The Banda Sea is becoming one of the best underwater spot in Indonesia for scuba diving. Your journey starts in the Ambon’s bay, Temple of the muck diving with the famous Lembeh’s strait, Laha is the mecca for underwater photographers looking for Critters. Hairy frogfish, Indian walkman, Ambon scorpionfish, Rhinopias, Ghost pipefish, Seahorses and other creatures could be spotted there. Then we will explore the historical Banda islands. Many different species of dolphins and whales are also commonly spotted. And the best of the best… since few years, the Banda Sea starts to welcome the seasonal schools of hammerheads!
Day 1:
AMBON
Pick up from the airport and transfer to the boat. Welcome drink and introduction of the boat, cruise and team. We require a minimum level of Open Water – 30 logged dives.
Dive 1: Check dive in Ambon bay, 1st encounter with all those small and weird critters! Depending schedule of the flights, 2nd daytime dive in Ambon. Overnight sailing to Nusa Laut (45nm)
Day 2 & 3:
NUSA LAUT
Dive 1 & 2: Amed’s Village, well preserved coral gardens, beautiful walls and numerous fishes on the reef. Dive 3: Arch of Archon, endless walls. Mobulas, BlackTip reef sharks, tunas or even Hammerhead can be spotted there.
Dive 1, 2 & 3: Clear water, nice plateau, huge sponges and Hammerheads sites. Overnight sailing to Manuk (70nm)
Day 4 & 5:
MANUK
Dive 1, 2 & 3: “Snake Volcano”. Hot rocks and ascending bubbles from the bottom. This spot is filled by harmless by sea snakes. Overnight sailing to Nila (75nm)
Dive 1, 2 & 3: Hammerheads sites, healthy walls and 50+ meters visibility sometimes. Overnight sailing back to Manuk (65nm)
Day 6 & 7:
MANUK – BANDA ISLANDS
Dive 1, 2 & 3: Snakes, tunas, barracudas and hopefully more Hammerheads ! Overnight sailing to Banda Islands (75nm)
Dive 1, 2 & 3: Let’s start the day with another hammerhead hunt on Karang Hatta and its schools of Jack fish! Heading then to Bandaneira, a large choice of dive sites is available, from volcanic rock at Pohon Miring to the black sandy bottom of Banda’s harbor. Possible Land excursion: Banda Neira and its traditional market, historic fort and small Maritime Museum. Night at the mooring.
Day 8:
BANDA ISLANDS
Dive 1, 2 & 3: Waking up facing the beautiful view of Gunung Api, we’ll be looking for Boxer crabs on Batu Kapal to begin the day! And then heading to Suanggi, its walls, tons of fish, and our last chance for Hammerheads! Overnight sailing to Ambon (120nm)
Day 9 – 10:
AMBON BAY
Dive 1, 2 & 3: Back to small critters and macro lovers! Let’s hunt for some frogfish, ghost pipefish, seahorses, marble shrimps and flamboyant cuttlefish during day and night dives! On day 10, depending on the flights schedules, 1 or 2 dives can be done.
Day 11:
AMBON
End of the trip and transfer to airport according to your flight schedule.
The route is always organized according to the weather conditions, tides and currents.