Metita Beach & Dive Resort

Metita Beach & Dive Resort is situated on the quiet island of Metita, just off the southern point of Morotai in North Halmahera. This location places you in the heart of the Coral Triangle, offering access to some of the most pristine and intact reef systems in Indonesia.

The resort operates as an eco-conscious retreat, built with local materials and designed to minimise environmental impact. It serves as a gateway to a region where the marine biodiversity remains remarkably high, offering a sense of isolation that is increasingly hard to find.

As a PADI 5 Star dive centre, the resort maintains high operational standards for both training and exploration. The staff is multilingual, with English, Indonesian, German, and Spanish spoken, ensuring clear communication for international divers.

The centre is well-equipped to handle everything from entry-level certifications to advanced specialties. They provide a dedicated camera room for photographers and comprehensive facilities for rinsing and drying kit after a day in the water.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of training through both PADI and SSI. For those new to the water, they offer PADI Discover Scuba Diving and SSI Bubblemaker programmes. The full progression of PADI certifications is available, including Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Rescue Diver.

Specialist training is also on hand, such as the PADI Enriched Air Diver course. For those looking to progress professionally, the centre offers the SSI Assistant Instructor programme.

The centre operates two fiberglass speedboats to transport divers to the surrounding sites. One boat has a capacity for 12 divers, while the second accommodates 6, allowing for flexible group sizes. Both vessels are powered by twin 100 HP Yamaha four-stroke outboard engines.

Onboard, you will find essential amenities including fresh water, tea, coffee, fresh fruit, doughnuts, and biscuits. The boats are also equipped with first aid kits, oxygen, and towels for use during the trips.

The dive centre offers a full range of rental kit, including ABC (mask, snorkel, fins), BCDs, wetsuits, and regulators. For night dives, torches are available for hire. You will need to provide your own dive computer, though these are also available for rental.

Facilities on land include a dedicated camera room, a classroom for theory work, and specific areas for rinsing and drying equipment. The resort also features a saltwater pool and uses a desalination plant to provide fresh water for all guests.

The reefs are teeming with life, from large pelagics to colourful reef fish. You will regularly see Humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and various species of sea turtle (Cheloniidae). Blacktip reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks are common residents of the plateau, and you may also spot tawny nurse sharks.

The hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea) ecosystems support vast schools of fish, including fusiliers (Caesio), snappers (Lutjanus), and various groupers (Epinephelus). Large jacks (Carangidae) and tuna (Thunnus) are also frequently seen patrolling the deeper sections of the reef.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, including various anemones and interesting reef fish like the yellow butterflyfish. During night dives, keep a close eye on the seabed for the walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera).

The best time to visit is during the dry season from March to November, when the waters are calm and sunny. During this period, the currents are generally sufficient to nourish the corals while remaining gentle enough for comfortable diving, though some sites may experience moderate currents.

The months of November to March fall during the rainy season, which can bring stronger winds and more challenging conditions.