Sulawesi Liveaboard safari Indonesia or combination with Halmahera
Sulawesi Liveaboard safari in Indonesia is something for everyone. North Sulawesi is one of the world's most famous diving destinations and it is strange that so few liveaboard walks in this area. A combination of Lembeh Straits, Bunaken, Bangka and Gangga Island in a beautiful combination is hard to beat. Only for one or a couple of weeks per year is it possible to experience these tours. It is often in connection when the liveaboarders who choose to lay the boat for their annual review here in Bitung. Then they run one or a couple of tours here, which is quite unique. The cruises in North Sulawesi are exciting and varied, and it is also possible to go on their so-called "transition trips", i.e. they go from one area to another.
Just for Sulawesi, a safari and liveaboard sometimes go via or through the northern Moluccas and Halmahera in northern Indonesia. Often either there or from there and it's a very exciting trip as you get to rarely visited places and reefs in the middle of nowhere where no one normally dives.
Out here in the open sea, both the fish and the shoal are larger and often offer surprises with other large fish that would otherwise have been impossible to see. These tours are very popular and spectacular and can really be recommended for those looking for different and unique trips that are rarely offered. Indonesia and Sulawesi are one of the few areas in the world where this type of trip can be carried out precisely because you cannot service your boats anywhere or because you want to move the boats to where the best diving is normally offered for the season.
Examples of the different tours and how they can be arranged can be found here. Click for more info (eng text)
What is included in a liveaboard package?
- Transfers airport - liveaboard t/r
- 10-12 nights in a share in a double cabin with private bathroom
- All meals, coffee, tea and water, other drinks for an additional charge
- 3-4 dives per day with a guide
- 12L bottle, weights and weight belt
- Nitrox against supplement
Example of a program for a cruise in North Sulawesi or a combination with the North Moluccas
Day 1
You leave Scandinavia and fly to Manado in Indonesia or on to Halmahera depending on which direction the cruise goes
Day 2
You land in Indonesia and receive a transfer to a hotel near the airport where you check in and stay for one night, recommended to secure against possible baggage and flight delays (costs are added for flights, hotels and transfers).
Day 3
You either fly on to Ternate or Labuha, depending on how the trip is arranged. Sometimes you board in Manado on the liveaboard if it is "reversed". A review of the safety on board is carried out and you are allowed to show your diving certificates and the like and fill in papers that you are in shape for diving. You will also receive a preliminary plan of how the arrangement during the stay on board will look like and places that are planned to be visited.
The past diving week
Day 4 -
Today is the time for the first day of diving. You will start with a simple checkup dive to make sure all equipment is working properly. It is also an opportunity to see that cameras and the like are in place. After the first checkup dive, you will complete two more day dives and, if the weather permits, you will also do an evening or night dive.
Full diving days! You are out with the liveaboard and go to different dive sites around Bitung and North Sulawesi. Or the route goes between Sulawesi and Halmahera or perhaps to Ambon.
The days usually look like this. You wake up and, if you wish, eat a very light breakfast. You will then be briefed on the first dive site and jump in to dive. You come out of the sea and eat a proper breakfast, relax for a while and then get a briefing on the second dive of the day and then jump into the pool. Then it's time for lunch. Afterwards you can relax, then you will be briefed on the third dive of the day and complete this dive as well. Here, it will again be time for relaxation and a little snack. In the evening, it is time for the fourth dive review and then you do an evening dive or night dive. The day ends with dinner in good company.
Day 12/14
This is your last dive day to leave enough space between last dive and flight.
Time to check out
Day 13-15
Today you check out from the liveaboard and get a transfer to Manado, Ternate or Labua airport. Either you travel back to Jakarta or one night Manado or if you choose to continue your adventure in Indonesia. Recommended to secure against possible delays is to have a hotel night (may be necessary depending on connections). Otherwise, you get on the plane home to Scandinavia.
Day 14/16
Homecoming and back in Scandinavia again with hopefully many fantastic memories.
please note
Our solid program is only a preliminary plan that is influenced based on the external conditions that the weather gods reward us with. This means that we may have to move activities and dive sites to other days and also replace planned activities with alternatives if required.
Liveaboards offering this safari
Solitude Adventurer Liveaboard Indonesia
