Banda Sea: North Banda Sea & Kai Islands S.M.Y. ONDINA | 20251104ON
04/11/2025
13/11/2025
9
Ambon
Tual
3.555€
North Banda Sea & Kai Islands
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Cruise Information
- Route and boat
- Date
- Nights
- Departure Port
- Destination Port
- Price per person (Euros)
North Banda Sea & Kai Islands
The Banda Sea is the deepest in the world. Reaching 8.000 m. in some points (Mariana’s trench, the deepest point in the world, is 11.000), is also part of the Ring of Fire, the chain of volcanic islands that follow the faulty line from the western end of Indonesia up to Sulawesi and the Philippines… These are the famed Spice Islands, the heart of the spice trade during the Dutch occupation of the Banda islands, where nutmeg and mace were originally from, or Ambon, where pepper was the main trade. To the east, the Kay islands offer a radically different look from its volcanic counterparts, with low sandy islands with powder white sand beaches, fringed with coconut palm trees.
The Banda Sea is also the most exposed of the Inner Seas of Indonesia, thus requiring careful planning. These routes only take place in October and November, in the interval between the two monsoons, when the waters are more likely to be calm. Cruising the Banda sea involves more night powering than other routes, as we sail most nights, just to wake up every morning in a different location. But the adventurous divers are rewarded by impressive walls with giant sea fans, massive barrel sponges, thick schools of fish, and the common sights of pelagic fauna, including hammerheads.
Itinerary and Map
Day 1: Ambon
Pick up at Ambon airport, transfer to the boat, welcome drink and accommodation. Check dive in the afternoon at the Twilight Zone in Ambon (muck diving), plus night dive. Overnight sail to Nusa Laut.
Day 2: Pulau Pombo
First morning dive in Pulau Pombo. Noon and afternoon dives at the famous site Ameth’s Knoll, a reef parallel to the coast that the local villagers have protected since the old times, to allow fish to spawn and spill over to adjacent areas. Overnight sail to Suanggi.
Day 3: Pulau Suanggi
Three day dives in Pulau Suanggi, the northernmost island of the Banda group. After third dive sail to Bandaneira, probably the most beautiful natural anchorage of Indonesia. Dusk dive at the mandarin fish site, and dinner at a restored colonial house.
Day 4: Bandaneira
Cultural visit around Bandaneira, the heart of the Spice Islands: Fort Rotterdam, culture museum, the Governors House and the nutmeg plantation. After cultural visit dive the famous places around Bandaneira such as Batu Kapal, Pohon Mirin or Lava Flows.
Day 5: Pulau Hatta and Karang Hatta
3 day dives around Pulau Hatta and Karang Hatta, located at southern part of Banda group. Overnight sail to Pulau Koon.
Day 6: Pulau Koon
Three day dives around the very strategic eastern point of Pulau Koon, where the walls on both sides of the island converge into a sandy plateau facing a deep trench, congregating large masses of fish and the added excitement of some pelagic sightings. Overnight sail to Kurkap.
Day 7: Kurkap
Full diving day in Kurkap, diving the main island as well as the reef to the north of the island. Both feature pristine corals gardens and plenty of fish life. After the night dive, sail to Pulau Bui.
Day 8: Pulau Bui
Two mornings dive in different seamounts to the north of Pulau Bui, Villoch Reef and Ultima Frontera. Afternoon and night dive in another reef adjacent to Pulau Bui. After the third dive will visit a beautiful white sand beach located on the south part of the island, a long sand bar surrounded by turquoise waters.
Day 9: Pulau Tayandu
Two morning dives north of Pulau Tayandu, first in Karang Rembang and second in Batu Guano. In the afternoon visit Pasir Panjang (a kilometre-plus stretch of white sand beach lined with coconut trees) on our way to Tual. Preparation for departure the morning after.
Advertencia: Los itinerarios son solamente orientativos y pueden ser modificados a causa de la climatología, estado del mar u otros factores externos.
CRUISE FEES
Cruise fees cover police, diving, tourist and port permits:
- €250/pax on Raja Ampat, Forgotten Islands, Banda Sea and Cenderawasih cruises.
- "€200/pax on 5/7 night Komodo cruises on board or €250/person on 8/12 night Komodo cruises on board.
These may be paid on board when requested by our Cruise Director or together with the payment of the cruise price.
* All our routes include the same number of nights as days, embarkation on the first day and disembarkation on the last day published early in the morning.
* Departures are only guaranteed with a minimum of 6 passengers on the SMY Ondina.
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Most Exotic Islands
Occupying over half of the Coral Triangle, it contains more species of coral and fish than any other place on the planet.
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Safety
Our dedicated team of professionals has been successfully operating our cruise ship S.M.Y. Ondina since 2001.
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S.M.Y. Ondina
Sailing aboard SMY Ondina will give you the opportunity to explore the most exotic and remote islands of this unique country.
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Comfortable and affordable
We have focused on what really matters and left aside superfluous and expensive luxuries.
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Divers
Beginners, advanced, photographers and video enthusiasts, according to your needs, in a flexible but professional way.