Raja Ampat

The huge area of Raja Ampat represents a big marine reserve, that stretches out to the north (Waigeo and neighbouring island) and to the south-west (Misool). The whole region is a labyrinth of straits between small sandstone islands, eroded by the waves. The dry season is between September to March, however rain falls are to be expected throughout the whole year.

Routes and dates
Two routes: North and South, departing from and returning to Sorong.

Raja Ampat North: Sorong - Jef Fam - Kawe - Wajak - Coquille Uranie - Sei Pele - Wafak - Mansouthar - Kri - Sorong.

Raja Ampat South: Sorong - Farondi - Misool - Fiabajet - Jef Fam - Mansouthar - Kri - Sorong

Notes

North Maluku

Halmahera, in the northern Moluccas (Maluku), is one of the new frontiers for scuba diving, hiding unexplored depths and breathtaking walls. Link and barrier between the two poles of bioiversity, Sulawesi and Papua, the currents of the Moluccas Sea shape a unique biological community.

Route: from Sorong to Bitung: Sorong - Kofiau - Bacar - Mandioli - Goraici - Lembeh - Bitung

North Sulawesi

Starting from the renowned strait of Lembeh, true macrophotography heaven, the route explores the lesser known parts of Sulawesi, including the Sangihe-Talaud archipelago where underwater underwater volcanos give rise to unique underwater terrain.  Here it is possible to observe the different stages of colonisation on the lava boulders along an important boundary area separating the Celebes and Moluccas seas.

Route: from Bitung to Bitung: Lembeh - Bangka - Talise - Biaro - Ruang - Siau - Krakitang - Sangir - back to Bitung

East Sulawesi

An exploration of the Togian islands, Banggai & Tukang Besi (Wakatobi)

This long exploration of Sulawesi's east coast leads first to the Togian Islands, to the wild and unknown Banggai islands, and to the lush archipelago of Tukang Besi in the deep south.

Great variety of marine environments are formed by islands that alternate from volcanic lava blocks to white coral cays as we follow the currents from north to south, giving rise to great species diffusion. We will especially looking for the pygmy seahorses which, although common in all Indonesia, reach their peak of diversity in Sulawesi.

Komodo

A journey leading us through two oceans: they separate here and are united at the same time. A current crosses constantly the whole of Indonesia, that flows from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean (due to the trade winds, the oceans have a different sea water level of about 2 inches). The water of the Pacific Ocean mixes with the colder water of the Indian Ocean only south of the Lesser Sunda Islands. This is why we find the typical fauna of the Pacific Ocean on the northern side and between the islands.

Komodo and the nearest islands (The Lesser Sundas - Sumbawa, Sangeang, Rinca), are the last filter that the Pacific Ocean waters encounter before mixing with the Indian Ocean, the only place in the world where two major oceans meet at an archipelago of islands fringed by coral reefs.

It is also a place where waters of different temperatures collide as the warmer water from the Pacific flows into the Indian Ocean, 2 inches lower down.  The marine biodiversity here is extraordinary, featuring species from both sides.

Notes

Banda Sea

The Spice Islands, famous for their cloves, nutmeg and stories about Buginese pirates, offers diving encounters of extraordinary diversity.  Within the intense blue of the Banda Sea, steep pinnacles raise from the ocean floor creating islands that harbour emerald-green lagoons filled with sand produced by the erosion of corals (coral cays) colonised by a rich vegetation.

The distinctive feature is the crowding marine life found around the pinnacles rising almost vertically from abyssal depths: Gunung Api, Lucipara, Bandaneira are all coral formations decorating the top of volcanoes. Each one has its own features and phenomena, like the extraordinary crowd of sea snakes.

The timing of our trips is also designed to coincide with the cetacean migration season when whiter sightings are common.

Period: October

Route: Maumere to Ambon: Maumere - Komba - Reong - Wetar - Gunung Api - Lucipara - Banda Neira - Ambon.T

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