THE MOLUCCAN PASSAGE
Halmahera to Lembeh
10 Nights / 11 Days
Ternate → Pantinti Strait → Bacan → Goraici Islands → Tifore → Lembeh Strait → Bitung
Expedition Overview
Journey from the volcanic heart of the North Moluccas across the rarely travelled waters of Halmahera to the legendary Lembeh Strait.
Beginning beneath the dramatic silhouette of Ternate, this one-way expedition explores remote channels, walls, coral gardens and black-sand slopes around South Halmahera before continuing west across the Molucca Sea.
Along the way, we dive the current-swept Pantinti Strait, explore Bacan, discover the pristine reefs and white-sand islands of Goraici and search for the enormous schools of barracuda for which Tifore is famous.
Our journey ends in a completely different underwater world: the volcanic black sands of Lembeh Strait, internationally renowned for extraordinary macro life.
Day-by-Day Expedition
Signature Species & Marine Life Highlights
Depending on season and conditions, guests may encounter:
Activities May Include
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
- Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
- Kayaking
- Beach Visits
- Tender Exploration
- Beach Barbecue (weather and conditions permitting)
- Indonesian Cultural Evening
- Sunset Cruises
- Wildlife Observation
- Underwater Photography
- Ocean Passage Cruising
Expedition Notes
The Moluccan Passage is a one-way seasonal crossing that links the volcanic islands of Halmahera with the legendary macro diving of Lembeh Strait — a route travelled by far fewer liveaboards.
Guests embark directly in Ternate and disembark in Bitung. Days at sea balance diving with longer passages, so the rhythm of the expedition is shaped as much by the crossing as by the reefs themselves.
The WiSu Beach Barbecue may be offered during our time in the Goraici Islands when weather, tides and local conditions allow. It is never guaranteed and is not fixed to a specific day.
Diving & Experience
Diving & Experience
The Moluccan Passage offers an extraordinary variety of diving — from current-swept channels and remote oceanic reefs to volcanic walls, black-sand slopes and the legendary macro diving of Lembeh Strait.
Some dives may involve stronger currents, drift diving, negative entries or blue-water ascents. For this reason, we recommend an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent, approximately 50 logged dives and previous experience diving in currents.
All diving is optional, and our Cruise Director will always select sites and timings according to conditions and diver experience.
Who is this expedition for?
This journey is for divers who love variety and exploration.
It is especially suited to guests drawn to remote places and one-way expeditions where the underwater world changes throughout the journey — from Halmahera's wild reefs and pelagic encounters, through the great fish schools of Tifore, to the extraordinary small creatures of Lembeh Strait.
For travellers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, The Moluccan Passage offers a rare opportunity to experience several distinct underwater worlds in a single expedition.
Please Note
This is a sample itinerary. Dive sites listed throughout are examples only.
The exact route, dive sites, number of dives and activities may vary depending on weather, sea conditions, currents, tides, visibility, wildlife encounters, local regulations and operational considerations — including the longer ocean passages required on this crossing.
Our Captain and Cruise Director may modify the itinerary whenever necessary, always prioritising guest safety and the best possible experience under the conditions encountered.
No two WiSu expeditions are ever exactly the same—and that is part of what makes every journey truly unforgettable.