The Aurora liveaboard 13D12N excursion via Raja Ampat, Halmahera, and South Sulawesi is the best way for the ultimate explorer to go diving on the frontier. It connects three different and famous parts of the Coral Triangle into one amazing safari. This ambitious plan is for experienced divers who want to see a lot of different kinds of life, find rare species that only live in certain places, and have a deep sense of discovery away from the crowds. Starting at the underwater city of Raja Ampat, you’ll dive into the world’s most beautiful reefs, where schools of fish, mantas, and pristine corals create a stunning setting. The trip then takes you to the isolated and rough waters of Halmahera, a hidden jewel famed for its spectacular landscape, exciting currents, and amazing macro life. This is a raw and unique diving experience that very few people ever get to see.
The voyage ends in South Sulawesi, where world-class muck diving can be done in places like the famous Lembeh Strait, and the beautiful reef walls and pinnacles of Bunaken National Park may be seen. You can look for the ocean’s most elusive creatures, such the mimic octopus and the hairy frogfish, in this last phase. Then you can think about how different the journey has been. The Aurora liveaboard is the most important boat for this new route because it has the range, comfort, and experienced guiding needed to safely get to these far-off places. This 13-day trip is more than just a dive trip; it’s a full transect through the heart of marine biodiversity. It includes vibrant coral kingdoms, thrilling pelagic encounters, and miraculous muck, making it the best Indonesian liveaboard adventure for the true connoisseur.
More About Aurora LiveaboardDives: Approximately 33 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – 30 minimum logged dives.
Route: Sorong, Dampier Strait, Fam Islands, Misool, Pulau Pisang, Strait of Patintie, Goraici Islands, Tifore Island Lembeh Strait & Bitung.
Day 1: Sorong
Board Aurora in Sorong just a few hours away from Raja Ampat. After picking you up at the airport a refreshing welcome drink will be waiting for you on board. Time to know each other and prepare everything to start the adventure. Cruise towards Dampier Strait.
Day 2 to 3 : Dampier Strait & Fam Islands
During these days we will be in Dampier Strait and Fam Islands, which are located between Waigeo and the Bird’s Head Peninsula. Along with Misool, the most famous area for diving is Raja Ampat. All of the dive sites around the Dampier Strait and Fam Islands are known for a huge amount of schooling fish and Coral Gardens where you get to see reef sharks and wobbegong sharks among others. Some of the best manta dives are also located in the Dampier Strait. And of course, cannot forget the dive sites at some of the jetties in front of local villages, where the pillars are covered in soft corals and are home to small critters. Cruise overnight to Misool.
Day 4 to 5: Misool
Misool is the southernmost island in Raja Ampat and it is surrounded by several hundred small islands and rocks. Some of the most beautiful soft coral reefs in the world are
located here. Many of the dive sites around Misool are just as fishy as the ones in the Dampier Strait, with some schools of barracudas, batfish, snappers, and fusiliers. Not only that, Misool is also a great macro destination. Known as the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse. Cruise overnight to Pulau Pisang.
Day 6: Pulau Pisang
These two islands and two small rocks between Misool and Halmahera are the perfect spot to spend the day diving in sloping reefs full of soft and hard coral bommies. When
the currents are running, the dive sites can be very fishy, and possible to see dogtooth tunas passing by. Cruise overnight to the Strait of Patintie.
Day 7 to 8: Strait of Patintie
We will spend the next two days in the south of Halmahera. Here, two large pinnacles break the surface and are excellent dive sites due to the amount of schooling fish as
well as the healthy state of the soft corals. Strong currents here will dictate when you will dive. We will cruise overnight to the Goraici Islands.
Day 9: Goraici Islands
Located on the west coast of Halmahera. The Goraici Islands have beautiful white sandy beaches with small villages, amazing reefs, and pinnacles. Colorful soft coral in the
deeper parts and hard coral gardens in the shallows. Overnight Cruise to Tifore Island.
Day 10: Tifore Island
Pulau Tifore is a small island between Halmahera and Lembeh with a submerged reef, where the main attraction is definitely the schooling barracudas. Cruise overnight to
Lembeh.
Day 11 to 12: Lembeh Strait
Time for some 5-start muck diving in Lembeh Strait renowned to be one of the favorite places for this particular kind of diving where finding hidden critters around the sandy bottoms will become the ultimate goal of this gorgeous and complete adventure.
Day 13: Bitung
Unfortunately is the last day of this incredible adventure and is time to Disembark after a good breakfast and a lot of hugs. Hope to see you again soon!
Day 1 Bitung
Board in Bitung. After picking you up at the airport a refreshing welcome drink will be waiting for you on board. Time to know each other and prepare everything to start the adventure.
Day 2 – 3 Lembeh Strait
Time for some 5-start muck diving in Lembeh Strait renowned to be one of the favorite places for this particular kind of diving where finding hidden critters around the sandy bottoms will become the ultimate goal of this gorgeous and complete adventure.
Day 4 Tifore Island
Pulau Tifore is a small island between Halmahera and Lembeh with a submerged reef, where the main attraction is definitely the schooling barracudas. Cruise overnight to Lembeh.
Day 5 Goraici Islands
Located on the west coast of Halmahera. The Goraici Islands have beautiful white sandy beaches with small villages, amazing reefs, and pinnacles. Colorful soft coral in the deeper parts and hard coral gardens in the shallows. Overnight Cruise to Tifore Island.
Day 6-7 Strait of Patintie
We will spend the next two days in the south of Halmahera. Here, two large pinnacles break the surface and are excellent dive sites due to the amount of schooling fish as well as the healthy state of the soft corals. Strong currents here will dictate when you will dive. We will cruise overnight to the Goraici Islands.
Day 8 Pulau Pisang
These two islands and two small rocks between Misool and Halmahera are the perfect spots to spend the day diving in sloping reefs full of soft and hard corals bommies. When the currents are running, the dive sites can be very fishy, and possible to see dogtooth tunas passing by. Cruise overnight to the Strait of Patintie.
Day 9-10 Misool
Misool is the southernmost island in Raja Ampat and it is surrounded by several hundred small islands and rocks. Some of the most beautiful soft coral reefs in the world are located here. Many of the dive sites around Misool are just as fishy as the ones in the Dampier Strait, with some schools of barracudas, batfish, snappers, and fusiliers. But not only that, but Misool is also a great macro destination. Known as the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse. Cruise overnight to Pulau Pisang.
Day 11 – 12 Dampier Strait & Fam Islands
During these days we will be in Dampier Strait and Fam Islands, which are located between Waigeo and the Bird’s Head Peninsula. Along with Misool, the most famous area for diving in Raja Ampat.
All of the dive sites around the Dampier Strait and Fam Islands are known for a huge amount of schooling fish and Coral Gardens where you get to see reef sharks and wobbegong sharks among others. Some of the best manta dives are also located in the Dampier Strait. And of course, cannot forget the dive sites at some of the jetties in front of local villages, where the pillars are covered in soft corals and are home to small critters. Cruise overnight to Misool.
Day 13 Sorong
Unfortunately is the last day of this incredible adventure and is time to Disembark after a good breakfast and a lot of hugs. Hope to see you again soon!
Included: VAT, National Park Fees, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Beach BBQ, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Kayaks, Land Excursions, Snorkeling Guide, Stand Up Paddleboard, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.
Required Extras: Gratuities (15 USD per day), Port Fees (200-250 USD per trip).
Optional Extras: Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages (3-45 USD per item), Nitrox, Nitrox Course (190 USD), Private Dive Guide (65 USD per day), Rental Gear (25 USD per day), Scuba Diving Courses (360-400 USD), Snorkel Gear (10 USD per day), Laundry / Pressing Services.
Bitung, Lembeh Strait, Halmahera, Raja Ampat
25 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives
Manokwari
25 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
24 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat Central
15 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Lembeh
33 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat, Banda Islands
33 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
Ambon, Banda Sea
24 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives
Triton Bay, Raja Ampat
33 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
Ambon, Banda Island, Triton Bay
33 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
Bitung, Lembeh Strait, Halmahera, Raja Ampat
25 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives
Manokwari
25 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat indimenticabile
Eravamo già stati a Raja Ampat, ma farlo a bordo dell’Aurora è un’esperienza top. Le camere sono spaziose e confortevoli. Il personale è attento alle esigenze degli ospiti e ogni piccolo dettaglio contribuisce a ‘coccolare’ il cliente (ad esempio, la bibita fresca e l’asciugamano sempre pulito e asciutto al rientro da ogni immersione). Ci siamo sentiti sempre a nostro agio, godendo a pieno della vacanza. Tutto funziona perfettamente grazie all’ottima direzione del cruise manager, che ha sa trasferire al personale l’attenzione necessaria. Sicuramente la consigliamo e speriamo di tornarci!
