MSY Seahorse: Halmahera and Raja Ampat, 11 nights, Sorong to Ternate

This 12 days / 11 nights cruise is a fantastic combo of Raja Ampat and Halmahera. Starting with the famous Misool in the south part of Raja Ampat national parc, we then cross to the west toward the south of Halmahera.

Our Adventure will begin in Sorong where you are awaited on our vessel before 12 noon, and will end up in Ternate where you can disembark no later than 12 noon. We organize your pick up and drop off in the morning at the airport or at your hotel.

THE DIVING

Misool: The abundance of sea life, both fixed fauna such as corals and gorgonians along the lush reef, as well as the stunning quantity and diversity of fish swimming above is just astonishing. The dive sites’ underwater topographies are also varied and interesting, filled with dramatic pinnacles, long ridges, walls, hidden caves, rock formations, azure lagoons and much more.

The fauna ranges from the tiny Pygmy Seahorse to the oceanic manta ray. Raja Ampat’s signature are the huge schools of fish: clouds of fusiliers that attract predators like tunas and trevallies, barracudas, schools of the inquisitive spadefish, schools of sweetlips, groups of bumphead parrotfish, napoleon wrasses, etc.

Reef sharks are very much present on the reefs; the carpet shark or Wobegon is ubiquitous, laying on a coral or under a rock behind a cloud of glass-fish. The walking shark (Epaulette shark) can often be seen during night dives. Mantas are often seen on three different dive sites.

Halmahera: Many of the dive sites are sea mounts with a rocky substrate and plenty of large soft coral covered boomies in all different colors. The fish life is intense: as Halmahera signature, black tip sharks are seen patrolling around on most of the dive sites.

Tunas, Spanish mackerel, giant trevallies and other pelagic fish are part of the show. Napoleon wrasses, bump- head parrotfish, groupers, schools of surgeon and spadefish are also well represented.

Other type of dive site includes great critters dives and beautiful fringing reefs.

SNORKELING

Our trips are open to snorkelers. Most of the div sites offer great snorkeling opportunities with a lot to see in shallow water. We offer specific guidance for snorkelers.

ACTIVITIES

Besides the diving, we offer some activities along the trip according to weather conditions and the final trip itinerary.

In Misool, we will visit the ranger’s station and snorkel in front of their beach in a natural shark nursery where small black tips are swimming around in one meter of crystal-clear water. A short trek to the view point of the “love lagoon” (a lagoon in the shape of a hearth!) will be proposed.

You can also ask a boatman to bring you a shore at any time, as long as the schedule allows it. Our complementary kayaks are also available to go on shore or in the lagoons whenever the boat is anchored. All these activities are subject to weather conditions as well as the planned daily schedule and itinerary.

VISIBILITY

Misool: water is dense with life and visibility can be limited. Typically, the range is 10-20 meters. It can vary from one dive to another.

Halmahera: Generally, very good with a blue clear water, it can be reduced in case of heavy rainfalls.

TEMPERATURE

The water temperature is between 27° and 30°C (80°-84°C).

CURRENTS

Some of the dives can have consistent currents. However, Wallacea Dive Cruises has a long experience diving these sites and we pay close attention to diving in the right places at the right time, to avoid difficult or dangerous currents.

Before each dive, our guides conduct current checks so that our briefings will always inform you about the up-to-the-minute diving conditions. If the currents are too strong on a site; we wait or shift to an alternative dive site.

ITINERARY & NAVIGATION

We spend the first four days in Misool in the south of Raja Ampat National Park. Misool is excellent for taking wide angle shots, encounters with mantas, and massive schools of fish. The under- water topography is predominantly rocky with ridges and rock formations. The colorful reefs display an abundance of soft corals and huge gorgonians. Macro subjects are plenty as well: pygmy seahorses, tiny crabs, nudibranchs, and other rare photogenic life are everywhere.

After a night navigation we stop at Pulau Pisang in the Maluku Sea on our way to Halmahera. Great dive sites with a mix of ridges, slopes, small walls and plateau with plenty of fishes and colorful coral reefs.

After another night navigation, we reach the west part of Halmahera and continue further north to the Patienti strait between Halmahera and Bacan island. The 2 islands of Saleh and Kusu plus some other smaller ones partially close the strait, forcing the water between the islands with currents bringing a lot of life.

we will then dive for 2 days in the area of Goraichi islands. Sea-mounts and rocky islets form the dive sites, attracting a great marine life.

Our last dive will be near Tidore and Ternate islands.

Check in from 6 am to 12 noon. SEAHORSE crew are standing by to Welcome you onboard. Cabin allocation and ship orientation, safety Briefing and crew Introduction will take place before departing.

*Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforseeable factors

Check out from 6 am to 12 noon. Group photos with the crew before farewell. Disembarkation after breakfast. Transfer to airport or hotel.