Indonesia 02

BUNAKEN, LEMBEH, RAJA AMPAT & THE MOLUCCAS

OCT - NOV 2023  • 22 DAYS •  12 GUESTS

Limited to 12 guests only, journey to the epicentre of marine biodiversity on a three-week adventure to some of the most remote corners of Indonesia. Explore the underwater riches of North Sulawesi, Lembeh Strait, Halmahera, the Molucca Islands and Raja Ampat in West Papua on a divers and snorkelers dream expedition. We are combining many of Indonesia’s hotspots for a diverse range of dynamic reefs and a wide variety of marine life and dive sites. Enjoy some of the world’s best muck diving, go in search of spectral tarsiers, hornbills, and troops of endemic, black-crested macaques; visit bustling markets and meet the friendly locals; savour delicious local cuisine and get pampered while staying at boutique resorts and onboard a luxurious yacht.

Travel to Bunaken Islands Marine Park in North Sulawesi, famous for its crystal-clear waters, steep and dramatic walls covered in giant sea fans, sponges, pristine coral gardens and an amazing variety of marine animals. It is one of Thomas and Natalia’s absolute favourite snorkelling destinations. Reefs filled with an abundance of fish life, countless giant green turtles and little critters that expertly camouflage themselves to blend with the surroundings. It is here in 1997 the giant prehistoric Coelacanth, thought to be extinct 400 million years ago, was re-discovered. After a full day of watersports activities, treat yourself to a massage, go for a swim in the pool, savour delicious Italian/Indonesian fusion cuisine, sit in front of your beachfront villa and enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset behind Manadotua volcano.

Spend a day exploring the underwater riches of the Bangka & Gangga Islands en route to Lembeh. Lembeh Strait is considered one of the top critter and muck diving destinations. Beneath the calm surface, on a dark volcanic sand floor, find a staggering array of weird and bizarre creatures. Famous for its diversity of rare and unusual marine life, search for creatures such as the pygmy seahorse, ghost pipefish, ribbon eel, mantis shrimp, flamboyant cuttlefish, hairy frogfish, scorpionfish, stargazer, mimic octopus, and many others. At Tangkoko National Park encounter the world’s largest concentration of rare, black-crested macaques; see hornbills fly overhead and get close to a family of spectral tarsiers, the worlds tiniest and cutest primates. 

Fly to West Papua and board one of Indonesia’s premier yachts, the Damai II, to spend 12 days diving, snorkelling, and exploring what has been hailed the #1 marine biodiversity hotspot in the world. Explore the wonders of northern Raja Ampat with its plethora of reef fish, numerous crazy critters all co-inhabiting its spectacular reefs, seamounts, and cleaning stations. Home to 1320 species of fish (27 endemic), 700 species of molluscs, 13 marine mammals, 5 species of endangered sea turtles and 75% of all known coral species in the world. The jewel-like islands are caressed by a convergence of swift nutrient-rich currents boasting an enormous variety of life. Visit Penemu lagoon and climb the hill for fantastic panoramic views, get up early to see the splendid Birds of Paradise performing their courtship dance. Head to southern Raja Ampat for the colorful soft coral reefs surrounding Misool. Here the pulse of marine life thrives from the seafloor to the surface, where the kaleidoscope of corals can start in less than a meter of water. The experience of drifting along miles of exquisitely hued reef, brimming with activity, is simply breathtaking. Explore one of Thomas & Natalia’s favourite dive sites, a seamount covered in coral and fish life and one of the only known places in the world, where both Reef and Pelagic Manta rays can be seen getting cleaned together. From there journey across to Halmahera, the largest island in the Molucca Archipelago, with its marine life comparable only to neighbouring Raja Ampat. With over 800 species of fish recorded, look for colorful ‘critters’, turtles and huge schools of Barracuda, jacks, and batfish, passing eagle rays, bumphead parrotfish, graceful Manta rays, and the recently discovered walking Epaulette shark. Soak up the history of the Molucca Islands, famous for their spice trade. Dominated by Mt Gamalama volcano, finish your expedition in Ternate, an island steeped in history and the gateway to the Halmahera Sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• World class diving and snorkeling in the heart of the Coral Triangle

• Visit colorful markets, and traditional villages and meet the friendly locals

• Sail in luxury through stunning Raja Ampat and the Moluccas

• See Birds-of-paradise, Hornbills, cute Tarsiers, and a troop of rare, crested macaques.

• Explore spectacular coral gardens, seamounts, and coral covered drop-offs

• Get close to Mantas, Sharks, schooling jacks, barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, and turtles

• Witness weird, colorful, and bizarre creatures in the muck

• Get pampered with massages, mouth-watering cuisine, and exceptional service

ENQUIRIES

Love this itinerary and wondering when we are returning? Don't hesitate to contact us today.  

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

INDONESIA 02 - SULAWESI, RAJA AMPAT & HALMAHERA

OCT – NOV 2023 ● 22 DAYS ● 14 GUESTS 

Day 01 | Depart Home / En route to Manado

Day 02 | Arrive Manado / Transfer to Siladen / Welcome cocktails & dinner

Day 03-05 | Diving and snorkelling Bangka Island en route to Lembeh

Day 06 | Diving and snorkeling at Bangka en route to Lembeh

Day 07-08 | Muck Diving and Snorkelling Lembeh Straight

Day 09 | Bintung market / Tangkoko National Park

Day 10 | Fly Manado-Sorong / Embark on the MY Damai II

Day 11-20 | Diving and snorkelling Raja Ampat and the Moluccas

Day 21 | Disembark MY Damai II in Ternate / Fly Home

Day 22 | Arrive home

SY DAMAI II

The Dive Damai is your doorway to the majestic underwater world of the Indonesian archipelago. One of the two gracious boats of the Dive Damai Fleet, the Damai II offers comfort and quality facilitation of scuba dive adventures.

The below deck accommodation has been designed to accommodate single or twin occupants. Each cabin boasts a private shower and head with a queen-size bed and a separate day bed. The cabins measure approximately 20sq.mts (225 sq.ft) each and have been finished with the highest quality furnishings.

Seven luxurious and spacious cabins, exquisite cuisine and attentive staff create the ultimate diving holiday. Damai II’s staterooms are equipped with queen or king sized beds, full bathrooms and showers and charging stations. The stern staterooms are over 400 sq.ft each and boast their own private deck with loungers and day beds.

The onboard menu offers gourmet Western cuisine and vegetarian and special dietary requirements will be accommodated. The Damai II staff is highly trained and dedicated to making your diving holiday the trip of a lifetime.

Diving aboard the Damai II offers a divemaster to diver ratio of 4 to 1, ensuring the best service underwater as well as onboard. MV Damai II has a large dive station with individual rinse tanks, a camera room with camera work stations and three large leisure decks for relaxing after your dive. 

COMBINE for the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

INDONEISA 01 - Mola Mola, Wakatobi & Bali

OCT 2023 – 14 DAYS – 9 GUESTS  

Be one of only 9 guests lucky enough to join Natalia on a journey into the heart of the Coral Triangle to explore the underwater riches of Indonesia’s marine mecca, Wakatobi. Aboard the luxury yacht MV Pelagian, embark on a cruise to the heart of the planet’s most bio-diverse marine environment. Home to some of the worlds’ most pristine reefs, with spectacular sea mounts, steep drop offs, pinnacles and shallow coral gardens, all covered in a myriad of colorful fish, soft and hard corals. Travel to the arts and cultural center of Bali, Ubud and explore the lush green rice paddies in the foothills of towering Mount Agung volcano; witness unique temples and vibrant markets all from our beautiful Balinese hotel on this extraordinary Indonesian adventure.

WILD EARTH LEADERS

PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas & Natalia Baechtold, WWDAS, Lembeh Resort & Adobe Stock