White Manta Liveaboard – Cruise Itineraries

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White Manta Liveaboard

Cruise Itineraries

 

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Blue Manta Liveaboard Cruise Destinations

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White Manta Cruise Destinations & Itineraries

Raja Ampat & Misool
Raja Ampat-Halmahera-Lembeh
Kalimantan – Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua
Banda Sea & Ring of Fire
North Sulawesi – Manado, Sambit

 
 

 

 

 

 

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat will immerse you in a diving paradise, 50,000 square Kilometers of islands & reefs, 580 kinds of coral, 1,397 species of fish including 23 endemics, this truly is the epicenter of marine biodiversity with the world’s richest collection of underwater flora & fauna. The sheer abundance of marine life, healthy colourful reefs, and diverse dive sites will leave even the most experienced divers wanting more! The stunning beauty of Raja Ampat’s exotic & enchanting islands both above and below the water will leave you in no doubt that this truly is one of the worlds premier diving destinations.

Sample Itinerary: Raja Ampat – Misool
(7 Days/6 Nights & 8 Days/7 Nights & 9 Days/8 Nights & 10 Days/9 Nights & 11 Days/10 Nights)

Note; all schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (0-1 dives) 3pm Trip Departure day.  Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Sorong Airport or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting Raja Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive at Red Light District (Lampu Merah) just outside Sorong before we get underway by 3pm for overnight sail.

Day 2. (4 dives) Penemu Island; Barracuda, Galaxy, Bridge, & night dive at Kima

Day 3. (4 dives) Fam; Melissa’s Garden, My Reef, Keruo channel, Way Pretty Shallow.  Amazing landscapes and bays.

Day 4. (4 dives) Yanggefo Island; Mayhem Ridge, Citrus ridge, Deep rock, & night dive

Day 5. (4 dives) Mansuar Corner, Manta Sandy, Cape Kri, & night dive

Day 6. (2 dives) Misokon island; including Blue Magic & Yellow Fever.   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 7.  (0 dives) 5am-12pm. Check out after light breakfast, farewells, and transfer to local hotel or airport.  Departure from Sorong to Manado/ Makassar/ Jakarta/ Denpasar.

Diving days: 5 days (18 dives)

 

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Sorong (SOQ), West Papua

How to get to & from Sorong (SOQ), West Papua

  • It is easiest to fly through to & from Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta (CGK), Makassar (UPG Ujung Pandang), Bali (DPS, Denpasar), or Manado (MDC).
  • Please refer to our Trip Schedule before booking your Domestic flights.
  • Domestic Airlines; Garuda Indonesia (direct CGK-SOQ & return) / Sriwijaya Air / Lion Air / Batik Air. Air Asia also offer a direct service 4 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sun) if this fits well with your Trip Schedule.
  • International Airlines; Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado. Garuda Indonesia fly daily from Singapore to Makassar, then Domestic flight to Sorong, then via Jakarta on way back (same day).

Dive Site Information

  • Water Temp: 27-30 degrees Celsius
  • Air Temp: 27-32 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 15-30 meters
  • Current: mild to strong
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving)

What’s included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
  • All nights’ accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fee
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.

Trip Schedule

  • Departure; 3pm, 1st Day, Sorong, West Papua. Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations have been completed. Free transfer from local hotel or Domine Edward Osok Airport, Sorong to White Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time 20-30 mins).
  • Return; 5am, Last Day, Sorong, West Papua. After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to the Airport in time for Check-in & flight or local hotel. Note; latest WM Check-out, midday.
  • Last dive ends; 12pm (midday), Penultimate Day. Plenty of time for R&R while we sail back to Sorong where we spend last night on White Manta. This also allows for your minimum 18 hours surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 

 Raja Ampat & Halmahera & Lembeh Strait

This route offers such a wealth of biodiversity starting with the spectacularly beautiful reefs around the South Raja Ampat area, travelling through Misool to Halmahera and then onto the critter heaven of Lembeh Strait. The cruise runs between Sorong in West Papua and Bitung in North Sulawesi.

The majority of the dives during this trip are around the islands of Raja Ampat (West Papua) and Halmahera (North Muluku). We spend a day diving when we cross from Raja Ampat to Halmahera and again when we cross from Halmahera to Lembeh.

Raja Ampat – This trip starts in the Misool area, where we spend upto 3 days. Corals are lush here and many of the divesites are now world reknown owing to the success of the marine park and large no-take zones.

Pulau Pisang – Pisang means ‘Banana’ in Indonesian language but it is just a nice name. Pulau Pisang is our stop-off between Misool (Raja Ampat) and South Bacan (Halmahera). As with Tifore, we spend an entire day diving here since it is far from other places. Sloping reefs with amazing soft and hard corals and some lovely schools of fish and macro finds. We sometimes see eagle rays and other pelagics too.

Halmahera – Kepulauan Goraici to the West, and Patientie Strait between, Bacan and Halmahera island in the south of the archipelago. We usually spend 3 days crossing through the dive areas here. Goraici has many small islands and pinnacles and we see a lot of different marine life amongst them. In the Patientie Strait there are 5 islands and many rocks bridging the current rich strait at one of it’s narrowest points. There are several divesites around the islands and macro diving is the main dish on the menu. If you like pretty critters like ornate ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses and possibly even blue-ringed octopus, you’re likely to be well represented here. However, the strait does boast some pretty strong currents sometimes too, so there are great opportunities to enjoy some of the unique aspects that current brings to a dive. South Bacan is the other area, there is a great divesite for pelagics, with a tremendous hard coral reef in the shallows. There is also a pretty good muck dive in this area.

Tifore – A small island between Lembeh and Bacan / Halmahera. There is only one really good divesite here, but the bunus is that it is..usually…really really good! Undoubtedly the highlight, if we can find them, is a very large school of barracuda. The reef is quite large and quite beautiful. Large schools of golden damsels and redtooth triggers inhabit the steep walls delightfully furnished with big sponges and soft corals. it is common to find yourself engaged in schools of big-eye trevallies and black snapper as the odd large tuna idles by in the blue.

Lembeh Strait – 2 dives on the last day – world famous for its muck and critter diving – long lazy dives offering photographers some of the most weird and wonderful marine creatures in the world. We encourage our divers to use a shore based resort to spend a few days in this area for a great treat either before or after your cruise.
 
 

 

 

 

 

Sample Itinerary: Raja Ampat – Halmahera – Lembeh
(11 Days/10 Nights)

Note; all schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (0-1 dives) 3pm trip departure day.  Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Sorong Airport or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting White Manta. Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive at Red Light District (Lampu Merah) just outside Sorong before we get underway for overnight sail (~11 hours).

Day 2. (3-4 dives) South Raja Ampat, Misool: Fiabacet, Boo, Wayil area.

Day 3. (4 dives) South Raja Ampat, Misool: Wayil & Pele area if weather & currents permit. Sail to Nempele (~6 hours).

Day 4. (3 dives) South Raja Ampat, Misool: Nempele. Exploring the West coast of Misool, a photography must with amazing mangroves in clear, shallow water. Sail to Pulau Pisang. (~7 hours).

Day 5. (3 dives) Pulau Pisang: quiet secluded island offers exclusivity, tranquility and a couple of nice divesites with lots to see. Sail to Pulau Bacan. (~12 hours).

Day 6. (4 dives) Pulau Bacan: reef sharks, jacks, snappers, barracudas and maybe a muck dive too! Sail to Patientie Strait (~7 hours).

Day 7. (3-4 dives) Patientie Strait: the mixture of islands and rocks offer great dives regardless of the moon phase and tidal changes. Protected areas offer some great macro and healthy reefs, whilst current rich divesites offer a variety of action. Sail to Kepulauan Goraici (~6 hours).

Day 8. (4 dives) Kepulauan Goraichi: Wide variety of different divesites with opportunities to see large pelagics, great underwater topography, and macro alike. Sail to Tifore (~11 hours).

Day 9. (3 dives) Pulau Tifore; amazing divesite island in the Molucca Sea equidistant from Goraici & Lembeh, steep walled pinnacle garnished with corals, sponges, reef fishes and pelagics. Sail to Lembeh. (~11 hours).

Day 10. (2 dives) Critter dives in Lembeh Strait.  Sail back to Bitung Port 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 11. (0 dives) 5am-12pm. Check-out after a light breakfast, farewells, and transfer to local hotel or airport. Available departures from Manado to all major regional hubs around Indonesia depending on where you are going next.

Diving days: 10 days (30 dives). Number of dives is at Cruise Directors’ discretion. There are some exciting land based activities that may be offered as a substitute to maximise the adventure!

Dive Site Information

  • Water Temp: 27-30 degrees Celsius.
  • Air Temp; 27-32 degrees Celsius.
  • Visibility: 15-30 metres.
  • Current; medium to strong.
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
  • Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving).
  • Special note: Fishing, spear-fishing, use of dive gloves and any damage to the aquatic life are strictly prohibited in Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area (MPA) and is punishable by law.

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Sorong (SOQ), West Papua / Manado (MDC), North Sulawesi.

How to get to Sorong (SOQ), West Papua

How to get from Manado (MDC), North Sulawesi

Trip Schedule

  • Departure: 3pm, 1st Day – Sorong, West Papua. Earlier if everyone arrives before and all trip preparations are complete. Free transfer from local hotel or Domine Edward Osok Airport, Sorong to White Manta on trip departure day (transfer time 20-30 mins).
  • Return: 6am, Last Day – Bitung Port, Manado, North Sulawesi. After breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to local hotel or Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado in time for check-in & flight (transfer time 2 hours). Note: latest WM check-out midday, trip return day.
  • Last dive ends: 12pm (midday), Penultimate Day.  Plenty of time for rest and relaxation while we sail back to Manado where we spend last night on White Manta. This also allows for your minimum 18 hours surface interval / No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 

Dive Site Information

  • Water Temp: 27-30 degrees Celsius.
  • Air Temp; 27-32 degrees Celsius.
  • Visibility: 15-30 metres.
  • Current; medium to strong.
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
  • Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving).
  • Special note: Fishing, spear-fishing, use of dive gloves and any damage to the aquatic life are strictly prohibited in Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area (MPA) and is punishable by law.

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Sorong (SOQ), West Papua / Manado (MDC), North Sulawesi.

How to get to Sorong (SOQ), West Papua

  • Daily flights to Sorong (SOQ) from Jakarta (CGK) via Makassar (UPG, Ujung Pandang), Bali (DPS, Denpasar), or from Manado (MDC).
  • Domestic Airlines; Garuda Indonesia (direct CGK-SOQ) / Sriwijaya Air / Lion Air  / Batik Air.  Air Asia also offer a direct service 4 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sun) if this fits well with your Trip Schedule.

How to get from Manado (MDC), North Sulawesi

  • Early morning with Lion Air back to Bali (via Surabaya) or with Garuda Indonesia back to Jakarta.
  • International, Silk Air back early afternoon direct to Singapore.
  • Note; if staying in Manado, please review our ‘Hotels in Manado’ section in the Celebes Sea Fact Sheet for included drop offs for local hotel in Bitung area or Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado (transfer time 2 hours).   Manado City hotels are NOT included in our free drop offs.  If NOT local we can drop you off at Manado Airport where your hotel can pick you up.

Trip Schedule

  • Departure: 3pm, 1st Day – Sorong, West Papua. Earlier if everyone arrives before and all trip preparations are complete. Free transfer from local hotel or Domine Edward Osok Airport, Sorong to White Manta on trip departure day (transfer time 20-30 mins).
  • Return: 6am, Last Day – Bitung Port, Manado, North Sulawesi. After breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to local hotel or Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado in time for check-in & flight (transfer time 2 hours). Note: latest WM check-out midday, trip return day.
  • Last dive ends: 12pm (midday), Penultimate Day.  Plenty of time for rest and relaxation while we sail back to Manado where we spend last night on White Manta. This also allows for your minimum 18 hours surface interval / No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

What’s included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
  • All nights’ accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fee  
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services 
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.  
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.  

 
 

 

 

 

 

Kalimantan – Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua

The Derawan archipelago in north east Kalimantan is one of the most remote areas of Indonesia. Here you can find an archipelago that offers truly spectacular world class diving among its 5 islands, Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban, Sangalaki and Pulau Sambit

Diving the Derawan archipelago

Discover an untouched diving destination which offers everything you need for the ultimate dive safari. Located off the East Coast of Kalimantan (The Indonesian portion of Borneo) the Islands of Sangalaki, Maratua and Kakaban offer some of the most remote, uncrowded and untouched diving spots visited by the Manta fleet. Not only will you be diving away from the crowds but the diving is spectacular with plenty of ‘Big Fish’ sightings possible throughout the area.

Sangalaki

Good potential for manta rays who use the island’s surrounding colourful reefs as a cleaning and breeding ground. To the North of the island are Manta avenue, Manta parade and Manta run – where the manta rays may be found feeding on a rich supply of plankton just meters from the beach. The mantas can sometimes be seen cruising down these manta highways, whilst other rays forage around for food under the sand together with the goatfish. Their wing tips break the surface at regular intervals as they circle around you. They prefer to swim close to the surface, so snorkeling or free diving is also a good way to interact with them. Sangalaki is also a renowned turtle hatching site, every day hundreds of hatching sea turtles can be seen making their dash to the ocean from their nesting sites.

Kakaban & Kakaban Lake

Kakaban is famous for it’s stunning fresh water Jelly Fish lake fringed by virgin Mangrove forest Thousands of years ago the island was naturally uplifted which isolated the marine ecosystem from the surrounding seas making all biota in this marine lake very unique with endemic critters such as four species of non-stinging jellyfishes and non-stinging anemones. Marine biologists have also found a number of unknown species of anemones, tunicates, flatworms and crustaceans in the lake. This truly is a biological paradise where everything can easily be seen snorkelling.On the seaward side of the island sheer drop offs and walls attract Huge schools of Trevally and Barracuda along with the possibility of Hammerhead, Grey Reef and Black Tip sharks.

Maratua

One of the most action filled destinations in the region, the walls that surround this island provide some great Big Fish dives, with massive schools of chevron barracuda, hunting trevally, thresher sharks and much much more! There are several impressive drop offs and a drift dive can be done through the channel into the lagoon. The channel entrance is at 27 meters and the strong currents attract these large pelagics. Best time to dive the channel is on an incoming or slack tide where marine life reaches a crescendo of activity, whilst coral growth is not as spectacular here due to the strong currents, pelagic action can be simply awesome!

Sample Itinerary: Sangalaki – Maratua – Kakaban
(7 Days/6 Nights & 8 Days/7 Nights)

Explore the remote Indonesian Islands of Maratua, Sanglaki, & Kakaban. Get away from the crowds and enjoy diving as it was meant to be! Here you will find both large and small marine life in abundance; potential for thresher sharks, manta rays, white-tips & nurse sharks, huge schools of barracuda, many turtles, and even Whale Shark! Not to mention plenty of macro life to keep even the most experienced of divers happy. Plus a chance to swim amongst millions of non-stinging jellyfish in the fresh water Lake of Kakaban. 

Note; all schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (0-2 dives) 5pm Trip Departure day.  Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Kalimarau Airport or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting White Manta.  Warm welcome & briefing while we sail from pier to Derawan.  Check dive(s) can ONLY be made if ALL guests arrive on morning flights (recommended Garuda Indonesia ETA-BEJ 09:00 or Lion Air ETA-BEJ 08:45) or are in Berau already.  Cruise Leaders decision is final.

Day 2. (3-4 dives) Diving around Sangalaki looking for manta rays, turtles & more! We also have a chance to visit the beach to watch hatching baby turtles make their dash to the sea!

Day 3-4. (4 dives x2 days) Diving around Maratua island; huge schools of chevron barracudas, and big-eye jacks at the mouth of the channel.   Look out for the shark action with possible sightings of hammerhead sharks too!

Day 5. (3-4 dives) Diving around Kakaban with stunning wall dives & visiting the amazing fresh water Jellyfish lake.

Day 6. (1-2 dives) Looking for whale sharks at local fishing “bagans”then sail back to Tg Batu Port Sailing time 5 hours.  Last night sleeping on Raja Manta in the harbour.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on Trip Departure day.

Day 7. (0 dives) 5am-12pm.  Check out after light breakfast, farewells, and transfer to local hotel or airport (recommended Garuda Indonesia ETD-BEJ 10:45 or Lion Air ETD-BEJ 10:30)

Diving days: 6 days (18 dives, including substituting dives for island tours) 

    Sangalaki is located in the province of Berau, East Kalimantan, the Indonesian side of Borneo. You can enter by flying to Balikpapan from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta and after take a connecting flight to Berau

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Tanjung Batu pier, Indonesia. 2-2.5 hours by car from/to Berau Airport, East Kalimantan.

How to get to Berau (BEJ), Indonesia

  • Daily flights from Singapore (SIN) or Jakarta (CGK) to Berau (BEJ) via Balikpapan (BPN) by Garuda Indonesia or Lion Air. Can fly with Silk Air but not daily.
  • We highly recommended to overnight in Balikpapan Airport Hotel and take one of the scheduled morning flights on Trip Departure day
  • Connecting flight to Berau via Balikpapan with Garuda Indonesia (09:00) or Lion Air (08:45 / 11:00)

How to get from Berau (BEJ), Indonesia

Dive Site Information

  • Water Temp: 28-30 degrees Celsius
  • Air Temp: 28-30 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 10-40 meters,
  • Currents: mild to medium,
  • Level: begginer to advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: all year round
  • What to See/ Highlights: Pelagic; Manta rays, hammerheads, barracuda, jacks, tuna, & more Reef; amazing soft corals, turtles, leopard & reef sharks, harlequin shrimps, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, ribbon eels, cuttlefish, nudis, & usual suspects

What’s included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
  • All nights’ accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fee  
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY. 

Trip Schedule

  • Departure: 5pm, 1st Day – Tg. Batu Pier, East Kalimantan. Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations have been completed.  Free transfer from Kalimarau Airport, Berauvia overland transfer to White Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time; 2-2.5 hours)
  • Return: 5am, Last Day – Tg. Batu Pier, East Kalimantan.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we will take you to Kalimarau Airport (BEJ), Berau in time for Check-in & flight.  Note; latest WM Check-out, midday.
  • Last dive ends: 12pm (midday), Penultimate Day.  Plenty of time for R&R while we sail back to Tg. Batu pier where we spend last night on White Manta.  This also allows for your minimum 18 hours surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Ambon-Banda Island-Ring of Fire

Starting with muck diving we cross the Banda Sea, tracing the perimeter of islands. Let our experienced crew show you these remote and almost untouched locations with wonderful reefs and stunning drop offs. Marine life here is in abundance from the critters, sea snakes, manta rays, sharks and much more.

Sample Itinerary: Ambon –  Banda – Ambon
(8 Days/7 Nights & 9 Days/8 Nights & 10 Days/9 Nights & 11 Days/10 Nights)

Sample Itinerary

Note; all schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (0-2 dives) 2pm. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Pattimura Airport, Ambon or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting Blue Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive(s) in Ambon Bay before we get underway by 2pm for overnight sail. 

Day 2-3. (3 dives x2 days) Diving around Banda Islands with excellent visibility, fantastic coral coverage and tremendous numbers of fish along with potential Hammerhead sightings, plus a visit to one of the Spice Islands.

Day 4-6. (3 dives x3 days) Ring of Fire; diving around Volcanic Islands and stunning seamounts in search of hammerheads, encounter many sea snakes, huge schools of fish, reef sharks, tunas, & other pelagic superstars.

Day 7. (2 dives) Hukurila Cave & Molana.  Sail back to Ambon 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-12pm. Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport. Take your pre-booked flight to Ujung Pandang (aka Makassar), Jakarta or Singapore

Diving days: 7 days (18 dives)

Note: 3 dives are scheduled per diving day*.  This is due to deeper dives and long distances covered between islands.  Where possible a bonus night dive may be scheduled at the discretion of the Cruise Leader. *Except Trip Departure day & Trip Return day.

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Ambon (AMQ) / Ambon (AMQ)

How to get to Ambon (AMQ)

  • We will be there to transfer you to the Blue Manta (10 minutes transfer)
  • Lion Air daily flights from Bali via Makassar or Manado, Garuda Indonesia or Sriwijaya Air from Jakarta via Makassar, and Batik Air direct to Ambon (flight time around 3 hours). 
  • Note; this trip is scheduled to start 2pm, Trip Departure day.  If your domestic flight arrives to Ambon after 13:00 then we request you arrive the day before NOT on Trip Departure day?

How to get from Ambon (AMQ)

  • Lion Air daily flights from Ambon to Bali, or with Garuda Indonesia or Sriwijaya Air to Jakarta via Makassar or direct to Jakarta with Batik Air. Early morning flights should give you best chance of making connecting International flights (flight time around 3 hours).

Dive Site Information (Banda-Ambon)

  • Water Temp:  26-28 degrees Celsius, however deep water upwelling’s & thermoclines especially in Sept-Nov can mean temps as low as 25C.
  • Air Temp: 22-31 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 15-30 meters
  • Current: medium to strong
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving)

What’s included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
  • All nights’ accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fee  
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.   

Trip Schedule

  • Departure; 2pm, 1st Day – Laha Bay, Ambon.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or Pattimura Airport, Ambon to Blue Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time 10 mins).
  • Return; 6am, Last Day – Laha Bay, Ambon.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you local hotel or Pattimura Airport, Ambon in time for Check-in & flight (transfer time 10 mins).  
    Note; latest BM Check-out midday, Trip Return day.
  • Last dive ends; 12pm, Penultimate Day, then sail back to Ambon where we spend last evening onboard.  If you have booked an early flight then you may have to skip 1 or 2 dives to allow for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 
 

 

 

 

 

North Sulawesi – Manado, Sambit, Sangalaki

Starting with world famous muck diving in Lembeh we cross the Celebes Sea to Islands of Sambit, Maratua, Sangalaki, & Kakaban.  Here you will find both large and small marine life in abundance; potential for thresher sharks, manta rays, white-tips & nurse sharks, huge schools of barracuda, many turtles, and even Whale Shark! Not to mention plenty of macro life to keep even the most experienced of divers happy, plus non-stinging jellyfish in the fresh water Lake of Kakaban.

 

Sample Itinerary: Manado, Sambit, Sangalaki (10 Days/9 Nights & 11 Days/10 Nights)

Note; all schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (0-2 dives) 5pm. Our staff will meet you upon arrival to Manado Airport & transfer you to White Manta.  Depending on arrival time, we can do 1-2 critter dives in Lembeh..

Day 2. (3-4 dives) Muck Diving along Manado coaster Islands

Day 3. (3 dives) Muck Diving along Manado coaster Islands, long over night crossing to Pulau Sambit

Day 4-5. (4 dives x2 days) Diving around Pulau Sambit.

Day 6.  (3-4 dives) Diving around Maratua island; huge schools of chevron barracudas, and big-eye jacks at the mouth of the channel.   Look out for the shark action with possible sightings of hammerhead sharks too!

Day 7. (4 dives) Diving around Kakaban with stunning wall dives & visiting the amazing fresh water Jellyfish lake.

Day 8. (3-4 dives) Diving around Sangalaki looking for manta rays, turtles & more! We also have a chance to visit the beach to watch hatching baby turtles make their dash to the sea!

Day 9. (1-2 dives) Looking for whale sharks at local fishing “bagans”then sail back to Tg Batu Port Sailing time 5 hours.  Last night sleeping on White Manta in the harbour.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on Trip Departure day.

Day 9. (0 dives) 6am-8am. Check out after a light breakfast, farewells, and transfer to local hotel or Berau Airport (recommended Garuda Indonesia ETD-BEJ 10:45 or Lion Air ETD-BEJ 10:30)

Diving days: 9 days (26 dives including substituting dives for island tour)

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Bitung Port, Manado (MDC) / Tg Batu Port, Indonesia land transfer to Berau (BEJ)

How to get to Manado (MDC)

  • We will be there to transfer you to the Raja Manta.  Transfer to Raja Manta 30 minutes.
  • From Bali Lion Air daily flights via Makassar/ Surabaya.  From Jakarta direct with Garuda Indonesia
  • International, from Singapore direct flights with Silk Air.  Or fly to Jakarta and catch early morning Domestic flight
  • Note; if staying in Manado, please review our ‘Hotels in Manado’ section in the Celebes Sea Fact Sheet for included pickups for local hotel in Bitung area or Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado (transfer time 2 hours).   Manado City hotels are NOT included in our free pickups.  If NOT local then OWN way from hotel to Manado Airport or Bitung Port.

How to get from Berau (BEJ)

Trip Schedule

  • Departure; 5pm, 1st Day – Bitung Port, Manado, North Sulawesi. Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all trip preparations completed. Free transfer from local hotel or Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado to White Manta on trip departure day (transfer time 2 hours).
  • Return; 6am, Last Day – Tg. Batu Pier, Indonesia.  We arrive back the evening before.  On last day after a light breakfast and fond farewells, we will take you to Kalimarau Airport, Berau in time for Check In & flight (transfer time 2-2.5 hours).
  • Last dive ends; midday – 12pm, Penultimate Day.  Plenty of time for R&R while we sail back to Tg. Batu pier where we spend last night on White Manta.  This also allows for your minimum 18 hours surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 

Dive Site Information (Lembeh)

  • Water Temp: 27-30 degrees Celsius
  • Air Temp: 27-32 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 20-30 meters,
  • Currents: mild ,
  • Level: begginer to advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: all year round
  • What to See/ Highlights: macro heavan with weird & wonderful critters all around

Dive Site Information (Sambit-Sangalaki)

  • Water Temp: 28-30 degrees Celsius
  • Air Temp: 28-30 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 10-30 meters,
  • Currents: mild to medium ,
  • Level: beginners to advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: start of May to end of October
  • What to See/ Highlights: Pelagic; Manta rays, hammerheads, barracuda, jacks, tuna, & more Reef; amazing soft corals, turtles, leopard & reef sharks, harlequin shrimps, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, ribbon eels, cuttlefish, nudis, & usual suspects

What’s included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
  • All nights’ accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fee  
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY. 
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