Route Description - Lembeh - Halmahera - Central Raja Ampat
12 Days / 11 Nights
Approximately 32 - 33 dives in total
DAY 1: MANADO AND LEMBEH STRAIT
Guests are welcomed aboard La Galigo after a 7:00 AM transfer from their Manado hotel to Bitung. Following a safety briefing and cabin check-in, the vessel departs for Lembeh Strait. This area is renowned for critter diving and macro photography, offering sightings of nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and more. The night dive reveals bioluminescence and nocturnal marine life.
DAY 2: LEMBEH STRAI
A full day of premier muck diving in Lembeh Strait. Divers encounter flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopuses, Ambon scorpionfish, frogfish, pipefish, shrimp, stargazers, eels, and crabs. A night dive concludes the day with glowing squids and hunting octopuses. Overnight sail to Tifore Island follows.
DAY 3: TIFORE ISLAND
Tifore Island, located in the Molucca Sea, offers remote, pristine reefs with soft and hard corals, sea fans, and sponges. Marine life includes mandarin fish, barracudas, trevallies, fusiliers, groupers, and reef sharks. The diving is vibrant and teeming with life.
DAY 4: TIDORE & MAKIAN ISLAND
Dives at sites like Batu Angus, Kora-Kora Bay, and Gamalama Wall. Rich reef life includes angelfish, clownfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish, along with pelagic species like tuna and barracudas. Sharks are frequently sighted, and occasional encounters with dolphins or whales add to the experience.
DAY 5: GOROACHI & TAMOTAMO ISLANDS
Located in southwestern Halmahera, these islands feature coral-covered walls supporting both macro and pelagic life. Expect pygmy seahorses, shrimp, crabs, and larger fish like barracudas, jacks, and colorful reef species.
DAY 6: PATINTIE STRAIT
Diving highlights include vibrant coral ridges, drift dives, sandy slopes, and dramatic pinnacles. Marine biodiversity is high, with drop-offs and untouched habitats offering unique dive experiences.
DAY 7: SOUTHERN BACAN ISLANDS
Morning dives include a wreck dive and a lively reef. Afternoon offers a muck dive revealing shrimp, crabs, and nocturnal critters. Time to relax on board during transit to the next destination.
DAY 8: KOFIAU
Diving at Kofiau Island includes colorful coral reefs and a sloping reef filled with fish. A muck dive at a nearby pier ends the day, showcasing small, fascinating creatures in low-light settings.
DAY 9: PIAYNEMO (PENEMU)
Melissa's Garden features an incredible hard coral garden. Other sites include Keruo Channel for drift dives and Batu Rufus with its deep drop-offs. A hike to Pianemo Lagoon offers iconic views of limestone pinnacles.
DAY 10: GAM, MANTA SANDY, SAWANDAREK
The day includes a drift dive with pelagic species, a colorful soft coral reef, and a visit to manta ray cleaning stations. An afternoon visit to Arborek Village provides cultural interaction, followed by a night dive at a local village site.
DAY 11: KRI - KALI BIRU
Cape Kri offers biodiversity and coral gardens, Friwen complements it with drop-offs and encounters with species like Napoleon wrasse. Kali Biru hike concludes the day with scenic views of Raja Ampat.
DAY 12: SORONG
Arrival in Sorong by 5:00 AM for early flights. Guests may stay onboard until 11:00 AM. Crew assists with transfers. Final moments are spent sharing memories and farewells.
(*) Last dive occurs the day before departure. A 24-hour surface interval is recommended before flying.