Route Description - Alor and Banda Sea
12 Days 11 Nights
Day 1: Ambon – Embarkation & Check Dives
Guests arrive in Ambon and are welcomed by the crew before boarding. After a general dive briefing, an easy check dive is conducted to fine-tune equipment and buoyancy. Two additional dives follow in Ambon Bay, including a sunset dive. These renowned muck dives offer world-class critter encounters such as frogfish, rhinopias, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp and, with luck, the rare psychedelic frogfish.
Day 2: Suanggi Island
Accessible only by liveaboard, this remote island features pristine reefs and abundant marine life. Divers explore vibrant hard coral slopes with schooling barracuda, tuna and reef fish, with occasional sightings of hammerhead sharks.
Day 3: Banda Islands
The historic Spice Islands combine cultural exploration with exceptional diving. Guests may visit Banda Neira town or climb Gunung Api volcano. Diving includes dramatic volcanic drop-offs, pristine coral gardens 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 dramatic scenery. Thousands of seabirds nest on the island, making it one of the most spectacular locations of the voyage.
Day 5: Nil Desperandum – Serua
Steep walls rising from the deep dominate this remote atoll. Covered in sea fans and sponges, the area is known for strong pelagic activity, including schooling sharks.
Day 6: Pulau Nila – Karang Doisburg
Spectacular wall dives feature colourful coral growth and open-water pelagic action. The vessel anchors near Nila Island for a possible night dive and optional village visit at the base of an active volcano.
Day 7: Romang – Niata
Gentle slopes, massive gorgonians and barrel sponges characterise 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
A final stop before crossing the Banda Sea, Reong delivers fish-packed wall dives with caverns and resting nurse sharks. Shallow coral gardens provide excellent snorkelling.
Day 9: Beangabang & Alor
Beangabang Bay offers exceptional macro life, often compared to Lembeh Strait, with nutrient-rich upwellings. The journey continues to Alor for exhilarating drift dives with chances to encounter mola mola, thresher sharks and large tuna.
Day 10: Pulau Rusa – Pulau Kambing
A remote and rarely visited area featuring sloping reefs, coral bommies and strong currents. The site is rich in fish life, with occasional sunfish sightings during snorkelling.
Day 11: Serbete & Adonara
A relaxed day of macro-focused diving begins with a gentle wall dive at Serbete Island, followed by two additional dives in sheltered conditions.
Day 12: Maumere – Disembarkation
After breakfast, guests disembark in Maumere. Depending on flight schedules, the crew assists with luggage and airport transfers for a smooth departure.