Underwater Treasures part 2-Halmahera and Sulawesi May 17-28, 2026

This unique 11-night itinerary will take you from the remote and stunning coral reefs of Halmahera to the famed critter capital of the Lembeh Straits.  En-route you will even have the opportunity to snorkel the sumptuous reefs around Bangka Island and visit Tangkoko National Park.

May 17-28
The morning of May 17, board the lovely and comfortable Seahorse liveaboard in Ternate located in the Moluccas, off the coast of Halmahera. After you have a chance to settle in, the adventure begins! This itinerary offer so many highlights.  This rarely visited region features dramatic volcanos, beautiful white sand beaches and our raison d’etre, fantastic snorkeling!

Halmahera is right in the middle of the coral triangle and you can expect astounding biodiversity. The reefs are pristine and untouched.  Past Scientific surveys report this area is comparable only to Raja Ampat.
The seascape is breathtaking. The pinnacles are full of schooling fish, the walls are covered in stunning soft corals and sea fans and the reefs are pristine and super fishy.  Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, turtles, reef sharks, schools of jacks, barracuda, and clouds of anthias populate the reefs here.

High points of our time in South Halmahera include the stunning reefs in the Pantini Strait. Kusu and neighboring islands are in a marine protected area and the condition of the reefs reflect the lack of commercial fishing.
Inside this protected area, the amazing underwater world offers everything from big fish like tunas, dolphins, mantas and sharks to large schools of fish down to the smallest of critters.  The reefs are teeming with life and hard coral gardens, lush colorful soft corals and gorgonians. The seascape offers walls, slopes, caverns, caves, overhangs, sea grass beds and underwater pinnacles.

Tifore is a pinnacle between Halmahera and Lembeh which is known for having a crazy volume of barracuda.
The huge school of barracuda, said to number over 1,000!  Just off the island there is a submerged reef that slopes down to healthy hard and soft corals and huge shoals of schooling fish. Grey reef sharks sometimes pass by here too.

The final leg of the journey will be in N. Sulawesi. Tangkoko National Park is a nature reserve with exceptional groves of very old trees and a variety of animal life.  The Tarsius is the smallest known primate.

There are several groups of the endemic Black Macaque monkeys, Maleo birds and Kuskus (marsupials) are often spotted by the park guide.

The reefs of Bangka teem with so much life. One of my favorite spots is Bangka’s Batu Mandi pinnacle. During one snorkel there I was enthralled watching a cuttlefish flash hypnotically while hunting it’s prey while a gorgeous giant yellow frogfish looked up at me from the reef below.

The grand finale of this epic voyage will be in Lembeh straits. Every weird and wonderful critter is found in these waters.
Have you gone “muck” snorkeling before? If not, you are in for a treat!
Muck snorkeling is like going on a treasure hunt. At first glance you may not see anything but black sand, maybe some sea grass, probably a bit debris but then….as your eyes adjust and you move slowly, slowly along the sand all of a sudden you start to notice all kinds of crazy life forms.
You may see mimic octopus, blue ring octopus, hairy frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy squid, flying gunards and all kinds of fantastical and flamboyant nudibranchs. The eagle-eyed snorkel guides will be close at hand to help point out discoveries. It’s great fun!

Lembeh also has pretty reefs with beautiful fishes like the endemic Banggai cardinalfish and the colorful and interactive mandarinfish.

Each day we’ll travel to best snorkel sites based on real-time conditions. The advantage of liveaboard travel is the ability to relocate to fishy, sheltered snorkel sites with good visibility.
The Seahorse has four excellent snorkel guides who will be in the water with us, eager to point out cryptic critters and other underwater wonders.

The rhythm of the days on a live-aboard snorkel trip is fun and flexible.  Perhaps you’ll want to start your day watching the sunrise and stretching on the upper deck. After a breakfast of mouth-watering goodies we’ll have a snorkel briefing and slip into the water for a leisurely morning snorkel.  After lunch and time for a rest we’ll jump back in the water and explore a new underwater wonderland.

Each guided snorkel session lasts approximately 2 hours. Any time you you want to take a break there will be a skiff nearby where you can take a rest or return to the Seahorse.  When possible there may be a dusk or night snorkel.
Our day to day itinerary will vary to make sure we are at the best site at the best time.  It’s all about maximum exposure to discover a variety of marine life in the best possible conditions. On some days we’ll have the opportunity for beach time or a zodiac tour.

May 28  This epic voyage ends in Manado. The morning of May 28th the group will disembark the Seahorse.
The good news is Manado has an international airport. You can schedule your onward flight any time of day. The Seahorse will provide transportation to the airport or hotel of your choice in Manado.

THE SEAHORSE

The MSY Seahorse is a newly-refurbished 33m (108 ft) Phinisi-style liveaboard boat, run by Wallacea Dive Cruises, who have successfully run exceptional voyages for over 20 years.

The classic beauty of The Seahorse Liveaboard combines traditional craftsmanship with all the modern conveniences and safety features.
The spacious sun deck has a lounge area with a cover for shade.  Photographers will love the large dedicated camera room.
The bright and airy restaurant serves up healthy, gourmet meals.  The head chef prepares excellent meals with plenty fresh fruits and vegetables. Specials diets are happily catered to.

Identification books of flora and local fauna are available on board, and the snorkel guides or the skipper will always help you to identify the strange animal you just saw underwater!
There are two complimentary kayaks on board to use when conditions allow.

The snorkel sites are reached by two spacious 22 feet custom-built  tender boats.  There is a 4:1 snorkeler-to-guide ratio.

The 8 spacious cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms with hot water. Towels and toiletries, soap and shampoo are provided in each cabin. On the lower deck, cabins 1-5 have twin beds, cabin 6 has a double bed.
Cabins 7 and 8 on the main deck are sea view, double-bedded cabins.

TRIP COST:
$7250  per person based on double occupancy, in a twin or double bedded cabin on lower deck  
$7650 per person based on double occupancy in a sea view cabin on upper deck. 

PRICE INCLUDES:
♦  Airport to boat transfers on group arrival and departure days
♦ 11 nights on the Seahorse liveaboard May 17-28, 2026
♦  All meals & snacks. Drinking water, soft drinks and hot drinks, espresso
♦  All guided snorkels (1 guide /4 snorkelers)
♦  Snorkel excursions and meals on Seahorse
♦  Port and park fees of $218.00 per person
♦  Fuel Surcharge of $109 per person

PRICE EXCLUDES:
♦  International Airfare
♦  Travel Insurance
♦  Alcoholic beverages (okay to BYOB)
♦ Massage
♦  Personal Expenses
♦  Gratuities

TRIP LEADERS:
This expedition will be led by one or more of the follow trip leaders:

Wendy Simon, CEO/Founder of Snorkeling Etc and Robert Irwin, Master cribbage player of the universe 

Carol May and Chris Wilkinson:

 

 

 

Carol and Chris are recently retired science teachers. Their background in marine biology gives them a deep understanding and appreciation of the marine environment. They are certified marine mammal naturalists and have 20 years guiding and organizing multi-day outdoor expeditions. They are passionate about snorkeling and adventure travel.
Chris and Carol are skilled photographers. Carol’s underwater photography has been recognized in several publications, including the journal of Wildlife photography. Chris is a devoted GoPro user with a special focus on pelagics.

We hope you can join this unique and incredible adventure.
For more information contact:
Wendy Simon/CEO and fellow snorkel addict
831 254-5001
Wendy@Snorkelingetc.com