Our mission is to explore, understand and protect the Coral Triangle. This region is a spectacular world-class coral reef destination and home to an amazing bio-diversity of oceanic priority species such as Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, Sharks, Dolphins and Mantas to name just a few. Our Ocean Conservation Expeditions are based on 5-star luxurious live-aboard vessels and scheduled to coincide with being in the right place at the right time to maximize our interactions with our focal species. Join us on one of our upcoming expeditions and help us to contribute directly to marine mammal conservation and the development of well managed Marine Protected Areas.

This is not your average ‘liveaboard’ dive and snorkeling trip. Yes, you will be staying on an incredible Indonesian ‘Phinisi’, diving and snorkeling every day, where the incredible biodiversity in this region could have us spotting everything from the tiny ‘critters’ to a variety of shark species. But more than that, our expedition will also provide you with the opportunity to become closely acquainted with whole host of cetacean species, with a particular focus on Blue Whales.

Blue whales are mysterious creatures and beside their enormous size, we still don’t know much about their ecology and behavior. Part of our Planet Deep Expedition will be dedicated to obtaining invaluable data. This information, in turn, will contribute to the better management and protection of the critical whale habitats like the marine corridors around Alor.

Cetaceans and Corals:  Explore the so-called “bull’s eye of marine bio-diversity; stunning reefs combined with oceanic mega-fauna such as oceanic mantas, Bryde’s whales, Omurai’s whales, pilot whales as part of at least 16 species of marine mammals found to date in these amazing waters.

Blues and Hammers, explore and survey for blue whales and schooling hammerhead sharks on the same Expedition (sometimes we see both blues and hammers on the same day!) in the waters of the original Spice Trade islands off Maluku, and work towards protecting oceanic hotspots.

The Solor-Alor Archipelago (east of Flores):  The major migratory corridor connecting the Indian Ocean with the Coral Triangle.

Amazing coral reefs, strong currents, towering active volcanoes viewed from most anchorages, traditional cultures, friendly villages, exceptional whale and dolphin diversity and abundance (mega-pods) and so much more.  We have been working in this area for over 15 years, predominantly on sperm and blue whales.

This Planet Deep Expedition will build on our previous one in 2016 (as well as marine conservation work done since 2007).   The exquisite Pacific island nation that time forgot, we will explore remote waters and local communities in the historic wake of Álvaro de Mendaña (the first western explorer to chart the Solomons in 1568).

Our explorations include stunning coral reefs, exceptional cetaceans, ultra-remote islands, some uninhabited, most with very few and isolated traditional villages.  Children paddle to school, fresh supplies are bought by canoe to the boat’s stern platform, turning into a floating market.  A unique and amazing marine adventure to another dimension.

Expressions of interest are now open.   Dates coming soon.

Contact us here to find out more.

With Planet Deep’s concept of “Conservation Travel”, we strive to contribute directly to marine mammal conservation and the development of well-managed Marine Protected Areas.

Join us to explore and help protect the remote waters of the Coral Triangle!

Our Ocean Conservation Expeditions are based on 5-star luxurious live-aboard vessels that Planet Deep has “re-purposed” to dive, snorkel, explore and survey some of the most remote corners of the Coral Triangle.

We explore ocean regions in the remote corners of Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.  Places like Raja Ampat, Ambon, Maluku, Ambon, Alor, the Savu Sea, the Banda Sea, the Bismarck Sea, the Solomon Sea are all spectacular and world-class coral reef destinations on their own.  Yet these very same areas are also home to an amazing bio-diversity of oceanic “priority species” that we focus on:

• Blue whales
• Sperm whales
• Bryde’s whales
• Omurai’s whales
• Beaked whales
• Orcas (killer whales)
• Pilot whales
• Mega-pods of oceanic dolphins
• Oceanic mantas
• Oceanic sharks
• Schooling hammerheads

As well as marine turtles, billfishes (sailfish and marlin), tropical tunas and an impressive variety of seabirds to name but a few…

The data gathered during our Expeditions are important to gain a better understanding of the oceanic ecosystem “hotspots” and how best to safeguard them.  At the same time, we share these wilderness experiences with our guests.  Together, we will ensure that adventure tourism can play a productive role to convince governments to better protect these special places.  In our experience, some of the last tropical “Shangri-La’s” on our deep blue planet.

Our Expeditions are a great way to help fund Planet Deep projects, and at the same time, become part of an amazing ocean conservation adventure.

Contact us here to find out more.