Cruise Dates:
August 10 – 18, 2028
August 20 – 31, 2028
Pick your cruise or do BOTH!

The Best of Borneo is one of the most exclusive and rarely offered liveaboard routes in all of Indonesia—and for good reason. This itinerary explores a remote corner of the Coral Triangle, where biodiversity thrives and crowds are nearly nonexistent. It’s a rare chance to dive pristine reefs, encounter iconic pelagics, and experience unforgettable marine life far from the typical tourist trail.

This journey takes you into East Borneo’s rich waters, home to manta rays, whale sharks, and possibly even thresher sharks and hammerheads. Vibrant reefs sprawl with massive barrel sponges and bustling hard coral gardens, while calm seas and dry skies from April to September create ideal conditions for exploring it all. Combine this epic dive route with the Arenui’s boutique luxury, and you’ve got a dive trip like no other.

Here, you’ll swim alongside clouds of butterflyfish, anthias, and damselfish, with frequent encounters with green turtles, barracudas, and mantas. The reefs burst with color and life—from elusive macro finds like ghost pipefish and frogfish, to the awe-inspiring silhouettes of pelagics cruising by. If luck’s on your side, you might spot a hammerhead or thresher in the blue.

What makes this region even more extraordinary? It lies within the beating heart of the Coral Triangle—home to the greatest concentration of marine biodiversity on the planet. In fact, Indonesia holds the record for the highest number of reef fish species recorded in a single area. From tiny nudibranchs to massive whale sharks, every dive is a front-row seat to nature’s finest show.

And the best part? We’re offering two itineraries for this unforgettable journey—you can join one, or go all in and experience both.

Kicking off in Tarakan, this itinerary plunges straight into the deep blue where nutrient-rich upwellings fuel a vibrant underwater ecosystem. Divers can expect a thrilling mix of big animal encounters and rare critter sightings. Derawan greets us with colorful coral slopes, turtles, and schooling reef fish. At Kakaban, dramatic walls give way to a surreal saltwater lake filled with non-stinging jellyfish—perfect for a one-of-a-kind snorkeling experience. Samama offers a macro wonderland in the shallows, with pygmy seahorses, ribbon eels, and nudibranchs hiding among soft coral and mangroves.

Maratua ups the adrenaline with heart-pounding drift dives through fish-filled channels—sharks, eagle rays, and even threshers are known to make appearances. We’ll also explore the saltwater cave pool at Goa Halo Tabung, a serene jungle-ringed oasis perfect for a mid-trip float. The adventure wraps up at Sangalaki, where mantas soar in to feed, turtles nest in the sand, and lush coral gardens overflow with life. On a great week, this route delivers Borneo’s “Big Five”: thresher sharks, hammerheads, grey reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks—along with an incredible range of reef dwellers and elusive macro life that make every dive a discovery.

This round-trip adventure starts and ends in Tarakan.

From the moment we leave Tarakan behind, we’re immersed in remote waters teeming with life—dramatic drop-offs, untouched reefs, and a stunning mix of big fish action and macro magic. This is off-the-grid diving at its finest.

Take the Best of Borneo and let’s add in a taste of West Sulawesi!

Our journey will start and end in Tarakan and end in Palu

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