Route Description - Banda Sea and East Flores
12 Days 11 Nights
Day 1: Ambon – Embarkation & Check Dives
Guests arrive in Ambon and are transferred to the vessel. Following a general dive briefing, an easy check dive is conducted at a sheltered site to fine-tune equipment and buoyancy. Two additional dives follow in Ambon Bay, including a sunset dive. These famous muck dives offer outstanding critter encounters such as rhinopias, frogfish, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp and, with luck, the rare psychedelic frogfish.
Day 2: Suanggi Island
This remote island in the Banda Sea is accessible only by liveaboard. Divers explore pristine hard-coral reefs teeming with life, including schooling barracuda, tuna, fusiliers and bannerfish, with occasional hammerhead sightings.
Day 3: Banda Islands
The historic Spice Islands around Banda Neira combine cultural exploration with exceptional diving. Guests may enjoy a town visit or an optional climb of Gunung Api volcano. Diving features dramatic drop-offs, vibrant reefs and sites such as Lava Flow, Batu Kapal and Karang Hatta, with strong potential for pelagic encounters including hammerhead sharks.
Day 4: Gili Manuk (Snake Island)
Known for its large population of sea snakes, this unique site also offers rich reef life, pelagic sightings and impressive seabird colonies. The signature dive site, Smoking Hot, is a highlight.
Day 5: Nil Desperandum – Serua
A remote atoll of steep walls and deep blue water. Covered in fans and sponges, the area is renowned for encounters with schooling sharks and other large pelagics.
Day 6: Pulau Nila – Karang Doisburg
Spectacular wall diving with excellent coral growth and open-water pelagic action. The vessel anchors near Nila Island for a possible night dive and optional visit to a traditional clove-harvesting village beneath an active volcano.
Day 7: Romang – Niata
Gentle slopes, colourful gorgonians and massive barrel sponges define the diving. Reef sharks and tuna may pass by, while Niata offers fish-rich walls and overhangs. Three day dives are scheduled before an overnight crossing.
Day 8: Reong
Located near Wetar, Reong delivers vibrant wall diving with caverns and resting nurse sharks. Shallow coral gardens provide excellent snorkelling conditions.
Day 9: Beangabang & Alor
Beangabang Bay is famed for exceptional macro life, often compared to Lembeh Strait, with nutrient-rich upwellings. The journey continues to Alor for thrilling drift dives and chances to spot mola mola, thresher sharks and large tuna.
Day 10: Pulau Rusa – Pulau Kambing
A rarely visited area featuring coral bommies, strong currents and dense fish life. Occasional sunfish sightings are possible.
Day 11: Serbete & Adonara
The day begins with a relaxed wall dive at Serbete Island, followed by two additional macro-focused dives in sheltered conditions.
Day 12: Maumere – Disembarkation
Guests disembark in Maumere. Depending on flight schedules, the crew assists with luggage and provides airport transfers for a smooth departure.