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Banda Sea

Banda Sea

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North & South Banda Sea

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

Itinerario en North & South Banda Sea
Day 1: Ambon

Transfer to the boat upon arrival, welcome drink and accommodation. Check dive inside Ambon Bay, in Pantai Nama or The Twilight Zone. Overnight sail to Nusa Laut.

Day 2: Nusa Laut

Morning dive in Pulau Pombo, followed by two 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 the Banda group.

Day 3: Banda Islands

Three day dives in pulau Soanggi, the northernmost island of the Banda group. A group of submerged coral hills with pristine coral, lots of fish and common sights of pelagics. Afternoon sail to Bandaneira, probably the most beautiful natural anchorage of Indonesia, followed by Mandarin dive at dusk.

Day 4: Bandaneira

Cultural visit around Bandaneira, the heart of the Spice Islands: Fort Rotterdam, Culture House, the Governors House and the nutmeg plantation. After the tour dive some of the famous sites such as Batu Kapal, Pohon Mirin or Lava Flows. In the evening traditional dinner at a restored colonial house in Bandaneira.

Day 5: Pulau Hatta and Karang Hatta

Full diving day around Pulau Hatta and Karang Hatta, located at southern part of Banda group and consisting of extraordinary walls with fish life to match. Overnight sail to pulau Manuk.

Day 6: Pulau Manuk

Diving around this small volcanic island with colonies of seabirds flying above. Underwater, several ridges display extraordinary colours and are populated by numerous sea snakes, while large fauna is occasionally sighted. Overnight sail to pulau Serua.

Day 7: Pulau Serua

Full diving day around Pulau Serua, again one of the best sites for spotting schools of hammerheads. Afternoon visit to the isolated village up the slopes of the volcano, and night dive in one of the sheltered bays. Night sail to the Nil Desperandum.

Day 8: Nil Desperandum

Full diving day in Nil Desperandum, a reef patch surrounded of deep water where schools of hammerheads and other sharks are often seen. Overnight sail to pulau Teun.

Day 9: Pulau Teun

Full day diving in the reefs around this scenic volcanic island, with its numerous spurs and ridges and chance encounters with hammerheads and other pelagic fauna. Overnight sail to pulau Dawera.

Day 10: Pulau Dawera

Dive the walls of and ridges of Pulau Dawera, colourful reefs aptly named “Little Raja Ampat” because of its large fans and lots of small fish, apart from schools. Afternoon visit to the traditional village with welcoming ceremony and sampling of local snacks. Overnight sail to West Tanimbar.

Day 11: Tanimbar

Morning dive in pulau Nusnitu, and second dive in Karang Barasadi atoll. Afternoon sail back to Saumlaki while preparing for the 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.


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