Halmahera / Raja Ampat (Ternate → Sorong, 12D11N)

Damai II · Komodo, Indonesia · 12D11N

Duration
12D11N
Embarkation
Ternate
Disembarkation
Sorong
Dives
Approximately 33 dives in total

About this route

Embark on an epic journey from the historical spice island of Ternate, through the remote and wild volcanic seascape of Halmahera, and into the world-renowned biodiversity hotspot of Raja Ampat. This adventure showcases unparalleled variety, from the critter-rich black sands and current-swept channels of Halmahera's Bacan and Goraici Islands to Raja Ampat's legendary domains. You will explore the kaleidoscopic soft coral gardens of Misool, theiconic lagoons of Penemu, and the fish-dense superhighway of the Dampier Strait. This itinerary is a true expedition, blending muck diving, exhilarating drifts, and encounters with everything from pygmy seahorses to majestic manta rays.

Requirements

  • CertificationAdvanced Open Water
  • Minimum logged dives50
  • ExperienceDivers should have Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum of 50 logged dives.

Good to know

  • The last dive is on the penultimate day of the trip; divers are recommended to wait 24 hours before flying.
  • The trip itinerary is weather-dependent and may involve long crossings; adjustments will be made based on conditions and communicated onboard.
  • Divers must be flexible with dive start times due to the need to report to local villages; timely updates will be provided.
  • Damai is flexible to change the itinerary based on customer preference, provided changes are agreeable to all guests onboard.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Arrival in Ternate

    Upon arrival in Ternate, guests will be transferred to the Damai II. After settling in, there will be an opportunity for a check-out dive, with the exact timing depending on guest comfort and arrival schedules.

  2. Day 2: Goraici and Seamount of Halmahera Sea

    Explore the Goraici Islands and a seamount in the Halmahera Sea, characterized by healthy reefs and abundant schooling fish, including surgeonfish, ocean triggerfish, snappers, fusiliers, and rainbow runners. Sharks are frequently sighted, and mantas have been observed feeding in shallow lagoons.

  3. Day 3: Goraici and Seamount of Halmahera Sea

    Explore the Goraici Islands and a seamount in the Halmahera Sea, characterized by healthy reefs and abundant schooling fish, including surgeonfish, ocean triggerfish, snappers, fusiliers, and rainbow runners. Sharks are frequently sighted, and mantas have been observed feeding in shallow lagoons.

  4. Day 4: Pulau Lata Lata

    Visit the beautiful island of Lata-Lata, where a seamount named Charis Point offers a world-class dive experience with medium currents, showcasing vibrant fish life and beautiful corals. The afternoon allows for enjoyment of the shallow areas and stunning soft coral gardens.

    Dive sites: Charis Point

  5. Day 5: Salea

    Begin the day near Batu Mandy, close to Salea, where pinnacle formations are adorned with schools of fusiliers, snappers, and trevally, sometimes attracting manta rays and reef sharks. Later, explore the beautiful reefs around the islands of Pokal and Kusu, known for frogfish, ghost pipefish, and pontohi pygmy seahorses.

  6. Day 6: Pulau Bacan

    The day starts with a dramatic wall dive off Tanjung Marengarango, offering opportunities to see schooling fish, barracuda, snapper, and fusiliers, with potential sightings of larger pelagic species. The afternoon is dedicated to muck diving along the boat-building beach at Penambuan, a rich habitat of black sand, pebbles, algae, and coral heads, perfect for finding octopuses, colorful nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cuttlefish, and unusual shrimp.

  7. Day 7: Pulau Pisang

    This small island in the Seram Sea is renowned for its significant fish action, with sightings of snapper, barracuda, fusiliers, and rainbow runners. Pulau Pisang, often characterized by its sloping reefs and walls, offers a dynamic underwater experience. Divers can anticipate encounters with pelagic species in the currents, alongside a healthy diversity of reef fish and impressive hard coral formations.

  8. Day 8: Wayilbatan

    Explore the 'Four Kings' area, a series of colorful underwater pinnacles teeming with fish. Dive a sheltered spot near Neptune Fan Sea, experiencing a drift along the channel. Explore the wall at Wedding Cake or enjoy the fish action on the ridge at Barracuda Rock.

    Dive sites: Neptune Fan Sea, Wedding Cake, Barracuda Rock

  9. Day 9: Boo & Fiabacet

    This stunning string of small islands offers a colorful array of great dive sites, including the signature sites of Boo Windows, Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, and Whale Rock. On calm days, visit the seamount Magic Mountain for cruising sharks, schooling fish, and manta ray cleaning stations.

    Dive sites: Boo Windows, Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Whale Rock, Magic Mountain

  10. Day 10: Daram

    The islands in the eastern Misool region are vibrant with colors, featuring an incredible collection of soft corals and fans along the walls of iconic dive sites like Andiamo and The Candy Store. The dive sites around Daram, such as Andiamo and The Candy Store, plunge into nutrient-rich waters, creating an explosion of life. These sites are famous for their steep walls and swim-throughs, densely populated with sea fans, vibrant soft corals, and an astonishing array of macro life, including pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs. The sheer biomass and color on display here are truly exceptional.

    Dive sites: Andiamo, The Candy Store

  11. Day 11: Farondi / Balbulol

    Near Balbulol, explore underwater ridges rich in current, offering views of colorful soft corals, sea fans, and schooling pelagics, with potential sightings of Mobula Rays. To the east, visit the unique underwater caves at Goa Farondi and search for pygmy seahorses on various sea fan species. Nearby, the channel's current-rich pinnacles of the Three Sisters are teeming with life.

    Dive sites: Goa Farondi, Three Sisters

  12. Day 12: Departure from Sorong

    Guests will be escorted to the airport in Sorong and assisted with check-in procedures for their onward journey.

Upcoming departures

  • 2027-04-05 – 2027-04-16from 8,085 USDBook
  • 2027-12-09 – 2027-12-20from 8,085 USDBook
  • 2028-11-17 – 2028-11-28from 11,760 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

Damai IIDamai IIKomodo, Indonesia
← Back to vessel: Damai II