Sali Bay Resort

Sali Bay Resort is situated in a sheltered bay in the northern Moluccas, within the Halmahera Sea. Established in 2017, it holds the distinction of being the first dive centre in the South Halmahera region, providing local expertise and access to marine environments that remain largely untouched by traditional tourism.

The resort operates as a dedicated eco-resort, powered 24/7 by an on-site solar plant to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. This commitment to the environment extends to the diving itself, where a strict policy of not touching or manipulating marine life, including corals, is enforced, and the wearing of gloves is prohibited to protect the reef.

The centre is a PADI affiliated facility providing a range of training and exploration services. The team maintains a ratio of a maximum of six divers per guide, ensuring a controlled and attentive environment for both training and recreational diving.

The staff manages much of the logistics for you, including rinsing, drying, and retrieving your diving kit so that it is ready for use on the boat the following morning. For those bringing their own photographic equipment, a dedicated camera room is available on-site.

The resort provides a comprehensive range of PADI courses for all experience levels. Beginners can start with the Discover Scuba Diving programme or work through the PADI Open Water Diver and PADI Scuba Diver certifications.

For more advanced training, the centre offers the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, and Peak Performance Buoyancy courses. Professional and specialty training is also available, including PADI Divemaster, Search and Recovery, and the Enriched Air Diver / Nitrox course.

The centre operates five boats to service its guests, including speed boats and larger dive boats. These vessels allow for trips to various sites around the bay and further afield.

The larger boats are equipped with toilets and dedicated camera buckets for photographers. Nitrox is available for use on these trips, and the centre also conducts night dives from the boats.

The centre offers full kit hire, with all equipment maintained to a high standard. For those who prefer to travel light, the resort recommends renting your essential kit on-site.

Cylinders provided are 12-litre aluminium models fitted with DIN/INT valves. Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom times.

The marine life around the resort is exceptionally diverse. You will regularly encounter large schools of mackerel, platax, fusiliers, and unicornfish (Naso) moving across the reef. Larger pelagics including tuna, dolphins, pilot whales, and various species of sharks and rays are also part of the local ecosystem.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, from nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) and various shrimp and crabs to ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and pygmy seahorses. The area is also home to various species of octopus, cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and several types of pipefish.

The reef is also a habitat for more specialised creatures such as frogfish (Antennarius), stargazers, leaf scorpionfish, and the Halmahera walking shark. For those watching the sandy bottom or reef edges, look out for garden eels, razorfish, and various gobies (Gobiidae).

The resort is open year-round, with oceanic conditions remaining relatively consistent throughout the year. While the area is accessible in all seasons, the period from November to March typically sees increased rainfall.

Because the resort is located in a protected bay, it offers a reliable environment for diving, though guests should always check the latest local updates regarding swell and weather before heading out.