Banda Sea

North & South Banda Sea: Ambon-Saumlaki, Saumlaki-Ambon

Disclaimer: Itineraries are only orientative and might be modified due to weather conditions, sea conditions and other external causes.

• DAY 1: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

(If the trip is 10 days, eliminate DAY 2 in Nusa Laut; if the trip is 12 days, add one day in Ambon, so Nusa Laut becomes day 3)