From North Sulawesi to South Halmahera: An Indonesian Island Adventure
Rachel, Jamie and Jacqui are here to help give you the inside track.
After an island getaway with a spot of adventure? On this two-week Indonesian itinerary, travel to two distinct coastal regions - North Sulawesi and South Halmahera - for world-class reefs, wrecks and muck diving.
Begin on the pretty island of Siladen in North Sulawesi, where you'll spend your days diving in the gin-clear waters of Bunaken Marine Park. Alongside incredible wall dives, this protected marine area is also home to macro sites and even its very own wreck, both of which are teeming with wonderful wildlife.
After a quick break above the surface to explore the Tangkoko Rainforest, swap Siladen for Sali Bay, an island resort in South Halmahera. Largely untouched by humans, Sali Bay's house reef and myriad dive sites offer a wealth of biodiversity, with everything from gleaming dolphins and reef sharks to teeny-tiny nudibranch.
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Experience world-class wall diving in Bunaken National Marine Park
- Relax on the beautiful, remote island of Siladen
- Search for macro critters in Manado Bay
- Explore the tropical rainforest in Tangkoko National Park
- Visit untouched dive sites in South Halmahera
- Dive in Sali Bay's pristine house reef
Why Book with Original Diving?
- 100% Carbon Off-setting
- UK Departure Assistance
- Fast Track UK Check-in
- Fast Track UK Security
- UK Airport Lounge Access
- Pre-booked Airline Seats
When To Travel
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
Days 1 & 2: Fly to Indonesia
Pack your bags and grab your passports - your Indonesian diving adventure begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Manado, Indonesia. Flying via Singapore, the trip takes around 20 hours, so sit back, relax and try to get some shut-eye before you touch down.
You'll arrive in Manado the following day. Once you've collected your bags, you'll be privately transferred by car and boat to Siladen Resort & Spa, which is located around 90 minutes away in the stunning Bunaken National Marine Park.
It'll likely be late in the day by the time you arrive, so check in, enjoy a delicious dinner and head up to bed, ready for the real exploring to begin tomorrow.
Days 3 - 6: Dreamy Diving in Bunaken Marine Park
The next four days are defined by sun, sand and, most importantly, sea. With two planned dives per day, Siladen Resort's fantastic dive centre offers you the chance to explore Bunaken Marine Park in all its glory.
Alongside its fantastic visibility and bath-warm waters, Bunaken is perhaps best known for its wall diving. The real highlight of the area is the Lekuan walls, which stretch for miles and are covered in a blanket of sponges, sea fans and beautiful black coral. Keep your eyes peeled for hidden macro critters, such as pygmy seahorses and blue-ringed octopuses, as well as the park's resident turtles.
If you prefer muck to macro, head to nearby Manado Bay, where you can see frogfish, cuttlefish and plenty of nudibranchs nestled among the black sand. After a spot of wreck diving instead? Visit Molas, a Dutch cargo ship which sank during the Second World War and now acts as an artificial reef, complete with colourful coral, huge sponges and schools of batfish, barracuda and pufferfish.
When you're not masked up, spend your time sunbathing on the sand, enjoying a relaxing treatment in the spa or toasting with an ice-cold sundowner on the beach.
Day 7: Exploring Tangkoko Rainforest
Today, you'll be staying on dry land as you head out to explore Tangkoko Rainforest. After a hearty breakfast, you'll be transferred to this incredible tropical rainforest, which lies within a protected nature reserve.
Alongside an expert guide, explore the national park, traversing walkways lined with ancient trees that create an emerald-green canopy. Listen to the sounds of the canopy above you, watching for the indigenous Black-Crested Macaque or cute tarsiers. Along the way, pause at waterfalls and rivers, stopping midway to enjoy a picnic lunch in this beautiful setting.
Once you're suitably wowed (and shattered), make your way back to the resort for a well-earned dinner on the beach.
Day 8: Head for Halmahera
Today, wave goodbye to Siladen as you're privately transferred by boat and car back to Manado airport. Once there, board your two-and-a-half-hour flight to Labuha, capital of Indonesia's South Halmahera Regency.
When you touch down, you'll be met for another boat-and-car transfer combo to Sali Bay, which takes just over an hour. Finally, check into Sali Bay Dive Resort, drop your bags and sit back on the sand with a sundowner - you deserve it after all that travelling.
Days 9 - 13: Below the Surface in Halmahera
Sali Bay is all about one thing: diving. Set in South Halmahera, this off-the-beaten-track destination offers pristine dive sites and incredible biodiversity, making it a diver's dream.
You've got five days ahead of you, so head down to the resort's dive centre each morning to discuss where you'd like to go that day. Sali Bay Resort's house reef is a great place to start - the crystalline waters are home to reef sharks, turtles and crabs, along with the rare Halmahera walking shark, only discovered in 2013.
If you venture out into the surrounding waters, you'll find over 70 dive sites, along with a huge array of marine critters. Keep your eyes peeled for ghost pipefish, nudibranch and flatworms concealed in the muck, or glide alongside tuna, dolphins and pilot whales as they cut through the water. And - as if it couldn't get any better - Sali Bay is the only resort in South Halmahera, meaning you'll have each site to yourselves.
When you're not diving, enjoy tasty Indonesian cuisine at the restaurant, take a refreshing dip in the pool or enjoy a treatment at the spa before watching the sun set over the sparkling water.
Days 14 & 15: Home Time
It's sadly time to wave goodbye to Indonesia and head home. After one last beachfront breakfast, hop into a boat and then a car for the hour-long journey back to Manado, arriving in perfect time to catch your overnight flight home.
With a quick stopover in Singapore, the journey will take around 23 hours, touching down the following day.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
A Rough Idea of Price
This Itinerary
If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, with economy flights, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels.
From
£7,100pp
Bare Necessities
If you would like to pare back the above itinerary by travelling at non-peak times, staying in a standard room and removing some or all of the guided activities.
From
£5,950pp
Bells & Whistles
If you are looking for something extra special and would like to add business or first class flights, stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.
From
£7,700pp
Rachel, Jamie and Jacqui are our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers they have the inside track on the most memorable adventures.