Surfing and Diving from a Yacht in Indonesia's Remote Islands

Chalamar’s latest adventure combines our love of sailing with our passion for surfing and diving in the seas of Indonesia. Our nine-night itinerary, cruising to the islands of Halmahera and Morotai, is a fantastic way to explore the region.

Indonesia's remote Islands of Halmahera and Morotai

Halmerhera is the largest of the Maluku Islands. This remote and rugged island has stunning scenery, unspoiled forests, and beautiful white sandy beaches. Surfers will be delighted by the sensational waves at Maba Bay, dubbed the "Maldives of Halmahera", while divers will love the diversity of the pristine dive sites. The region is also renowned for big game and spearfishing, with an abundance of giant trevallies, snapper and Spanish mackerel.

ITINERARY

  • Day One: Ternate. Transfer from Ternate airport to your yacht. Depart the harbour and sail towards North Maluku. Lunch is served on deck and various stops to swim, snorkel or surf if swell is suitable for the group. Enjoy sunset cocktails and dinner served under the stars.
  • Day Two: West Halmahera. Explore the west region island hopping and enjoy a warm-up surf. An opportunity to get your check dives completed for certified divers, where the instructor will assess divers' proficiency for planning future dives.  Try a "Discover Scuba" dive for non-certified divers.
  • Day Three: Outer Atolls.  A short morning cruise to the region of Tobelo. Plenty of amazing surf spots, diving and snorkelling opportunities.  Fine white sand beaches to laze around on, and enjoy a barbecue to sample some freshly caught seafood. Depending on conditions and preferences, the yacht will cruise north to Morotai or south to Maba Bay.  
  • Day Four: Maba Bay. In the morning, arrive at Maba Bay, the highlight of this region, whose aquamarine waters have been likened to the Maldives. Explore tiny, uninhabited islands. Dive or snorkel on colourful reefs. Enjoy world-class surf breaks. See local fishermen show off their handmade canoes and spear guns
  • Day Five: Morotai. The yacht's course will depend on conditions and the swell, with the west coast tending to be calmer, and the east coast with larger waves. Our favourite secret surf spot is hidden here, together with some other amazing surf spots. 
  • Day Six: Buho Buho. A visit to this remote area where an American NGO is setting up a local surfing community, and helping the local community in their daily village life. Expect a thoroughly unique experience in a beautiful village with a welcoming community who rely on coconut production. 
  • Day Seven: Bere Bere. Renowned for having one of the best waves in Indonesia, Bere Bere also has great diving and spearfishing. During a visit to "Dugongs", a beginner surf break, you may also encounter the elusive mammal by the same name. 
  • Day Eight: Sopi Bay. Depending on the swell and surfing ability of the guests, the yacht will either continue to the north of Sopi Bay or head to an easier break at Batu Kopi beach. These two surf regions are renowned for some of the best surf breaks in the Indo-Pacific. 
  • Day Nine: South Morotai. Cruise south, crossing the Halmahera and Morotai Channels with the opportunity for a final surf, or a dive to explore a wreckSunset apéritifs and dinner served on deck, This is overnight cruise.
  • Day Ten: Ternate. Arrive at the harbour in the morning. Breakfast on deck then transfer to Jakarta airport.

“"Staying on a luxury yacht, with a variety of great waves to surf, excellent dive options to explore, tropical jungles, and remote villages to discover, this has been an unforgettable experience. Can't wait to go back!"” 

Greg Galt, Australia

Surf Indonesian islands of Halmahera and Morotai catching a wave

ITINERARY

Day One: Ternate
  • Transfer from Ternate airport to your yacht 
  • Depart the harbour and sail towards North Maluku 
  • Lunch served on deck and various stops to swim, snorkel or surf if swell is suitable for the group
  • Sunset cocktails and dinner served under the stars
It is about a fourteen-hour cruise from Ternate to West Halmahera. The first four hours will be very relaxed, with an afternoon stop for swimming, surfing and snorkelling. The remainder of the cruising time will be overnight. Day Two: West Halmahera
  • Explore the west region island hopping and enjoy a warm-up surf.
  •  An opportunity to get your check dives completed for certified divers, where the instructor will assess divers' proficiency for planning future dives
  • Try a "Discover Scuba" dive for non-certified divers.
It is only a short cruise between West Halmahera and Morotai. Day Three: Outer Atolls
  • A short morning cruise to the region of Tobelo
  • Plenty of amazing surf spots, diving and snorkelling opportunities 
  • Fine white sand beaches to laze around on, and enjoy a barbecue to sample some freshly caught seafood
  • Depending on conditions and preferences, the yacht will cruise north to Morotai or south to Maba Bay 
  • The order will depend on what mother nature delivers in terms of swell size, and surfers' preferences.
It is approximately an eight-hour overnight cruise from Tobelo to Maba Bay. Day Four: Maba Bay
  • In the morning, arrive at Maba Bay, the highlight of this region, whose aquamarine waters have been likened to the Maldives
  • Explore tiny, uninhabited islands
  • Dive or snorkel on colourful reefs
  • Enjoy world-class surf breaks 
  • See local fishermen show off their handmade canoes and spear guns
It is approximately an eight-hour overnight cruise from Maba Bay to Morotai. Day Five: Morotai The yacht's course will depend on conditions and the swell, with the west coast tending to be calmer, and the east coast with larger waves. Our favourite secret surf spot is hidden here, together with some other amazing surf spots. Cruising around Morotai for the next few days, distances between spots are no more than two to three hours and can be covered during the day while guests are having breakfast, lunch, or enjoying activities. Day Six: Buho Buho A visit to this remote area where an American NGO is setting up a local surfing community, and helping the local community in their daily village life. Expect a thoroughly unique experience in a beautiful village with a welcoming community who rely on coconut production as their main source of income. You can roam the big coconut tree plantations, and learn about traditional production of cold-pressed coconut oil. Day Seven: Bere Bere Renowned for having one of the best waves in Indonesia, Bere Bere also has great diving and spearfishing. During a visit to "Dugongs", a beginner surf break, you may also encounter the elusive mammal by the same name. It may also be possible to visit a shipyard where traditional fishing boats are built. Day Eight: Sopi Bay Depending on the swell and surfing ability of the guests, the yacht will either continue to the north of Sopi Bay or head to an easier break at Batu Kopi beach. These two surf regions are renowned for some of the best surf breaks in the Indo-Pacific. Swells in Sopi Bay can be large, whereas more beginner and intermediate surf can be found at Batu Kopi. Once again, great spearfishing and diving is accessible here. Day Nine: South Morotai
  • Cruise south, crossing the Halmahera and Morotai Channels with the opportunity for a final surf, or a dive to explore a wreck
  • Sunset apéritifs and dinner served on deck 
The Cruise from south Morotai to Ternate takes approximately fifteen hours. Part of this cruising time will be during the day and will include activities, with the remainder overnight. Day Ten: Ternate
  • Arrive at the harbour in the morning
  • Breakfast on deck
  • Transfer to airport for your flights to Jakarta
The itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather, wind and swell conditions. We will decide upon the best options at the time of your charter.

About Surf and Dive Adventures in the Remote Islands of Indonesia

We are working with an Indonesian yacht team who are passionate about surfing Indonesia’s most compelling coastlines. We believe exploring our blue planet by yacht is the ultimate adventure. The yachts combine a balance of modern convenience, boutique accommodation, and Indonesian tradition. Guest cabins are air-conditioned and have en suite bathrooms. The private surf guides have extensive knowledge of the region's surf breaks. We offer a range of yacht-based holidays which take into account that not everyone in your group wants to surf every day, or even at all. Alternative activities include discovering beautiful beaches, exploring fantastic dive sites, or delving into the local culture.

Surf Indonesia tropical paradise onboard yacht Fenides

About Surf and Dive Adventures in the Remote Islands of Indonesia

We are working with an Indonesian yacht team who are passionate about surfing Indonesia’s most compelling coastlines. We believe exploring our blue planet by yacht is the ultimate adventure. The yachts combine a balance of modern convenience, boutique accommodation, and Indonesian tradition. Guest cabins are air-conditioned and have en suite bathrooms. The private surf guides have extensive knowledge of the region's surf breaks. We offer a range of yacht-based holidays which take into account that not everyone in your group wants to surf every day, or even at all. Alternative activities include discovering beautiful beaches, exploring fantastic dive sites, or delving into the local culture.

PRICES

All packages include:

Yacht Fenides accommodates 10 guests in 5 cabins and costs $7,590.00 USD + 10% tax per night

Crew, including captain, dive guide and boat manager

All meals and snacks 

Soft drinks, water, tea and coffee 

Diving for certified divers

Use of water sports equipment

Transfers to and from local airports 

Fuel

What we can guarantee is:

A beautiful luxury yacht with a private chef and experienced crew who will attend to your every requirement

Captain and crew who have an excellent knowledge of the area

An excellent surf guide who will plan according to the group’s interests and abilities

A PADI dive master and who can facilitate the “Discover Scuba programme”

Exploring seldom-visited local villages and islands 

Our knowledgable crew will take you to quality secret waves, which you will generally have to yourselves

Aside from surfing, we offer a wide range of activities including kayaking, diving, snorkelling, fishing, paddle boarding and hiking.

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