Diving

Noemi & Daniel's Expedition: A Halmahera to Raja Ampat Liveaboard Journey

Aug 21, 2026

Halmahera to Raja Ampat Liveaboard | Wallacea Dive Cruise

As a marine biologist, Noemi has learned just how rich our oceans truly are. But beneath the blue, there are always encounters that surprise her, especially the secrets kept within the vibrant depths of Raja Ampat and the underwater frontier of Halmahera.

Meet the incredible couple, Noemi Merz and Daniel Nicholson, a passionate marine biologist and an underwater photographer who went viral for their "Visuals for Conservation" movement.

Through their recent Halmahera to Raja Ampat liveaboard journey, we get a firsthand look at what true diving in Indonesia on a remote island expedition looks like.

Visuals for Conservation: The Couple Capturing the Ocean's Best-Kept Secrets

Daniel Nicholson | Underwater Photographer Onboard Ambai

Noemi Merz Marine Biologist Onboard Ambai | Wallacea Dive Cruise

Driven by long-standing connection with the sea, specifically with coral reefs and the rich biodiversity surrounding them, the underwater world is now the focal point of both Noemi and Daniel lives.

Daniel began his journey into underwater photography while working on the Ningaloo Reef in Australia. After spending countless hours in the water alongside marine life, he quickly fell in love with capturing the underwater world through a lens.

Noemi had a similar experience. She admits that diving just a hobby at first, but when she moved to Ningaloo in 2023, she instantly fell in love with the incredible marine environment.

Noemi Onboard Ambai | Wallacea Dive Cruise

“Being surrounded by such an incredible marine environment really pushed me to take underwater photography more seriously,” she shared.

After spending more time in the water and discovering what was possible with a camera, the hobby gradually became a much bigger part of her life.

Today, the couple works full-time in the marine and underwater world, combining diving, photography, and storytelling. Their dedication to underwater photography Raja Ampat and beyond helps raise awareness about the richness of marine life and preserve these fragile habitats.

The Expedition: From Halmahera to Raja Ampat

Noemi and Daniel recently joined an expedition aboard the Ambai liveaboard, a flagship vessel operated by Wallacea dive cruise, following a dedicated Halmahera to Raja Ampat liveaboard route. During the journey, they noticed some distinct differences between diving in Halmahera and Raja Ampat.

Halmahera: An Underrated Diving Region

While Raja Ampat might be the more popular destination with abundant of rare underwater species, Halmahera holds a special place for Noemi. She notices that Halmahera still a frontier underwater, in fact it has some beautiful reefs and incredible marine life that worth to mention.

She highlights Pulau Pisang as one of the standout locations from their Halmahera to Raja Ampat Liveaboard, noting that the reefs there were incredibly healthy and full of life.

Schooling Baracudas in Halmahera | Wallacea Dive Cruise

Ternate was also highly memorable, especially for the massive schools of circling barracuda, while Kusu Island stood out for its pristine reef quality and sheer biomass.

Noemi also observed that Halmahera features many shallow reef sites close to the islands.

“You often have these beautiful reefs starting right near the coastline, which makes the underwater landscape feel very connected to the islands themselves,” she explained.

Raja Ampat: Abundant Marine Life and Healthy Corals

Raja Ampat Healthy Coral Reef | Wallacea Dive Cruise

The transition into Raja Ampat offered a different, yet equally spectacular, diving experience that highlights why this region dominates any ultimate Raja Ampat diving itinerary.

“In Raja Ampat, there are also plenty of shallow reefs, but I feel like you more often get these isolated dive sites where the reef or rock formations are surrounded by deeper water, sometimes with just the tip of a rock breaking the surface,” Noemi observed.

When the conditions are right, Rufas Island is one of their absolute favorites, easily ranking among the best dive sites in Raja Ampat. Down in Misool, dive sites like Four Kings and Magic Mountain truly stood out to the couple.

Halmahera Coral Reefs | Wallacea Dive Cruise

Noemi acknowledges that the currents in these areas can be challenging at times, especially when trying to hold steady for photography. She notes that you have to be patient and really work with the conditions rather than against them.

“But when you get it right, the amount of marine life and the health of the coral make it completely worth it,” she continued.

Through the Lens: Documenting the Ocean's Hidden Wonders

As the Ambai liveaboard glided through these distinct regions of Eastern Indonesia, Noemi and Dan were able to photograph an array of unique, rare Raja Ampat marine life.

1. Taselled Wobbegong Shark

This is not the shark you typically see in movies. Instead of sleek, fast swimming, this bottom-dweller relies on patience and exceptional camouflage to survive. Its flat body and the fringe of dermal lobes (the "tassels") around its jawline perfectly mimic the coral and algae of its environment.

2. Manta Ray

Manta rays are the graceful giants of the open ocean. Watching them glide through the water is often compared to watching a bird in slow-motion flight. Despite their massive size, they are entirely harmless to humans, lacking the stinging barb found on many other species of rays.

For those wondering where to see manta rays in Raja Ampat, the cleaning stations scattered throughout Misool and the Dampier Strait provide some of the most magical encounters.

3. Nudibranch

Nudibranch discovered in Halmahera | Wallacea Dive Cruise

Nudibranchs are marine gastropod mollusks, essentially, sea slugs, but they are famous for their staggering variety of neon colors and striking patterns. Those bright colors aren't just for show; they serve as a vital warning to predators that the nudibranch is toxic or foul-tasting.

4. Pygmy Seahorses

Noemi and Daniel had to look very closely to capture these elusive pygmy seahorses. They are some of the smallest vertebrates in the ocean and spend their entire adult lives clinging to a single gorgonian sea fan or soft coral. Their bodies are covered in calcified bumps called tubercles that perfectly match the polyps of their host coral.

5. Sea Turtles

According to Sea Turtles Status reports, six out of seven sea turtle species can be found in Raja Ampat. During the trip, Noemi and Dan encountered the Hawksbill Sea Turtle in its natural habitat.

While spotting them nesting on the coastline is a magical experience, seeing them effortlessly navigate the underwater reefs is entirely different.

Life On Ambai Liveaboard

For Noemi, the entire diving cruise experience was memorable, elevated by the seamless routine provided by the crew.

"The days had a pretty perfect rhythm: coffee around 6:30 in the morning, a dive, breakfast, another dive, lunch, some time to rest, and then another dive in the afternoon," Noemi recalled the day aboard Ambai with excitement.

Sometimes they would also finish the day with a night dive; otherwise, they would watch the sunset and relax on board. She noted that the remoteness of Halmahera was what stayed with her the most.

Being out there, far away from civilization, and spending her days diving on incredibly healthy reefs made for a truly special experience aboard the vessel.

Final Thoughts: The Natural Beauty of Eastern Indonesia

Sailing Onboard Ambai with Wallacea Dive Cruise

Ultimately, Noemi and Daniel's expedition is a testament to the unparalleled beauty of Eastern Indonesia's waters. Through their "Visuals for Conservation" initiative, they continue to share these hidden depths with the world, proving that you cannot protect what you do not understand or appreciate.

To experience the ultimate diving adventure from Halmahera to Raja Ampat, just as Noemi and Daniel did, you need the perfect vessel to guide you through Indonesia’s most pristine waters.

An unforgettable trip comes down to choosing the perfect vessel to navigate Indonesia's remote waters. Discover the MV Ambai, which offers a variety of exceptional diving itineraries across Raja Ampat, Halmahera, or an unforgettable combination of both. Check our schedule and plan your diving journey aboard MV Ambai!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Halmahera worth diving compared to Raja Ampat?
Yes. Halmahera stays underrated despite healthy reefs and high biomass. Sites like Pulau Pisang and Kusu Island rival Raja Ampat with far fewer divers around.

2. What marine life can you see in Raja Ampat?
Divers regularly encounter Raja Ampat marine life such as manta rays, tasselled wobbegong sharks, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and hawksbill turtles. Raja Ampat holds 6 of the world's 7 sea turtle species.

3. How strong are the currents in Raja Ampat?
Currents can be strong at exposed sites like Four Kings and Magic Mountain. Work with the flow rather than against it, especially when shooting photographs.

4. What is a typical day on a diving cruise like?
Coffee at 6:30, then a dive, breakfast, a second dive, lunch, rest, and an afternoon dive. Days often close with a night dive or sunset.

5. Which are the best dive sites between Halmahera and Raja Ampat?
Standouts include Pulau Pisang, Kusu Island and Ternate in Halmahera, plus Rufas Island, Four Kings, and Magic Mountain in Misool, Raja Ampat.

6. When is the best time for a diving cruise in Eastern Indonesia?
Raja Ampat and Halmahera dive best from October to April, when seas are calmest and visibility peaks. Manta activity is strongest during this window.

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