North Halmahera Diving Expedition: Expert Insights from a Liveaboard Exploration Trip
North Halmahera diving is quickly emerging as one of Indonesia’s most exciting and unexplored underwater experiences offering remote reefs, seamounts, WWII wrecks, and untouched dive sites best accessed by liveaboard.
At Malaillo Liveaboard, exploration is at the heart of what we do. Our recent Indonesia liveaboard diving expedition through North Halmahera and Morotai brought together a team of experienced divers, explorers, and ocean enthusiasts to uncover new dive sites in one of the country’s least visited regions.
Among them was Garry Bevan, a highly respected scuba professional, cruise director, and author. We sat down with him to hear about his experience and insights into this emerging dive destination.
Meet Garry Bevan: A Life in Indonesia Diving
Originally from the UK, Garry Bevan began his diving career in cold waters before transitioning into a professional instructor. After gaining experience with BSAC and later PADI, his life took an unexpected turn in 1995 during a trip to Bali.
What started as a short visit quickly became something more. After just one dive in Nusa Penida, he was invited to work as a guide the very next day. Soon after, he found himself managing a dive resort, before even attending the wedding he had traveled for.
Since then, Garry has spent decades exploring Indonesia diving destinations, eventually authoring detailed dive cruise guides on Komodo and Raja Ampat.
First Impressions of North Halmahera Diving
Garry’s first experience with North Halmahera diving dates back to reconnaissance trips during the COVID-19 period. While the main focus was identifying surf locations, he gathered valuable insights into the region’s underwater landscape.
“We managed to explore and document a large number of good quality dive sites, but there is still so much more to discover.”
Unlike more established regions, Halmahera remains largely untouched, making it ideal for exploration diving in Indonesia.
What Makes North Halmahera Unique?
While marine biodiversity is comparable to other parts of Indonesia, the region offers features that set it apart:
- Vast offshore seamounts rising from deep waters
- Active marine volcanic vents
- World War II relics, including airplane wrecks and shipwrecks
- Remote dive sites rarely visited by other liveaboards
These elements make Halmahera dive sites especially appealing for divers seeking something beyond the typical routes.
Discovering New Dive Sites in Halmahera
During the expedition, the Malaillo team explored previously undocumented areas, particularly around the northern tip of the islands.
Some of the newly discovered dive sites were, according to Garry:
“On the same level as some of the best in Komodo or Raja Ampat.”
This highlights the incredible potential of undiscovered dive sites in Indonesia, especially in regions like North Halmahera.
Diving Highlights: Morotai Wrecks & Seamounts
Several dives stood out during the journey, showcasing the diversity of Morotai diving and surrounding areas:
- WWII airplane wrecks in Morotai, offering a unique historical diving experience
- Seamounts between Halmahera and Morotai, rich in marine life and topography
- Remote island chains near Doi Island, described as the highlight of the expedition
“The best experience was discovering the wonderful dive sites along that line of small islands.”
Life Onboard an Indonesia Liveaboard Expedition
For Garry, who has worked extensively on liveaboards worldwide, the experience aboard Malaillo stood out for its professionalism and adaptability.
“The captain and crew were able to position the yacht exactly where we needed, without question.”
This level of precision is essential when exploring remote and uncharted dive locations.
The onboard atmosphere also played a key role:
- A collaborative team of divers, photographers, and explorers
- A relaxed, positive environment
- Strong teamwork throughout the expedition
“There were no attitudes, everyone was working in harmony.”
Moments to Remember
Beyond the diving, the expedition was filled with memorable moments:
- Revisiting and properly documenting previously explored sites
- Learning about upcoming upgrades to Malaillo’s tenders
- And a lighter moment onboard: “Chris (a member of Lotus Hotels), crashing his drone on the first day… hahahaha.”
Why North Halmahera Is a Future Top Dive Destination
North Halmahera remains one of the last frontiers for remote dive destinations in Indonesia. With vast unexplored areas and increasing interest in off-the-beaten-path diving, its potential is undeniable.
As exploration continues, this region could soon stand alongside Indonesia’s most iconic destinations, while still offering something rare: true discovery.
Join a North Halmahera Liveaboard Diving Expedition
At Malaillo Liveaboard, we specialize in Indonesia liveaboard diving trips that go beyond the ordinary.
If you’re looking to:
- Explore new dive sites in Indonesia
- Dive remote reefs and seamounts
- Experience authentic exploration diving
Then North Halmahera is your next adventure.
Discover our routes and upcoming expeditions and be part of the journey into Indonesia’s last diving frontiers.
