Sulawesi and Halmahera Group Dive Safari │ 10 – 23 Oct 2020

Taking our exploration of Indonesia, the center of the Coral Triangle, to new levels, we explore a little dived region of Halmahera, part of the Moluccas Islands chain. Here the clear waters are home to stunning abundant reefs, seldom dived due to lack of accessibility, many of which are still being discovered. We combine this stunning location with Northern Sulawesi, the where we can enjoy a mix of muck, macro and reef diving.

The 14 day, fully escorted small group dive safari takes us to remote destinations for some once-in-a-life-time diving opportunities.

The tour starts in North Sulawesi, where we stay at Murex Resort on Bangka Island. From here we can access the world renowned muck diving sites in Lembeh Straits and also the beautiful reefs in the area. We spend the first 5 nights here.

Sali Bay Resort is located on a small island off Halmahera, in eastern Indonesia , which, until recently was only occasionally dived from liveaboards. Situated in the Molucca Sea, north of the Banda Sea, this area of Indonesia is relatively underpopulated, and the ocean here is abundant with healthy reefs, schooling fish, volcanic islands, sandy shores and mangroves. We spend a total of 8 nights in this gorgeous secluded getaway.

Day 1: Upon arrival in Manado, meet transfer and go to Murex Bangka Resort where you can check in and relax, and meet your tour leader and other tour participants for a welcome dinner.

Day 2-5: These days will be spent diving on the stunning reefs in North Sulawesi, with a full day trip by boat to dive in the well known muck diving destination, Lembeh Straits.

Day 6: Today we travel by plane to from Manado to Lebuha, a small town in central Halmahara. From here we go by car and boat to the secluded island resort of Sali Bay.

Day 7-12: Here will will have the opportunity to dive some untouched and unexplored reefs. This area is remote and has thus been saved from over fishing and over diving. The reefs are in excellent condition and support a staggering variety of marine life, big and small. The resort also has a spectacular house reef, teaming with life.

Day 13: Our off-gassing day we enjoy a half-day land tour on the main island of Halmahera, and the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 14: We return by plane to Manado/Jakarta to catch connecting flights home/ tour extensions.

Price:

£3335 per person (Twin/Double Share)

Limited single rooms available, please inquire for detail of single person supplement

Inclusions:

• 5 Nights accommodation with full  board (meals) at Murex Bangka Resort in an Ocean Front Cottage
• 4 unguided house reef dives
• 1 day trip with 3 dives to Lembeh Straits (by boat)
• 8 guided dives in North Sulawesi area
• Transfers and internal flights
• Meals, snacks, free drinking water, tea and coffee
• 8 Nights accommodation at Sali Bay Resort in an ocean front villa with full board (all meals)
• 18 guided dives and one guided night dive at Halmahera
• Free WiFi
• Fully guided by a member of the Dive Safari Asia team.

Exclusions:

• International flights
• Scuba equipment
• Tips and sundries
• Travel insurance
• 15l tanks
• Nitrox

The first resort we visit is Murex Bangka. This lovely resort is set on a coconut tree lined white sandy beach. It offers charming and comfortable, traditionally styled timber bungalows, which have adjoining doors and are perfect for families. All rooms are ocean front with stunning views from their private verandas, en suit bathrooms, and AC at night. The resort has a wonderful indoor and outdoor restaurant serving three delicious buffet style meals a day with a variety of Western and Eastern style dishes. Massage services are offered, and sun loungers and hammocks dot the beach should you with to relax with a book. Please note: power operates in the ocean front rooms from 5pm – 7am (and also in the restaurant and camera room during lunch time hours).

Our second resort is Sali Bay Resort, it has a total 12 bungalows dotted along the beach and garden and a 4 roomed lodge (long house). Each room is spacious with air conditioning and en-suite bathroom as well as private verandas with comfy seating. There is a lovely beachfront freshwater pool and pool bar, and a small spa offering traditional Indonesian massages. The restaurant is located in the middle of the resort. Meals are prepared by a professional chef and include a variety of local and international dishes.

The airlines are currently reviewing their flight schedule for international flights into and out of Manado. We may run this trip through Jakarta if necessary. Please ensure you check with us before making any flight reservations please.

We currently have spaces available on this tour

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Diving in the Sali Island and Halmahera region is known for clear blue waters, pristine untouched reefs, schooling fish. Salibay is the only resort in the area, so besides for passing liveaboards, the region is un-dived, and we have the sites to ourselves most of the time. There are still loads of sites being discovered with varied topography including walls, coral slopes and muck diving.

We expect to see schools of mackarels, batfish, fusiliers and barracudas, as well as black tip reef sharks patrolling the area. The reef is alive with macro life including pygmy seahorses, unusual species of crabs and shrimps and spectacular lesser-potted nudis. The resort also has dolphins and pilot whales pass by regularly.

Diving in North Sulawesi offers stunning soft coral reefs and wall crop offs. One would expect loads of turtles and schooling reef fish like red tooth trigger fish and pyramid butterfly fish hanging off the walls as well as passing pelagics like tuna and occasional reef sharks. The water in this region is usually offers stunning vizability and calm conditions.

Lembeh Strait is synonymous with muck diving. Widely considered the best muck diving location in the world, there are no shortage of  exciting creatures to find lurking on the dark volcanic sandy bottom. One could reasonably expect to find several types of octopus, nudibranchs, frogfish and more. Some of the rarer creatures often spotted around here include hairy frogfish, blue ringed octopus, rhinopias to name a few.