There are places that never make the headlines. Places that the divers who have visited them keep with a certain pride, almost like a secret. Triton Bay is one of them.
Located on the southern coast of West Papua, Triton Bay lies around 30 nautical miles from the city of Kaimana and forms part of the Bird’s Head Seascape, considered by marine biologists to be the epicentre of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest concentration of fish and coral species on the planet. And yet, few divers know about it. Few have truly experienced it.
At Te Moana Expeditions, we have designed an expedition aboard the SMY Ondina that crosses this territory from north to south, combining Triton Bay with Fak Fak — undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip — and ending in the legendary waters of Misool, in Raja Ampat. Eleven days of sailing, diving and discovery from 21 November to 1 December 2028.
What we will find underwater
What makes Triton Bay different is not just what is there. It is the sheer quantity and combination of everything we will encounter.
Marine biodiversity here knows no limits, from the tiniest pygmy seahorse to the enormous whale shark. The diversity of life in the Coral Triangle is on full display. And best of all: without the crowds that come with other destinations.
Whale sharks
They are perhaps the most sought-after encounter. These curious giants are commonly seen around traditional fishing platforms known as bagans, where they are attracted by the small fish caught in the nets.
Pygmy seahorses
They are the macro jewel of the destination. In Triton Bay, five different species can be found: Bargibant, Denise, Severn, Pontoh and Satomi. It is not unusual to find four different species on a single dive. For underwater photographers, it is paradise.
Epaulette sharks
Also known as walking sharks, they are one of the most unique endemic species. Hemiscyllium henryi was discovered in 2006 and is found only in the Triton Bay area. Seeing one move across the seabed using its pectoral fins is one of those images you never forget.
And then there are the corals. Few places in Indonesia display such dense and uninterrupted coral coverage, especially soft corals, sea fans and sponges that carpet walls, slopes and bommies in layers of colour.
The dive sites on our route
GT Rock and Christmas Rock
These are two of the best-known sites in the southern area of Aiduma. At Christmas Rock, the current carries huge schools of fish around a low, colourful rock; wide-angle photographers will find a large block covered in soft corals and schools of fish on the western corner closest to the island.
Larry’s Heaven
It delivers exactly what its name promises: walls of soft coral, suspended anthias and the feeling that time has stopped.
Little Komodo
This is one of those sites that offers a dive you will never forget. A small bay at the southern tip of Pulau Seruenus, ideal both for macro life on the sandy bottoms and sea fans, and for wide-angle photography in the shallow areas where soft-coral-covered blocks rise almost to the surface, especially at low tide.
Bo’s Rainbow
Located in the north of Iris Strait, this is another small limestone island with huge blocks covered in soft coral and schools of fish, as well as a black coral garden where thousands of glassfish and a group of hawkfish anthias patrol the reef.
Namatote Wall
This site adds the drama: a wall that drops vertically, covered in life all the way down into the depths of the ocean.
And after our days in Triton Bay, the expedition continues towards Pulau Pisang, with the dive sites T-Bone Ridge and Karang Surprise, before ending in Misool, in Raja Ampat, with dives at Boo Windows, Shadow Reef, Nudi Rock and Tank Rock. A finale that, on its own, would justify any diving trip.
Why choose a liveaboard
Triton Bay is best experienced from a liveaboard. The region is remote, the dive sites are spread out and land-based infrastructure is limited. A liveaboard allows us to access several sites a day, reach reefs that day boats do not visit and adapt the plan according to the conditions.
If Triton Bay has been on your list for a while, perhaps now is the time to move it right to the top. And if you did not know about it yet, take note. It is going to be talked about a lot in the coming years!
Write to us and we will tell you all the details of the expedition.
