Jelajahi Laut

Arrival & First Dives in Lembeh • We will organise a taxi to collect you from either Manado Airport (MDC) or your hotel to take you to the meeting point. • We then transfer you to Jelajahi Laut. • We’ll give you our welcome briefing and a tour around the boat, then you’ll get ready to enjoy your first check dive to get acquainted with the gear and the local conditions, where you’ll enjoy your first check dive in the famous Lembeh Strait. • Possible Dive Sites: Start with a classic muck dive at a site like Hairball or Jahir to immediately immerse yourself in the world of unique critters like frogfish and flamboyant cuttlefish. Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.

Days 2-3: Lembeh Strait - The Muck Diving Mecca • Dedicate two full days to exploring the diverse muck diving sites of Lembeh. This allows for a comprehensive search for the area's many bizarre and beautiful critters. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nudi Falls: A sloping reef with a wide variety of nudibranchs. o Police Pier: An excellent spot for night diving to find snake eels and other nocturnal creatures. o Tanjung Kusu: Famous for its pipefish and seahorses. o Mawali Wreck: A Japanese WWII wreck, providing a break from the sand and a habitat for schools of fish.

Day 4-5: Gorontalo - Walls and Whale Sharks • Jelajahi Laut will make her way to the Gorontalo region. This area is famous for its vertical walls and the potential for big animal encounters. • Possible Dive Sites: o Olimbui Wall: A deep wall covered in giant sponges and schools of fusiliers. o Whale Shark Spot: Gorontalo is one of the few places where you might encounter resident whale sharks.

Days 6-10: Togian Islands - The Heart of Tomini Bay • We will continue south into the calm, sheltered waters of the Togian Islands. This area offers some of the healthiest reefs in the region. • Possible Dive Sites: o Una Una: An active volcanic island with massive sponges and huge schools of barracudas at sites like Apollo and Fishomania. o B24 Bomber Wreck: A well-preserved WWII bomber that rests in shallow water, creating a unique habitat for marine life. o Batu Gila: A famous seamount known for its high fish activity and a chance to see reef sharks. o Jellyfish Lake: A topside excursion to a unique, land-locked lake where you can snorkel with thousands of non-stinging jellyfish.

Days 11-12: Luwuk Area & Final Dives • Arrive in the Luwuk region, preparing for the final dives of the trip. The diving here is remote and offers a glimpse into the less-travelled parts of the Banggai Archipelago. • Possible Dive Sites: Explore local reefs and pinnacles around the Luwuk area, with a final farewell dive. The specific sites will depend on the day's conditions, but you can expect a mix of colourful reefs and potential macro life.

Please note: Before booking your return flight, our last dive will be on the final day of the trip, and we will arrive back at Luwuk Harbour around 3-4pm – please observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, we will organise a transfer for you to take you to your hotel, you’ll need to get your return flight from Luwuk Airport (LUW).

Arrival in Luwuk & Embarkation • We will organise a taxi to collect you from either Luwuk Airport (LUW) or your hotel to take you to the meeting point. • We then transfer you to Jelajahi Laut. • We’ll give you our welcome briefing and a tour around the boat, then you’ll get ready to enjoy your first check dive to get acquainted with the gear and the local conditions, where you’ll enjoy your first check dive in the Banggai Archipelago. Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.

Days 2-3: Banggai Archipelago & Tompotika Region • The first dives of the trip will be in the remote and stunning Banggai Archipelago. This area is known for its incredible biodiversity. • Possible Dive Sites: o Pulo Dua: A series of pinnacles and ridges with vibrant soft corals and fish-filled reefs. o Batu Gong: A pinnacle that breaks the surface, attracting schooling fish and offering great macro-opportunities. • The Tompotika Peninsula, near Luwuk, is a less-dived area with both excellent macro and reef sites.

Days 4-7: Togian Islands - The Heart of Tomini Bay • Jelajahi Laut will cruise north into the Gulf of Tomini to explore the Togian Islands. This area is known for its calm, clear waters and diverse coral ecosystems. • Possible Dive Sites: o Una Una: An active volcanic island with massive sponges and huge schools of barracudas at sites like Apollo and Fishomania. o Kadidiri: Dive the famous seamount Batu Gila (Crazy Stone), known for its high fish activity and a chance to see reef sharks. o B24 Bomber Wreck: A well-preserved WWII bomber that rests in shallow water, creating a unique habitat for marine life.

Days 8-9: Gorontalo - Dramatic Walls and Whale Sharks • We’ll continue our journey north to Gorontalo. This region is famous for its vertical walls and unusual marine life. • Possible Dive Sites: o Gorontalo Walls: Dive along dramatic vertical walls adorned with unique, swirling soft corals and large sponges. o Whale Shark Spot: Gorontalo is one of the few places where you might encounter resident whale sharks.

Days 10-12: Crossing to Lembeh & The First Muck Dives • Jelajai Laut will complete her final leg of the journey toward North Sulawesi. Your first dives in this region will be a mix of reef and muck. • Possible Dive Sites: o Lembeh Strait: Upon arrival, you'll be introduced to the black sand slopes with a dive at a site like Hairball or Nudi Falls, where you'll find frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and various nudibranchs.

Please note: Before booking your return flight, our last dive will be on the final day of the trip, and we will arrive back at Bitung Harbour around 3-4pm – please observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, we will organise a transfer for you to take you to your hotel, you’ll need to get your return flight from Manado Airport (MDC).

Arrival & First Dives in Lembeh • We will organise a taxi to collect you from either Manado Airport (MDC) or your hotel to take you to the meeting point. • We then transfer you to Jelajahi Laut. • We’ll give you our welcome briefing and a tour around the boat, then you’ll get ready to enjoy your first check dive to get acquainted with the gear and the local conditions, where you’ll enjoy your first check dive in the famous Lembeh Strait. • Possible Dive Sites: Start with a classic muck dive at a site like Hairball or Jahir to immediately immerse yourself in the world of unique critters like frogfish and flamboyant cuttlefish. Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.

Days 2-3: Lembeh Strait - The Muck Diving Mecca • Dedicate two full days to exploring the diverse muck diving sites of Lembeh. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nudibranch City: A site dedicated to a wide variety of nudibranchs and other small invertebrates. o Police Pier: An excellent spot for night diving to find snake eels and other nocturnal creatures. o Tanjung Kusu: Famous for its pipefish and seahorses. o Mawali Wreck: A Japanese WWII wreck, providing a break from the sand and a habitat for schools of fish.

Day 4-5: Bangka Island - Colorful Coral Gardens • The vessel will cruise south to Bangka Island, which lies between Lembeh and Bunaken. This area is famous for its vibrant soft corals and clear water. • Possible Dive Sites: o Lihaga Island: Known for its beautiful sandy beaches and healthy reefs. o Tanjung Arus: A sloping reef with a wide variety of corals and schooling reef fish.

Days 6-7: Bunaken Marine Park - Wall Diving Mecca • The boat will make a short journey to the world-renowned Bunaken Marine Park. • Possible Dive Sites: o Lekuan I, II, or III: A series of famous wall dives with incredible visibility, huge sponges, and numerous sea turtles. o Fukui: A sloped reef known for its large schools of bannerfish and a chance to see eagle rays. o Mandarin City: A perfect spot for a dusk dive to watch the mesmerizing mating dance of the mandarin fish.

Days 8-10: Crossing the Halmahera Sea • Jelajahi Laut will begin her final leg of the journey, crossing the Halmahera Sea toward Ternate. This is a vast and remote area with a mix of dive environments. • Possible Dive Sites: o Goraici Islands: Located on the west coast of Halmahera, offering sloping reefs and beautiful coral coverage. o Pulau Tifore: A small island with a submerged reef, where the main attraction is often schooling barracudas. o Pulau Pisang: Another remote island with sloping reefs and a lot of schooling fish.

Days 11-12: Last Days of Diving • Arrive in the waters around Ternate and the neighbouring island of Tidore. This region offers a mix of volcanic landscapes and vibrant underwater ecosystems. • Possible Dive Sites: Explore the reefs around Ternate, with a final farewell dive. The specific sites will depend on the day's conditions, but you can expect a mix of colourful reefs and potential macro life.

Please note: Before booking your return flight, our last dive will be on the final day of the trip, and we will arrive back at Ternate Harbour around 3-4pm – please observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, we will organise a transfer for you to take you to your hotel, you’ll need to get your return flight from Ternate Airport (TTE).

Arrival & First Dives near Ternate • We will organise a taxi to collect you from either Ternate Airport (TTE) or your hotel to take you to the meeting point. • We then transfer you to Jelajahi Laut. • We’ll give you our welcome briefing and a tour around the boat, then you’ll get ready to enjoy your first check dive to get acquainted with the gear and the local conditions. • Possible Dive Sites: Start with a site near Ternate that offers a mix of soft corals and a chance to spot macro life on the volcanic sand. Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.

Days 2-4: Central Halmahera - The Strait & Patintie Area • Jelajahi Laut will cruise south to the central part of Halmahera, a region known for its healthy reefs and strong currents that bring in schooling fish. • Possible Dive Sites: o Pulau Tifore: A small island with a submerged reef known for its schooling barracudas, bigeye trevally, and pristine hard corals. o Patintie Strait: A narrow passage with exhilarating drift dives, where you can encounter reef sharks, tunas, and manta rays. o Goraici Islands: A group of islands with diverse dive sites, including submerged pinnacles and sloping reefs teeming with life.

Days 5-6: Focus on the Goraici Islands & Morotai • Instead of moving further south, we’ll dedicate these days to a more in-depth exploration of the northern section of Halmahera, including the Goraici Islands and potentially some sites near Morotai. • Possible Dive Sites: o Goraici Wall: A beautiful wall dive with large fans and sponges. o Morotai Wrecks: Explore some of the WWII wrecks in the area, offering a historical perspective and a unique habitat for marine life. o Morotai Reefs: Dive on the reefs around Morotai, which are known for their great visibility and abundant fish life.

Days 7-8: Last Days of Diving • Jelajahi Laut will return to the Ternate area for your final day of diving. This is a chance to revisit some of the area's highlights or explore new sites. • Possible Dive Sites: o Ternate Wall: A beautiful wall dive adorned with sponges and soft corals. o Jikomalamo: A well-known site with schooling fusiliers and a picturesque beach.

Please note: Before booking your return flight, our last dive will be on the final day of the trip, and we will arrive back at Ternate Harbour around 3-4pm – please observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, we will organise a transfer for you to take you to your hotel, you’ll need to get your return flight from Ternate Airport (TTE).

Arrival & First Dives near Ternate • We will organise a taxi to collect you from either Ternate Airport (TTE) or your hotel to take you to the meeting point. • We then transfer you to Jelajahi Laut. • We’ll give you our welcome briefing and a tour around the boat, then you’ll get ready to enjoy your first check dive to get acquainted with the gear and the local conditions. • Possible Dive Sites: We might begin at a site like Jikomalamo, an iconic spot with schooling mackerel, or one of the local wrecks, to kick off your adventure. Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.

Days 2-4: Central Halmahera - The Strait & Patintie Area • Jelajahi Laut will cruise south into the Halmahera Sea. This region is known for its healthy reefs and strong currents. • Possible Dive Sites: o Patintie Strait: Experience exhilarating drift dives in this narrow passage, with a chance to encounter reef sharks, tunas, and manta rays. o Pulau Tifore: A submerged reef famous for its schooling barracudas and pristine hard corals. o Goraici Islands: A group of islands with diverse dive sites, including submerged pinnacles and sloping reefs teeming with life.

Days 5-7: Banda Sea - The Pelagic Highway • Jelajahi Laut will make her long journey across the deep waters of the Banda Sea, which is part of the "Ring of Fire." This is where you'll look for big animal action. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nil Desperandum & Serua: These are remote seamounts and pinnacles in the middle of the sea. They are famous as seasonal hotspots for schools of scalloped and great hammerhead sharks, so if we’re lucky we have a chance to see them. o Manuk Island: An active volcanic island known for its large population of sea snakes. You can often see them swimming around the reef. o Nusa Laut: An island known for its beautiful walls and rich marine life, with excellent visibility.

Days 8-11: Banda Islands - History & Diving • We’ll arrive at the historic Banda Islands, the heart of the original spice trade. Here, you'll find a blend of stunning diving and topside cultural experiences. • Possible Dive Sites: o Gunung Api: Dive on the slopes of an active volcanic island, where you'll see a unique combination of black sand and vibrant reefs that have rapidly regrown after an eruption. o Pulai Ai: Known for its spectacular walls and pristine coral gardens. o Sjahrir (Snelgroen): A site with an incredible density of schooling fish, including fusiliers, snappers, and trevally. • Topside Excursion: A tour on Banda Neira to visit historic site Fort Belgica, the nutmeg plantations, and the old colonial town.

Day 12-14: Ambon Bay - Muck Diving & Last Dives • The final leg of the journey takes us into Ambon Bay, a world-class destination for macro photography. • Possible Dive Sites: o Laha: A series of sites (Laha I, II, and III) that are famous for their unique critters, including the psychedelic frogfish, mimic octopus, and a wide variety of nudibranchs. o Rhino City: Named for the rare rhinopias scorpionfish that are often found here. o Pintu Kota: A scenic dive site outside the bay with a natural rock arch, offering both great reef diving and macro life.

Please note: Before booking your return flight, our last dive will be on the final day of the trip, and we will arrive back at Ambon Harbour around 3-4pm – please observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, we will organise a transfer for you to take you to your hotel, you’ll need to get your return flight from Ambon Airport (AMQ).

07:30 Meet at Mikumba Diving Dive Centre in Labuan Bajo We aim to do 3 of the best sites in central Komodo like Siaba Besar, Batu Bolong and Manta Point. Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.

Day 2 – 5 Komodo Central and North We will visit Rinca to see the Komodo Dragons and some more dives in central Komodo before heading up to north Komodo. In the north we will be diving sites like Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, The Cauldron and Lighthouse.

We will head from north Komodo over to Banta island for some dives there and BBQ on the beach.

Sangeang Volcano We plan 3 dives around the volcano critter hunting including the famous Bubble Reef.

Pulau Moyo has some amazing diving and we can also visit a local village and waterfall.

Sumbawa, Saleh Bay Whalesharks!!

Arrival at the pier early in the morning to prepare for a morning or afternoon flight departure. The Itinerary of the trip and dive sites can change due to certain circumstances. Weather and tides play a big role in safety and planning, which is why the Cruise Director and Captain plan every day accordingly. Unfortunately our trip has come to an end and we have to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again soon!

DAY 1 Our meeting point is at the Misool Filling Station at 7:30am, just opposite the airport, where we’ll have a coffee or tea and wait for all our guests to arrive. We’ll then get cars to the harbour, where the ferry will depart from Sorong to Waisai, which takes us around 2 hours. Once we’ve arrived in Waisai, the Cruise Director will purchase the Raja Ampat Marine Park tickets and we’ll be ready to be welcomed aboard Jelajahi Laut by the Captain and Crew. While enjoying a fresh juice or coconut, we’ll hold a welcome briefing, followed by a general safety briefing and explanation of the boat, and all crew and guests will introduce themselves, so everyone starts to get to know each other. You’ll then put your belongings in your cabin, and we’ll set up the diving area, followed by a light lunch and soon after, at around 3pm we’ll head for our check dive outside the harbour, on the slopes of Mioskon Island. The rest of the afternoon will be spent on the boat, and we’ll have plenty of time to really get to know our fellow travellers and enjoy a beautiful sunset, while the captain navigates to the northern parts of Kri Island.

Today it’s an early wake up, with fresh brewed coffee or a cup of tea for the first dive briefing of the day while the crew is busy in the diving area making sure everything is ready before we gear up. We’re going for the first dive of the day at Cape Kri. – named as the most biodiverse dive site in the world with over 300 different fish species counted on a single dive! This will then be followed by Yenbubba Jetty and Sawandarek Village which are close by – you’ll already fall in love with the beauty Raja Ampat has to offer. The 3-hour sunset cruise after our dives will bring us over to the Fam Islands and with some luck, Dolphins will escort the boat and show us the route.

The group of Islands that lay in front of us, are in the western part of Raja Ampat. We’re going to dive on My Reef for some current action and Sharks then have breakfast and afterward, we’ll enjoy Melissa’s Garden. This is a reef that lies in between 3 Rocks with amazing slopes and one of the biggest Staghorn Coral fields that you will ever find in your diving history. After 2 dives we will pack some water and beers and get ready for a little land excursion. The Geosite with Piaynemo Viewpoint is something spectacular and calls for lots of pictures and drone shots. When we’re back on the boat a little snack awaits us and the captain will set direction towards the South of Raja Ampat, the Misool Area.

Day 4 to 7 Dive sites here in Misool and the Misool Eco Reserve lay in a labyrinth of little Islands and are spread out over a massive area. The plan is, to spend the next few days cruising and diving the North, East, South and West of Misool and only dive the best. The whole area hosts some of the most beautiful soft coral gardens we can dream of., with some slopes, walls, a little cave, submerged reefs, and pinnacles are waiting for us to explore them. Pigmy Seahorses, vibrant colored Nudibranchs, Octopuses, Sharks and Manta Rays can be found here, just never forget to have one eye on the reef and one in the blue – we can guarantee you don’t want to miss out on anything passing by.

We cruised through the night and arrived in Madorang - a small island east of Mainland Maluku. We’ll do an exploratory dive here and then move 2 hours south to enjoy the depths of Pulau Koon, a steep drop-off wall, with pelagics cruising next to us and endless Coral Bommies - something that will never disappoint us. Depending on the forecast, we’ll either do a third dive, or head off to our next destination, the weather can change quickly here, so we always keep an eye on the tide tables and use our Satellite connected devices for unexpected changes.

Gunung Api, the volcano, and Banda Neira with its little islands await us in the morning. Laying in the middle of literally nowhere, this area was once a destination for many sailing adventures in search of nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices. The dives are amazing, the landscape breathtaking and the people living here heartwarming. We’ll be diving the East of the island group for the day, before heading into harbour for a special sunset/night dive in search of mating Mandarin Fish.

Today it’s time to explore some land! After a big breakfast, we’ll let the crew have a little break, while they also take care of restocking the boat with fuel for both the engines and us. Fresh food, drinks and everything else needed for the next part of the cruise will be loaded up while we’re on dry land – you might feel a little weird for the first few minutes, with nothing rocking and moving anymore, but don’t worry, you’ll recover quickly! Old Forts, a Museum and the Market are to be explored on foot and the tasty sweets offered all over the place are to fill our bellies. The afternoon is everyone’s choice of what they would like to do, before we meet up in the evening for dinner in a small local restaurant and maybe have a drink or two.

Day 11 and 12 Around the Banda Islands, there is plenty to be explored, with Pulau Hatta, Ai, Run and Suanggi - these areas are also known to host some bigger pelagics which we’ll try to track down. With the information that we get from local patrols and fishermen, we’ll try to find Hammerhead Sharks and some of their friends - Whales are also often seen in this area, which would make a cool opportunity to grab snorkel gear and GoPros for some epic footage. The walls and slopes are covered with big Barrel Sponges, Gorgonian Fans and awesome corals - in old documentaries from the 60s, the Banda Sea was described to host more fish species than the whole of the Mediterranean Sea.

An overnight cruise has brought us further North, to the South side of the Malukus. Pulau Nusa Laut hosts some pretty reefs in the shallows and then drops down to 40 meters, the further we swim along, the drop increases to greater depths. Our third dive will be on the old, partially intact Pelni Jetty which became home to many smaller creatures that seek shelter from predators, Crabs, Shrimps, Frogfish and Leaf Scorpionfish climb up and down the concrete pillars and will hopefully strike a pose for your camera.

Cruising around the small islands, we find our way into Ambon Bay where we’ll be spending the next day and a half, and it will be all about Macro. There is an abundance of Frogfish, Candy Crabs, Seahorses, Fingerprint Shrimp, Ntuzuma Shrimp, Rhinopia - you name it, we can find it! Dive time here doesn’t exist anymore, it will depend on your air consumption - the dives are shallow, and the marine life is to be found everywhere, sometimes hiding, sometimes showing off. On the last day of the trip, we’ll do one last, long morning dive before we have to say goodbye and you go off to your hotels.

On the last day of the trip, we’ll do one last, long morning dive before we have to say goodbye and you go off to your hotels. Unfortunately, our trip has come to an end and we have to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again soon!

The meeting point is at the Misool Filling Station at 7:30am, just opposite the airport, where we’ll have a coffee or tea and wait for all our guests to arrive. We’ll then get cars to the harbour, where the ferry will depart from Sorong to Waisai, which takes us around 2 hours. Once you arrive in Waisai, the Cruise Director will purchase the Raja Ampat Marine Park tickets and you’ll be ready to be welcomed aboard Jelajahi Laut by the Captain and Crew. While enjoying a fresh juice or coconut, we’ll hold a welcome briefing, followed by a general safety briefing and explanation of the boat, and all crew and guests will introduce themselves, everyone starts to get to know each other. You’ll then put your belongings in your cabin, and we’ll set up the diving area, followed by a light lunch and soon after, at around 3pm we’ll head for our check dive outside the harbour, on the slopes of Mioskon Island. The rest of the afternoon will be spent on the boat, and we’ll have plenty of time to really get to know our fellow travellers and enjoy a beautiful sunset, while the captain navigates to the northern parts of Kri Island.

Today it’s an early wake up, with fresh brewed coffee or a cup of tea for the first dive briefing of the day while the crew is busy in the diving area making sure everything is ready before we gear up. For today's dives, we’ll be on the lookout for Manta Rays and sharks, in places called Dayan, Karang Bata or Bibis - it all depends on tides and conditions, no two trips are ever the same. It’s really important for us to tailor our trips to the expectations of our guests, so we try our best to find what you are looking for.

Behind us lays 3 hours of travelling, and we now find ourselves between the Fam island group – we’re sure you’ve heard of My Reef, Melissa’s Garden, Batu Rufus, Barracuda Rock and the viewpoint of Piaynemo. At these sites you can see hunting Giant Trevallies, Rainbow Runners, Pygmy Seahorses, Hairy Squat Lobsters, never ending Staghorn Coral fields and a wall that seems to go on forever. The climb to the viewpoint seems harder than it is, once we reached the top, you’ll be speechless and can soak in one of the most beautiful views you can imagine, over this little paradise. We’ll be in this area for 2 days, making perfectly timed jumps at these sites according to the tides, to make sure we get the best out of it and plenty of fish action.

After a late sailing, we’ll reach a bit further north in the marine park - Wofoh Island is a great way to start the day with a beautiful wall dive and shallow reef, where we’ll be hunting for macro and nudibranchs. Later we’ll head even further north, where we have a few different options for dives. One of our favourites is definitely Chanel no. 5, a combination of slope, wall and some overhangs and small caves. On this dive site the chances for Eagle Rays are really high, and the occasional family of dolphins have been spotted. For the afternoon there is the option to visit a traditional fishing village or another dive, before we go for one of the best night dives of Raja Ampat, on the jetty of the Pearl Farm, hidden inside a lagoon.

Today our day will be spent around the island of Kawe, where we’re going to jump at Eagle Rock first, then head to Black Rock and as our third dive, Eagle Rock again, but as the tides have changed, it’s a completely different dive site. We’re looking for Manta Rays, Sharks, Fusiliers, GTs, and bushes of Black Coral at these dive sites - depending on the moon, tides here can be strong, so we’ll plan the dives according to your preference! We do love some pumping current and big action, but we’ll let you decide which degree you’re comfortable with to enjoy the dive properly.

Today we’re going back to the Dampier strait, getting ready to dive some astonishing reefs once again. The abundance in Raja Ampat makes it easy to choose from a big variety of sites, depending on what you like. On the plan we have Cape Kri, Sardine Reef and Mike’s Point, but we can also jump on Chicken Reef, Blue Magic or LauLau which are all a short distance from each other. After our third dive, we’ll hop over to the Island where it all started, Mioskon, to enjoy some beers and a beach barbeque set up by our amazing Chef.

4.30 am wakeup seems hard, but it’s worth it. After tea and coffee and a small breakfast, our speedboats will take us over land, where we’ll go for a little hike up a hill in the jungle. With a bit of luck, the red Bird of Paradise can be spotted on top of the trees looking for a mating partner while “singing” above the trees. We’ll then get back on the boat for healthy breakfast, after which it’s time to gear up one last time and go for our last dive of the trip. It can be either Blue Magic to look for some more Oceanic Manta Rays and Grey Reef Sharks, or the reef of LauLau with its pinnacle. After the dive it’s time to wash all the gear, pack up, have a tasty lunch, and take some group pictures with all our crew before heading back to Sorong where we can meet up for dinner and go for some pool and karaoke afterwards. Unfortunately our trip has come to an end and we have to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again soon!

Our meeting point is at the Marina Star Café in Sorong Harbour at 7:30am, where we’ll have a coffee or tea and wait for all our guests to arrive. Once everyone is ready we’ll then get on our speedboats and board Jelajahi Laut. While enjoying a fresh juice or coconut, we’ll hold a welcome briefing, followed by a general safety briefing and explanation of the boat, and all crew and guests will introduce themselves, so everyone starts to get to know each other. You’ll then put your belongings in your cabin, and we’ll set up the diving area, followed by a light lunch and soon after, at around 3pm we’ll head for our check dive outside Waisai harbour, on the slopes of Mioskon Island. The rest of the afternoon will be spent on the boat where we’ll have plenty of time to really get to know our fellow travellers and enjoy a beautiful sunset, while the captain navigates to the south of the Raja Ampat Marine Park, to Misool.

Today it’s an early wake up, with fresh brewed coffee or a cup of tea for the first dive briefing of the day while the crew is busy in the diving area making sure everything is ready before we gear up. We’ll spend the day around the northern islands of Misool, where the dive sites lay in a labyrinth of small islands which are spread out everywhere. Beautiful walls and slopes await us, where we’ll be looking for Pygmy Seahorses and hunting Mobula Rays trying to snack on some sardines. Later in the afternoon, while having a snack, we’ll move the boat a bit further south, into the Misool Eco Reserve area where we’ll anchor up and shelter between the islands of Romeo and Yillet.

Day 3 to 7 In the Misool Eco Reserve area, we plan the dives accordingly with the schedules of other boats, to guarantee more protection of the reefs and to be able to have the dive site to ourselves. The Eco Reserve has some of the most colourful corals on the planet, with vibrant reefs full of life in every direction you look. You’ll need to check your remaining air supply often, you might lose track as your breathing rate rises because of all the beautiful sights here! Boo Window, Magic Mountain, Nudi Rock, 4 Kings, Puri Pinnacle, Tank Rock are just a few site not to be missed. We can encounter Oceanic and Reef Manta Rays, Blacktip, Whitetip and Grey Reef Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, hunting Giant Trevallies, Tunas, Eagle Rays – the list keeps on going. Make sure to follow your dive guide as he points out the little critters - here we can find up to 5 different types of Pygmy Seahorses, loads of different Nudibranchs, Crabs, Frogfish and Octopus. Cruising back to the northern parts of Misool, we might explore some underwater caverns and depending on the season, visit a lake full of stingless jellyfish - one of only a few worldwide!!

After a 13-hour crossing, we are now between islands of the Fam group where we can see endless Staghorn Coral fields at Melissa’s Garden, hunting grey reef sharks on My Reef, or the pinnacle of Batu Rufus looking for Fusiliers, Rainbow Runners and Barracuda. In the afternoon we’ll go for a little land adventure and climb the stairway to heaven - well actually to the viewpoint of Piaynemo! This is the most breath-taking view over the lagoon where sometimes we can see baby blacktips cruising around. Later, some like to enjoy a beer after the climb, some are excited for the night dive that evening, where we have the chance to find the famous Walking Shark along with some different types of Pipefish, Decorator Crabs, Bumblebee Shrimp and maybe a Wunderpus.

We are back in the Dampier straight today, and it’s all about action-packed dives again, as we jump in at Cape Kri, Sardine Reef and Mike’s Point. Endless corals, sometimes so full of fish it becomes hard to see your dive buddies – we’re looking for current and we’ll jump the split, right where the current gets divided by the reef and hang in there to watch the fish hunting for prey. In the afternoon, once we’re out of our wetsuits and have had a snack, the speedboats will take us a short hop over to the Island where it all started, Mioskon, to enjoy some beers and a beach barbeque set up by our amazing Chef.

4.30 am wakeup seems hard, but it’s worth it. After tea and coffee and a small breakfast, our speedboats will take us over land, where we’ll go for a little hike up a hill in the jungle. With a bit of luck, the red Bird of Paradise can be spotted on top of the trees looking for a mating partner while “singing” above the trees. We’ll then get back on the boat for healthy breakfast, after which it’s time to gear up one last time and go for our last dive of the trip. It can be either Blue Magic to look for some more Oceanic Manta Rays and Grey Reef Sharks, or the reef of LauLau with its pinnacle. After the dive it’s time to wash all the gear, pack up, have a tasty lunch, and take some group pictures with all our crew before heading back to Sorong where we can meet up for dinner and go for some pool and karaoke afterwards. Unfortunately our trip has come to an end and we have to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again soon!

Arrival & First Dives in Sorong/Dampier Strait • We will organise a taxi to collect you from Sorong Airport (SOQ) or your hotel, taking you to our meeting point, Marina Star Café in Sorong Harbour at 7:30am. • After a tea or coffee while we wait for all our guests, we’ll transfer you to Jelajahi Laut. • We’ll give you our welcome briefing and a tour around the boat, then you’ll get ready to enjoy your first check dive to get acquainted with the gear and the local conditions. • Possible Dive Sites: Begin in the Dampier Strait at a site like Mioskon, where you can witness vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.

Days 2-3: Central Raja Ampat - The Dampier Strait & Fam Islands • Your first dives will be in the famed Dampier Strait, known for its incredible fish density and strong currents. • Possible Dive Sites: o Cape Kri: Holds a record for the most fish species counted on a single dive. Expect barracudas, jacks, and various reef sharks. o Sardine Reef: Another fish-packed site, with schooling fusiliers, snappers, and mobula rays. o Manta Sandy: A dedicated manta ray cleaning station where you can observe these majestic creatures. • We'll also visit the stunning karst formations of the Fam Islands, with a trek to the iconic viewpoint at Piaynemo. • Possible Dive Sites: o Melissa’s Garden: A beautiful hard coral reef that resembles a sprawling underwater garden. o Keruo Channel: A sloping reef with excellent coral coverage and opportunities for pelagic sightings.

Days 4-7: Misool - The Southern Kingdom • Jelajahi Laut will cruise south to the Misool Marine Protected Area. This area is famous for its vibrant soft corals and dramatic underwater topography. • Possible Dive Sites: o Boo Windows: Named for the two swim-through holes in a small rock formation. Incredible biodiversity and a great site for wide-angle photography. o Magic Mountain: A submerged pinnacle that serves as a busy cleaning station for both reef and oceanic manta rays. It's also a nursery for white-tip reef sharks. o Nudi Rock: A small island shaped like a nudibranch, perfect for critter enthusiasts and macro photographers. Look for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and other small marine life. o Fiabacet: A series of pinnacles and ridges with phenomenal soft corals, huge schools of fish, and a chance to see wobbegong sharks. o Daram Island: Another Misool hotspot with impressive coral walls and submerged pinnacles teeming with life. • Topside Excursion: Visit the famous viewpoint to see the iconic limestone karst islands and jellyfish lake that Misool is known for.

Days 8-10: Crossing the Halmahera Sea • We’ll begin our crossing from Raja Ampat to Lembeh, a long distance that involves some overnight cruising. This portion of the trip is less dived and offers a mix of reef and muck diving. • Possible Dive Sites: o Pulau Pisang: Remote islands between Misool and Halmahera with sloping reefs full of both soft and hard corals. A great spot for schooling fish. o Strait of Patintie (Halmahera): This area is known for strong currents and amazing action, with a chance to see manta rays and other large pelagics. o Goraici Islands: A group of islands with diverse dive sites, including submerged pinnacles and pristine coral gardens. o Tifore Island: A small island with a submerged reef known for schooling barracudas and bigeye trevally.

Days 11-13: Lembeh Strait - The Muck Diving Mecca • Our final destination is the famous Lembeh Strait, where the focus shifts from reefs to the volcanic black sand bottoms. This is a haven for macro photographers and critter hunters. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nudibranch City: A site dedicated to a wide variety of nudibranchs and other small invertebrates. o Hairball: A classic muck dive site known for frogfish, scorpionfish, and the elusive mimic octopus. o Tanjung Kusu: A site with unique macro critters, including various species of ghost pipefish and seahorses. o Jahir: A black sand slope where you can find flamboyant cuttlefish, ribbon eels, and blue-ringed octopus. o Critter Hunt: Our guides are experts at finding the most unusual and well-camouflaged creatures.

Please note: Before booking your return flight, our last dive will be on the final day of the trip, and we will arrive back at Bitung Harbour around 3-4pm – please observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, we will organise a transfer for you to take you to your hotel, you’ll need to get your return flight from Manado Airport (MDC). Unfortunately our trip has come to an end and we have to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again soon!