Morotai & Metita Diving Trip • Metita Beach & Dive Resort
Stay at the only resort on a tropical coral island in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Discover pristine reefs, colorful corals, and an underwater world where you’ll often be the only divers.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Diving at Metita & Morotai, a remote diving paradise
Some diving destinations still feel like a true discovery. Metita is a perfect example of this. This small coral island, located off the coast of Morotai in the North Moluccas, is only 900 meters long and 450 meters wide. There is only one resort on the island, so tranquility, nature, and personalized service come naturally. Surrounded by white-sand beaches, a clear-blue lagoon, and a colorful house reef, it feels as if you’ve landed on a deserted island.
Metita also reveals its true beauty underwater. The island is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the area with the greatest marine biodiversity in the world. Surrounding the island are dozens of virtually untouched dive sites featuring colorful coral gardens, steep walls, historic World War II wrecks, and even an underwater volcano. During your dives, you might spot reef sharks, manta rays, mobula rays, sea turtles, eagle rays, and large schools of reef fish. Macro photography enthusiasts will also be in heaven here, thanks to the many unique small species hiding among the reef and on the volcanic sandy bottoms.
The house reef begins almost directly in front of the resort and is a wonderful place for both divers and snorkelers to explore the underwater world. Thanks to its secluded location and the limited number of visitors, every dive feels like you’re exploring an unknown part of Indonesia. Metita is therefore a destination for divers seeking unspoiled nature, healthy reefs, and an underwater world that still largely speaks for itself.
Best time to visit Morotai & Metita for a diving vacation:
The best time to visit the Morotai Islands District is from March through November. This is the dry season, with calm waters and pleasant weather throughout almost the entire period. The rainy season, from November through March, is less suitable for divers.
Average temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Morotai
A 3 mm wetsuit is recommended. Water temperatures range from about 27-29°C throughout the year.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Days 1–3 | The Journey to Metita
The first three days of this trip are dedicated to the journey to Metita. The island is located in the far north of Indonesia and is one of the country’s most remote diving destinations. It is precisely this remote location that makes Metita so special. There is only one resort on the island, and as soon as you arrive, it feels as if you’ve landed at the end of the world.
The trip begins with an international flight to Indonesia. In most cases, you’ll fly via Singapore to Manado, a journey that takes about 17 to 20 hours, including layovers. Because the connecting domestic flights don’t line up well, an overnight stay in Manado is almost always necessary. Depending on availability and the best connection, the trip can also go through Jakarta. Of course, we always look for the most favorable combination of flight times, travel time, and price.
On the third day, you’ll continue on to Ternate, a volcanic island in the North Moluccas. The flight from Manado takes about an hour. From Ternate, there are two ways to reach Metita Beach & Dive Resort.
- For domestic flights to Morotai: There is a direct flight from Ternate to Morotai on Wednesdays. This flight takes about 45 minutes. After arriving in Morotai, you’ll take a boat transfer to Metita Beach & Dive Resort. The total travel time from Ternate, including the boat transfer, is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
- By land and sea: If the weekly flight to Morotai is not available, you’ll travel from Ternate to Metita by land and sea. First, you’ll travel by car and speedboat to Sofifi (about 1 hour). Then, you’ll drive to Tobelo, which takes about 4.5 hours. From Tobelo, a speedboat will take you to Metita Beach & Dive Resort in about 1.5 hours. The total travel time is approximately 7 to 7.5 hours.
No matter which route you take, at the end of the day you’ll arrive at Metita. You can settle in at the resort, enjoy the peace and quiet, and get ready for the extraordinary dives you’ll be doing over the next few days.
Days 4–15 | Diving around Morotai & Metita
Over the next few days, you’ll discover the surprisingly diverse underwater world of Morotai. Your stay includes 20 dives, allowing you to explore many of the most beautiful dive sites in the area. You can make up to 4 dives per day here, including 2 in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one night dive.
Morotai is a destination where large pelagic species and healthy coral reefs come together. Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks are regularly spotted on the house reef. On the surrounding reefs, you might see manta rays, mobula rays, eagle rays, and schools of barracuda and tuna. With a little luck, you might even spot a dugong, a rare sea cow that is occasionally seen in the waters around Morotai.
The reefs themselves are also impressive. You’ll dive past vast hard and soft coral gardens, colorful drop-offs, and steep walls covered with sponges, fans, and large numbers of reef fish. Macro photography enthusiasts can explore the volcanic sandy bottoms in search of unusual nudibranchs, anglerfish, ghost pipefish, and other well-camouflaged inhabitants of the seafloor.
Morotai also has a rich underwater history. Scattered around the island are several World War II shipwrecks, which have since been reclaimed by marine life and now serve as a home for schools of fish, sea turtles, and countless reef dwellers. Virtually the entire east coast of Morotai is part of a protected marine area, which means the reefs are in excellent condition and you often feel as though you have these special dive sites all to yourself.
Day 16 | Land Excursions
On the last day before departure, you’ll have the entire day to explore the island above water. The Metita Beach & Dive Resort organizes various activities and excursions if you’re looking for an active day.
There are guided tours where you can explore nature to see various wild animals and learn more about the island’s rich history.
There are also wonderful hiking opportunities through the pristine forests on Morotai. Here you can spot beautiful birds of paradise and hike to the waterfalls, such as the impressive Raja Waterfall, which is nearly 80 meters high. You can also explore large caves that take you back to the time when the first Europeans explored these areas.
Morotai’s rich history as an important stronghold for the Allies during World War II is still visible in numerous artifacts. The island’s history as a spice and silver island of Indonesia and the Western world is also fascinating. To this day, you can experience the smell of sun-dried cloves and nutmeg during harvest season and silver jewelry is a popular gift to explore and buy.
Days 17 & 18 | The Trip Back Home
Today you check out at Metita Beach in the morning and will be you will be transferred to the Ternate airport for your flights back home.
Depending on the flight times & final destination, you can either continue in one go or make one more overnight stay in Ternate, Manado, Jakarta or Singapore.
Want to stay longer in Indonesia? Since many flights go via Manado, Sulawesi (Bunaken or Lembeh) is a perfect 2nd destination. Other destinations to consider – are Raja Ampat (only 1.5 hours flight from Manado) or Bali (about 4 hours flight with stopover).
Everything is possible, including liveaboards around Komodo etc. We are happy to think with you.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from this trip to Morotai and Metita?
Varied Dives
The waters around Morotai are surprisingly diverse. During your dives, you might spot reef sharks, manta rays, mobula rays, eagle rays, and large schools of barracuda and tuna. In addition, there are several World War II wrecks that are now completely overgrown with coral and serve as a home for countless fish and other marine life. Thanks to the small number of divers, it often feels as if you have these special dive sites all to yourself.
Staying in Paradise
The Heart of the Coral Triangle
Metita is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the area with the greatest marine biodiversity in the world. Underwater, you’ll discover an impressive variety of hard and soft corals, enormous table coral formations, colorful sponges, and fans. The healthy reefs attract a wealth of reef fish, sea turtles, and pelagic species. Thanks to their remote location, many reefs are still in excellent condition, and every dive feels like an expedition through a virtually untouched underwater world.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Metita Beach & Dive Resort
Metita Beach & Dive Resort is the only resort on the small island of Metita, off the coast of Morotai. This secluded location makes it an ideal destination for divers, snorkelers, and travelers seeking peace and quiet, nature, and personalized service. The resort is run by a German management team and is known for its relaxed atmosphere, intimate setting, and commitment to quality.
Sustainability plays an important role at the resort. The resort minimizes the use of single-use plastics as much as possible, has launched various initiatives to preserve the coral reefs, and also devotes significant attention to the protection of sea turtles. In addition, the resort works closely with the local community. Most of the fruits and vegetables come from the resort’s own garden, and fresh fish and other products are purchased from local fishermen and farmers.
The culinary offerings are also top-notch. Fresh Indonesian and European dishes are prepared daily, featuring an extensive breakfast buffet, a varied lunch, and a delicious dinner. After a day on or in the water, you can relax in the cozy lounge with a pool table and an extensive book collection, or enjoy a drink at the bar, where coffee, tea, mocktails, cocktails, and beer are served.
There are two types of accommodations at the Metita Beach & Dive Resort: the Beach Cottages and the more spacious Family Cottages. Both are built with natural materials and are located a short distance from the beach, nestled in the island’s tropical surroundings.
With a floor area of 59 m², the Beach Cottages are ideal for two people. The cottages are built from local wood and feature air conditioning, a king-size bed, a minibar, a spacious walk-in closet, and an open-air bathroom. Shampoo and shower gel are included in your stay. Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass walls and the spacious veranda, you can enjoy a stunning view of the ocean and the island’s relaxed atmosphere.
If you’re traveling with your family or simply want a little more space, the Family Cottage is an excellent choice. With an area of 103 m², this accommodation offers the same comfortable amenities as the Beach Cottage, plus additional living space.
The diving school
The diving school and facilities
Gangga Divers
During your stay, you’ll dive with Gangga Divers, a PADI 5-Star Dive Center and the ideal base for exploring the unspoiled dive sites around Morotai. Safety, personalized service, and a small-scale approach are their top priorities. The experienced team knows the dive sites like no other and guides both beginners and experienced divers to the most beautiful spots in the area.
The dive center has all the facilities you’d expect from a modern dive center. These include a spacious darkroom for underwater photographers, a classroom, rinse and drying facilities for diving gear, hot showers, and well-maintained rental equipment. Air and Nitrox are filled on-site using modern compressors, so you can enjoy every dive without a care in the world.
The dives are conducted using two specially equipped dive boats that are outfitted with all necessary safety equipment, including oxygen, first-aid supplies, and marine radios. On board, there is plenty of shade, a restroom, towels, drinking water, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, and light snacks. For underwater photographers, rinse water is also available for cameras and underwater housings.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package costs € 3.230 per person, based on two people staying in a Beach Cottage. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of items are included as standard in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from € 3.230 p.p.
- 14 nights in a Beach Cottage
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Return transfers from and to Pitu Morotai Airport
- Dive package consisting of 20 dives
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Manado (or Jakarta) from € 800 p.p.
- Flight to Morotai approx. € 300 p.p.
- Overnight at Manado (or Jakarta) approx. € 60 p.p.
- Dive and travel insurance
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Nitrox € 5 per dive
- Diving equipment € 25 per day
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Frequently Asked Questions About Morotai & Metita
Diving general
You can do both boat dives and shore dives here. There are more than 70 dive sites, so the type of dives you do depends on your preferences and experience. In addition to reef diving, you can also go wreck diving.
Most dive sites are between 5 and 30 minutes away by boat. The underwater volcano, manta rays, and dugongs are a bit farther away: up to 1.5 hours.
By default, this package includes 2 dives per day for the duration of 10 days. You can expand this on the spot with a 3rd or even 4th (night) dive.
Yes definitely!
Yes, there’s a house reef!
Ganggu Divers is a PADI dive school. You can take various courses and specialties here.
Yes, the diving school is located on the same grounds and is part of the resort.
Diving equipment
The standard tanks are both DIN and INT.
Upon request.
Yes, this costs €5 per tank.
Complete diving equipment costs €25 per day.
Other activities & excursions
Right outside the door is a 90-meter reef plateau that’s a fantastic spot for snorkeling. The corals are particularly beautiful at the drop-off, where the reef slopes gently into the depths. You’ll also frequently spot larger fish, such as humphead parrotfish, tuna, or even blacktip reef sharks. The house reef is also great for snorkeling after sunset! Many nocturnal creatures emerge from their hiding spots, making it a completely different experience than during the day. Snorkeling without a guide is free; with a guide, you’ll pay between 200,000 Rp and 240,000 Rp per snorkeling trip.
Absolutely. The northern Moluccas—and Morotai in particular—are ideal for surfers looking for empty lineups. The waves are generated by the same storm systems that also create the better-known waves in the Philippines. The peak season for waves runs from late October, early November to March. During these months, traveling surfers can expect consistent, medium-sized, and varied reef waves, without many other surfers in the lineup.
In addition to snorkeling, you can take several excursions described at day 16 of this trip.
See day 16 of the itinerary.
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