
Sali Bay Resort
Sali Bay Resort is nestled in a quiet private bay on the southern tip of Halmahera, offering a peaceful retreat with direct access to some of North Maluku’s most untouched and vibrant dive sites in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
South Halmahera, North Maluku, Indonesia

Number of Rooms
16
Wifi
Yes, free
Nitrox
Yes
Dive Center
On-site
Swimming Pool
Restaurant
Book Your Vacation
Whats included...
$2284
Our packages are fully customizable, contact us today!
Sali Bay Resort is tucked away in a secluded private bay on the southern tip of Halmahera, offering front-door access to some of North Maluku’s most untouched and vibrant dive sites in the heart of the Coral Triangle. This tranquil retreat blends natural beauty with warm Indonesian hospitality, where a small and welcoming team ensures every guest feels at home. Spacious beachfront bungalows offer modern comfort and stunning sea views, making it the perfect base for divers and travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation in a remote island paradise.
How To Get There
To reach Sali Bay Resort, fly into Labuha Airport (LAH) in South Halmahera, which is served by regular domestic flights from major cities such as Jakarta and Manado. Upon arrival, guests can be met by the resort’s transfer team (available for an additional fee) for a 25-minute car ride followed by a 50-minute boat transfer to the island. The journey offers a scenic introduction to Halmahera’s coastal beauty. Transfers can also be arranged from nearby towns or other islands to ensure a smooth and hassle-free arrival.
Dive Overview
Nestled in the remote reaches of South Halmahera, Sali Bay Resort is a gateway to some of Indonesia’s most unspoiled and biodiverse marine environments. The surrounding dive sites boast a stunning mix of vibrant coral reefs, dramatic underwater landscapes, and muck diving hotspots teeming with rare critters. From encounters with pygmy seahorses, frogfish, and flamboyant cuttlefish to schools of reef fish and occasional pelagics, every dive offers something unique. The region’s isolation ensures low diver traffic, providing a serene and exclusive underwater experience far from the crowds. Whether you're a macro enthusiast or a wide-angle photographer, South Halmahera promises exceptional diving just minutes from the resort’s private jetty.
[Read More: Indonesia Dive Travel Guide]
Accommodation Overview
Sali Bay Resort offers an intimate escape with a selection of elegant Sea View Villas and Garden View Villas, each designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings of South Halmahera. Built from locally sourced materials and positioned for maximum privacy, the villas provide a tranquil setting after a day of diving and exploration. All stays include a full board meal plan with daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, and refreshments served in the open-air restaurant overlooking the bay. Each villa is equipped with:
- Air conditioning
- Private en-suite bathroom with hot water
- Spacious veranda with ocean or garden views
- Comfortable king-size or twin beds
- Writing desk and wardrobe
- Complimentary drinking water
- Mini fridge
- Eco-friendly toiletries and daily housekeeping
Food & Drinks
Guests can enjoy a delicious fusion of Indonesian and Western cuisine, prepared fresh daily by the in-house kitchen team. Meals are served either buffet-style or plated at the table, depending on the menu and guest preferences. A full-board meal plan is included, covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all enjoyed in the open-air restaurant with stunning views of the bay.
Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, ensuring all guests are well taken care of.
Dive Information
Sali Bay Resort offers intimate diving experiences with small groups limited to 6 guests per dive. Our fleet includes two speedboats and three larger, well-equipped dive boats featuring camera rinse buckets, toilets (on larger boats), and spacious dive decks.
Service Includes:
- Full equipment setup by our staff
- Pre-dive equipment checks by guests
To protect Halmahera's pristine marine environment:
- Absolutely no touching/holding marine life or corals
- Gloves are prohibited to prevent coral damage
Dive Center Information
Sali Bay Dive Center, situated conveniently near the jetty, offers seamless service to ensure a hassle-free diving experience. After each dive, your equipment is carefully rinsed, dried, and prepared by the attentive dive staff, so it’s ready for you on the boat the next morning. The center rents top-quality, well-maintained gear, including 12-liter aluminum tanks with DIN/INT valves, and Nitrox is available for certified divers.
Camera Room
Practical Information
- Electricity: 220V
- Time zone: GMT+9
- Languages: English, German, and Italian
- Accept Credit Card?: No
Resort Features
Resort Activities
MORE Indonesia
explore even more your favourite destination
Deals & Special Offers
Sali Bay Resort Special
Get 10% Off On Accommodation and Pre-Booked Dives
Valid From July - December 2025, January - April 2026, and August - December 2026.
Get 15% Off On Accommodation and Pre-Booked Dives
Valid From May - July 2026.
Book By: July 31, 2025
Subject to availability. Valid for new bookings only.

Find a Room in Sali Bay Resort
Front Beach Villa
Air Con
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
Wifi (free)
Balcony or Terrace
Ocean view
Towels
Toiletries
Daily housekeeping
Laundry Service
Safe
Mini Bar
Tea/coffee making facilities
from $2284
Diver's Lodge
Air Con
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
Wifi (free)
Balcony or Terrace
Ocean view
Towels
Toiletries
Daily housekeeping
Laundry Service
Safe
Mini Bar
Tea/coffee making facilities
from $1944
More information about diving
The Banda Sea is gaining popularity for its dramatic topography and diverse marine life. This area offers fantastic wall dives and opportunities to see resident sea snakes and schooling hammerheads. Divers can also expect encounters with large schools of fish and occasional reef sharks and rays. Visibility is typically excellent, and the remote location ensures uncrowded dive sites. The best diving conditions are from March to May and September to November.


Fellow traveler's reviews






AnneR




I recently had the pleasure of visiting Sali Bay Resort in South Halmahera, and I truly loved everything about it. From the warm, laid-back atmosphere to the incredible diving and the genuine hospitality, Sali Bay offers a truly memorable dive vacation — especially for macro lovers. Sali Bay caters to a broad range of travelers, including those seeking more budget-friendly options without sacrificing comfort. I stayed in one of their beachfront villas near the dive center and pontoon — an ideal location for ease of access to the boat and dive briefings. The restaurant is centrally located, with more economical rooms set further along the beach. The resort has a family-like atmosphere. Guests, dive guides, and staff all gather for sunset drinks at the restaurant before dinner — which, by the way, is served later than at most dive resorts (8:00 PM). It makes for relaxed, social evenings where everyone shares stories, photos, and fish ID tips. Sali Bay’s dive operation is impressive. Most of the guides are from Manado and are exceptionally experienced in spotting small critters — perfect for underwater photographers. The typical schedule includes two morning dives (departing at 8 AM without returning to the resort in between), with optional afternoon and night dives. Over my stay, I enjoyed several fantastic macro dives, spotting rare and fascinating critters — including a walking shark and even a nurse shark resting beneath the jetty in just 1 meter of water! Some lucky guests also had mobula sightings out in the blue. The dive guides are not only skilled but also warm, social, and deeply involved with the guests. Additional Notes * Meals are generous and tasty — you won’t go hungry here. * Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort, though signal strength in the rooms is a bit weaker. * Lisa, the co-owner and manager, is a wonderful host and runs the resort with heart (alongside her adorable Chihuahua, Lucy — the resort mascot!). Highly recommended — I can’t wait to go back!