DUNE Aurora · Indonesia · 12 Days / 11 Nights
This one-way journey travels across several of Indonesia's premier diving regions, beginning in the Lembeh Strait and concluding in Raja Ampat. The trip starts with the world-famous muck diving of Lembeh, a paradise for macro photographers seeking rare critters. From there, the vessel sails through Halmahera before arriving in the spectacular Misool area of Raja Ampat, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and vibrant coral ecosystems. This itinerary offers a comprehensive Indonesian diving experience, combining unique macro life with dramatic, fish-filled reefs. Max guests on this trip: 18.
Bitung
Guests are picked up from the airport and transferred to the Aurora, which is docked in Bitung within the Lembeh Strait. After receiving a welcome drink, everyone gets settled and prepares for the start of the diving adventure.
Good to know: Boarding|Welcome drink
Lembeh Strait
The diving begins in the Lembeh Strait, a location celebrated for its exceptional muck diving. Divers will explore the sandy bottoms, searching for the many strange and wonderful critters that have made this area a legendary destination for macro life.
Good to know: muck diving
Lembeh Strait
A second day is dedicated to exploring the unique underwater environment of the Lembeh Strait. The focus remains on muck diving, with the goal of finding and observing the hidden marine creatures that thrive in this habitat.
Good to know: muck diving
Tifore Island
The journey continues to Tifore Island, located between Lembeh and Halmahera. Dives here take place on a submerged reef that attracts abundant fish, with possibilities of seeing schools of barracudas, jackfish, and snappers. The boat cruises overnight to the Goraici Islands.
Good to know: overnight cruise to Goraici Islands
Goraici Islands
On Halmahera's western flank, the vessel reaches the Goraici Islands. This region is famed for its stunning shorelines, quaint settlements, and superb reefs and pinnacles. The underwater landscape presents vivid soft corals deeper down, with sweeping hard coral formations closer to the surface. A night-long voyage to Patintie then ensues.
Good to know: overnight cruise to Patintie
Strait of Patintie
For the next two days, the liveaboard explores the south of Halmahera in the Strait of Patintie. Two large pinnacles that rise to the surface serve as fantastic dive sites, notable for their healthy soft corals and large congregations of fish. Strong currents in the area dictate the timing of the dives.
Good to know: strong currents
Strait of Patintie
Diving continues around the fish-rich pinnacles in the Strait of Patintie, where strong currents can make for thrilling drift dives. After the day's activities, the vessel embarks on an overnight passage to Pulau Pisang.
Good to know: strong currents|overnight cruise to Pulau Pisang
Pulau Pisang
The day is spent diving around Pulau Pisang, a group of islands and rocks between Misool and Halmahera. The sites consist of sloping reefs adorned with soft and hard coral formations. In the right currents, these sites can be very active with fish, including potential sightings of dogtooth tunas. The boat then cruises overnight to Misool.
Good to know: overnight cruise to Misool
Misool
Aurora arrives in Misool, Raja Ampat's southernmost treasure, distinguished by its myriad of islets and rock formations. This area boasts some of Earth's most stunning soft coral reefs and is renowned as a premier macro diving spot, often referred to as the 'realm of the pygmy seahorse'.
Good to know: macro destination|pygmy seahorse
Misool
The aquatic marvels of Misool are still being uncovered. Dive locations here burst with abundant fish populations, frequently showcasing massive congregations of barracuda, batfish, snappers, and fusiliers. The sheer quantity of marine organisms ensures that each descent into the water is truly unforgettable.
Misool
On this trip's concluding day of diving, guests can enjoy a final opportunity to explore Misool's vibrant marine life. Following the last dive, the vessel commences its overnight journey toward Sorong port.
Good to know: overnight cross to Sorong
Sorong
The trip concludes in Sorong. Following a final breakfast on board, guests say their goodbyes and disembark from the vessel by 12:00 PM.
Good to know: Disembarkation