Halmahera
North Maluku: Halmahera, Bacan, Goraici & Morotai
Scuba diving in Halmahera and North Moluccas
Be one of the first scuba divers to dive North Maluku: Halmahera Liveaboard Deals 40% Off. Halmahera and North Maluku offer a wealth of marine life, from pelagic fish and sharks to Indonesia’s impressive macro life. Pygmy seahorse Denise and Bargibant species, various crabs and shrimps, nudibranchs, and critters inhabit sites sheltered from currents or find homes in the cracks and crevices of deep walls. At present, access to Halmahera and the nearby islands is primarily via a limited number of liveaboard cruises or by staying at one of the few existing resorts. Nevertheless, these destinations rank among the most interesting diving areas in the Indonesian region of North Maluku.
DIVE SITES
North Maluku is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, an area of great interest for diving. Due to its proximity to Raja Ampat to the East and Lembeh Strait to the West, Halmahera is surely the repository of great marine biodiversity, with excellent diving spots and potential sites yet to be explored.
Halmahera is currently establishing itself as a uncrowded liveaboard diving destination, offering world-class biodiversity similar to that of Raja Ampat.
The dive centers of Northern Moluccas are among the least visited in Indonesia, as North Maluku is a vast, remote territory encompassing 781 islands, including Halmahera, Tifore, Ternate, Bacan, Morotai, and the Goraici archipelago.
Halmahera Diving Map. Pay attention to the position of Halmahera between Lembeh, Sulawesi and Raja Ampat, West Papua.
Tifore Island
Located in open oceans, halfway between Sulawesi and the Moluccas, Tifore Island offers excellent diving with pelagics, with the possibility of spotting gray sharks and other reef sharks, and especially large schools of barracudas. There are also schools of fusiliers. Spectacular environments around the giant rocks that form these seabeds.
The remote coral reefs of Halmahera offers spectacular sceneries and large school of barracuda
Goraici Islands
The small Goraici archipelago is a coral reef teeming with marine life that surrounds the islands. One of the best spots is along a coral-covered wall where large pelagic species can be seen passing through, as well as stunning coral gardens on a slope, with blacktip sharks nearby. Goraici also offers excellent macro diving and beautiful night dive sites. The fantastic white beaches are among the most beautiful in the region.
The dive sites of Halmahera offer coral covered wall, pelagic fish, and blacktip sharks
Patinti Strait
The Patinti Strait is located between the islands of Halmahera and Bacan, partly close by the islands of Sali and Kusu, which accentuate the currents. It is ideal for pelagic fish: reef sharks, tuna, and mackerels. Halmahera’s sites sheltered from the currents are rich in macro: shrimps, crabs, pipefish, seahorses, nudibranchs, and critters, most of them mimicking or in symbiosis with their marine environment. The beautiful coral reefs are full of life and color.
Halmahera’s sites sheltered from the currents are rich in macro: shrimps, crabs, pipefish, seahorses, nudibranchs and critters and its symbiosis
Bacan Island
Great macro in the bays around Bacan Island, black sand and all the ingredients for great photos. Much remains to be discovered and explored.
Halmahera’s dive sites have all the ingredients for great photos
Morotai Island
The island of Morotai in north Halmahera is famous for hosting a Japanese air base during World War II. There are still wrecks of aircraft and ships from that time. It is an emerging destination, and important tourism developments are expected in the near future, linked to its coral sandy beaches and scuba diving activities. World War wreck diving is one of the main dive attractions, but there is so much more: reef sharks, mackerel, manta rays, and macro. To date, about 40 sites are known around the island, and many more will be added in the future.
To date, about 40 sites are known around Morotai island, and many more will be added in the future
KEY DIVING FACTS
Essential and important information for scuba diving or underwater exploration in Halmahera, Bacan, Goraici and Morotai in Northern Maluku:
- Diving season: The region is affected by both monsoons, best period October/November and March/May. Windy weather from June to September, and the sea can be rough
- Rainy season: December/February with some extra rain
- Water temperature: 27-30ºC. 3 mm wetsuit, even short
- Visibility: 10m-40m
- Depth: 10->45m
- Currents: Strong in the straits, weak in the areas protected by the islands
- Surface condition: Calm, but can be rough
- Diver level experience: Diving for all levels. The drift dives are for experienced divers only
- Dive sites: > 40. Recommended diving stay: 7-10 days on a cruise or in a resort
- Access: Ternate, Bacan and Morotai reachable by domestic flight connection from Jakarta, Makassar or Manado
- Climate: 27-32ºC. Tropical climate, with rain mainly from December to February
- Time zone: Maluku GMT +9
- Transit night & connecting flight: You may need to spend one night in transit in Indonesia before and/or after your cruise, depending on your domestic and international flight schedules. We have the most competitive airfares with the most convenient flight timetables, and hotels for all budgets
Does it seem complicated? Contact an operator who speaks your language and who can assist you in Indonesia. Feel free to contact us now!
DIVE CRUISES
Liveaboard diving trips in the North Maluku region offer 2 options: The Raja Ampat, Halmahera and Lembeh crossing or the Ternate-Ternate or Ternate-Halmahera cruise.
Raja Ampat, Halmahera plus Lembeh Strait
Ondina Liveaboard runs the epic trip Raja Ampat, Halmahera and Lembeh Strait. The better of Raja Ampat, Moluccas and North Sulawesi in one lifetime diving trip. The 700 nautical mile journey takes us through a range of different land and seascapes. Book in advance this very special dive cruise that takes place only once a year: Raja Ampat and Halmahera plus Lembeh Strait
Enjoy your diving experience in the remote coral reef of Halmahera in North Maluku, Indonesia. Contact now a Liveaboard Specialist
Ternate-Ternate and Ternate-Halmahera
New and successful diving explorations in Halmahera have generated interest and established new liveaboard routes such as Ternate-Ternate, in this particular case with a promotional price, take advantage of it: Halmahera 2026 Liveaboard Deals 40% Off.
Halmahera Liveaboards
Diving boats offering cruises in Halmahera: Ondina, Ambai, Seahorse, Damai, Pindito, Raja Ampat Aggressor, Mermaid, Dewi Nusantara, Carpe Diem, Dune Aurora, Tiare, Ilike, Gaia Love, Jakare, Wellenreg.
Do you want a great liveaboard experience in the remote Halmahera? Contact us now!
DIVE RESORTS
Sali Bay Resort
Located in the Bay of Sali on the enchanting island of Patinti Strait, east of Bacan, Sali Bay Resort is remote and challenging to reach. It offers exclusive living and diving, far from crowds. The resort sits on a sandy strip, facing a beautiful coral reef. Guests can choose between beachfront villas and budget-friendly accommodations.
A surprising lodge in the Bay of Sali, with intact lively reef house and an ever-increasing number of dive sites, in the remote Moluccas.
Kusu Island Resort
Island of Kusu homes a secluded resort that provide guests an amazing and unforgettable holiday experience, through excellent service, and world class diving. Kusu Resort is a newly opened small resort with 8 ocean villas, dive center, restaurant, spa, and amazing house reef which virtually untouched and bristling with marine life.
The Island of Kusu homes a secluded resort that provide guests an amazing and unforgettable holiday experience, through excellent service, and world class diving
Metita Resort Morotai
Morotai Island boasts the only diving facilities: the Metita Resort, and promises excellent marine life rich in species and World War II shipwrecks.
LUXURY CRUISES & CHARTERS
Why you should rent a charter boat in Halamahera?
If you are a group of adventurous divers always looking for new diving emotions, new dives sites, new marine species, and the most important be off the beaten track, this is the route of a dive cruise for you! You and your group will be free to choose your own itinerary, certainly Cruising Indonesia will put its experience at your disposal to advise you on the best dive sites in the North Maluku region. The team of cruise directors and dive masters will do the rest. Many of the initial potential dive sites now are consolidate dive sites where you can find what your experience liveaboard team offer in your briefing before each diving.
Land Excursions in Halmahera, North Maluku
Land excursions are offered as part of your dive cruise in Halmahera
