Raja Ampat To Lembeh Strait 12 Nights
(Ambon - SORONG)
Come and discover the fabulous reefs of Raja Ampat and Halmahera, offering one of the most extraordinary diversity of fish and invertebrate species in the world.
12 nights itinerary, going through Sorong, Dampier Strait, Fam Islands, Misool, Pulau Pisang,
Strait of Patintie, Goraici Islands, Tifore Island Lembeh Strait & Bitung.
Route is subject to weather conditions and can be modified.
Best period : From March to June
Program
Day 1: Sorong
Board Aurora in Sorong just few hours away from Raja Ampat. After pick you up in 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, that 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 between 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. But 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 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 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. Colourful 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 favourite places for this particular kind of diving where find 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 !
Itinerary
Practical info
PRICES INCLUDE
- Pick up and drop off (before and after the cruise) from the nearest airport to Aurora
- Accommodation in a double-bed or twin-bed cabin with en-suite bathroom, toilet and AC
- Meals and all soft drinks on board (excluding beer, spirits, wine, espresso coffee)
- 25 to 30 dives (inluding night dives), according to weather conditions and flights schedule
- 12L Tank, belt, weights and diving guide
- Nitrox. As a service offered by Dune, Nitrox can’t be subject to any complaint or refund in case of a possible failure or malfunctioning of the compressor
- Multilingual guides on board (French, English, Indonesian)
- Land excursions, according to the diving cruise itinerary.
*Surcharges: Dune Aurora Liveaboard reserve the right to apply an appropriate surcharge to its prices should economic changes (such as exchange rates, fuel prices, etc) make a material difference to its pricing structure. – A minimum of 14 days’ notice will be given before such a surcharge becomes effective. – No surcharge will be applied within 28 days of departure. – If the surcharge results in an increase of 10% or more to the price of the liveaboard, dive package/dive course, then cancellation with a full refund will be allowed. Notification of the intention to cancel must be made in writing within 14 days of the notification or the surcharge.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE
- Scuba diving courses
- Rental diving equipment
- Dive insurance (mandatory – possibility to buy on board)
- 15L tanks
- Extra excursion requested
- Beer, wine and spirits, Expresso coffee
- Souvenirs, laundry, use of satellite phone
- Tips on board (for crew): 15 USD minimum / person / day – to be paid in cash
- Port fee: 150$ per trip per person