Indonesia’s waters sit at the heart of the Coral Triangle, an area that is home to the highest marine biodiversity on Earth. With a liveaboard dive trip on Malaillo, you are on or in the water 24/7, which gives you the best chance of encountering a wide range of species across multiple regions within the Coral Triangle.

There are a number of rare and iconic species that divers come to Indonesia for, and these are the ones we are going to concentrate on in this article. We’ll talk about the top 10 marine species to spot, as well as where and when you are most likely to see them. Hopefully, this will help make a decision on which trip to book as well as when you should book for.

Regions Covered by Malaillo Liveaboard

Malaillo cruises all over the Indonesian Coral Triangle. From Komodo, to the Banda Sea, Alor, Morotai, and Raja Ampat; all bucket list destinations for scuba divers. Trips range from 5-12 nights and take in various areas depending on the focus of the tour.

Of course, there are seasonal variations on these trips and sightings are never guaranteed, but being on the boat and diving up to 4 times a day gives you a pretty high chance of spotting what you are looking for.

Our Top 10 Marine Species to Spot

1. Manta Rays

These gentle giants are a species that all divers aim to dive with at least once in their lifetime. It is an incredibly special feeling to have a huge manta glide above or below you as you let them go about their business.

Mantas are mostly seen in Komodo or Raja Ampat where they come to feed in peak plankton seasons. This generally occurs from December – April in Raja Ampat, and almost year-round in Komodo.

The best place to see manta rays is at cleaning stations where they pop by to have their sensitive skin cleaned by smaller fish like wrasses and angelfish. The removal of parasites and dead skin is essential for the health of the manta and feeds the smaller fish at the same time; the perfect example of symbiosis.

2. Reef Sharks (Grey, Blacktip, Whitetip)

As well as being thrilling to dive with, reef sharks are one of the main indicators of a healthy reef ecosystem. You can find all three types of reef sharks all over the Coral Triangle, but each one has its specific behaviors, diet, and adaptations.

Whitetip reef sharks are nocturnal reef dwellers, spending their days resting in small groups in gaps in the reefs. At night these sharks come alive and are stealthy hunters. On Malaillo’s night dives they are amazing to watch on their search for food.

Blacktip reef sharks are quite shy, skittish, quick, and found hanging around the shallow edges of the reef, lagoons, and shallow sandy areas. Sometimes they are actually easier to see while snorkeling than diving.

Grey reef sharks are a bit more robust than their white and black tipped cousins. They are not necessarily aggressive, but are territorial and don’t back down easily if threatened. They are found in deeper water, often around steep walls and drop-offs.

3. Hammerhead Sharks

One of the iconic species we see on Malaillo trips are scalloped hammerhead sharks. These distinctive sharks are seen on trips in the Banda Sea in the cooler months, usually September – November. Manuk Island, The Lucipara Islands, and Suanggi Island are visited by Malaillo specifically for their status as hammerhead hotspots.

The amazing thing about these hammerheads is the way they travel in schools, swimming in beautifully synchronized patterns that is absolutely breathtaking. You will have to dive deep to see hammerheads though, so advanced diving experience is recommended.

4. Pygmy Seahorses

You can hardly picture just how tiny a pygmy seahorse is until you see it in real life. Measuring between just 1.4 – 2.7 cm in height, they are a macro photographer’s dream subject.

These incredibly tiny seahorses are found in Raja Ampat and Alor all year round in calm reefs and perfectly camouflaged in gorgonian fans. Patience and excellent buoyancy control is an absolute must for divers looking for this minute creature.

5. Schooling Barracuda & Jacks

Around Komodo and in the Banda Sea massive schools of barracuda and jacks create dramatic baitball formations that are breathtaking to watch. This instinctive defensive method is a way for schooling fish to strengthen themselves against predators in open water. The bait ball squeezes tightly together maneuvering through the water and can explode apart and re-form in seconds.

This natural phenomenon can be seen year-round but is best in open waters with strong currents. You will most likely be on a drift dive when you see this occurrence, but if you are positioned upstream you are likely to get the best views.

6. Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish)

One of the ocean’s strangest creatures is the mola mola or oceanic sunfish. This is one of the largest bony fish in the world and has a very odd flattened appearance. They can be up to 1000kgs and are often as tall as they are long.

On Malaillo voyages we see mola mola in Southern Komodo and occasionally in the Banda Sea. They are spotted in cooler water seasons, generally between July and October when there are cold upwellings. Because of this, it is recommended to use a thicker wetsuit or additional thermal protection during certain dives.

7. Dolphins & Whales (Surface Sightings)

Spotting dolphins and whales are magical encounters, usually between dives. When you are hanging out on the boat during crossings in the Banda Sea, Raja Ampat or around Morotai, always have your camera ready for the possibility of a whale or dolphin pod sighting.

Some of the species that have been spotted in the Banda Sea include, blue whales, pygmy blue whales, Omura’s whales, orcas, Bryde’s whales, short finned pilot whales, spinner dolphins, and pantropical spotted dolphins. Migration seasons vary so we never really know when this might happen, but that makes it even more special.

8. Raja Epaulette Shark

It’s one thing to see a video of an epaulette shark but a whole different feeling to see a shark walk across the sea floor with your own eyes. Raja Epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium freycineti) are one of 6 species of epaulette sharks endemic to Raja Ampat.

These small sharks are generally spotted close to the shore in shallow waters where there are seagrasses, mangrove roots, or other structures to hide in. They can use their fins to ‘walk’ across the sea floor and even move on land for up to 30 metres to find deeper water or better hunting grounds.

9. Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are quite abundant across Indonesian waters, but it’s incredible to think that 6 out of 7 of the world’s species of sea turtles are found in the Coral Triangle. Malaillo often encounters green and hawksbill turtles in open waters or on reefs and shallow plateaus where they feed and rest. Olive Ridley, Loggerhead, and Flatback turtles are seen less often but are definitely around in the region.

Sea turtles are spotted year-round in Indonesia, so you are likely to see them on any of Malaillo’s trips. Just make sure when you are diving with turtles that you respect their distance and observe them from the side without blocking their ascent.

10. Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean and are truly a sight to behold. These gentle giants are found in a number of places in the Coral Triangle but it is hard to predict exactly when they might be seen.

Although Malaillo doesn’t pass Cenderawasih Bay, there is a chance of seeing whale sharks elsewhere in Raja Ampat, in the Banda Sea, or around Morotai and Metita Island. Their sightings are often linked to baitfish activity, but this is not always the case. Just cross your fingers and you might come across them on a Malaillo voyage.

Why a Liveaboard Maximizes Wildlife Encounters

When you take a dive trip by liveaboard you maximize your chances of seeing these species and plenty more. You have access to remote reefs and are able to dive multiple times a day in very varied habitats. Also cutting out travel time allows for early morning and night dives that give divers an even better chance of seeing marine wildlife in their specific routines.

Choosing your trip to follow a seasonal pattern also increases your chances of seeing what you really want to see in the timeframe you have.

Of course, Malaillo staff follow a strict no touching, feeding, or chasing protocol, which means whatever you see is purely due to good planning and luck. This is the only way to responsibly travel in the region with as little disruption to the wildlife as possible.

Plan Your Malaillo Trip Now

Indonesia is one of the world’s premier marine-life destinations and we aim to give people the opportunity to witness its wonder without spoiling it for future generations. You will experience diverse, ethical, and of course unforgettable encounters when you travel on Malaillo.

To learn more and plan a Malaillo liveaboard trip to suit your needs, take a look at our Schedules.