East Timor, Alor & More… Nov/Dec 2022

East Timor, Alor & More… Nov/Dec 2022

Indonesia: East Timor, Alor & More… November/December 2022

Explore the diversity of Indonesia from exotic East Timor, to Alor and Beyond

Aboard the luxurious Damai I, we’ll enjoy the range of Indonesia’s dives

Join Richard and Wendy’s ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expeditions in the heart of the Coral Triangle

Kupang

Kalabahi

Labuan Bajo

Trip 1: Kupang (East Timor) to Kalabahi (Alor) 
23rd November – 3rd December 2022

Full – Contact us to join Waitlist

Trip 2: Kalabahi (Alor) to Labuan Bajo (Komodo) 
4-14th December 2022

1 x Female Share & 1 x Male Share

Indonesia has a huge diversity of marine environments, and hence dive sites.  During these two trips aboard the stunning Damai we will sail from Kupang in East Timor, Indonesia up the Pantar Strait, visiting some of our favourite dive sites at Beangabang, Pura Island and muck diving in the Kalabahi Strait. This area is full of many rare and endemic fishes, many of which have very rarely been recorded alive by scientists.  We will enjoy a diversity of dives, from oceanic reefs, to muck dives and fringing reefs.  Each area has its own community of animals and we will be searching for fishes endemic to each area we visit. Above waters, the scenery is out of this world. Volcanoes punctuate the horizon, making this a once in a life time trip to the edge of the world.

TRIP ONE

Trip start: 23rd November 2022

Trip end: 3rd December 2022

Prices start from: Please contact us.

Availability: Full – contact us for Waitlist

Depart from: Kupang

Return to: Kalabahi

TRIP TWO

Trip start: 4th December 2022

Trip end: 14th December 2022

Prices start from: Please contact us.

Availability: 1 x Female Share & 1 x Male Share

Depart from: Kalabahi

Return to: Labuan Bajo

Trip I:

We will visit some rarely dived areas around Kupang, in Indonesia’s East Timor. This time of year offers a chance to visit some remote and hard-to-access sites, as well as positioning us to also visit some of our favourite sites in all of Indonesia.

 

Trip II:

Again, this time of year is perfect to access other sites that are usually prohibited by exposure to large seas. We have had many of these on our radars for several years and given some of the other discoveries we’ve made in this region, the opportunities are huge! N.B We don’t plan to dive in the Komodo area on this trip, instead taking the time to make the most of the islands east of Komodo which we are very excited to explore.

MY DAMAI I was built in Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi, by Pak Hadji Baso, the most prestigious builder in the area in 2009. The collaboration of traditional skills with years of experience in the Indonesian liveaboard diving industry has created a remarkable vessel.

MY DAMAI I have been designed to offer a personal service dedicated to small groups. With an overall length of 40 meters (130 feet) and a beam of over 8 meters (26 feet) the vessel has 7 staterooms with a choice of single cabins, twins, doubles or two spacious master cabins. With sizes ranging from 18 sq meters / 194 sq feet for the single cabin to 40 sq meters / 430 sq feet for the master cabin, all are furnished with either queen- or king-sized beds, en-suite toilets, and showers.

The vessel has been designed with three large deck areas for relaxing in sun or shade and enjoying rejuvenating massage and spa treatments. Specifically designed for divers, the vessel offers large dive stations with individual rinse tanks, a camera room with separate workstations, and an integrated 110v and 220v charging station for each photographer.

Trip I: Red
Trip II: Green

Inclusions:
Food & Beverages
Diving
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith
Airport transfers to meet Damai
Nitrox

Exclusions:
Port & Harbour Fees
Long Distance Fees
Airfares, both domestic and international
Spirits and wine (one serve of wine is provided with dinner)

Please contact us for prices

Register your interest or join the waitlist

3 + 6 =

The talks enhance the diving experience and encourage new interest outside the obviously spectacular! Friendly, approachable organisation

Martin

United Kingdom

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AMAZING! Richard is able to make scientific talks hugely entertaining . I learnt so much, and every dive after the talks I found myself on the hunt for the new critters I had just learnt all about. Brilliant!

Madeleine

Australia

Lembeh Strait – Feb 2025

Lembeh Strait – Feb 2025

Lembeh Strait 2025

Amazing behaviours and rare species with the experts

9 nights, 10 days at the luxurious Lembeh Resort

Join Richard & Wendy of Our Beloved Seas to explore the lush muck magic of Lembeh Strait and its curious creatures

Lembeh Resort

The world’s best muck diving at its most luxurious resort
12-21st February 2025

Limited availability, please message us for waitlist

Lembeh Strait is world renowned for the profusion of unusual organisms that make it their home.  Many new species have been found here, and these will definitely be on our search-list.  In addition, it is a great place for photographers to practice their animal behaviour photography.  It is a wonderland for critter hunters, with Ambon scorpionfish, hairy frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, wunderpus, mimic octopus and many more commonly seen.  Join the experts to help find these critters!

Trip start: 12th February ’25

Trip end: 21st February ’25

Prices start from: US$ 2785 pp

Availability: FULL – Waitlist only

Depart & Return from: Manado

Lembeh Resort is nestled away in a private cove with a wealth of exotic flora and fauna in a central part of Lembeh Island. The secluded location of the resort ensures a quiet and tranquil experience, while the warm-hearted team offer service with a smile to make certain that your experience of Lembeh will be the best that it possibly can be. You will discover that despite of the seclusion on a tropical island in North Sulawesi you will not have to give up the comforts of a luxury ocean front resort. Our cottages are charming, spacious and comfortable with a wealth of modern amenities.

The Lembeh Strait is widely recognised by marine biologists as having the Worlds highest concentration of rare and unusual marine life. The practice of Muck-Diving, also known as Critter-Diving, began in Lembeh Strait in the mid nineties when marine biologists started to explore the black sand slopes of Lembeh Strait to identify the amazing diversity of animals that inhabit the underwater realm of Lembeh Strait. Today, 20 years later, divers who enjoy both macro as well as wide-angle underwater photography travel from all over the world to experience this magical place in North Sulawesi.

Perched slightly above the beautiful waters of Lembeh Strait and surrounded by lush tropical gardens Lembeh Resort was built to inconspicuously blend into the natural landscape. Westerly views of ancient extinct volcanoes and spectacular sunsets await you. Experience the warm hospitality, tropical beauty and unique wonders of our home, Lembeh Resort. We are committed to delivering North Sulawesi hospitality at its best and making our guests’ stay enjoyable and memorable both above and below the water. With a 4:1 staff ratio to ensure a high level of service, our team looks forward to welcoming you to Lembeh Resort soon.

Inclusions:
– 9 Nights Accommodation in the selected type
– 22 Guided Boat Dives with air
– Unlimited Complimentary Self-Guided House Reef Dives with AIR 
– Arrival airport escort service (upon exiting terminal) 
– Round Trip Transfers 
– All meals & snacks; free-flow drinking water, coffee & tea; taxes and Free Wi-Fi

Exclusions:
Nitrox $187 for 22 dives
Airfares, both domestic and international
Alcoholic and a la carte beverages

Prices start from $2785 per person

AMAZING! Richard is able to make scientific talks hugely entertaining . I learnt so much, and every dive after the talks I found myself on the hunt for the new critters I had just learnt all about. Brilliant!

Madeleine

Australia

Days to departure

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Register your interest or join the waitlist

10 + 8 =

The talks enhance the diving experience and encourage new interest outside the obviously spectacular! Friendly, approachable organisation

Martin

United Kingdom

Raja Ampat – March 2025

Raja Ampat – March 2025

Raja Ampat Unexplored 2025

Visit Indonesia’s extraordinary Raja Ampat Islands

11 nights, 12 days aboard the luxurious Dewi Nusantara

Join Richard & Wendy on this ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expedition and hunt for rare and unusual animals with the experts

Raja Ampat

Sorong is the start and end point of this trip

21st February – 4th March 2025 (rescheduled from 2022) 

FULL – Waitlist only

This trip is immediately preceeded by 10 nights at Lembeh Resort, please enquire if interested

We were very happy to be able to visit Raja Ampat again and explore this wonderful region. Although it has become well known, and often dived, there are many new discoveries by the team on a regular basis. Who knows what we might find next!

Trip start: 21st February 2025

Trip end: 4th March 2025

Prices start from: US$ 6999

Availability: Waitlist Only

Depart from: Sorong, West Papua

Return to: Sorong, West Papua

We begin the trip in Sorong and will explore the stunning Raja Ampat region.  After the trip, we will spend another 10 days at Lembeh Resort which can be either in combination with this trip or as a stand alone trip.  Please contact us for details.

LIVING ABOARD

Living aboard Dewi Nusantara is as close to a five star experience as is possible in the faraway corners of the Indonesian archipelago.

With an overall length of 57 meters, our three masted topsail schooner moves with a grace and stability that only larger sailing vessels can offer. 2000 square meters of sail are complemented by two 500 horsepower marine engines and two desalinators that each produce 5000 liters of fresh water per day. We purposely designed the Goddess of the Archipelago to be totally independent for long periods at sea while offering unparalleled comfort. There are eight spacious air-conditioned staterooms, that can be adapted to either twin or double use, each with its own en suite bathroom. The master and commanders’ cabin aft is the size of a large hotel suite.

While you experience the romance of a bygone area you will be able to indulge in the sheer luxury of finding lots of space everywhere you go from bow to stern. There is a huge lounge and the dining facilities are those of a superb restaurant.

With her state of the art diving equipment Dewi Nusantara has become the ultimate live-aboard diving platform in Indonesia. Her discreet and attentive Indonesian crew of 18 is complemented by one cruise director and four dive-masters who all have a long experience in the area.

Inclusions:
Food & Beverages
Diving
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith
Airport transfers to meet Dewi

Exclusions:
Port & Harbour Fees
Long Distance Fees
Airfares, both domestic and international
Spirits and wine (one serve of wine is provided with dinner)

Prices start from $6999 per person

AMAZING! Richard is able to make scientific talks hugely entertaining . I learnt so much, and every dive after the talks I found myself on the hunt for the new critters I had just learnt all about. Brilliant!

Madeleine

Australia

Days to departure

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Register your interest or join the waitlist

4 + 2 =

The talks enhance the diving experience and encourage new interest outside the obviously spectacular! Friendly, approachable organisation

Martin

United Kingdom

Indonesia South to North November 2019

Indonesia South to North November 2019

Indonesia: South to North November 2019

Explore the diversity of Indonesia from South to North

Aboard the luxurious Dewi Nusantara, we’ll enjoy the range of Indonesia’s dives

Join Richard and Wendy’s ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expeditions in the heart of the Coral Triangle

Saumlaki

Ambon

Ternate

Trip 1: Saumlaki (Forgotten Islands) to Ambon

 

24th October – 5th November 2019

SOLD OUT – CONTACT US FOR WAITLIST

Trip 2: Ambon to Ternate (Halmahera)

 

6-16th November 2019

1 x Male Share

Indonesia has a huge diversity of marine environments, and hence dive sites.  During these two trips aboard the stunning Dewi Nusantara we will sail from Saumlaki in the south, through the archipelago, to Ternate in the north.  We will enjoy a diversity of dives, from oceanic reefs, to muck dives and fringing reefs.  Each area has its own community of animals and we will be searching for fishes endemic to each area we visit.

TRIP ONE

Trip start: 24th October 2019

Trip end: 5th November

Prices start from: US$7475

Availability: SOLD OUT – CONTACT US FOR WAITLIST

Depart from: Saumlaki

Return to: Ambon

TRIP TWO

Trip start: 6th November 2019

Trip end: 16th November

Prices start from: US$6325

Availability: 1 x Male Share in a Deluxe Stateroom

Depart from: Ambon

Return to: Ternate

Trip I:

This first trip starts in Saumlaki, south eastern Indonesia.  Saumlaki belongs to the group of islands of Tanimbar, which are very rarely visited and both culturally and biologically very rich.  Several terrestrial species, such as an endemic cockatoo, skink and python are found nowhere else on earth.  Biologically, the fauna is related to that of Australia but has been isolated for thousands of years.

From here well we head northwards across the eastern Banda Sea, visiting the fabled snake island, where sea kraits can be found in huge abundances and we will dive many of the other famous sites in this difficult to reach area.  The island of Banda is packed with history, having been the centre of the global spice trade, and a neighbouring island was so globally important that it was traded between the UK and the Netherlands for Manhattan. The sites on this itinerary include extremely remote and pristine islets and atolls with fantastic visibility and bountiful fish life.  The tour ends in Ambon, a renowned muck diving mecca. 

Trip II:

Starting in Ambon in central Indonesia, we will explore another rarely visited part of Indonesia as we travel northwards.  Between Ambon and our ultimate destination of Ternate, we will explore the islands of Seram, Obi and of course Halmahera.  The latter being particularly interesting as it is the home of the newest and most western epaulette, or walking shark, species (Hemiscyllium halmahera) named in 2013.  It is also home to Wallace’s Standardwing, a type of Bird of Paradise that also represents the most westerly range of this group also.  It is thought that a land mass migrated here on tectonic plates from eastern New Guinea and many animals rafted along with it, including the shark and BOP.  This itinerary offers a range of fringing reefs, muck dives and exploratory dives in one of the last frontiers of Asian diving.

LIVING ABOARD

Living aboard Dewi Nusantara is as close to a five star experience as is possible in the faraway corners of the Indonesian archipelago.

With an overall length of 57 meters, our three masted topsail schooner moves with a grace and stability that only larger sailing vessels can offer. 2000 square meters of sail are complemented by two 500 horsepower marine engines and two desalinators that each produce 5000 liters of fresh water per day. We purposely designed the Goddess of the Archipelago to be totally independent for long periods at sea while offering unparalleled comfort. There are eight spacious air-conditioned staterooms, that can be adapted to either twin or double use, each with its own en suite bathroom. The master and commanders’ cabin aft is the size of a large hotel suite.

While you experience the romance of a bygone area you will be able to indulge in the sheer luxury of finding lots of space everywhere you go from bow to stern. There is a huge lounge and the dining facilities are those of a superb restaurant.

With her state of the art diving equipment Dewi Nusantara has become the ultimate live-aboard diving platform in Indonesia. Her discreet and attentive Indonesian crew of 18 is complemented by one cruise director and four dive-masters who all have a long experience in the area.

Trip I: Green
Trip II: Red

Inclusions:
Food & Beverages
Diving
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith
Airport transfers to meet Dewi

Exclusions:
Port & Harbour Fees
Long Distance Fees
Airfares, both domestic and international
Spirits and wine (one serve of wine is provided with dinner)

Trip I:

Deluxe Stateroom $7475

Trip II:

Deluxe Stateroom $6325

Register your interest or join the waitlist

8 + 5 =

The talks enhance the diving experience and encourage new interest outside the obviously spectacular! Friendly, approachable organisation

Martin

United Kingdom

Days to departure

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

AMAZING! Richard is able to make scientific talks hugely entertaining . I learnt so much, and every dive after the talks I found myself on the hunt for the new critters I had just learnt all about. Brilliant!

Madeleine

Australia

Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Explore pristine and remote Papua’s Cenderawasih Bay

Experience true frontier diving in luxury aboard Dewi Nusantara

Join one of Richard and Wendy’s two ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expeditions in search of endemic fishes and whale sharks

Mapia Island

The first of our charters will explore the extremely remote Mapia Island

Cenderawasih Bay

Searching for whale sharks and endemic fishes in Cenderawasih Bay during trip two
North Cenderawasih Bay & Mapia Island

23rd July – 1st August 2018

SOLDOUT – Waitlist Only

Cenderawasih Bay’s whale sharks

3-13th August 2018

SOLDOUT – Waitlist Only

Wendy and I at ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ have been pushing the boundaries of the Bird’s Head Seascape for years.  Whilst many people have enjoyed trips to Raja Ampat, we have made dedicated north and south Raja Ampat trips, and charters to explore Triton Bay.  We now plan to revisit Cenderawasih Bay and the surrounding area, one of our favourite regions in the Bird’s Head.  We first visited in 2013, and at that time several of the endemic fishes, such as Maurine’s Demoiselle, hadn’t even been named.  We will be looking for these and several other fishes found nowhere else on earth during our second charter.  We will of course also spend time with Cenderawasih’s famous whale sharks that aggregate around baggans each morning.  The first trip will venture into the Pacific, 100 nautical miles north of Manokwari, to visit the very rarely dived Mapia Island.  The few divers that have explored this region have reported giant groupers, stunning reefs and bountiful fish.  Both these trips are sure to offer unique experiences, plus Richard will be giving marine life lectures during the trip, explaining the biology behind the special endemic creatures we are seeing.  Have a read of Richard’s article about the biology of Cenderawasih bay below.
TRIP ONE: Mapia Island (9 nights)

Trip start: 23rd July 2018

Trip end: 1st August

Prices from: $6050 + $305 port and park fees

Availability: Soldout – Waitlist only

Depart from: Manokwari, Papua

Return to: Manokwari

TRIP TWO: Cenderawasih Bay (10 nights)

Trip start: 3rd August 2018

Trip end: 13th August

Prices from: $6655 + $305 port and park fees

Availability: Soldout – Waitlist Only

Depart from: Manokwari

Return to: Manokwari

TRIP ONE: MAPIA ISLAND
This special expedition will take us to Mapia island, 100 nautical miles north of the Bird’s Head.  The atoll is extremely remote and rarely dived.  Few trips have explored these pristine seas and the trip is sure to be something very special.

TRIP TWO: CENDERAWASIH BAY
This trip will take us into Cenderawasih Bay where whale sharks roam and many endemic fishes can be found.  Highlights include snorkelling with whale sharks around the baggans of southern Cenderawasih and exploring the pristine and remote reefs in search of fishes found nowhere else.  These include the Cenderawasih fairy and flasher wrasses, Maurine’s and Price’s Damselfishes and Caitlin’s dottybacks.  Many deepwater fishes can also be found in shallow depths here too including ornate angelfish and randall’s anthias.

DEWI NUSANTARA
Living aboard Dewi Nusantara is as close to a five star experience as is possible in the faraway corners of the Indonesian archipelago.
With an overall length of 57 meters, the three-masted topsail schooner moves with a grace and stability that only larger sailing vessels can offer. The purposely designed the Goddess of the Archipelago is totally independent for long periods at sea while offering unparalleled comfort. There are eight spacious air-conditioned staterooms, which can be adapted to either twin or double use, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The master and commanders’ cabin aft is the size of a large hotel suite.
While you experience the romance of a bygone area you will be able to indulge in the sheer luxury of finding lots of space everywhere you go from bow to stern. There is a huge lounge and the dining facilities are those of a superb restaurant.
With her state of the art diving equipment Dewi Nusantara has become the ultimate live-aboard diving platform in Indonesia. Her discreet and attentive Indonesian crew of 18 is complemented by cruise director and four dive-masters who all have a long experience in the area.
INCLUDES
9/10 nights (trips one and two respectively) in a double occupancy cabin
3-4 dives per day including air fills, tanks and weights
All meals and beverages (non-alcoholic, local beer and one wine serving with dinner)
Transfers from Manokwari Airport
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith

EXCLUDES
Airfare and airport departure tax (payable in local currency)
Spirits and wine
Nitrox
Park and harbour fees (+ $305)

Prices start from $6050 per person for trip one and $6655 for trip two (+ $305 port and park fees)

Register your interest

4 + 15 =

We joined Richard’s group tour in Fiji and found the whole experience to be enjoyable and very informative. We can highly recommend any future tours.
Maurice

Australia

Richard manages to explain lots of scientific detail in an entertaining and amusing way and makes finding the endemic fishes a real achievement on a dive – even when they’re not the most exciting fish on the reef.
Kate

United Kingdom