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Dive Halmahera and North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Located between North Sulawesi, Raja Ampat, and the Molucca Sea, Halmahera offers some of the most remote and rewarding liveaboard diving in Indonesia. This is a region defined by volcanic islands, thriving coral reefs, dramatic walls, pelagic encounters, and a sense of exploration that has largely disappeared from many of the world’s more established dive destinations.
These Indonesia itineraries connect Lembeh, Halmahera, Morotai, Ternate, Bangka, and the surrounding islands, creating expedition-style journeys through multiple ecosystems. Rather than focusing on a single destination, these routes move through a diverse chain of islands where every few days the diving changes.
One day may be spent exploring the black sand slopes and rare critters of the world-famous Lembeh Strait. The next could bring drift dives along coral-covered walls, volcanic reef systems, schooling fish, reef sharks, manta rays, and remote sites that see only a handful of divers each year.
What makes Halmahera particularly special is its sense of discovery. Compared to destinations like Raja Ampat or Komodo, visitor numbers remain low, allowing divers to experience vibrant reefs, healthy fish populations, and uncrowded dive sites across a region that is still actively being explored.
Above the water, towering volcanoes, tropical forests, mangroves, and deserted beaches provide an equally impressive backdrop. Below the surface, nutrient-rich waters support a remarkable mix of macro life, reef fish, and pelagic species throughout the Coral Triangle.
For divers seeking variety, adventure, and a route that goes beyond Indonesia’s most established destinations, Halmahera and North Sulawesi offer one of the most rewarding liveaboard experiences in the region.
Water Temp: Generally 80-84°F / 27-29°C
Air Temp: 71-87°F / 22-31°C
Visibility: 66-99 ft / 20-30 m
Currents: Moderate to Strong
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Best Time to Dive: April-August
Sample Liveaboard Itinerary for Halmahera and North Sulawesi
*Please contact us for the exact trip itineraries, departure & arrival times along with details of domestic & international flights specific to each trip.
Lembeh-Halmahera-Lembeh – 8 days/7 nights itinerary
Diving days: 7 days (21-22 dives). This trip can also be operated with 9 days/8 nights. Choose your preferred schedule and enjoy spectacular diving in the world’s most biodiverse diving destination.
- Day 1. (1-2 dives) 1pm trip departure. Our staff will meet you upon arrival to Manado Airport & transfer you to the vessel. Depending on arrival time, we can do check dive(s) in Lembeh. After critter dive(s) we sail overnight to Pulau Tifore.
- Day 2. (3-4 dives) Pulau Tifore: Amazing dive site, an island in the Moluccan Sea equidistant from Goraichi & Lembeh, schools of jacks, snappers, and massive school of barracuda. Sail to Halmahera.
- Day 3. (4 dives) Palau Bacan: Reef sharks, schools of barracuda & jacks along a coral & sponge packed reef.
- Day 4. (4 dives) Palau Kusu: Strong currents & amazing action in the Patinti Strait.
- Day 5. (3-4 dives) Pulau Tolimau & Goraichi: Manta cleaning station & fish packed reefs amongst pristine hard coral gardens. Sail to Pulau Tifore.
- Day 6. (3 dives) Pulau Tifore. Sail overnight Lembeh.
- Day 7. (2 dives) Lembeh: Angels Windows, Nudi Retreat. Sail to Bitung Port, Manado, where you spend last night on board. Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.
- Day 8. (0 dives) 5am-10pm. Check out after light breakfast & farewells, and transfer to airport. Departure from Bitung Port, Manado to local hotel or transfer to Manado Airport.
Halmahera Exploration – 8 days/7 nights itinerary
Diving days: 7 days (20 dives)
This trip is also available with 9 days/8 nights and 10 days/9 nights). Choose your preferred schedule and enjoy spectacular diving in the world’s most biodiverse diving destination.
- Day 1. (0-1 dives) 1pm trip departure. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival at Ternate Airport and transfer to White Manta. Once all guests are onboard you will receive a very warm welcome, briefing, dinner, then we set sail to Pulau Tidore. Possible check dive at Ternate if all arrive early.
- Day 2. (3-4 dives) Pulau Tidore: Amazing dive-sites & macro diving.
- Day 3. (4 dives) Pulau & Goraichi: Manta cleaning station & fish packed reefs amongst pristine hard coral gardens.
- Day 4. (3-4 dives) Pulau Kusu: Strong currents & amazing action in the Patintie Strait. Sail to Pulau Obi.
- Day 5. (3 dives) Pulau Obi & Pulau Gomumu. Sail back to Pulau Bacan.
- Day 6. (4 dives) Pulau Bacan: Shark point, reef sharks, schools of barracuda & jacks along a coral & sponge packed reef.
- Day 7. (2 dives) Pulau Tidore: Final dives here, then village visit. Sail to Ternate, where you spend the last night on board. Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, have lunch, rest & relaxation, and if need be an early flight the next day.
- Day 8. (0 dives) Check out (between 5am-10am) after light breakfast & farewells, and transfer to local hotel or airport. Departure from Ternate to Manado/ Makassar/ or Jakarta.
Lembeh-Halmahera-Raja Ampat – 11 days/10 nights itinerary
Diving days: 10 days (28 dives)
This trip is also available with 12 days/11 nights and can be also operated from Raja Ampat to Lembeh. Choose your preferred schedule and enjoy spectacular diving in the world’s most biodiverse diving destination.
- Day 1. (0-2 dives) 1pm. Our staff will meet you upon arrival to Manado Airport & transfer you to White Manta. Depending on arrival time, we can do Check dive(s) plus night dive in Lembeh. After critter dive(s) we sail overnight to Pulau Tifore.
- Day 2. (3 dives) Pulau Tifore: amazing divesite island in the Moluccan Sea equidistant from Goraichi & Lembeh, schools of jacks, snappers, and massive school of barracuda. Sail to Halmahera.
- Day 3. (4 dives) Palau Tolimau & Goraichi: Manta cleaning station & fish packed reefs amongst pristine hard coral gardens.
- Day 4. (3-4 dives) Palau Kusu: strong currents & amazing action in the Patintie Strait.
- Day 5. (4 dives) Palau Bacan: shark point, reef sharks, schools of barracuda & jacks along a coral & sponge packed reef.
- Day 6. (3 dives) Pulau Pisang: healthy, species rich coral reefs, in aquarium like conditions. Sail to Raja Ampat.
- Day 7. (3 dives) Raja Ampat: Pennemu & Fam Islands: Melissa’s Garden, My Reef, Keruo channel.
- Day 8-9. (4 dives x2 days) Raja Ampat: Experience the best of central & North Raja Ampat with plenty of Big fish action amongst stunning coral gardens to please even the most demanding diver.
- Day 10. (2 dives) Raja Ampat: last two dives in Dampier Strait. Sail back to Usahamina pier, Sorong where you spend last night on board. Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, have lunch, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.
- Day 11. (0 dives) 5am-10pm. Check out after light breakfast, farewells, and transfer to local hotel or airport. Departure from Sorong to Manado/ Makassar/ Jakarta/ Denpasar.
Halmahera & North Sulawesi FAQ
What makes Halmahera liveaboard diving unique?
Halmahera combines remote coral reefs, volcanic islands, pelagic encounters, and macro diving opportunities in one itinerary. The region remains less visited than destinations like Raja Ampat and Komodo, offering a more exploratory diving experience.
What marine life can I see in Halmahera and North Sulawesi?
Divers may encounter reef sharks, manta rays, schooling barracuda, jacks, snapper, turtles, and a wide variety of macro life. Lembeh Strait is particularly famous for rare critters and muck diving.
How many dives are included on a Halmahera liveaboard trip?
Most itineraries include approximately 28 dives over 10 diving days, with a mix of reef, wall, drift, macro, and night dives depending on conditions.
When is the best time to dive Halmahera and North Sulawesi?
The best conditions are generally found between April and August, when seas are calmer and visibility is typically at its best.
Who is this itinerary best suited for?
Halmahera and North Sulawesi itineraries are best suited for intermediate to advanced divers who enjoy variety, remote destinations, and a mix of pelagic and macro diving experiences.
