Hammerhead sharks & Whale sharks Expedition takes you to some of Indonesia’s least-visited islands. Our team charter Tiare, crafting a unique itinerary of diving and adventure just for you. This journey connects Saumlaki in the Southeast Moluccas to the small port town of Kaimana in Triton Bay.
Dive in the Banda Sea during hammerhead shark season and conclude this odyssey with whale sharks in West Papua. This exceptional expedition also includes a variety of land excursions, giving guests an immersive and authentic liveaboard experience.
Alexis, founder of Konjo Cruising, will be your expedition leader on board. He crafted this itinerary based on his deep knowledge of the region and will share his years of experience to take you to the most spectacular sites of the Banda Sea & Triton Bay. Alexis will personally lead one dive group, supported by three additional dive guides.
Tiare Luxury Diving Liveaboard is a 36 meters traditional Indonesian sailing vessel, launched in 2016. Providing high-end scuba diving and snorkeling cruises around the best dive sites in Indonesia, she can host up to 12 guests in 6 spacious cabins. Tiare combines the elegance of a luxury wooden yacht, with the efficiency and support of a top notch scuba diving liveaboard boat.
EXPLORE
We will meet you at Mathilda Batlayeri Airport in Saumlaki (see practical information at the end of the page) or at your hotel of choice on the morning of departure. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the crew, followed by a general briefing on life on board and safety procedures. A light breakfast or snack will be served. We will then set sail for a five-hour cruise to the national park. During the journey, you can settle into your cabin and prepare your dive gear. A check dive is scheduled in the late afternoon at Nustabun, just one hour from the port.
The Ring of Fire marks the meeting point of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Each day reveals a new volcanic island, its peak rising dramatically from the vast expanse of the Banda Sea. Surprisingly a lot of them are Surprisingly, a lot of them are uninhabited. Together, we’ll encounter these remote communities, whose semi-autonomous way of life remains truly captivating.
Starting this exceptional diving journey at Dawera immediately sets the bar high. We would need two to three days to fully explore this area, with world-class dive sites waiting to be discovered. The fish-rich ridge of Napo Ridge stretches for hundreds of meters, its coral completely untouched. The Edge begins with a classic wall dive before gaining intensity as you approach its dramatic heart: cracks and overhangs attract grunts, fusiliers, and small yellow snappers, before giving way to a slope of dazzling white sand. Finally, Tanjung Kuburan delivers a spectacular end to the day with swirling schools of barracuda and the majestic Napoleon wrasse.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit the welcoming village of Welora, where a warm reception awaits. We will spend the night cruising 70 nautical miles (around 10 hours) toward the remote reef of Nil Desperandum.
Hammerhead sharks periodically follow cold, nutrient-rich waters from the depths to the surface. This upwelling phenomenon occurs mainly when strong southeast winds blow, typically between July and August in Indonesia. Sea conditions improve from late September, making hammerhead schools visible from September to November, with optimal viewing conditions in October.
This submerged, horseshoe-shaped reef lies isolated in the heart of the Banda Sea, attracting an incredible diversity of marine life. Rising dramatically from the depths, the site is especially renowned for schools of hammerhead sharks. Alongside jacks, groupers, and other predators, you’ll encounter groups of surgeonfish and fusiliers.
We’ll anchor overnight at Serua. Distance: 25 nautical miles | 3–4 hours.
Serua is a true gem! Known as a sanctuary for hammerhead sharks, the island was among the first in the region to take action against illegal shark finning. For years, poachers violated Indonesian law in the Banda Sea. Thanks to funding—including support from the liveaboard company White Manta—the local community of Jerili was able to equip themselves with outboard engines to better protect their marine ecosystem. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the village and explore its spice plantations.
We then depart for Manuk: 50 nautical miles | approximately 7 hours.
Manuk is Alexis’s favorite site, the founder of Konjo Cruising. Located 50 nautical miles south of the legendary port of Bandaneira, this volcanic island is truly one-of-a-kind. Sulfur fumaroles rise from its summit, where frigatebirds and boobies circle overhead.
Beneath the surface, the reefs are simply extraordinary. Giant gorgonians and barrel sponges rise among the underwater ridges and coral gardens surrounding the island. Attracted by Manuk’s volcanic essence, a colony of sea snakes glides gracefully through every crevice. Adding to the magic, Manuk also draws schools of hammerhead sharks each year. Their presence almost rivals the incredible abundance of reef fish that inhabit these waters, making it an unmissable stop on this exceptional diving journey through the heart of the Ring of Fire.
We then sail to the northern Kei islands: 95 nautical miles | approximately 14 hours.
The Watubela and northern Kei Islands are rarely visited by Indonesian liveaboards. The islands between Kei and Seram remain largely untouched and shrouded in mystery. Join us as we explore the hidden wonders and pristine reefs of the Watubela Islands.
True to Konjo’s spirit, our team will dedicate the day to discovering new dive sites. Exploration is at the heart of every Konjo expedition, always seeking out the most promising reefs. Our journey through Indonesia’s waters never stops, ensuring divers experience the very best of untouched marine life.
Between the Tiga Saudara and Uran Islands lie several exceptionally fish-rich shoals. These healthy reefs attract tuna, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, bigeye trevally, surgeonfish, and goatfish—a true underwater festival. The fish are curious and unaccustomed to divers, offering an authentic Konjo diving experience.
The Uran Wall is another excellent dive site, with barrel sponges covered in white sea cucumbers, a variety of other sponges, soft corals, bryozoans, orange gorgonians, hydroids, blue triggerfish, and surgeonfish—all set against the warm orange hues typical of the Banda Sea.
We’ll anchor overnight at Tioor, departing at dawn for Kurkap: 14 nautical miles | approximately 2 hours.
Day 8: Liveaboard Diving in Seram remote atolls– Kurkap Reefs
On their first exploration dives at Kurkap, the Konjo liveaboard team was amazed by the untouched beauty of these reefs. Off the eastern side of Seram, a submerged reef features a dramatic wall with crystal-clear visibility, where large tunas and Napoleon wrasse are frequent encounters.
The highlight lies directly along the island itself, with coral formations reminiscent of the famous Too Many Fish dive site in Koon. Between 5 and 20 meters, vibrant coral gardens covered in purple and pink soft corals create a stunning underwater landscape, particularly under the afternoon light.
This marks the transition from the Banda Sea to the Papuan Islands. Overnight navigation to Papisoi: 85 miles | 12 hours.
Welcome to West Papua! This day marks our transition toward Triton Bay, offering a chance to rest before the final leg of the journey. We’ll begin with a muck dive on the sandy slopes of Papisoi Rock, where you may encounter juvenile frogfish, ghost pipefish, shrimp gobies, and a wide variety of nudibranchs. Continuing left along the reef, the gravel slope turns into soft sand dotted with garden eels.
The highlight of the day is an excursion to the Karawawi Waterfall, a hidden natural wonder where you’ll feel like true pioneers at the edge of the world.
Overnight navigation to Aiduma Island: 70 miles | 10 hours.
The Triton Bay Marine Park, spanning over 6,000 km², is one of Indonesia’s most remote and untouched diving destination. Few divers venture here, but those who do are rewarded with rich waters, spectacular soft corals, and the chance to encounter whale sharks.
This liveaboard diving adventure also reveals breathtaking landscapes: limestone karst lagoons, pristine coves, authentic villages, and ancient rock paintings. An extraordinary experience both above and below the surface.
Little Komodo is a stunning reef draped in soft corals and black coral formations. It teems with marine life—swarms of anthias, fusiliers, and damselfish blanket the reef, while larger predators like snappers, sweetlips, and trevallies hunt in the blue. The site culminates in a stunning soft coral garden.
To the north, Pintu Arus delivers equally spectacular underwater encounters. For a final dive, Batu Jatu on the western side offers a slope of boulders covered in soft corals, providing a perfect refuge for snappers and sweetlips.
The day ends with the choice of a relaxing sunset on the beach or one last adventurous night dive for the most dedicated explorers.
On the edge of Triton Bay, Dramai is one of West Papua’s least explored dive areas. The Last Frontier offers exceptional visibility and untouched reefs with coral gardens, barrel sponges, and gorgonians. Pelagic visitors include giant trevallies, reef sharks, and manta rays, alongside schools of fusiliers, snappers, and sweetlips.
Nearby, Batu Jeruk and Christmas Rock provide more spectacular dives, with vibrant soft corals, gorgonians, and large schools of reef fish. A true off-the-beaten-path diving experience.
Your exceptional diving journey concludes in spectacular fashion with one or two unforgettable dives alongside the world’s largest fish: whale sharks. The action takes place around traditional fishing platforms known as Bagans. After a successful night’s catch, whale sharks rise from the depths to feed on the small sardines that escaped the nets.
This once-in-a-lifetime encounter, worthy of a National Geographic documentary, offers an incredible opportunity to witness these gentle giants in their natural habitat—truly an unforgettable finale to your liveaboard expedition in Triton Bay.
Spend the entire morning diving and snorkeling with whale sharks, a breathtaking finale to your expedition. You may also encounter schools of trevallies, tunas, and even playful dolphins joining the spectacle.
In the afternoon, enjoy a final exploration of ancient rock paintings or a relaxing swim before Iliké heads back toward the port of Kaimana, marking the end of your unforgettable liveaboard journey.
Disembark from the liveaboard and transfer to the airport or your hotel. Farewell from Konjo Cruising—thank you for joining this unforgettable East Indonesia diving adventure. We look forward to welcoming you on your next journey to Indonesia’s remote waters!
To reach Saumlaki, you’ll need to take two domestic flights after arriving in Jakarta. The only daily flight to Saumlaki departs from Ambon, with no direct connections from Jakarta. Most travelers either:
Travel overnight on October 13 and stay in a hotel in Ambon on the 14th, or
Take the short overnight connection from Jakarta on the night of October 14–15.
Our experience shows that this express connection works well, as the Saumlaki flight waits for passengers arriving from major Indonesian hubs.
We work with a trusted local operator for domestic flights. For such remote destinations, using their services can simplify scheduling and rescheduling. Avoid third-party platforms (like Traveloka), which can complicate changes.
Flight Options to Ambon:
From Jakarta: Batik Air (ID-6170) at 01:35, Citilink (QG-210) at 01:45, or Garuda (GA-646) at 10:00.
From Makassar: direct flights to Ambon are also available.
Flight Ambon → Saumlaki:
Wings Air (IW-1514) departs at 07:40 and arrives in Saumlaki at 09:40.
Due to frequent delays on flights departing Kaimana, we strongly recommend not booking your international flight on the same day as your cruise disembarkation.
Instead, take a domestic flight from Kaimana to Sorong on the day of disembarkation and spend the night in Sorong.
Flight Kaimana → Sorong: Wings Air (IW-1523) departs at 12:10, arriving at 13:25.
The next day, after a restful night, you can catch your onward flight to Jakarta and schedule your international flight accordingly.
This approach ensures a stress-free end to your Banda Sea liveaboard expedition and avoids missing connections.
For your overnight stay in Ambon, we recommend the following hotels for comfort and convenience:
Swiss-Belhotel Ambon – Modern amenities and central location.
Hotel Santika Ambon – Reliable service with comfortable rooms.
The Natsepa – Beachfront option with scenic views.
These options are ideal for travelers connecting to Saumlaki, ensuring a restful stop before continuing your Banda Sea liveaboard expedition. We can assist with hotel reservations if you wish.
For your overnight stay in Sorong, we recommend the following hotels for comfort and convenience:
Swiss-Belhotel Sorong – Modern amenities in a central location.
Favehotel Sorong – Reliable service with comfortable rooms.
Aston Sorong Hotel – Well-appointed rooms with excellent facilities.
These hotels are perfect for travelers transiting through Sorong, providing a comfortable stopover before or after your Banda Sea liveaboard expedition. We can also assist with hotel reservations if you wish.
In October, the Banda Sea offers ideal conditions for diving. Water temperatures varies with thermocline but typically range between 27°C and 29°C (81–84°F), providing comfortable conditions for both scuba diving and snorkeling.
For comfort, we recommend a 3mm full wetsuit, and you may also choose to add a hood. For those who feel colder, a 5mm full wetsuit is preferred.
These temperatures, combined with the region’s nutrient-rich waters, make Banda Sea diving in October ideal for observing hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and vibrant reef life.
The Banda Sea is somewhat like the Mediterranean—an inland sea that can be affected by sudden winds. Waves can form quickly during rough weather but dissipate just as fast.
In October, winds are generally lighter, reducing the risk of rough seas. This is why we prefer October for our Banda Sea liveaboard diving expeditions. While weather can never be predicted with absolute certainty, conditions at this time of year are typically ideal for diving and cruising.
Sea-Sickness Advice: This expedition involves significant navigation between remote islands. For those prone to seasickness, motion-sickness pills are available on board. More sensitive travelers may want to use a sea-sickness patch, which should be obtained through your pharmacy or doctor before departure. Planning ahead ensures a comfortable and enjoyable journey.
Explore more of Indonesia’s most remote and spectacular dive destinations with Konjo Cruising. From Raja Ampat and Halmahera to Cenderawasih Bay and the Alor Archipelago, each expedition offers unparalleled marine biodiversity, pristine reefs, and unique liveaboard experiences.
Discover hidden gems, encounter majestic pelagics, and dive in some of the world’s most untouched waters with Konjo’s expertly guided expeditions.
SOUTH KOMODO DIVING LIVEABOARD
Dive Komodo differently
09th to 16th December 2025 | 3160 USD/Pers | 52.300.000 IDR
RAJA AMPAT LIVEABOARD
Dampier Strait & Wayag
06-17 April 2026 | 7260$/Pers | 120.155.000 IDR/Pers
THE HAMMERHEADS EXPERIENCE
ALOR - AMBON | THE RING OF FIRE
26th Sept- 08th Oct 2026 | 6600 USD/Person | 109.230.000 IDR/Pers
Looking for inspiration for your next private charter or co-created expedition? Explore some of our previous Konjo diving adventures, where guests discovered untouched reefs, swam alongside hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, and explored remote Indonesian islands. Each journey is crafted with flexibility in mind, allowing you to co-create your own experience with us.
Join our exclusive WhatsApp community to connect with like-minded explorers, share ideas, and help design your perfect liveaboard adventure in Indonesia.
THE WHALE SHARKS EXPERIENCE
TRITON BAY | RAJA AMPAT
28th April to 09th May 2023 |
EAST FLORES AND ALOR
FROM WHALES TO CRITTERS
September 2024 |
RAJA AMPAT to NORTH MALUKU
RAJA AMPAT | HALMAHERA
19th May to 31 May 2024 | Ask for a Quote
HAMMERHEAD QUEST
BANDA SEA | RAJA AMPAT
03th October (or 30th September with the muck option)- 15th October 2022 |