Conservation OF Oceanic Whales AND DOLPHINS in the Coral Triangle
Planet Deep Foundation
Planet Deep protects whales, dolphins, and the deep oceanic wilderness of the Coral Triangle and beyond – so that these vital ecosystems can continue to sustain ocean life and coastal communities – through cutting-edge marine conservation programs, rapid ecological assessments, strong local partnerships and immersive citizen science expeditions.
Oceanic Hotspots: Discover. Understand. Protect.
Mission of Planet Deep
Planet Deep’s mission is to explore, understand, and help protect the oceanic whales and dolphins (collectively called cetaceans) and their deep-sea habitats in the remote regions of the Coral Triangle – the “bull’s eye” of global marine biodiversity: Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Our conservation programs work towards the identification of critical habitats (hotspots) for oceanic cetaceans, such as migration corridors, seamounts, sub-sea canyons and seasonal upwelling areas near oceanic Islands, as well as calving and mating grounds.
Planet Deep conducts hands-on training workshops, technical assistance to local and national marine stakeholders as well as visual and acoustic surveys. We include citizen science as part of our conservation travel expeditions. These activities are geared towards developing a sustainable blue economy within the Coral Triangle.
We work with our partners to better represent these oceanic hotspots in newly designated or expanded Marine Protected Area (MPA) Networks, throughout the Coral Triangle.
Expeditions completed
MPAs supported
Cetaceans Species
Surveys conducted
Million hectares protected
Science, Exploration & Citizen Action
Protecting the Coral Triangle
Planet Deep turns cutting-edge conservation projects into real ocean protection. From tracking deep-diving whales and creating marine reserves to guiding industry best practices, supporting filmmakers, and leading citizen-science expeditions, our projects safeguard critical habitats and inspire global action for healthy seas.
Our priority species include the majestic blue whales and mighty sperm whales, as well as mysterious beaked whales, Bryde’s and Omurai whales, and numerous oceanic dolphins including orcas.
Conservation Science, MPA
Support & Conservation Planning
Cetacean Rapid Ecological Assessments (REAs), visual/acoustic monitoring, ecological studies on blue and sperm whales (PhotoID, satellite telemetry), technical input on migratory corridors and MPAs, Marine Spatial Planning, regional habitat mapping and National Action Plans for cetaceans.
Best Practices for Ocean
Industries & the Blue Economy
Codes of conduct for responsible marine mammal tourism, pelagic fisheries improvement programs, migratory corridors and shipping, offshore energy and renewables, deep-sea mining (ocean noise & tailings mitigation), new port development.
Expeditions & Citizen
Science (Conservation Travel)
Live-aboard expeditions in exceptional “mega-diverse” areas of the Coral Triangle, citizen-science whale watch surveys in remote locations of regional conservation importance, proceeds re-invested into local marine conservation projects and micro-grants for ocean conservation.
Media & Film: Capture Magic Ocean Moments
Assistance with treatment development, site selection and advise on best seasons to permitting and day-to-day scientific briefings. Local know-how of on-site logistics, in-depth knowledge of species-specific whereabouts and fascinating behaviours. Our experts have the intimate field experience to capture magical ocean moments.
Protecting the Coral Triangle
Where We Work
We operate in some of the most remote and biodiverse regions of the Coral Triangle, from Indonesia’s Raja Ampat, Banda and Savu Seas, to Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Working closely with governments, local partners, coastal communities and scientists, our marine programs focus on understanding, documenting, and supporting the conservation of these unique ocean ecosystems.
Planet Deep Milestones
Our History
From developing the first “Rapid Ecological Assessments” (REAs) for cetaceans and ground-breaking ecological research on blue and sperm whales, to international recognition; Planet Deep has steadily expanded its mission to explore, understand, and protect the oceanic hotspots of the Coral Triangle. Each milestone is part of an important conservation outcome.
Together, spanning decades of collaborative effort, they highlight our long-term journey by turning exploration and science into lasting protection for whales, dolphins and their deep-sea habitats.
Pioneered Cetacean REA Surveys · New MPA planning · Government Partnership & Advisory · Local Team Training · IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group
1998-2002
Long-Term Survey Programs · Migration Corridor Discovery · Traditional Sperm Whaling · Savu Sea Blue Whales · Early Satellite Tagging · Seascape Planning · IUCN Commissions
2003-2007
Establishment of MPA Networks · Conservation Travel Expeditions · Citizen Science · Oceanic Society Partnership · Explorers Club · Province-Scale Policy Work
2008-2012
Banda Sea Blue Whale Surveys · Whale Watching Business Model · Parliamentary Advisory Timor-Leste · Nature Documentary Guidance · UN Recognition · Multiple IUCN Appointments
2013-2017
Timor Leste Surveys & Satellite Telemetry · COVID Webinars · Program Rebuilding · Expanded Conservation Travel (Indonesia, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands)
2018-2022
Sustainable Cetacean Tourism · Alor Demonstration Site · Code of Conduct · Governor Decree · Operator Certification · Plastic Waste Removal "Beat the Flush"
2023-2026
Explore, Understand & Protect
Expeditions – Conservation Travel
Small groups. Big marine adventure. Direct conservation action.
Join Planet Deep on one of our luxurious liveaboard expeditions.
Immerse yourself into the 4C’s: Cetaceans, Coral Reef, Culture and Conservation.
All while exploring world-class reef ecosystems, ocean wilderness and local cultures. You can chose to participate in our citizen science program or relax and take it all in from the survey deck. Exploration of pristine Ocean Oases: Our unique 12-day voyages are designed around a “best season, best marine life” principle – so you are always at exactly the right place at the right time.
The adventure and action is then up to the ocean…
Contact us for more details on our regular expeditions to Indonesia – including Raja Ampat, Triton Bay, Halmahera, the Banda Sea, the Forgotten Islands, Alor & the Savu Sea, and Komodo – as well as Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands.
Special-interest expeditions are also available upon request.
Cetaceans
While on passage, participate in our hands-on “whale patrols”, an innovative citizen science program surveying for whales and dolphins.
Coral Reefs
Explore pristine reefs teeming with marine life. Our in-water locations are excellent for snorkeling, freediving and scuba.
Culture
Visit remote islands and coastal communities to learn more about the local knowledge, perspectives and activities.
Conservation
Every Planet Deep Expedition supports marine conservation and funds on-the-ground protection of critical ocean habitats.
Protecting Oceans Together
Meet our team
Our team brings together marine scientists, conservationists, expedition leaders, filmmakers, and local experts who share a common goal – protecting whales, dolphins, and the unique ocean ecosystems of the Coral Triangle. With decades of experience across research, conservation, community partnerships, and exploration, they work together to turn science into real action for the sea.
Collaborative Approach
Partners
Planet Deep strongly believes in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach. We are expert members on several inter-govermental bodies and provide technical support to numerous partners, collaborators and maritime stakeholders – large and small.
We work hand-in-hand with a wide network of conservation leaders, government and scientific institutions, ocean industries, NGOs as well as local communities.
These partnerships strengthen our conservation outcomes for oceanic hotspots throughout the coral triangle region. From developing and supporting local MPAs to United Nations ocean initiatives and partnerships with sustainable travel organizations to membership in leading IUCN Commissions on Cetaceans and Marine Protected Areas and Transboundary Conservation. With this “local to global” approach our conservation activities are transformed into lasting ocean protection.
International organizations
Government ministries and agencies
Ministries of Fisheries, Tourism, Environment, Marine Affairs in Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea