Halmahera

Indonesia’s hidden frontier of walking sharks, rich reefs, and pelagic beauty

Tucked between Raja Ampat and North Sulawesi, Halmahera remains one of Indonesia’s lesser-known yet equally rewarding dive destination on board Halmahera liveaboard. Its waters brim with strong currents that fuel vibrant coral growth, creating a kaleidoscope of reef life that thrives alongside dramatic drop-offs and sandy slopes. Halmahera also holds echoes of history—WWII wrecks now transformed into marine sanctuaries teeming with life. With fewer crowds and raw, untamed dive sites, this frontier is best explored by liveaboard expeditions Halmahera for those chasing adventure and biodiversity off the beaten path.

Main Access Point

Ternate

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

March to November

GETTING THERE

Manado (MDC) - Ternate (TTE)

MARINE BIODIVERSITY

Untouched reefs, pelagics, rich macro life

Why Visit

Halmahera

Halmahera is a hidden gem in the heart of the Coral Triangle, offering incredible biodiversity and an adventurous atmosphere. Here you’ll find it all — hammerheads in deep channels, pristine reefs with over 450 coral species, WWII wrecks draped in soft corals, and macro hotspots packed with nudibranchs and rare critters.

It’s a place where very few divers go, which means you’ll often have entire dive sites to yourself. The combination of tropical reefs, dramatic seascapes, and untouched nature makes Halmahera a rising star for divers looking for raw beauty and zero crowds.

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Diving in

Halmahera

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Tifore Island

Located between Halmahera and North Sulawesi, Tifore is famous for massive schools of barracudas, fusiliers, and trevallies. The site also hosts reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse. A great spot for action-packed, open-ocean diving.

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Morotai

Known for its WWII wrecks, including planes and ships now covered in coral. Divers will also find blacktip reef sharks, macro critters, and occasional manta sightings.

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Patinti Strait (Bacan)

This channel dive features strong currents, coral bommies, and frequent appearances of reef sharks, barracudas, and large pelagics. Ideal for experienced drift divers.

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Goraici Islands

A remote group with rich coral reefs, clear visibility, and healthy fish populations. Manta rays and reef sharks are often seen. Pristine and rarely crowded.

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Ternate

Volcanic walls and slopes dominate the underwater landscape. Expect macro life such as pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and occasional walking sharks.

Tidore

Peaceful reefs and healthy coral gardens characterize Tidore’s dive sites. Schooling fish and clear waters make for relaxed and scenic diving.

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Weda Bay

One of Halmahera’s most biodiverse areas. Known for coral-rich reefs and the rare Halmahera walking shark. Ideal for spotting endemic species in a serene setting.

Critters

Halmahera is a macro paradise, home to pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, and the endemic Halmahera walking shark.

Coral Reefs

Healthy hard and soft coral systems dominate most dive sites, especially in Weda Bay and Goraici Islands, with minimal bleaching and strong currents that support coral growth.

Reef Fish

Schools of fusiliers, snappers, sweetlips, groupers, and anthias are found throughout the region, often clouding the reefscape in motion.

Sharks

Blacktip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks are regularly seen. Patinti Strait and Tifore are reliable sites for shark encounters.

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Cetaceans

Spinner dolphins and pilot whales are occasionally spotted, especially in the deeper channels around Morotai and Tifore.

The water temperature around Halmahera is consistently warm, ranging from 27°C to 30°C all year.

A blend of reefs, walls, pinnacles, black sand muck, and WWII wrecks, with depths from shallow reef tops to 40 m+.

Currents are usually gentle to moderate across most of Halmahera. However, certain straits and channels, like Patinti, can experience strong tidal surges that attract large fish. With such variety, it’s a destination that caters to both beginners and experienced divers alike.

Manado (MDC) - Ternate (TTE)

How to get to

Halmahera

Remote and richly biodiverse, Halmahera can be accessed via a short hop to Ternate and a scenic ferry ride—perfect for travelers with a taste for exploration.