Alor & Flores
Trip highlights: dolphins, dugongs/manatees, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Flores: Maumere Bay, Pulau Besar, Babi, Tanjung Gedong, Pomana; Adonara: Ipet, Lembata: Waihinga Bay, Lewaling Bay; Pantar: Rusa, Kambing, Marissa, Beangabang Bay; Pantar Strait, Alor: Pura, Buaya, Treweg, Ternate, Kumba, Kalabahi Bay. Traditional village visit.
Day 1
This immersive diving expedition commences right now. Your arrival at the vessel in Maumere marks the start of the adventure, where you receive a warm welcome aboard the impressive Dewi Nusantara. After settling into your private space and undergoing the mandatory safety orientation, take the necessary time to prepare your equipment. The first evening culminates in a delicious dinner, provided just before the yacht navigates through the dark toward the Alor and Flores region.
Core Days
The initial diving explores the varied ecosystems of Flores, starting in Maumere Bay. Dive sites around Pulau Besar, Babi, and Pomana offer a diverse mix of macro photography targets on volcanic slopes and vibrant coral gardens. Moving towards Adonara and Lembata, sites such as Waihinga Bay and Lewaling Bay feature healthy reefs and steep walls, often visited by large schools of reef fish.
The core of the diving focuses on the renowned Pantar Strait, where strong tidal currents flow between Lembata and Pantar Island. This creates exhilarating, high-energy conditions at sites like Rusa, Kambing, and Marissa. Scuba divers are frequently rewarded with sightings of large pelagic predators and vast aggregations of schooling fish over pristine coral ridges. Following the excitement of the straits, the Dewi Nusantara ensures time in Beangabang Bay, which is famous for its exceptional muck diving on dark volcanic sands, concealing rare and cryptic marine life.
Further exploration is dedicated to the Alor archipelago. Dive sites surrounding Pura, Buaya, Treweg, Ternate, and Kumba showcase dramatic volcanic walls and seamounts, supporting a dense and diverse population of benthic and fish life. Kalabahi Bay is specifically noted for its unique macro creatures. The Dewi Nusantara liveaboard tour also incorporates a worthwhile land excursion: a traditional village visit, offering fascinating insight into the unique culture of the local island communities before the cruise concludes.
Final Day
Disembarkation follows a continental breakfast, taking place at Maumere or Kalabahi.
Alor & Forgotten Islands
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: from Alor: Kalabahi Bay, Pertamina jetty, Forgotten Islands: Wetar, Reong, Nyata, Nus Leur, Terbang Utara, Teun, Nila, Nil Desperandum, Dai, Dawera, Nisnitu, Karang Barasadi, and Reong land excursion
Day 1
This maritime route, virtually inaccessible to ordinary ships, confirms its status as a highly exclusive deep-sea traverse. Checking in for this dive cruise occurs in Saumlaki, where you are received on the luxury Dewi Nusantara. Following the captain's welcome, you must attend the official boat briefing, then proceed to set up your diving gear. Supper is ready as the sun descends, just before the vessel commences its passage into Indonesia’s untouched diving frontiers.
Core Days
This expansive cruise offers a true expedition into the Forgotten Islands, a chain distinguished by its sheer isolation and raw oceanic power. The route specifically targets exposed volcanic islands rising from deep trenches, creating spectacular wall dives. Sites like Wetar and the outer atolls of Teun and Nila are known for drawing in massive schools of pelagic fish, including dogtooth tuna and barracuda. This remote area, including Nil Desperandum, provides the thrilling potential for encounters with schooling hammerhead sharks and other large visitors, a highlight of diving with Dewi Nusantara.
Further south, the islands of Nus Leur and Terbang Utara offer incredible wide-angle photography opportunities over healthy, vibrant patch reefs and coral bommies teeming with fish. Near Dai, Dawera, and Nyata, expect dramatic topography and intense reef life. These remote locations exemplify the pristine condition of the Eastern Banda Sea, boasting exceptional visibility on breathtaking drop-offs. Mid-cruise, a necessary topside activity is the scheduled land excursion to Reong, allowing you to experience the traditional culture of this secluded island chain before continuing with the diving schedule.
The final days are spent exploring the rich and varied marine life of the Alor region. The Pantar Strait offers adrenaline-fuelled drift dives over healthy reefs and volcanic formations. In contrast, Kalabahi Bay and the muck site near the Pertamina jetty provide a sharp focus on world-class macro subjects. Here, divers armed with macro lenses can hunt for pygmy seahorses, frogfish, and elusive pipefish, demonstrating the incredible biodiversity accessible by the Dewi Nusantara.
Final Day
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking in Alor, concluding your unforgettable adventure in the deep east of Indonesia.
Banda Sea, Ambon & Alor
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Alor: Kalabahi Bay, Pertamina jetty, Pantar Strait, Pura; Reong, Nyata, Telang, Damar: Nusleur, Terbang Utara, Terbang Seletan; Dai, Nila, Dusborgh Atoll, Griffin Reef, Nil Desperandum, Serua, Kekeh, Manuk, Banda Islands: Hatta, Sekaru, Banda Neira, Gunung Api, Run; Suanggi, Nusa Laut: Akon, Ameth; Ambon: Laha. Village and cultural visits, along with other natural topside attractions. Volcano hike, nutmeg plantation, historic fort.
Day 1
An easy start of your vacation, with a 10 minute transfer from Kalabahi airport (Alor) to the harbour, where you can easily spot the 3-masted Dewi Nusantara. Its crew welcomes you with a cocktail and fresh fruits that you can enjoy while listening to the boat briefing that explains in detail the boat features. Spend the afternoon setting up your dive gear on the dive deck and getting to know the crew and other guests. Dinner is served at sunset.
Core Days
The Forgotten Islands form an extensive chain, stretching over 1,000 kilometres between Timor and West Papua. This remote and largely uncharted region remains one of the country's most pristine natural frontiers. Isolated from major settlements and untouched by mainstream tourism, these islands offer a rare glimpse into a world where nature and tradition thrive undisturbed. Beneath the waves, the Forgotten Islands boast some of the most spectacular diving in the Indonesian archipelago. The marine environment is a paradise for explorers, featuring sheer walls, vibrant coral reef systems, and deep ocean drop-offs teeming with life. Divers have encountered vast schools of bumphead parrotfish, swirling clouds of big-eye trevallies, giant trevallies, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda. In these waters, even hammerhead sharks make their ghostly appearance, adding to the sense of unspoiled splendour.
The Banda Islands never fail to deliver great diving on pristine and colourful corals that attract hundreds of different species of fish, from big pelagics to tiny critters, sea snakes, another possibility of schooling hammerheads, and a high a chance to see endemic species like the Ambon scorpionfish. Even dolphins and whales can be spotted from the boat in the Banda Sea. Schools of fish will welcome you in their habitats, especially reef fish such as damsels, anthias, soldierfish and angelfish. The cruise will also involve a land tour to the historically fascinating Spice Islands.
The sites around the Alor archipelago have some amazing critters like hairy frogfish and Halimeda ghostpipefish, rhinophias, hairy and tiger shrimps, wonderpus octopus, pygmy seahorses. The diving in this area is more than just macro though. Whitetip reef sharks, bamboo sharks, schools of fusiliers, oversized bumphead parrotfish. Spanish Dancers and other nocturnal critters can be seen on several dives.
On each day of your tour the 22 crew members on board will make sure you have a pleasant vacation, from the morning wake up beverage service and the dive briefing that introduces the 1st morning dive, until the 4th dive (usually at dusk or night), followed by a 3 course dinner and a glass of wine. Also for your enjoyment there is a full breakfast buffet of Western and Indonesian options before gearing up for the 2nd morning dive, while dinner is usually a buffet of several choices picked from the international, Chinese and local cuisine. Hot soups are also always available. All fresh ingredients cooked by a very experienced chef that has worked on Dewi Nusantara for several years, without any complaints from customers! Although 4 meals and all day available snacks might seem to be a lot of food, you will be pleased by the amount as diving will make you hungry! Grab a sun bed or relax in the lounge while waiting for the 3rd and afternoon dive. The underwater show will never stop entertaining you.
Please note that only 2 morning dives will take place on the last full day of the charter. The liveaboard then in the afternoon cruises to port.
Final Day
A continental breakfast is followed by a complimentary transfer to Ambon Airport or any hotel you have reserved.
Please note that the itinerary sometimes runs in reverse or has differing ports - check exact trip details.
Banda, Ambon & Forgotten Islands
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Forgotten Islands: Dawera, Pulau Rowa, Daweloor, Dai, Nila, Dusborgh Atoll, Griffin Reef, Nils Desperandum; Serua, Kekeh, Manuk, Banda Islands: Hatta, Sekaru, Banda Neira, Gunung Api, Run; Suanggi, Nusa Laut: Akon, Ameth; Ambon: Laha. Village and cultural visits, along with other natural topside attractions. Volcano hike, nutmeg plantation, historic fort.
Day 1
How else could one begin a grand scuba expedition spanning the historic Banda Sea and the remote Forgotten Islands? Your first step is to step aboard the magnificent Dewi Nusantara in Saumlaki. Once you have settled into your spacious stateroom, you will receive a comprehensive vessel orientation, granting you time to rig your diving apparatus. Partake in the evening repast on deck as the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard undertakes its initial overnight navigation into the deep sea.
Core Days
This expansive cruise offers a true expedition into the deep east of Indonesia, providing access to remote, high-energy dive sites rarely visited by other vessels. The initial phase concentrates on the intensely isolated Forgotten Islands. Locations such as Dawera, Pulau Rowa, and Daweloor feature spectacular sheer walls and submerged reefs fed by powerful oceanic currents. At the secluded outer reefs of Dusborgh Atoll, Griffin Reef, and Nils Desperandum, certified divers can anticipate exhilarating blue water dives with high potential for encounters with passing pelagic species, including hammerhead sharks and vast schools of dogtooth tuna. Diving off Dai and Nila showcases the pristine health of the region's coral systems over dramatic topography.
We then traverse the volcanic Ring of Fire, a chain of isolated, active cones. The sites around Serua, Kekeh, and Manuk are particularly memorable; the slopes of Manuk are renowned for their resident population of harmless sea snakes. The Dewi Nusantara liveaboard then reaches the historic Banda Islands. Here, dive sites near Karang Hatta, Sekaru, and Pulau Run offer magnificent wall diving over ancient lava flows and sprawling hard coral plateaus that demonstrate remarkable ecological resilience. Topside, a scheduled land excursion in Banda Neira allows you to step back in time, visiting the colonial-era historic fort, touring a nutmeg plantation, and, conditions permitting, undertaking a volcano hike up Gunung Api for commanding views of the archipelago.
The final segment of this comprehensive cruise focuses on the transition back towards macro and coastal diversity. The reefs off Suanggi and Nusa Laut, including Akon and Ameth, provide pristine coral gardens and an array of smaller reef fish. The cruise culminates with world-class critter hunting in Ambon Bay. We focus on Laha, celebrated globally for its unique muck diving. Here, the expertise of the Dewi Nusantara crew helps locate a bizarre range of subjects, including rhinopias, flamboyant cuttlefish, and the endemic Ambon scorpionfish, providing a rewarding biological contrast to the open-ocean diving experienced earlier.
Final Day
Enjoy a final, relaxing continental breakfast on board. Disembarkation takes place in Ambon, concluding your extensive Indonesian diving safari.
Please note that the itinerary sometimes runs in reverse or has differing ports - check exact trip details.
Halmahera Island (11 Days / 10 Nights - 34 Dives)
Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Halmahera: Jailolo Bay, Teluk Loloda, Kahatola, Sidanga, Hiri, Ternate, Maitara, Tidore, Goraici Archipelago, West Bacan, Orang Kaya, Caldera Lagoon, Ganone, Pantinti Strait, Makian. Village and cultural visits, along with
other natural topside attractions.
Day 1
In Ternate harbour, the 3-masted Dewi Nusantara liveaboard is easy to spot. The crew welcomes you with a cocktail and fresh fruit while the cruise director runs a boat briefing. Spend the afternoon setting up dive gear on the spacious dive deck and getting to know your fellow travellers. Dinner is served as the sun sets over the Spice Islands.
Core Days
Halmahera rewards those who make the journey with Dewi Nusantara. Jailolo Bay kicks things off with volcanic black sand slopes and geothermal vents. The nutrient-rich water attracts schooling fish, barracuda and reef sharks. Night diving here reveals bobtail squid, frogfish and hunting octopus. Teluk Loloda follows, with Kahatola as the centrepiece. Swim-throughs and current-swept channels lead to vibrant coral reefs. Above the surface, a waterfall cascades down the eastern cliffs of Kahatola. You take photos during the surface interval.
The Goraici Archipelago sits 30 nautical miles west of Halmahera, straddling the equator. Crystal clear water. Pristine beaches. Manta ray cleaning stations. The seamounts here offer thrilling drift dives. Reef sharks patrol while schools of tuna, wahoo, snapper and fusiliers work the current. You hook into the reef and watch the show. West Bacan delivers steep walls, sloping reefs and coral-covered pinnacles. Large schools of fusiliers move as one. Pygmy seahorses hide in the fans. The remoteness means you share the water with almost no one else.
The original Spice Islands - Hiri, Ternate, Maitara and Tidore - offer a mix of vibrant coral gardens and World War II shipwrecks. Historic forts and spice plantations dot the islands above water. Between dives, you step ashore to explore. Orang Kaya sits near the southeastern corner of Halmahera. Dramatic drop-offs, coral-covered slopes and sandy seabeds rich with macro life. Reef sharks, barracuda and eagle rays patrol the blue. A short distance away, Karang Batu Anyer reveals itself as the caldera of a long-extinct volcano, 600 metres in diameter, completely circular. You drop in and explore a submerged geological wonder.
Ganone may be tiny, but the diving is anything but. Lush coral gardens. Walls that plunge into deep water. Schools of fusiliers, snapper and batfish swirl around the reef. Moray eels, cuttlefish and brilliantly patterned nudibranchs reward slow inspection. The submerged pinnacles nearby rise steeply from the depths, cloaked in soft corals and gorgonian fans. Pygmy seahorses cling to the branches.
Pantinti Strait separates Halmahera from Bacan. Think of it as a mini Komodo or Alor. Strong currents push nutrient-rich water through a collection of islands that block and confuse the flow. The result is stellar dive sites. Steep walls. Coral-covered pinnacles, canyons and passages. Large schools of barracuda, tuna and trevally patrol the deep. Reef sharks and rays glide through the current. Between adrenaline dives, quieter coves reveal healthy coral formations and smaller creatures.
Makian closes the diving. A volcano rising from the sea. Dark volcanic sand provides the perfect backdrop for muck diving. Flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, hairy frogfish, mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish. The expert dive guides on the Dewi Nusantara spot things you would swim straight past. Each dive becomes a treasure hunt.
Only 2 morning dives happen on the last full day. Dewi Nusantara spends the afternoon cruising back toward Ternate.
Day 11
A continental breakfast on board. Then a transfer to Ternate Airport or your hotel. The crew waves you off. You leave with wide-angle shots of reef sharks, macro portraits of flamboyant cuttlefish, and memories of an Indonesia that few divers ever see.
Komodo National Park & Sumbawa (10 Days / 9 Nights - 30 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Komodo: Batu Moncho, Gili Banta, Langkoi, Lehok Sera, Nusa Kode, Padar, Lintah Strait: Tatawa Besar, Siaba, Mauan, Karang Makassar; Sumbawa: Sangeang, Tanjung Meriam. Spotting Komodo dragons.
Day 1
Similar to charting a new course, your dive exploration of the Komodo and Sumbawa regions begins with joining the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard in Labuan Bajo. Secure your stateroom and arrange your scuba gear before you receive a comprehensive orientation from the crew. Dinner is subsequently served, after which the ship begins its nighttime crossing to the first destination.
Core Days
The initial phase of scuba diving trip takes you towards the geological drama of Sumbawa. We explore the volcanic slopes of Sangeang, specifically near Tanjung Meriam, where geothermal vents create a unique 'Bubble Reef' backdrop for macro subjects and rare nudibranchs. Entering the Lintah Strait, certified divers face the exhilarating high-octane conditions Komodo is known for; sites like Tatawa Besar and Siaba offer classic Indonesian drift dives over reefs thick with schooling fusiliers and snapper.
Midway through the cruise, we focus on the central axis of the park. Dive the famed Karang Makassar, gliding over the channel to search for oceanic manta rays, a signature experience with Dewi Nusantara. Nearby dive sites such as Mauan and the isolated pinnacle of Batu Moncho are explosive with life, hosting large schools of reef fish and patrolling grey reef sharks. Expert guides aboard the Dewi Nusantara help maximise your sightings across these current-swept areas.
The vessel then accesses the cooler, nutrient-rich southern zones including Nusa Kode, Lehok Sera. This region provides phenomenal macro opportunities in the sheltered bays (Langkoi), juxtaposed with rewarding encounters along exposed walls, characteristic of a Dewi Nusantara liveaboard trip. We also ensure time for the definitive topside experiences: a trek to Padar Island for the iconic viewpoint, and a necessary guided excursion to spot the legendary Komodo dragons.
Day 12
Enjoy a final continental breakfast on board before disembarking in Labuan Bajo.
Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay
Trip highlights: whale sharks, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Cenderawasih Bay: Numfor, Num, Rumberpon, Mios Waor, Roon, Tanjung Ayami, Tanjung Manguwar, Kwatisore and Ahe. Cruises that use the port of Sorong also visit the northern region of the Birds Head Peninsula, Raja Ampat.
Day 1
The late afternoon light filters through the sails in Sorong as you climb onto the deck for this ambitious diving expedition. Once aboard the luxurious Dewi Nusantara liveaboard, you will receive a comprehensive vessel orientation detailing the route. Use the remaining daylight hours to rig your gear and share a welcome meal as the yacht sets sail for the open ocean.
Core Days
This unique voyage aboard the Dewi Nusantara begins with a taste of the northern Bird's Head Peninsula, specifically the Raja Ampat region near Sorong. Here, dives often include exploration of sunken World War II remnants, where the surrounding waters have fostered rich coral growth and attract schools of sweetlips and snapper, an exciting preamble to the main expedition.
The primary focus is the geologically isolated Cenderawasih Bay, a realm of high endemism. Diving sites around Numfor, Num, Rumberpon, Mios Waor, and Roon reveal pristine, resilient hard coral formations, including massive elephant ear sponges, untouched by global bleaching events. The underwater slopes at Tanjung Ayami and Tanjung Manguwar support a unique ecosystem of endemic fish species and healthy green turtle populations.
The crowning feature of this Cenderawasih experience is the scheduled time with the resident whale sharks. The Dewi Nusantara liveaboard visits the localised fishing platforms near Kwatisore and Ahe, providing divers and snorkellers with the chance to enter the water with these magnificent animals. These interactions, conducted respectfully and often in clear shallow water, are intimate and awe-inspiring, cementing this trip as a lifetime diving achievement. The Dewi Nusantara is ideally equipped to facilitate this crossing and deliver world-class diving across both regions.
Final Day
Enjoy a final continental breakfast on board before disembarking in Manokwari, marking the conclusion of your spectacular 2-region liveaboard safari.
Raja Ampat & Triton Bay
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: Misool, Magic Mountain, Fiabacet, Three Sisters, Farondi, Daram, Warakaraket, Pisang, Momon, Triton Bay: Aiduma, Deep Rock
Day 1
As the saying goes, 'Great journeys demand great preparation'. Report for duty aboard the Dewi Nusantara in Sorong to embark on your epic crossing to Triton Bay. After taking hold of your lavish stateroom and completing safety briefings, immediately adjust the setup. Dinner is subsequently served, immediately followed by the ship undertaking its extensive passage south towards Misool.
Core Days
The southern Raja Ampat region of Misool offers an initial saturation of biodiversity. Divers will find themselves submerged in a spectacle of soft corals at sites like Fabiacet, Farondi, and the dramatic pinnacles of Daram and Warakaraket. Magic Mountain is a crucial highlight, a premier seamount known to attract oceanic manta rays performing their graceful displays. Exploring the unique underwater terrain of Wayil, Jef Pele, and Three Sisters reveals massive gorgonian fans and deep overhangs teeming with schools of reef fish, setting a high standard for the beginning of this Dewi Nusantara liveaboard trip.
As the expedition presses westward across the great expanse, the Dewi Nusantara stops at transitional islands such as Pisang and Momon, which act as stepping stones towards the Bomberai Peninsula. These remote locales provide pristine diving over robust coral plateaus, often revealing unexpected pelagic sightings in the strong currents that wash the exposed reefs. This part of the itinerary allows a sense of true Indonesian exploration far from well-trodden routes.
Triton Bay introduces an entirely different, yet equally rich, marine landscape. Celebrated for its unique, painterly soft coral gardens and high endemism, the region offers superb contrast to the karst scenery of Misool. Dive sites like Aiduma and Deep Rock feature enormous yellow, pink, and orange dendronephthya corals covering walls and pinnacles, often concealing rare macro subjects. The pristine nature of this comparatively unexplored region underscores the specialised access provided by the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard, ensuring a diverse and rewarding experience from beginning to end.
Final Day
Enjoy a final continental breakfast on board before disembarking in Kaimana, concluding your ambitious diving safari across West Papua.
Raja Ampat National Park
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: from Raja Ampat - Batanta, Misool: Wayil, Jef Pele, Lili, Kepotsol, Daram, Fiabacet, Boo; Kofiau, Wofoh, Yangello, Gam, Penemu, Aljui Bay, Frewin, Mioskon and Kri. Viewpoint at Penemu, cultural village visits along with other topside attractions.
Day 1
Feel the tropical warmth and the gentle harbor breeze as you enter the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard in Sorong. The crew extends a particularly warm welcome, followed by a comprehensive boat briefing detailing the adventure ahead. You have the remainder of the afternoon to ready your gear and specialised tools and relax into your spacious cabin before thoroughly enjoying dinner just as the yacht pushes off from the port.
Core Days
This expedition begins in the spectacular southern Misool area, famed for its kaleidoscopic soft coral coverage and dramatic limestone karst formations. Diving focuses on sites such as Fiabacet, Daram, and Boo Windows, where submerged pinnacles and archways teem with fusiliers, snapper, and the endemic Wobbegong shark. Further dive sites like Jef Pele, Wayil, Lili, and Kepotsol present dense populations of vibrant sea fans hiding pygmy seahorses, showcasing the region's unmatched biodiversity accessible via the Dewi Nusantara.
Moving north, the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard enters the high-current arena of the Dampier Strait, known for explosive fish action. Here, the renowned pinnacles of Kri and Mioskon offer phenomenal fish biomass, attracting hunting barracuda and giant trevally. Frewin provides intense current dives over stunning reefs, while Wofoh and Yanggelo are excellent for spotting unique macro life and experiencing the endemic Raja Ampat epaulette shark walking across the shallows.
The tour balances the action with visits to the central, southern and northern regions. The area near Gam offers phenomenal hard coral coverage. At Aljui Bay, the deep, protected fjords are ideal for night diving and searching for rare critters. Crucially, the Dewi Nusantara ensures you experience the essential topside attractions: a climb to the viewpoint at Penemu for that iconic lagoon panorama, complemented by visits to local cultural villages, allowing a glimpse into the traditional lives of the Papuan people. The entire cruise aboard the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard is structured to maximise your time in this bio-rich marine environment.
Final Day
After a final breakfast on board, disembarkation takes place in Sorong, concluding your comprehensive diving safari through Raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat National Park North & Central (12 Days / 11 Nights - 38 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat: North Batanta, Damper Strait, Bird of Paradise walk, Wayag, Uranie, Quoy, Bag, East of Kawe: Equator Island, Aljui Bay, Gam, Yanggelo,Yefnabi
Day 1
Access the ship and prepare to witness the world’s most biodiverse reefs! Your cruise to Raja Ampat’s northern and central zones begins with a warm greeting in Sorong. Following an effortless check-in to your luxurious cabin, you will configure the equipment. After receiving a detailed boat briefing, you will consume the first feast on board as the vessel sails overnight toward the target.
Core Days
This extended Dewi Nusantara liveaboard trip is specifically designed to explore the remote northern reaches of Raja Ampat, giving divers access to lesser-visited gems alongside the central highlights. The tour explores the islands east of Kawe, crossing the Equator to dive isolated sites like Uranie, Quoy, and Bag, where giant sea fans and large pelagics thrive on pristine, outer walls. We also visit the iconic Wayag, famous not just for its stunning karst topography above the water, but for the thrilling dives around its submerged pinnacles.
The route includes significant time in the Dampier Strait, offering high-energy dives known for their explosive fish life. Sites like Gam and Yanggelo are rich in coral gardens and biomass, while Yefnabi offers excellent photographic opportunities. A distinct focus is placed on the macro life found around North Batanta, where specific rubble and soft coral dives reveal pygmy seahorses, mandarinfish, and the picturesque dragonet. Aljui Bay is also a key feature, providing sheltered conditions perfect for deep bays and fascinating night dives, often revealing unique invertebrates, showcasing the versatility of the Dewi Nusantara.
Beyond the water, this cruise offers unique topside experiences. You will take a guided walk to search for the elusive bird of paradise, a spectacular encounter in the lush Papuan forests. This comprehensive safari ensures that every aspect of Raja Ampat is experienced in comfort aboard the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard.
Day 11
Enjoy a final continental breakfast on board before disembarking in Sorong, concluding your exceptional diving adventure.
Raja Ampat National Park South (12 Days / 11 Nights - 38 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Misool: Boo Corner, Fiabacet, Batu Putih, Wayil, Jef Pele, Daram; Sagewin Strait, Bomberai Peninsula: Sebakor, Momon, Toran, Pisang
Day 1
The greatest discovery often requires a night of patience. Secure one's place aboard the magnificent Dewi Nusantara in Sorong to start your exploration of Raja Ampat’s southern frontier. Settle into your stateroom, complete the mandatory safety briefing, and assemble your kit. Dinner is provided before the ship begins its initial overnight navigation towards the Misool archipelago.
Core Days
The core focus of this expedition is Misool, a region globally celebrated by scuba divers for its unparalleled ecological health and dramatic underwater topography. Dive sites including Fiabacet, Daram, and Boo Corner offer some of the most vivid aquatic environments worldwide, featuring immense forests of vibrant soft corals and sea fans clinging to submerged pinnacles. Divers here routinely encounter phenomenal fish schools, including fusiliers and snapper, alongside patrolling blacktip reef sharks, providing spectacular wide-angle photographic subjects.
Further exploration of Misool takes in sites such as Batu Putih, Wayilbatan, and Jef Pele, showcasing the region's topographical diversity. Expect steep, colourful walls rich in macro life, juxtaposed with current-fed pinnacles teeming with life. The geological complexity of the area, particularly the stunning limestone karsts, features dramatic caverns and overhangs, often revealing wobbegong sharks resting on the substrate. The comprehensive operation of Dewi Nusantara ensures comfortable access and expert guidance across these premier southern reefs.
The cruise extends eastward, crossing the Sagewin Strait towards the wilder waters of the Bomberai Peninsula. This leg of the cruise with the Dewi Nusantara explores remote locations such as Sebakor, Momon, and Toran, which offer a rewarding blend of challenging exposed sites attracting larger pelagics, and sheltered bays featuring unique macro opportunities, including rare pipefish and nudibranchs. The remote island of Pisang provides pristine outer reefs for a final picturesque session. The Dewi Nusantara liveaboard offers unparalleled access to this world-class region.
Day 11
Enjoy a final continental breakfast on board before disembarking in Sorong.
Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Ambon (12 Days / 11 Nights - 34 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Raja Ampat - Sagof, Yilliet, Misool: Balbulol, Fiabacet, Boo, Warakaraket, Wayil, Koon, Gorong, Banda Islands, Run, Ai, Pulau Suangi, Nusa Laut, Ambon Bay, Land visit to Fort Belgica and nutmeg plantation.
Day 1
Just as the spice traders once did, your grand diving expedition linking the historic islands with the Coral Triangle begins upon arrival at the vessel in Sorong. After securing your stateroom and receiving a thorough introduction, you should use the afternoon hours to check dive essentials. Gourmet food is provided in the early evening, signalling the moment the vessel gets moving, setting its course for the southern reaches.
Core Days
The initial phase of the trip concentrates on the Misool sector of Raja Ampat, globally renowned for its pristine, kaleidoscopic reefs. Sites like Fiabacet and Boo Corner offer unforgettable dives among massive sea fans and vibrant soft corals, where schooling fish create dizzying displays of biomass. We explore the submerged pinnacles of Wayil and the spectacular walls of Batu Putih, encountering everything from pygmy seahorses tucked into gorgonians to cruising blacktip reef sharks. The early days aboard the Dewi Nusantara provide a high-energy immersion into the world's most bio-diverse marine environment.
Crossing the deep Banda Sea, the cruise leads to the historic Spice Islands. The diving around Pulau Run, Sekaru, and Pulau Hatta features strong, healthy hard coral plateaus and walls that drop into deep water, offering the potential for big fish sightings. The proximity of the active volcano, Gunung Api, provides a unique black sand dive at its base. Topside, a guided tour takes you through Banda Neira, exploring the colonial history by visiting the historic fort and a traditional nutmeg plantation. Conditions permitting, you may undertake a scenic volcano hike, enhancing the unique exploration offered by the Dewi Nusantara.
The final segment of the voyage focuses on the varied marine habitats near Ambon. Exposed outer reefs near Nusa Laut, specifically at Akon and Ameth, boast clear visibility and dense fish life over beautiful coral gardens. In sharp contrast, the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard reserves time for the acclaimed macro environment of Ambon Bay. We explore the silty slopes of Laha, an area celebrated by underwater photographers for its density of rare and cryptic creatures, ensuring a stunning conclusion to your dive logs before the trip ends on the Dewi Nusantara.
Day 12
A final continental breakfast is served on board before disembarkation in Ambon, completing this unparalleled diving transit.
Triton Bay, Banda Sea & Ambon (12 Days / 11 Nights - 38 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, whales, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Triton Bay: Namatote, Mauwara, Aiduma, Dramai; Bomberai Peninsula: Momon, Teluk Sebakor; Koon, Banda Islands: Hatta, Sekaru, Banda Neira, Gunung Api, Run; Nusa Laut: Akon, Ameth; Ambon: Laha. Village and cultural visits, along with other natural topside attractions. Volcano hike, nutmeg plantation, historic fort.
Day 1
Contrary to popular belief, remote diving explorations don't require complex logistics; simply secure your spot in Kaimana for this ultimate eastern Indonesian crossing. On accessing the 3-masted Dewi Nusantara, you are greeted by the crew. The entire afternoon is dedicated to orienting yourself and finalising the systems. Have the night's supper just before the ship undertakes its initial overnight navigation toward the soft coral gardens of Triton Bay.
Core Days
The expedition begins in the geographically isolated yet ecologically rich waters of Triton Bay. Diving sites here, including Aiduma, Namatote, Mauwara, and Dramai, are famous for their immense, colourful soft coral gardens which explode with life. Scuba divers will appreciate the unique black coral forests and rugged rock formations. The nutrient-rich environment of the Bomberai Peninsula, specifically around Momon and Teluk Sebakor, enhances the opportunities for encountering unique regional endemic species, along with large schooling fish.
Navigating west, the Dewi Nusantara stops at Koon Island, known for its pristine deep reefs and high concentration of pelagics, before making the long passage across the Banda Sea. This region offers powerful blue water diving and historical immersion. Sites around the Banda Islands, including the expansive reefs of Hatta, Sekaru, Pulau Run, and the exposed volcanic slopes of Gunung Api, provide spectacular wall dives over ancient structures. The land experiences are just as rewarding: you will visit Banda Neira to explore the remnants of the spice trade. This includes a tour of the historic fort, a visit to a nutmeg plantation, and a hike up the active volcano Gunung Api (conditions permitting).
Following the historical exploration, the Dewi Nusantara liveaboard transitions toward macro and coastal diversity. Sites off Nusa Laut, such as Akon and Ameth, showcase vibrant coral coverage and a high density of reef life, offering excellent visibility. The cruise culminates with world-class critter hunting in Ambon Bay. We focus on the acclaimed Laha area, where the dark volcanic sand provides the perfect substrate to search for cryptic fauna, including the endemic Ambon scorpionfish and flamboyant cuttlefish. The variety of diving, from soft coral showcases and pelagic seamounts to dedicated muck dives, makes this Dewi Nusantara transit rip exceptionally appealing.
Day 12
A final continental breakfast is served on board before disembarking in Ambon, marking the conclusion of your definitive Dewi Nusantara cruise.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
The Dewi Nusantara liveaboard provides divers with the ideal combination of an intense diving schedule and an opulent dining experience while exploring Indonesia. The operational routine is planned around maximising time underwater, beginning with an early morning wake-up beverage. A light pre-breakfast of toast and fresh fruit, along with tea, coffee, and fruit juice, is available before the first dive, which typically starts at 6 am.
The day's schedule is structured around four subsequent meal services and continuous refreshments. After completing the first dive, a full, cooked-to-order breakfast is served on the open-air deck. Guests can choose between hearty Western selections or Indonesian specialities, such as Nasi Goreng. Lunch, presented buffet style in the middle of the day, focuses on local Indonesian cuisine.
Dinner is the culinary high point, an elegant 3-course affair served with full waiter service. The diverse and rotating menus feature a wide range of international, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine, alongside local specialities and deck barbecues. One glass of wine is included with dinner, and a menu of fine wines and cigars is available for purchase. Throughout the day, complimentary bread/toast, fruit, tea, coffee, water, fresh snacks, beer, and soft drinks are freely available. Additional wine and spirits are available as paid extras.
Catering on the Dewi Nusantara begins on the first full day of the safari with breakfast, following light refreshments, fruit, or juice on check-in day. Guests can dine in the dedicated air-conditioned restaurant or enjoy the outside dining area, which offers waitress service. Vegetarian and other special diets can be accommodated with prior notice.
