Lembeh - Halmahera (Manado - Ternate)

White Manta · Indonesia · 7 nights

Duration
7 nights
Embarkation
Manado, Indonesien
Disembarkation
Ternate, Indonesien
Dives
21 Tauchgänge insgesamt

About this route

This expedition traverses the waters between the world-renowned Lembeh Strait and the remote, untouched reefs of Halmahera. The journey showcases a stunning contrast between legendary muck diving sites and pristine coral landscapes rarely visited by crowds. Divers can expect a rich variety of marine life, ranging from exotic macro critters to large schools of pelagic fish in the Molucca Sea. The route is designed to offer breathtaking underwater vistas and a sense of true exploration in Indonesia's eastern archipelago.

Regions on this route

LembehstraßeHalmahera

Highlights

Halmahera

Offering a stark contrast to Lembeh, Halmahera is characterized by pristine coral reefs, high-energy drift dives, and remote island groups. The region is sparsely visited, ensuring healthy reef systems and abundant schooling fish action.

  • Untouched coral reefs
  • Drift diving action
  • Remote exploration

Lembeh Strait

Famous worldwide as the capital of muck diving, this narrow stretch of water features volcanic black sand slopes teeming with rare marine life. The area is a pilgrimage site for macro photographers seeking elusive critters in calm, shallow waters.

  • World-class muck diving
  • Rare macro species
  • Photography paradise

Requirements

  • CertificationAdvanced-Open-Water
  • Minimum logged dives30
  • ExperienceDivers should have at least 30 logged dives and an Advanced Open Water certification.

Good to know

  • A 24-hour surface interval is recommended after the final dive before flying.
  • The itinerary is subject to change based on local weather conditions and sea state.
  • Check-in begins at 13:00 on the day of departure at Manado.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Manado & Lembeh

    Upon arrival at Manado airport, guests are transferred to the White Manta for boarding and a welcome briefing. Depending on the arrival schedule, check-dives are conducted in the famous Lembeh Strait before the vessel begins its overnight crossing toward Pulau Tifore.

    Dive sites: Lembeh Strait

  2. Day 2: Pulau Tifore – Molucca Sea Pinnacles

    Located in the heart of the Molucca Sea, Pulau Tifore serves as a stunning mid-ocean sanctuary for large marine life. The area is known for its submerged pinnacles and plateaus where massive schools of barracuda and jacks are commonly sighted. Divers often experience moderate currents that bring in nutrient-rich waters, supporting a vibrant reef ecosystem far from the mainland.

    Dive sites: Pulau Tifore

  3. Day 3: Pulau Bacan – Shark Reefs & Corals

    The reefs surrounding Pulau Bacan offer a mixture of lush coral gardens and steep walls. Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks are frequently observed patrolling the edges of the sponge-covered slopes. The underwater topography often features dramatic drop-offs where schooling fish gather in the prevailing currents.

    Dive sites: Pulau Bacan

  4. Day 4: Pulau Kusu – Patinti Strait Drifts

    Diving around Pulau Kusu is characterized by the powerful water movement of the Patinti Strait. These high-energy sites are famous for intense fish action and vibrant soft coral growth on rocky outcrops. The area is known for drift dives where pelagics are often seen darting through the current-swept channels.

    Dive sites: Pulau Kusu, Patinti Strait

  5. Day 5: Tolimau & Goraichi – Manta Cleaning Stations

    This region is celebrated for its pristine hard coral plateaus and dedicated cleaning stations. Reef manta rays are commonly sighted here, hovering over the coral heads while smaller fish provide cleaning services. The visibility is typically excellent, highlighting the untouched beauty of these remote Indonesian reefs.

    Dive sites: Pulau Tolimau, Goraichi Islands

  6. Day 6: Pulau Tifore – Return to the Molucca Sea

    Returning to the isolated reefs of Tifore allows for further exploration of its deep-water walls and fish-heavy plateaus. Large schools of snappers and barracuda dominate the scene, often forming dense silver walls in the blue. After the final dives of the day, the vessel begins its transit back toward the Lembeh Strait.

    Dive sites: Pulau Tifore

  7. Day 7: Lembeh Strait – World-Class Macro

    The final diving day is dedicated to the black sands of Lembeh, a global capital for critter photography. Sites like Angels Window offer unique topography, while the silty slopes are home to rare cephalopods and frogfish. Following the morning dives, the boat sails to Ternate for gear cleaning and a final night on board.

    Dive sites: Angels Window, Nudi Retreat

  8. Day 8: Disembarkation – Ternate Port

    After a final breakfast, guests check out between 05:00 and 10:00. The crew provides transfers to Ternate airport or local hotels, marking the conclusion of the voyage.

Upcoming departures

  • 2028-04-13 – 2028-04-20from 3,950 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

White MantaWhite MantaIndonesia
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