Explore pristine & untouched Halmahera
12 Days / 11 Nights
From $6,545/ Person
In this itinerary, we start our journery from Lembeh, going east to Halmahera, including Tidore, Makian, Goroachi island, through Patintie strait, before going to Raja Ampat.
Situated at the heart of the Coral Triangle, this hidden gem offers a diving experience like no other, blending the best of Raja Ampat’s biodiversity with Lembeh’s macro wonders. Deep walls, volcanic rock formations, and coral gardens here create a diver’s paradise.
The underwater landscape of Halmahera is nothing short of breathtaking. Pristine waters reveal a kaleidoscope of colors, with flourishing hard and soft corals providing shelter to an astonishing array of marine life. Divers can expect encounters with everything from vibrant reef fish and graceful manta rays to elusive critters expertly camouflaged among the coral.
What sets the island apart is its untouched and remote diving sites, which remain uncrowded and pristine. Night dives here reveal a completely different world, where rare cephalopods, crustaceans, and nocturnal hunters emerge from the shadows. Halmahera promises a great journey into one of the world’s last true diving frontiers.
Authentic Indonesian Phinisi lob in Halmahera
From $383 per day
Up to 4 dives/day
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When you book with us direct, we are happy to offer you a free diving insurance policy which includes medical evacuation for the duration of your trip.
You will not find our published prices cheaper anywhere else, and after you deal with us as a direct guest of La Galigo, we can offer you further discounts on hotel bookings and for future trips.
All of our scheduled trips are guaranteed to depart regardless of how many confirmed bookings there are.
Need help with local flights and hotels? When you book with us direct, we will help you booking Indonesian domestic flights and hotels.
The remote areas of Halmahera are relatively unvisited. So, how do you get there? Your journey begins with an international flight into Indonesia, followed by a domestic flight to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) on the Sulawesi Island.
Indonesia offers multiple international airports throughout its archipelago. Most international visitors typically arrive via Jakarta or Bali, as both airports provide direct domestic flights to Manado.
Halmahera is home to some of the most untouched and diverse dive sites in Indonesia. Some of the best dive spots include Bacan Island, Gorango Wall, Proco Pinnacle, and Tanjung Pele. Each site offers a unique underwater experience, from vibrant coral gardens to deep walls teeming with marine life.
Bacan Island is a hotspot for both pelagic encounters and macro life, where divers can spot everything from reef sharks to ghost pipefish hiding in the corals. Gorango Wall features dramatic drop-offs covered in soft corals and sea fans, providing a spectacular backdrop for schooling fish and passing rays. Proco Pinnacle boasts an explosion of marine biodiversity, with swirling barracuda, tuna, and vibrant reef fish. Meanwhile, Tanjung Pele is known for its stunning hard coral formations and crystal-clear waters, making it a favorite for photographers and marine enthusiasts alike.
Halmahera is a haven for marine biodiversity, with some of the most spectacular underwater encounters on the planet. Its nutrient-rich waters, fed by powerful ocean currents, create a thriving ecosystem that supports an incredible variety of marine species.
The coral reefs here are home to a stunning variety of reef fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. Reef sharks are also among those who claim the coral reefs in Halmahera as a home.
But Halmahera’s marine life doesn’t stop at the reefs. The island’s underwater attracts a mix of both macro and pelagic species. Divers can encounter manta rays gliding through the currents, schools of barracuda and trevally hunting in the blue. For those who love macro life, Halmahera is a treasure trove of rare and fascinating critters, such as pygmy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish, and colorful nudibranchs.
Halmahera is a diving destination that can be enjoyed at almost any time of the year. However, there is a seasonal patterns you will need to be aware of. This patterns define when you should dive there, aligning with what you want to see and experience.
The best time to dive in Halmahera is generally during the dry season, which runs from October to April. During these months, the weather is calmer, with less rainfall and smoother seas, making it ideal for diving and liveaboard trips. Visibility is often at its best, ranging from 20 to 40 meters. This period also coincides with the peak season for spotting larger pelagic species, such as manta rays, sharks, and schooling fish, as they are drawn to the nutrient-rich currents.
The wet season, from May to September, brings more rainfall and occasional rough seas, which can affect visibility and accessibility to some dive sites. However, this season has its own unique appeal. The nutrient-rich waters during this time attract an abundance of marine life, including macro critters like pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and rare cephalopods, making it a favorite time for underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts. While visibility may vary, the underwater activity during this season is simply crazy.
Scuba diving in Halmahera is best suited for intermediate or advanced divers due to the region’s challenging underwater conditions. The majority of Halmahera’s most iconic dive sites require a higher level of experience to be able to safely navigate the currents and difficult topography.
Intermediate divers, who have logged a reasonable number of dives and are comfortable in mild to moderate currents, will find plenty to explore, from coral gardens to drift dives. Advanced divers, on the other hand, will be in their element. Many of Halmahera’s top dive sites feature strong currents, deep drop-offs, and challenging conditions that are perfect for those seeking adventure. Advanced divers should also be prepared for the use of advanced diving techniques, such as drift diving and navigating in open water.
F.A.Q
This is primarily depending on which staff are onboard, however, generally speaking our Cruise Director and Dive Guides speak English and Indonesian. Please note that our services are primarily offered in English, and La Galigo cannot guarantee certain staff members may be onboard during your trip due to holidays / sickness etc.
La Galigo aims to depart from the embarkation port around 11:00 at the latest, so we try and get guests onboard by 10:00. We do understand that some guests flights may arrive on the day of departure, if this is the case, please arrange that your flight lands in Manado no later than 09:00.
With regard to private full boat charters, we are more than happy to be flexible with your desired embarkation time. Please ensure you make us aware in due course at the time of communication with our office based staff.
Our collection time, if you are already staying in Manado, is generally between 08:00 & 09:00. Our Cruise Director will notify you via WhatsApp, or through the hotel front desk, the day before with regards to what time you need to be ready in the hotel lobby.
If in the case that you miss your flight or it is rescheduled/delayed, then there is a chance that you might miss the departure time of La Galigo from the port. In this event we are generally unable to delay the departure past 11 a.m.. If this unlikely event does occur, we can assist you in renting a private speed boat to catch up to La Galigo. The cost of this is roughly between $100 – $500 depending on the distances required for travel.
If you have chartered La Galigo, and your entire group is delayed, then we can hold the departure time of La Galigo until your entire group arrives.
Yes, and we can often offer better discounts than you will find going directly to the hotel, or online.
During the process of confirming your trip with us, please let one of our team know and we will do our best to find something in your budget.
*Please note that this service is only available to customers booking directly with La Galigo.
YES
Indonesia is very much dependent on tourism, and the government continues to invest heavily not just in safety, but in logistics, ensuring that trips go as smoothly as they possibly can.
Due to the vessel’s location on the equator, it would be sensible to bring a hat, some longer sleeved/legged clothes to protect your arms and legs from the sun, and a decent pair of sun glasses. At night however, the temperatures can drop somewhat, so we advise maybe a warm-ish jumper if you intend on spending much time on deck stargazing.
Onboard it is safest to go barefoot as our decking can often get wet, and the anti-slip treatments we use are significantly more effective against bare skin. It is also advisable to bring some sturdy footwear for the light / mild treks that we go on. A thin raincoat would also be advisable, or you can just live in your wetsuit 24/7!!!
Scuba diving, Snorkeling or just leisure? We got you. Contact us today to turn your dream into reality. Let’s go!
