbecue, but offer many vegetarian option too.
For a coffee and some good snaks before your flight, we do recommand the MISOOL FILLING STATION handle by the Misool Eco resort. Go upstairs to be comfortably seatted, and have a look to their sustainably-made souvenirs.
What is the water temperature and visibility?
At this time of the year in both Raja Ampat and Halmahera, you can expect very good conditions. Water temperatures vary between 28 and 30 degrees, and visibility goes up to 30 meters. And you will find the same kind of conditions in Halmahera though you may find some thermoclines in the Patintie Strait.
A full 3mm wetsuit is the best option for this cruise.
Who can join this expedition and what level of certification is required?
As diving can be a bit challenging on some of the sites, a minimum of 100 dives is required to join this diving cruise. A minimum of a Padi Advanced certification or a CMAS level 2 certification is required. To offer you the best experience on board, 3 qualified dive guides will be in charge of the divers. And 2 tenders will be used to bring the divers back and forth.
Non divers are more than welcome to join this cruise, as snorkeling and landscapes are absolutely amazing in this area of Indonesia. Discover Scuba diving can be provided for the non-divers, but no openwater, or advanced course will be taught onboard.
Is there Nitrox on board?
Yes. But there is a limited amount of Nitrox filling available. If you want a fullboard Nitrox, please let us know during your reservation.