Halmahera Group Trip on the Ambai August 2027

Halmahera Group Trip on the Ambai August 2027

Embark on a 9-night journey aboard Wallacea Cruises' MV Ambai. Explore Halmahera's untouched dive sites, featuring vibrant coral reefs, intriguing wrecks, unique muck dives, volcanic formations, and captivating caverns and swim-throughs; and experience diving in one of the world's most pristine environments.

Why Join This Trip?

• Rich biodiversity, and exceptional flora and fauna
• Operator with 16 years of experience diving and cruising Indonesia
• 4:1 diver-to-guide ratio
• Free nitrox for nitrox-certified divers
• Spacious cabins with individually controlled air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms with hot water

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Trip Overview

Nestled between the renowned diving havens of Lembeh and Raja Ampat, Halmahera stands as a hidden gem in the well-traveled waters of Indonesia. This remote and pristine destination boasts the best of both worlds: the vibrant, healthy reefs reminiscent of Raja Ampat and the unique critters that make Lembeh famous, all without the overwhelming number of boats and divers.

Diving in Halmahera offers an unparalleled experience of exploration and discovery. Here, you can immerse yourself in lush coral gardens teeming with life, encounter majestic pelagic species, and marvel at the intricate beauty of macro marine creatures. With fewer crowds, Halmahera provides a more intimate and peaceful underwater adventure, making it a must-visit destination for avid divers seeking the untouched beauty of Indonesia's marine biodiversity.

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Marine Life

On this trip, you can expect to see an abundance of small and medium reef life including barracudas, surgeonfishes, bumphead parrotfish, trevallies, and giant trevallies, spadefish, Napoleon wrasse, tunas, bonitos, manta rays, and mobula rays.

There is also some excellent muck diving with highlights including pygmy seahorse, frogfish, leaf fish, and scorpionfish.

All this to a backdrop of black coral forests, gorgonian fields, soft corals, and so much more...

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Diving Conditions

• Water temperature 27°C - 30°C.
• Visibility: Generally very good, with clear water
• Currents: Some dive sites have consistent currents but Wallacea Cruises is very experienced and ensures that all dives are safe

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Inclusions

• Accommodation in a double-bed or twin-bed cabin
• Full board including all soft drinks, coffee, tea
• 3 daily guided dives + night dives depending on the itinerary
• 80 cf tank (12 liters), and weights belt
• Transfer from the airport to the boat and back to the nearest airport
• Nitrox fills

Exclusions

•  International and Domestic flights, transit hotel.
• Harbor and Park Fees (150 euros, cash onboard - subject to change)
• Diving and snorkeling gear
• Scuba diving courses
• 100 cf tank (15 liters) (75 euros per cruise - subject to change)
• Laundry, massage service on board, use of a satellite phone
• Crew gratuities (5%-10% of the cruise rate suggested)
• Cancellation and (mandatory) dive Insurances
• Beer, wine, and alcoholic beverages (you can BYOB)

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Trip Type

This trip is a group trip, not a photography workshop. It will be led by an experienced Bluewater trip leader who will manage the trip logistics and ensure your needs are met throughout. While this trip is designed to optimize your photography opportunities, it is not led by one of our photo instructors and so meaningful photography advice from your trip leader should not be expected.

What to expect from our Group Trips

• Meet like-minded travelers - Our Group Trips are perfect for solo travelers who enjoy meeting other divers or photographers and enjoy the support of a pre-arranged itinerary. Your trip leader will arrange group activities such as meals or game nights to ensure everyone feels part of the Bluewater family.
• Problems solved - Your trip leader will be on hand to assist with any issues you may have. From delayed or canceled flights, to lost room keys and dietary requirements. We have dealt with it all before and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly. 

Trip Itinerary

• Day 1 - Ternate (Check In)
• Day 2 - Goraichi / 3-4 Dives
• Day 3 - Lilai / 3-4 Dives
• Day 4 - Saleh / 3-4 Dives
• Day 5 - Kusu / 3-4 Dives
• Day 6 - Proco / 3-4 Dives
• Day 7 - North Bacan & Tolimago / 3-4 Dives
• Day 8 - Goraichi / 3-4 Dives
• Day 9 - Tidore / 1 Dive
• Day 10 - Ternate (Check Out)

About the Boat

The MV Ambai is a liveaboard of choice for underwater photographers with its large dive deck, dedicated camera room and a large screen TV in the lounge. A part of the esteemed, Wallacea Cruises, guests aboard the Ambai know they're in for a trip of comfort and style.

The MV Ambai has 8 cabins accommodating 16 passengers. All cabins have individually controlled A/C units and private ensuite bathrooms. Room options include bunk and double-bed cabins. 

Lower Deck Cabin (L) &Sea VIew Cabin (R)

Upper Deck (LEFT) & Front Sun Deck (RIGHT)

Restaurant (LEFT) & Main Deck Lounge (RIGHT)

Deck Plan

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About the Trip Leader

Tim grew up in tiny Singapore, where driving for more than an hour meant you would need a passport. Traveling was always his passion, but Tim became addicted to dive travel soon after he got scuba certified in Malaysia. As his diving addiction grew, Tim eventually became a Staff Instructor with PADI and an Instructor Trainer with SDI. After getting his instructor certification, Tim spent time teaching scuba in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Tim serves as General Manager and COO at Bluewater Travel and is the company's most seasoned trip leader. With a portfolio of leading over 30 group trips, his extensive expertise encompasses a variety of popular dive destinations such as the Galapagos, Raja Ampat, French Polynesia, Fiji, the Red Sea, Palau, Maldives, among others. His travels have taken him across all seven continents and allowed him to dive in all five oceans—the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic. Read more about Tim here.

Contact Tim at tim@bluewaterdivetravel.com for more info about his trips.  

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Flight Information

The trip will begin and end in Ternate (airport code TTE). The recommended route is to fly internationally to Jakarta and then take a domestic transfer to Ternate. We recommend arriving into Ternate at least 1 day before embarkation to allow time to rest and for delayed flights/baggage. We are happy to assist you with flight suggestions and hotel bookings if required.

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Payment Schedule

Deposit: $1,000

Payment 2: $2,000 due October 15, 2026

Balance due: February 15, 2027

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Photo Gallery 

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