Where: North Sulawesi – Indonesia

When: April - September

11-night trips

Boat: Peter Hughes M/V Paradise Dancer
This is the largest yacht in the Dancer Fleet coming in at 57 meters (188 feet) in length. Constructed out of wood, she is a three masted motor schooner inspired by the majesty of the US Schooners circa 1800.

The interior style is that of a “floating boutique resort” and features high end amenities guests expect of the Dancer Fleet! All of the state rooms are larger than traditional liveaboard state rooms (at 180 sq. ft. each, more than 60% larger than an average liveaboard cabin) and each cabin has private ensuite facilities and air conditioning. There is also a 470 square foot "Master and Commander Suite" at the stern of the main deck that features a king size bed, separate sitting area with a sofa, and table with chairs that reminds guests of the "captains quarters" from the schooner design that inspired her.

Diving:

The Paradise Dancer takes divers on a 320 nautical mile voyage that “Goes Beyond” the Lembeh Strait and explores Bangka Island, the Sangihe Island chain and Bunaken National Marine Park before spending several days exploring the world famous Lembeh Strait.

Located off the northern tip of Sulawesi, Bangka and its surrounding islands are quite exposed and often get strong currents which come from all directions. Big pelagics come in to feed here and the reefs are alive with color. Sites closer to shore feature steep pinnacles and boulders dressed in colorful corals that provide shelter to schooling fish such as snappers, fusiliers, and surgeon fish.

The Sangihe Archipelago is a chain of 40 steep and lush volcanic islands that lie 136 miles (220 km) off Sulawesi and connects Indonesia with the Philippines. The areas best feature is its natural seclusion and untamed nature. Here from deep oceanic trenches rise towering volcanic islands including the still active Siau volcano. This rainforest island rises to over 4,600 ft (1400m) above sea level. Nights can be a special effects spectacle as red-hot lava spews from the vent at the cone’s summit.

One of the most amazing geological features of this archipelago is a dive at Mahangetang—an active underwater volcano near Siau. Rising 1,300 ft (400m) from the sea floor, the vent lies just below the surface. The surrounding area is desolate and strewn with huge boulders while hundreds of tiny bubbles race to the surface as gasses escape from deep inside the volcano. Close inspection reveals tiny sea stars, algae, small worms and sprouting corals - all signs of a new coral reef in the making.

In the Sangihe Islands the diving is incredibly rich and varied. Here plankton and nutrients from the upwelling deep-water currents create the food chain for the coral reef fringed islands which in turn attracts massive schools of fish. The waters surrounding the islands are frequented by numerous species of cetaceans such as sperm whales, pilot whales, melon-headed whales and numerous species of dolphins are often seen travelling in pods.

Established in 1991, the Bunaken National Marine Park covers 343 square miles (89,065 hectares), 97% of which is clear, warm tropical waters. Nearly everything can be found at Bunaken. Reef inhabitants include white and black tip reef sharks, giant sea turtles, napoleon fish and dugongs. You may also run into dolphins, and occasionally schools of whales. There are 22 official dive sites within the park. Diving in and around Bunaken is mostly wall and drift diving. Here schools of barracudas and jacks, green sea turtles and reef sharks, sea snakes and napoleon wrasses are found. The area also has beautiful coral slopes where coral fish in all shapes, sizes and colours can be found, as divers drift by the huge sea fans and sponges. The area offers superb opportunities for both macro and wide angle photography.

Located near the port town of Bitung, the Lembeh Strait delivers "close encounters" of the macro type where bizarre and beautiful critters are the norm. There are the "shy critters" such as pygmy seahorses, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, harlequin shrimp, skeleton shrimps, candy crabs, pegasus sea moths, and bobbit worms. Along with the usual reef fish there are also more unusual ones such as ambon scorpionfish, hairy frogfish, snake eels, stonefish, devilfish, sea robins, stargazers, devil fish and even the weedy scorpionfish. There are also beautiful seahorses including pygmies, pegasus, mandarinfish, ghost pipefish and the endemic banggai cardinalfish. The incredible array of nudibranchs come in all shapes and colours. This is the one location where you will likely encounter a new species on every dive!

Sample Package (12-night trip)

Flights from London or Manchester to Manado via Singapore, UK airport taxes, 1 night stopover with breakfast in Manado, 11 nights onboard the Paradise Dancer, roundtrip airport transfers in Manado, all meals and beverages (including alcohol), 9 1/2 days of diving with 3-4 dives per day. Port & Marine Park fees are included.

Package Price: from £2,750 per person

Based on low season rates, double occupancy and subject to availability.