BANDA SEA

STARTING AT USD 3,425

Located in the East of Indonesia, the Banda Sea is full of history of its Spice Islands. The waters in this area offer some of the most fantastic dive experiences. During the mating season and the changing Monsoon, a diving liveaboard is an opportunity to encounter Hammerheads patrolling along some of the islands. Although the Hammerhead Sharks are one of the main highlights, the Banda Sea offers much more. This remote area is home to spectacular walls covered with soft corals and this coral garden forms an amazing seascape for all to be amazed at. Drift diving, pinnacle and muck diving can be expected. The Banda Sea is an adventure to experience with its rich history and the unique topography of its dive sites.

Cruise Highlights

Extraodinary Diving: Pelagic, schooling fish, macro, muck diving, wall diving, drift, untouched reefs forms the diving diversity of this exceptional itinerary. Hammerhead Sharks may be encountered during the mating season.

The boat will sail along the remote area of the North Banda Sea, once used by the Spice Trade ships. Wake up in this stunning open ocean with no land in the horizon. Guests will get the opportunity to experience unobstructed views of the sunset with the Gunung Api in the background.

Entrance in Banda Neira: A stately place surrounding a volcano in a calm bay, a picturesque backdrop featuring a full history of colonial times. Spice Trade and wars have passed through this destination in the past.

Nutmeg Plantations: Guests will get the opportunity to visit the nutmeg plantations, an old Dutch fort and its museum. A nice walk to the traditional market will conclude this fantastic experience.

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Diving Areas

Weather, sea conditions and length of trip may affect the itinerary and dive sites selection.

Ambon Bay

Located next to Ambon, this giant bay is a famous muck diving destination. Divers can spot by chance the Psychedelic Frogfish. Painted Frogfish, Eels, Harlequin Shrimps, Seahorses are some of the critters and fish found in this area.  

Nusa Laut

Protected by its population, this island next to Ambon is a true example of how villagers live to protect their reefs their own ways. Nusa Laut holds a very unique combination of coral gardens in shallow water. A gentle sandy slope continues to the deep sea where impressive walls can be observed. Mantas and other pelagic life may be encountered while swimming along these beautiful walls. Divers can often spot Turtles, Dugongs and Schooling Jacks in the area.

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Banda Neira

There are several dive sites along the two islands of Banda and Neira. Lava flow is the highlight for divers. An impressive coral garden has grown in a very special way after the last eruption of this volcano. Its formations makes one of the most unique dive sites in the world. Neira Bay presents a great opportunity for a muck night dive to spot special critters and even Mandarin Fish. There is also another pinnacle out of the bay which allows divers to spot Tunas, Sharks, or Schooling Fish.

Run/Ai

These two islands are home to some interesting and beautiful dive sites to explore. The wall on the south of Pulau Ai is covered with some of the biggest Sea Fans. Rainbow Runners, Schooling Barracudas and Napoleon Wrasses usually patrol those dive sites.

Hatta

The cruise will allocate several days of diving along Hatta Island. On the South side, there is a submerged reef that breaks the surface at low tide. Eagle Rays, Mobula Rays, Tunas and Hammerhead Sharks can be spotted in the area. The beauty of the walls covered by Soft Corals and Barrel Sponges will impress divers. Spot pelagic marine life or Sharks along the nice sloping reef covered by soft corals at Tanjung Button, on the South of Hatta. One of the best place in indonesia to experience diving with hammerheads from a liveaboard.

Suanggi

This island, on the way to Ambon, is a very special place. Large numbers of seamounts shelter an impressive quantity of marine life, with pelagic fish patrolling between pinnacles. An incredible Coral Garden at 25-meters is also a distinctive attraction of this dive. This place is a unique diving liveaboard experience to spot hammerheads.

Manuk

Manuk is a very unique place. It is a bird sanctuary housing several species of Seabirds. Divers can also expect to see Sea Snakes all around the dive sites. An incredible place to encounter Schooling Fish along the majestic wall with Healthy Soft and Hard Corals. 

Other Information

Embarkation and Disembarkation from Ambon (AMQ): Direct flights from Jakarta (CGK) or Makassar (UPG)

Hammerhead Sharks, Reef Sharks, Tunas, Rainbow Runners

Sea Snakes, Turtles, Octopus, Dugongs, Rays

Stunning Soft and Hard Coral Gardens

Diverse Species of Critters

Impressive Walls of Old Barrel Sponges

Whales and Dolphins While Cruising

Banda Sea is an open sea that is mostly recommended to visit during the Changing Monsoon Season.

April – May and September – November. During this changing season, the wind speeds are lower, which makes for much favorable sea conditions.

Water Temperature: 26 to 28 degrees Celsius

Air Temperature: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Currents: Gentle to Medium

Visibility: 15 to 40 meters

Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced

Experience Recommended: 20+ Logged Dives

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