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EcoXplorer

EcoXplorer Itinerary

Forgotten Frontiers: The Watubela Liveaboard Expedition (SOQ - AMQ)

10 days / 9 nights

About EcoXplorer

  • Accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in eastern Indonesia
  • Itineraries in Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay, Triton Bay, Halmahera and Banda Sea
  • Cultural visits, snorkelling, fishing and island exploration between dives
  • All profits support EcoNusa’s conservation and community initiatives

EcoXplorer is a 28m expedition liveaboard operating across the remote waters of eastern Indonesia, from Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay, to Triton Bay, Halmahera and the Banda Sea. Rebuilt in the style of a traditional Indonesian phinisi, the vessel accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in ensuite cabins and combines dedicated diving facilities with cultural visits, wildlife encounters and island exploration. Highlights of the itineraries can include spectacular reefs, manta rays, whale sharks, wrecks, schooling fish and unusual macro life, depending on the itinerary. And with all profits supporting EcoNusa’s conservation and community programmes, EcoXplorer is particularly well suited to divers seeking small-group expeditions with a more meaningful local connection.

Learn more about EcoXplorer

Itinerary details

Length of trip 10 days / 9 nights
Number of dives 24
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 50 dives
Insurance Required

Highlights

  • The route spans from Sorong to Tulehu, covering regions like the East Maluku frontier and the Banda Sea
  • The trip features daily diving sessions across unique locations from the "Karst Labyrinths" of Balbulol
  • Enjoy the vibrant reefs of Daram and the "Fish Metropolis" at Koon Island.
  • Includes land-based experiences of Yeliet, tracking at Puncak Love 
  • Community visits in Watubela and Ameth villages
Day 1 - Tulehu
08:00 – 11:00: Pickup, boarding in Tulehu, orientation, gear setup.
11:30 – 16:00: Transit (4.5 hrs) to Nusa Laut while serving lunch.
16:00 – 17:00: Dive 1: Batu Hitam / Nusa Laut Shallow (Check Dive).
19:00: Dinner and briefing on deck at anchor off Nusa Laut.

Day 2 - Nusa Laut to Koon
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1: Tanjung Amet (Nusa Laut).
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Nusa Laut Wall.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch is served as lines cast off at 13:00.
13:00: Transit to Koon (18 hours of continuous steam) across open ocean.
16:00: Snack time
19:00: Dinner and briefing

Day 3 - Koon Island & South Watubela
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1: Koon ('Too Many Fishes').
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Koon Reef Wall.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch on board.
14:00: Transit to South Watubela (17.5 hours continuous steam)
16.00: Snack
19.00: Dinner

Day 4 - South Watubela Archipelago
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1 – diving exploration
09:00 – 10:00: Full breakfast.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2 – diving exploration
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch.
14:00 - 15:00: Dive 3 - diving
16:00 - 17:00: Snack time / Island hopping if applicable
19:00: Dinner & anchor in North Watubela.
21:00: Transit to north Watubela Archipelago

Day 5 - North Watubela Archipelago
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1 – diving exploration
09:00 – 10:00: Full breakfast.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2 – diving exploration
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch.
14.00 - 15.00: Dive 3 - diving exploration
16.00: Snack
18.30 - 20.00: optional night dive exploration
20.00: Dinner

Day 6 - Manakowa Exploration
04:00 - 05:00: Morning transit to Manawoka
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1 – diving exploration
09:00 – 10:00: Full breakfast.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2 – diving exploration
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch.
14.00 - 15.00: Dive 3 - diving exploration
16.00: Snack
18.30 - 20.00: optional night dive exploration
20.00: Dinner

Day 7 - Panjang Island Exploration
04:00 - 05:00: Morning transit to Panjang Island
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1 – diving exploration
09:00 – 10:00: Full breakfast.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2 – diving exploration
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch.
14.00 - 15.00: Dive 3 - diving exploration
16.00: Snack
18:30 – 19:30: Optional Night Dive.
20:00: Dinner at anchor.

Day 8 - Panjang Island to Nusa Laut
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast.
07.30 - 09.00: Dive 1 in Panjang Island
09:00 – 10:00: Full breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2 in Panjang Island
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch.
14.00 - 15.00: sail to Nusa Laut
19.00: Dinner

Day 9 - Nusa Laut to Tulehu
08:00: Arrive back at Nusa Laut.
08:30 – 09:30: Dive 1 ONLY: Nusa Laut Shallow Reef
10:00 – 11:00: Breakfast.
13.00: Lunch
15:00 – 17:00: Island visit
19:00 - 20:00: BBQ & Farewell
21:00: Sail back to Tulehu

Day 10 - Tulehu to Ambon
03.00: Arrive in Tulehu
07:30 – 08:30: Breakfast: Last
08:30 – 09:00: Luggage handling, settling final bills, and crew farewells.
09:00: Official checkout. Private vehicle transfer to Pattimura Airport (AMQ) in Ambon for your onward domestic flights safely past the no-fly clock! Recommend taking afternoon flights

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.

Transfer details

Departure

09:00am

Sorong

Sorong Airport: SOQ

Return

01:00pm

Tulehu

Pattimura International Airport: AMQ

Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/ecoxplorer/itn-2608030655281-forgotten-frontiers-the-watubela-liveaboard-expedition-soq-amq-