Trip Highlights
Sail aboard a luxury liveaboard from Raja Ampat’s world-renowned reefs to the remote waters and volcanic peaks of Halmahera, exploring secluded islands and rarely visited snorkeling spots.
Depart Sorong and journey through Southern Raja, including Misool, a hotspot for oceanic manta rays, high biodiversity, and fascinating macro critters.
Snorkel Raja Ampat’s pristine coral gardens, with vibrant soft corals, colorful reef fish, and calm shallow lagoons perfect for snorkeling.
Explore Halmahera’s remote reefs, where lush volcanic landscapes meet vibrant coral gardens. These secluded waters are rich with reef life and tiny macro creatures like nudibranchs.
About This Trip
Explore southern Raja Ampat, one of the most flourishing coral reef systems in the world, home to over 1,500 fish species and 550 coral species, with many of the region’s top snorkeling sites protected within a Marine Protected Area. Island-hop through the Misool region, famous for its dramatic limestone karsts and thriving marine reserve, where healthy ecosystems support large populations of sharks, manta rays, and colorful reef fish. Continue north to Halmahera, a remote and largely unexplored region of active volcanoes, lush rainforests, pristine reefs, and abundant marine and bird life, offering a quiet, off-the-beaten-path snorkeling and nature experience.
Aboard your luxury liveaboard, enjoy comfort while accessing secluded, rarely visited reefs and island groups, combining pristine ecosystems, adventure, and extraordinary underwater encounters. . On this special departure, we are partnering with Planet Deep, a global research initiative dedicated to understanding, conserving, and responsibly protecting deep-diving marine megafauna. Through this collaboration, Oceanic Society supports science-based conservation, raises awareness, and provides travelers with unique, research-informed wildlife experiences in some of the world’s most pristine oceans.
This thoughtfully designed itinerary showcases the best snorkeling in the region, and for those who wish to dive, the Damai is fully outfitted for optional scuba without affecting the snorkeling experience.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation. Our expeditions directly support our mission while benefiting travelers, wildlife, and the places we visit. With every booking, we sponsor the removal of 200 lbs. of plastic waste from the ocean, and earnings from the trip are reinvested into Oceanic Society’s global research and conservation programs.
For many years now, Oceanic Society has partnered with the marine conservation nonprofit, Planet Deep, to design unique expeditions within the Coral Triangle region. A portion of your trip fees for this expedition will support our partnership, ensuring that our collaborative expeditions contribute to cetacean conservation and support the inclusion of oceanic habitats in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This gives our expeditions additional conservation value alongside (and at no sacrifice to) our in-water time.
Dates & Prices
What's Included
Transfers upon arrival and departure, accommodations, daily meals as indicated in the itinerary, activities, and excursions.
Click here for more detailed trip cost information or read our full expedition terms and conditions.
What's Not Included
International and in-country airfare, optional trip extensions, trip cancellation or travel insurance, visas when applicable, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and optional upgrades. Limited single supplements are available for a fee of $5,995.
Itinerary
Sample Itinerary
Arrive in Sorong and board your vessel to settle in and meet your crew. After departure, enjoy your first swim or snorkel in the calm, coral-fringed waters near Matan Island, a perfect introduction to the vibrant reefs of Raja Ampat.
Over the course of four days in Southern Raja Ampat and the Misool region, you will explore some of the archipelago’s most breathtaking seascapes. Begin at Farondi and Balbulol, where dramatic limestone cliffs rise above turquoise lagoons, and continue to the southeastern Daram Islands, known for their crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral formations. Venture to Misool, visiting the small island chains of Boo and Fiabacet, home to iconic sites such as Boo Rock, Nudi Rock, and the shallow cleaning station Magic Mountain, often frequented by manta rays. Finally, discover Wayilbatan, also called the Four Kings, with its emerald lagoons and intricate reef channels. Snorkel along coral ridges and channels filled with fusiliers, butterflyfish, and colorful parrotfish. Between snorkeling sessions, travelers may enjoy a short hike or lagoon exploration by tender.
Each stop reveals a unique combination of islands, lagoons, and coastal landscapes, offering an unforgettable journey through some of Raja Ampat’s most stunning and postcard-perfect scenery.
As you cross the Seram Sea toward Halmahera, you’ll pause at Pulau Pisang, a secluded island fringed by vibrant coral reefs. Explore its crystal-clear waters and thriving marine habitats, then continue your journey north, leaving behind this serene corner of Raja Ampat.
Snorkeling in Halmahera offers a truly special experience in some of Indonesia’s most remote and pristine waters. Shallow reefs reveal colorful coral gardens, soft corals, sea fans, and sponges just beneath the surface, often accompanied by gentle currents that create ideal conditions for exploring. The area is remarkably quiet and feels largely unexplored, giving visitors the sense of having these spectacular sites all to themselves. Drift over dramatic coral slopes and into clear channels while taking in the diversity of the reefs and the serenity of the surrounding islands.
From Pulau Bacan to the remote Goraici Islands, the Halmahera region reveals a stunning variety of islands, lagoons, and coastal landscapes. Begin at Pulau Bacan, where lush volcanic backdrops meet vibrant reefs and sheltered bays. Snorkel in clear shallows alive with reef fish, sea fans, and colorful sponges. The afternoon offers a chance to explore sheltered bays where macro life, such as nudibranchs, can sometimes be spotted in sandy patches and coral heads.
Continue to Salea and Kusu Islands, known for their dramatic coral slopes and clear channels, before spending a relaxed day at Lata-Lata Island, known for its soft coral gardens and diverse reef fish. Explore coral bommies and lagoon shallows filled with vivid colors and calm waters perfect for leisurely snorkeling.
Conclude your Halmahera snorkeling exploration at the rarely visited Goraici Islands in the Halmahera Sea. Snorkelers can expect thriving coral gardens, abundant schools of reef fish, and occasional sightings of barracuda and manta rays feeding in lagoon shallows. These are rarely visited sites where you can enjoy true seclusion in Indonesia’s wild northern waters.
Ship
Damai I
The Damai I is a boutique liveaboard ship that offers a high level of comfort for exploring Indonesia’s waters. It was built in South Sulawesi in 2009 by Pak Hadji Baso, one of the most respected master boat builders in the traditional Indonesian boat…
Damai II
The Damai II is a boutique liveaboard ship that offers a high level of comfort for exploring Indonesia’s waters. It was built in South Sulawesi in 2011 by Pak Hadji Baso, one of the most respected master boat builders in the traditional Indonesian boat…
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
Trip Extensions
Select departures can be combined with our Triton Bay & Raja Ampat: Whale Sharks & Coral Wonders expedition for an extended journey through Indonesia’s Raja Ampat region. Receive $500 off when you book both trips.
