EcoXplorer Itinerary
Ternate to Patinti Strait Expedition (TTE)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.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 10 days / 9 nights
Number of dives 29
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 40 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- Volcanic and macro diving at Ternate Harbor
- Black volcanic sand slopes and features sites like the Tomajiko volcanic
- Strong currents that attract "big fish" such as grey reef sharks, barracudas, giant trevallies, and dogtooth tuna
- Chances to see manta rays at Talimao and massive table corals in the Goraici Islands
- Dive at Makian Island, featuring rare critters like the Rhinopias and mimic octopus.
Day 1 - Ternate
07:00 - 12:00: Airport pickup, liveaboard check-in, equipment setup, and marine park safety briefings.
12:30 - 13:30: Welcome lunch served while anchored in the harbor.
14:30 – Check Dive at Restaurant Floridas
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack and boat orientation.
19:00 – Dive 2: Night Muck at Ternate Harbor (Ampari Wreck)
20:30: Dinner served at a calm, near-shore anchorage.
21:00: Transit: Anchor raised for a short cruise to North Ternate for overnight anchorage in 1-1.5 hours
Day 2 - North Ternate
06:30 - 07:15: Light breakfast (coffee, tea, fruit).
07:30 – Dive 1: Tomajiko
09:00 - 10:30: Full hot breakfast & surface interval.
11:00 – Dive 2: Ternate Lava Flow
12:30 - 14:00 Lunch & relaxation.
14:30 – Dive 5: Takome
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack.
17:30: Transit: The vessel begins a scenic sunset navigation south toward the historical islands of Maitara (2 hours), Tidore, and Mare.
Day 3 - Maitara, Tidore & Mare
06:30 - 07:15: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09.00 : Dive 1: Maitara Sand Bank
09:00 - 10:00: Full hot breakfast & surface interval. Sail to Pilongga in 1 hour
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Pulau Pilongga
12:00 - 13:30 | Lunch & relaxation. Sail to Mare in 2 hours
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 3: North-West Mare
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack.
18:00: Transit: Anchor raised for an overnight navigation south to the remote Siko island chain in 6 hours.
19:00: Dinner
Day 4 - Siko
06:30 - 07:15: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1: Goweba Pinnacle
09:00 - 10:00: Full hot breakfast & surface interval.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Siko Ridge
12:30 - 14:00: Lunch & relaxation.
14:30 – Dive 11: Tamo-Tamo
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack.
18:30 – Dive 12: Pulau Adu (Night Dive)
20:00: Dinner served under the stars.
21:30: Transit: Short overnight steam to Laigamo Island in 1 hour.
Day 5 - Laigamo
06:00 - 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1: Blue Flash
09:00 - 10:00: Full hot breakfast & surface interval.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Crystal Ball
12:00 - 13:30: Lunch & relaxation.
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 3: Gumergo Rock
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack.
17:30: Transit: Smooth evening navigation to the central Goraici anchor point at Lelai in 2 hours
Day 6 - Lelai
06:00 - 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09.00 : Dive 1: Talimao
09:00 - 10:00: Full hot breakfast & surface interval.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Talimao Mantas
12:00 - 13:00: Lunch & relaxation.
14:00 – 15.00 : Dive 3: Pulau Defo
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack.
18:30 – Dive 19: Lelai Pier (Night Dive)
20:00: Dinner served.
21:30:: Transit: Night navigation southeast to Kusu Island in 7 hours
Day 7 - Kusu
06:00 - 07:00 | Light breakfast.
07:30 - 09:00: Dive 1: Tanjung Kusu
09:00 - 10:00: Full hot breakfast & surface interval.
10:30 - 12:00: Dive 2: Igu Nyoga
12:00 - 13:30: Lunch & relaxation.
14:00 - 15:00: Dive 3: Mujiu
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack.
18:30 – 20:00: Night Dive: Kusu Jetty
20:00: Dinner served.
22:00: Transit: Midnight steam over to the high-voltage Proco channel system in less than 1 hour
Day 8 - Proco & Saleh
06:00 - 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 - 09:00: Dive 1: Proco House Reef
09:00 - 10:00: Full hot breakfast & surface interval.
10:30 - 12:00: Dive 2: Proco Pinnacle
12:00 - 13:30: Lunch & relaxation.
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 3: Saleh Kecil
16:00 - 17:00: Afternoon snack. The vessel begins moving north out of the strait toward North Kajoa.
19:00: Dinner onboard.
Day 9 - Kajoan & Makian
06:00 - 07:00: Light breakfast.
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 1: Kajoa Point
09:00 - 10:00: Full hot breakfast & brief transit to Makian Island.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Mailoa Rhino (Makian)
12:00 - 13:30: Lunch served while the crew rinses and hangs your dive gear to dry
13:30 - 15:30: Island Visit: A scenic land excursion to explore the historical volcanic spice village on Makian Island.
16:00: Transit: The liveaboard drops into its final navigation run heading back north to Ternate Harbor in 6 hours, treating you to a gorgeous final sunset cruise past Tidore.
19:00: Farewell dinner and settling of marine park tags/bar tabs.
Day 10 - Ternate
07:30 - 09:00 : Final breakfast onboard the vessel.
09:00 - 11:30: Final packing, settling accounts, group photos, and farewells.
13:00: Final disembarkation and crew-assisted transfers to Sultan Babullah Airport (TTE).
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
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
Ternate
Ternate Airport: TTE
Return
11:30am
Ternate
Ternate Airport: TTE
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/ecoxplorer/itn-2608030750221-ternate-to-patinti-strait-expedition-tte-