Best of Indonesia Safari – Fact Sheet

Prices

£2,820 includes 13 nights accommodation in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat on a twin share basis, 32 dives with tanks, weights and dive guide, full board and snacks, all international transfers and connections, land based excursions to see Bird’s of Paradise, volcano tour and hotsprings.

Excludes – 25 USD Indonesian Visa, 100 USD approx for marine park fees, departure tax, overweight luggage on 20Kg’s for internal flights, Nitrox, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Return flights from London/Manchester to Manado costs £800 approx with Singapore Airlines.

 

Tour Dates

17th November – 1st December 2012                                      Places Available  - Contact for details

 

Route

 

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet Sarah and Ben at Manado Airport then a short transfer to Tasik Ria resort. After an orientation and lunch we’ll get ready for a check dive on a local reef.

Day 2

After breakfast we’ll head out to Bunaken Island for a day of diving on the surrounding reefs of this national park. The dive sites here are characterised by plunging coral walls, schooling pelagics and exquisite macro critters. After lunch and a surface interval gazing at the stunning tropical islands that surround us we’ll make another dive then head back to the resort for early afternoon.

Day 3

Another full day of diving on the reefs around Bunaken National Park, the Lekuan dive sites are among the best in the area with chances of shark and eagle ray sightings, large turtles tuck into the coral wall and there’s usually masses of schooling fish. In the afternoon we’ll head over to Siladen Island which offers pristine reefs and large gorgonian fans, home to pygmy seahorse.

Day 4

After an early breakfast we’ll take a jeep over to the Lembeh Straits to spend the day at one of the world’s best muck diving sites. The dive sites here have been inventively named – Hairball is home to many types of frogfish, seahorses and if we’re lucky flamboyant cuttlefish. At Aw Shucks we can see ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, leaf fish and many types of other macro subjects that are otherwise considered rare. The afternoon dive will be flexible depending on the sightings we’ve had in the morning.

Day 5

Our final dive of diving around the reefs of North Sulawesi, we’ll focus on the mainland sites which combine reef and muck diving. Critter Circus surely lives up to its name and like Lembeh is ideal for photographers who like to take their time. Tanjung Pisok is a reef dive with abundant corals, schooling reef fish and a rich variety of life. We’ll head back to the resort for lunch and have a relaxing afternoon, take a trip into Manado town or chill by the pool.

Day 6

Midday we make our way to Manado Airport for our transfer to Sorong and Raja Ampat. After a short flight we’ll check into Je Meridien hotel and head out for an evening meal.

Day 7

Early morning transfer to Raja Ampat Dive Lodge so we can fit in as much diving as possible! We’ll arrive by mid morning then after a snack and orientation we’ll head out to a dive site called Blue Magic. This dome shaped platform reef is a typical Raja Ampat reef dive, masses of pristine hard and soft corals and invariably a staggering wealth of schooling jacks, barracuda, batfish –a real jaw dropper! There’s so many dive sites within easy range of the resort we return for snacks and refreshments after each dive.

Day 8

More Raja Ampat reef diving. The range and wealth of the dive sites in close proximity to our base will only just start to be realised by now. Cape Kri is just a short boat ride away is home to where Dr Gerald Allen recorded the most amount of species recorded on any one single dive – the site is home to masses of sweetlips, trevally, schooling reef fish and passing reef sharks. Mikes Point also offers rich corals and a huge variety of fish.

Day 9

The first two dives we’ll make at Manta Point, just 20 minutes from our resort. The site regularly sees large numbers of Manta Rays circling over a sandy area with scattered coral outcrops. We can sit and wait as they pass overhead and perform for us in the current. In the afternoon we’ll head to Crossover which is a good place for finding wobbegong sharks.

Day 10

With over 40 dives sites to choose from in a 10km radius of our resort there’s still plenty of sites to discover. Sardines is perhaps one of the busiest dives in the area – the abundance of fish can make it difficult to know where to look, overhanging rocky outcrops are drenched in soft corals whilst reef sharks are often seen cruising the deeper sand sections.

Day 11

The last day of diving so Ben and Sarah will pick a selection of the best remaining sites, or take any requests if there’s any particular favourites. Mansuar Island has some spectacular fringing reefs which are fed by the passing currents, for macro enthusiasts there’s some good spots for pygmy seahorses. For our last night dive we’ll go in search of the only recently discovered epaulette walking shark.

Day 12

An early start as we get the boat over to Waigeo Island to go in search of the infamous Papuan Bird’s of Paradise. After a short hike we’ll wait for the male birds to flaunt their wild and brightly coloured feathers in hope of attracting a mate – the dancing shows that follows is quite spectacular. Return in time for breakfast then you’ll spend the day kayaking, snorkelling or visiting local traditional Papuan villages.

Day 13

In the morning we’ll transfer back to Sorong to get our connecting flight to Manado. Upon arrival we’ll make our way to the Minahasa Highland for a selection of land tours including climbing a volcano for spectacular views over North Sulawesi, local markets and a chance to relax in some refreshing hot springs. Our final meal and overnight will be held at the Minihasa Resort lodge.

Day 14

After a relaxing morning we’ll head back to Manado for international transfer of end of the tour.

 

Get in touch

 

For more information about this holiday call 0800 955 0180 or use the contact form below

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