Damai II

These jewel-like islands are caressed by a convergence of swift nutrient-rich currents. Here the pulse of marine life thrives from the sea floor to the surface where the kaleidoscope of corals can start in less than a meter of water. There are sites that are so pristine and packed with growth, that a photographer is hard-pressed to find a spot to place a steadying finger. Exotic sea life and macro critters abound of course, and photo opportunities border on overwhelming. But at the end of the day, the most memorable moments for us are what can rarely be captured in digital format: The incredible experience of drifting along miles of exquisite reef brimming with hues and activity the likes of which few have ever experienced.

Raja Ampat
These jewel-like islands are caressed by a convergence of swift nutrient-rich currents. Here the pulse of marine life thrives from the sea floor to the surface where the kaleidoscope of corals can start in less than a meter of water.

There are sites that are so pristine and packed with growth, that a photographer is hard-pressed to find a spot to place a steadying finger. Exotic sea life and macro critters abound of course, and photo opportunities border on overwhelming. But at the end of the day, the most memorable moments for us are what can rarely be captured in digital format:

The incredible experience of drifting along miles of exquisite reef brimming with hues and activity the likes of which few have ever experienced.

Halmahera
Wrecks in the north, muck in the south and some of the best hard coral gardens on the planet…A must!!!

Some of the most prolific coral life is found in Indonesian Waters around the west and southwest coast of Halmahera. Bait balls attracting numerous hunters, tunas, and mackerel. A fantastic show!!

Good critters in the south and around Bacan Strait, great fish action in Goraici and Hiri. It is bound to be a hot spot and we believe the best is still to be discovered!!

Please note that the itineraries are examples only, and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain’s discretion.

DAY 1: ARRIVE AT TARAKAN

Guests will arrive in Tarakan and have time to get comfortable on the boat. Once we are all settled, we will slowly head south towards the Derawan Archipelago.

DAY 2: SANGALAKI (4 dives)

We will focus on the first day of diving, clearly on two main subjects: mantas and Turtles. Sangalaki has obtained a reputation for being a manta destination over the years, Mantas visits cleaning stations where are easily observed while diving. For those photographers enthusiastic, they will have the opportunity to take great shots of mantas and in the afternoon, look for flasher wrasse among the shallow rubble. A large number of green turtles come every night to lay eggs and this will be, without a doubt a great experience.

DAY 3: TALISAYAN (4 dives)

In front, the mainland, Fisherman, as they do in other areas, “park” these fishing platforms, also known as “bagans”. We will take our chance and look for the giant whale sharks that aggregate in the area in a symbiotic relationship with the local fisherman.

DAY 4 – 5: MUARA AMD EXPLORING (4 dives)

Time for adventure: a bit remote and out of the reach of most operators, Muaras has great corals, a combination of sandy slopes and drop-offs and a couple of surprises that might make our diving day: a cleaning station for thresher sharks and a large resident population of marble rays. Nearby are still unexplored reefs and we will take the opportunity to do so.

DAY 6 – 7: MARATUA AND KAKABAN (4 dives)

We will spend two days around these islands, surrounded by pristine drop off with giant fans and colorful soft corals. Without a doubt is the channel that links the lagoon and the outer reef where more life aggregate: including schools of bump head parrotfish, giant trevallies, snappers and what possibly the largest school of Barracudas in the country. Keep an eye for resident beautiful, Leopard sharks, and the dozens of turtles that we might see in a dive site well know as” turtle traffic” We will visit the amazing jellyfish lake in Kakaban the last diving day on the afternoon, before heading back home.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE

Guests will be escorted to the airport in Tarakan and assisted with check-in procedures, no doubt full of talk about the wonders of the most popular dive destination in the world.

Kalimantan: Second only to Raja Ampat in the number of species of coral, with over 475 and more than 800 of fish. This destination is rarely visited by liveaboards and we can expect encounters with the largest fish, Mantas and Whaleharks and the smallest ones such as the well-camouflaged Pygmy Seahorse.

The trip will be weather dependent and there might be long crossing required throughout. We will try to adjust the best we can to the conditions and fulfill all itinerary briefed when you’ re on the boat.

Due to the need to report to the local village, divers will need to be flexible with the start time of the first dive at some of the dive sites. We will ensure that you’ re given timely updates on this during the trip, however, your understanding of last-minute changes would be appreciated. This is because divers are only allowed in the water once permission is granted by the local villages and officers.

Damai is flexible to change itinerary suggested based on customer’s preference in the event that weather and time allow us to do so and if changes are agreeable by all participants on board.

Below will be the draft itinerary when you are onboard of Damai:

Day 1: Arrive in Tarakan
Guests will arrive in Tarakan and have time to get comfortable on the boat. Once we are all settled, we will slowly head south towards the Derawan Archipelagos.

No. of Dives: 0

Day 2: Sangalaki
We will focus the first day of diving, clearly on two main subjects: Mantas and Turtles. Sangalaki has obtained a reputation for being a manta destination over the years, Mantas visits cleaning stations where are easily observed while diving. For those photographers enthusiastic, they will have the opportunity to take great shots of mantas and in the afternoon, look for flasher wrasse among the shallow rubble.

A large number of green turtles come every night to lay eggs and this will be, without a doubt a great experience

No. of Dives: 4

Day 3: Talisayan
In front, the mainland, fishermen, as they do in other areas, park their fishing platform, also known as “Bagans”. We will take our chance and look for the giant Whalesharks that aggregate in the area in a symbiotic relationship with the local fisherman.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 4 and 5: Birah Birahan
We venture further south and explore the shallow reefs near the small island of Birahbirahan. In the reefs of Yohanaantonia, we found an extremely healthy and well-balanced ecosystem: hard corals, schooling snappers, yellow grunt, fusiliers, whitetips, and blacktips sharks, turtles. It has been one of the best surprises we have found while exploring and well worth the overnight crossing.

No. of Dives: 4/day

Day 6 and 7: Muaras and Exploring
Time for adventure: a bit remote and out of the reach of most operators, Muaras has great corals, a combination of sandy slopes and drop-offs, and a couple of surprises that might make our diving day: a cleaning station for thresher sharks and a large resident population of marble rays. Nearby are still unexplored reefs and we will take the opportunity to do so.

No. of Dives: 4/day

Day 8 and 9: Maratua
We will spend two days around these islands, surrounded by pristine drops off with giant fans and colorful soft corals. Without a doubt is the channel that links the lagoon and the outer reef where more life aggregate: including schools of bump head parrotfish, giant trevallies, snappers, and what possibly the largest school of Barracudas in the country. Keep an eye for residents’ beautiful, Leopard sharks, and the dozens of turtles that we might see in a dive site well know as “turtle traffic”.

No. of Dives: 4/day

Day 10: Derawan
A change in our subjects, and a day dedicated to macro. Ghosts pipefish, Pygmy sea horses, sea dragons, flamboyant cuttlefish, or blue-ringed octopus. The well-trained eyes of our guides will be here tested at their best.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 11: Kakaban
Last diving day around the drop-offs of Kakaban, where encounters with grey reefs or leopard sharks are not uncommon.

After the two dives, we will visit the famous jellyfish lake, where stingless jellies are by the thousands and we can also look for rare gobies.

No. of Dives: N/A

Day 12: Departure
Guests will be escorted to the airport in Tarakan and assisted with check-in procedures, no doubt full of talk about the wonders of the most popular dive destination in the world.

Kalimantan: second only to Raja Ampat in the number of species of coral, with over 475 and more than 800 of fish. This destination is rarely visited by liveaboards and we can expect encounters with the largest fish, Mantas, and Whalesharks, and the smallest ones such as the well-camouflaged Pygmy Seahorse.

The trip will be weather dependent and there might be long crossing required throughout. We will try to adjust the best we can to the conditions and fulfill all itinerary briefed when you’re on the boat.

Due to the need to report to the local village, divers will need to be flexible with the start time of the first dive at some of the dive sites. We will ensure that you’re given timely updates on this during the trip, however, your understanding of last-minute changes would be appreciated. This is because divers are only allowed in the water once permission is granted by the local villages and officers.

Damai is flexible to change itinerary suggested based on customer’s preference in the event that weather and time allow us to do so and if changes are agreeable by all participants on board.

The last dive will be on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are recommended to wait for 24hours before flying after the last dive.