Jelajahi Laut · Indonesia · 13D/12N
Embark on an expansive Indonesian diving expedition from Sorong to Bitung, traversing two distinct and rich marine ecosystems. This extended journey begins in Raja Ampat, where nutrient-rich currents foster vibrant coral gardens and a remarkable diversity of reef fish, while offering opportunities for encounters with larger pelagic species. Moving south, Misool presents dramatic limestone karst formations both above and below the surface, teeming with dense reef life. The latter part of the trip involves a passage across the Halmahera Sea, leading to the volcanic sands of the Lembeh Strait, a renowned hotspot for unique macrofauna including various nudibranchs, frogfish, and cryptic critters that thrive on its silty seafloor. This itinerary offers a comprehensive exploration from vibrant coral reefs to specialized muck diving, suitable for experienced divers seeking varied underwater environments.
Arrival & First Dives in Sorong/Dampier Strait • A taxi collects guests from Sorong Airport (SOQ) or their hotel, transferring them to the meeting point, Marina Star Café in Sorong Harbour at 7:30am. • After tea or coffee, guests transfer to Jelajahi Laut. • A welcome briefing and boat tour are provided, followed by a first check dive to acclimate to gear and local conditions. • Possible Dive Sites: The itinerary begins in the Dampier Strait at a site like Mioskon, where guests witness vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Central Raja Ampat - The Dampier Strait & Fam Islands • Dives occur in the famed Dampier Strait, known for its incredible fish density and strong currents. • Possible Dive Sites: o Cape Kri: Holds a record for the most fish species counted on a single dive. Barracudas, jacks, and various reef sharks are present. o Sardine Reef: Another fish-packed site, with schooling fusiliers, snappers, and mobula rays. o Manta Sandy: A dedicated manta ray cleaning station where guests observe these majestic creatures. • Guests also visit the stunning karst formations of the Fam Islands, with a trek to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. • Possible Dive Sites: o Melissa’s Garden: A beautiful hard coral reef that resembles a sprawling underwater garden. o Keruo Channel: A sloping reef with excellent coral coverage and opportunities for pelagic sightings.
Central Raja Ampat - The Dampier Strait & Fam Islands • Dives occur in the famed Dampier Strait, known for its incredible fish density and strong currents. • Possible Dive Sites: o Cape Kri: Holds a record for the most fish species counted on a single dive. Barracudas, jacks, and various reef sharks are present. o Sardine Reef: Another fish-packed site, with schooling fusiliers, snappers, and mobula rays. o Manta Sandy: A dedicated manta ray cleaning station where guests observe these majestic creatures. • Guests also visit the stunning karst formations of the Fam Islands, with a trek to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. • Possible Dive Sites: o Melissa’s Garden: A beautiful hard coral reef that resembles a sprawling underwater garden. o Keruo Channel: A sloping reef with excellent coral coverage and opportunities for pelagic sightings.
Misool - The Southern Kingdom • Jelajahi Laut will cruise south to the Misool Marine Protected Area. This area is famous for its vibrant soft corals and dramatic underwater topography. • Possible Dive Sites: o Boo Windows: Named for the two swim-through holes in a small rock formation. Incredible biodiversity and a great site for wide-angle photography. o Magic Mountain: A submerged pinnacle that serves as a busy cleaning station for both reef and oceanic manta rays. It's also a nursery for white-tip reef sharks. o Nudi Rock: A small island shaped like a nudibranch, perfect for critter enthusiasts and macro photographers. Look for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and other small marine life. o Fiabacet: A series of pinnacles and ridges with phenomenal soft corals, huge schools of fish, and a chance to see wobbegong sharks. o Daram Island: Another Misool hotspot with impressive coral walls and submerged pinnacles teeming with life. • Topside Excursion: Visit the famous viewpoint to see the iconic limestone karst islands and jellyfish lake that Misool is known for.
Misool - The Southern Kingdom • Jelajahi Laut will cruise south to the Misool Marine Protected Area. This area is famous for its vibrant soft corals and dramatic underwater topography. • Possible Dive Sites: o Boo Windows: Named for the two swim-through holes in a small rock formation. Incredible biodiversity and a great site for wide-angle photography. o Magic Mountain: A submerged pinnacle that serves as a busy cleaning station for both reef and oceanic manta rays. It's also a nursery for white-tip reef sharks. o Nudi Rock: A small island shaped like a nudibranch, perfect for critter enthusiasts and macro photographers. Look for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and other small marine life. o Fiabacet: A series of pinnacles and ridges with phenomenal soft corals, huge schools of fish, and a chance to see wobbegong sharks. o Daram Island: Another Misool hotspot with impressive coral walls and submerged pinnacles teeming with life. • Topside Excursion: Visit the famous viewpoint to see the iconic limestone karst islands and jellyfish lake that Misool is known for.
Misool - The Southern Kingdom • Jelajahi Laut will cruise south to the Misool Marine Protected Area. This area is famous for its vibrant soft corals and dramatic underwater topography. • Possible Dive Sites: o Boo Windows: Named for the two swim-through holes in a small rock formation. Incredible biodiversity and a great site for wide-angle photography. o Magic Mountain: A submerged pinnacle that serves as a busy cleaning station for both reef and oceanic manta rays. It's also a nursery for white-tip reef sharks. o Nudi Rock: A small island shaped like a nudibranch, perfect for critter enthusiasts and macro photographers. Look for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and other small marine life. o Fiabacet: A series of pinnacles and ridges with phenomenal soft corals, huge schools of fish, and a chance to see wobbegong sharks. o Daram Island: Another Misool hotspot with impressive coral walls and submerged pinnacles teeming with life. • Topside Excursion: Visit the famous viewpoint to see the iconic limestone karst islands and jellyfish lake that Misool is known for.
Misool - The Southern Kingdom • Jelajahi Laut will cruise south to the Misool Marine Protected Area. This area is famous for its vibrant soft corals and dramatic underwater topography. • Possible Dive Sites: o Boo Windows: Named for the two swim-through holes in a small rock formation. Incredible biodiversity and a great site for wide-angle photography. o Magic Mountain: A submerged pinnacle that serves as a busy cleaning station for both reef and oceanic manta rays. It's also a nursery for white-tip reef sharks. o Nudi Rock: A small island shaped like a nudibranch, perfect for critter enthusiasts and macro photographers. Look for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and other small marine life. o Fiabacet: A series of pinnacles and ridges with phenomenal soft corals, huge schools of fish, and a chance to see wobbegong sharks. o Daram Island: Another Misool hotspot with impressive coral walls and submerged pinnacles teeming with life. • Topside Excursion: Visit the famous viewpoint to see the iconic limestone karst islands and jellyfish lake that Misool is known for.
Crossing the Halmahera Sea • The vessel begins its crossing from Raja Ampat to Lembeh, a long distance that involves overnight cruising. This portion of the trip is less dived and offers a mix of reef and muck diving. • Possible Dive Sites: o Pulau Pisang: Remote islands between Misool and Halmahera with sloping reefs full of both soft and hard corals. A great spot for schooling fish. o Strait of Patintie (Halmahera): This area is known for strong currents and amazing action, with a chance to see manta rays and other large pelagics. o Goraici Islands: A group of islands with diverse dive sites, including submerged pinnacles and pristine coral gardens. o Tifore Island: A small island with a submerged reef known for schooling barracudas and bigeye trevally.
Crossing the Halmahera Sea • The vessel begins its crossing from Raja Ampat to Lembeh, a long distance that involves overnight cruising. This portion of the trip is less dived and offers a mix of reef and muck diving. • Possible Dive Sites: o Pulau Pisang: Remote islands between Misool and Halmahera with sloping reefs full of both soft and hard corals. A great spot for schooling fish. o Strait of Patintie (Halmahera): This area is known for strong currents and amazing action, with a chance to see manta rays and other large pelagics. o Goraici Islands: A group of islands with diverse dive sites, including submerged pinnacles and pristine coral gardens. o Tifore Island: A small island with a submerged reef known for schooling barracudas and bigeye trevally.
Crossing the Halmahera Sea • The vessel begins its crossing from Raja Ampat to Lembeh, a long distance that involves overnight cruising. This portion of the trip is less dived and offers a mix of reef and muck diving. • Possible Dive Sites: o Pulau Pisang: Remote islands between Misool and Halmahera with sloping reefs full of both soft and hard corals. A great spot for schooling fish. o Strait of Patintie (Halmahera): This area is known for strong currents and amazing action, with a chance to see manta rays and other large pelagics. o Goraici Islands: A group of islands with diverse dive sites, including submerged pinnacles and pristine coral gardens. o Tifore Island: A small island with a submerged reef known for schooling barracudas and bigeye trevally.
Lembeh Strait - The Muck Diving Mecca • The final destination is the famous Lembeh Strait, where the focus shifts from reefs to volcanic black sand bottoms. This is a haven for macro photographers and critter hunters. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nudibranch City: A site dedicated to a wide variety of nudibranchs and other small invertebrates. o Hairball: A classic muck dive site known for frogfish, scorpionfish, and the elusive mimic octopus. o Tanjung Kusu: A site with unique macro critters, including various species of ghost pipefish and seahorses. o Jahir: A black sand slope where flamboyant cuttlefish, ribbon eels, and blue-ringed octopus are found. o Critter Hunt: Guides are experts at finding unusual and well-camouflaged creatures. Important This is a sample itinerary only; the final route may vary. Weather and tides play a significant role in safety and planning, which is why the Cruise Director and Captain plan every day accordingly. For any special requests, guests contact the company beforehand or chat with the Cruise Director on the boat. *Please note: Before booking a return flight, the last dive occurs on the final day of the trip, and the vessel arrives back at Bitung Harbour around 3-4pm – guests observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, a transfer is organized for guests to their hotel; return flights depart from Manado Airport (MDC).
Lembeh Strait - The Muck Diving Mecca • The final destination is the famous Lembeh Strait, where the focus shifts from reefs to volcanic black sand bottoms. This is a haven for macro photographers and critter hunters. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nudibranch City: A site dedicated to a wide variety of nudibranchs and other small invertebrates. o Hairball: A classic muck dive site known for frogfish, scorpionfish, and the elusive mimic octopus. o Tanjung Kusu: A site with unique macro critters, including various species of ghost pipefish and seahorses. o Jahir: A black sand slope where flamboyant cuttlefish, ribbon eels, and blue-ringed octopus are found. o Critter Hunt: Guides are experts at finding unusual and well-camouflaged creatures. Important This is a sample itinerary only; the final route may vary. Weather and tides play a significant role in safety and planning, which is why the Cruise Director and Captain plan every day accordingly. For any special requests, guests contact the company beforehand or chat with the Cruise Director on the boat. *Please note: Before booking a return flight, the last dive occurs on the final day of the trip, and the vessel arrives back at Bitung Harbour around 3-4pm – guests observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, a transfer is organized for guests to their hotel; return flights depart from Manado Airport (MDC).
Lembeh Strait - The Muck Diving Mecca • The final destination is the famous Lembeh Strait, where the focus shifts from reefs to volcanic black sand bottoms. This is a haven for macro photographers and critter hunters. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nudibranch City: A site dedicated to a wide variety of nudibranchs and other small invertebrates. o Hairball: A classic muck dive site known for frogfish, scorpionfish, and the elusive mimic octopus. o Tanjung Kusu: A site with unique macro critters, including various species of ghost pipefish and seahorses. o Jahir: A black sand slope where flamboyant cuttlefish, ribbon eels, and blue-ringed octopus are found. o Critter Hunt: Guides are experts at finding unusual and well-camouflaged creatures. Important This is a sample itinerary only; the final route may vary. Weather and tides play a significant role in safety and planning, which is why the Cruise Director and Captain plan every day accordingly. For any special requests, guests contact the company beforehand or chat with the Cruise Director on the boat. *Please note: Before booking a return flight, the last dive occurs on the final day of the trip, and the vessel arrives back at Bitung Harbour around 3-4pm – guests observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, a transfer is organized for guests to their hotel; return flights depart from Manado Airport (MDC).