• Embarkation: Ambon (AMQ)
• Disembarkation: Ambon (AMQ)

Dive sites we visit include but are not limited to:

Ambon Island

Situated 7 miles off the southwestern coast of the island of Ceram, in the heart of the Moluccas, are the famous dive sites of Ambon, which will be our first stop. It offers world-class muck diving, diverse marine ecosystems, and dramatic seascapes.

• Pintu Kota: This area boasts incredible underwater architecture, with a massive archway decorated with colorful soft corals hanging from its walls to ceilings. Many white and red polyps and red sea fans are dotted along the bottom, whilst shoals of fusiliers, bannerfish, and surgeonfish feed along the steep walls covered with huge barrel sponges.
• Twilight Zone: This renowned muck diving spot in the harbor of Laha is great to explore at night, or during the day. Amongst the detritus, countless species of nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, and dwelling fish are waiting to be discovered. During your treasure hunt, you may come across flamboyant cuttlefish, ornate ghost pipefish, Donald duck shrimps, tiger shrimps, starry octopuses, and even rhinopias.

The Spice (Banda) Islands

This group of islands boasts fantastic diving, with up to 40 meters of visibility. On land, from the top of Fort Belgica, built by the Dutch in 1611 and located in the historical town of Banda Neira, enjoy the view of Gunung Api, a 640-metre-high active volcano. Clove, nutmeg, mace, and cinnamon are still the main spices that are grown here.

Currents can be strong around these small islands in the north of the Banda Sea, therefore sites will be chosen on the best daily conditions from the following options:
There are various dive sites that we may visit:

• Karang Hatta: A spectacular submerged reef south of Hatta, which offers steep slopes surrounded by deep waters. Masses of Redtooth Triggerfish, alongside fusiliers, Napoleon wrasse, and hawksbill turtles populate this long reef. You might also get the chance to spot a few rare creatures like devil rays or even a scalloped hammerhead shark during your dive. Keep your fingers crossed before you enter this wonderful dive site.
• Hatta Blue Hole: This site is formed by a widespread hard coral shallow plateau, which extends away from the island to a majestic drop-off. A large opening on top of the reef opens to a swim through densely covered with huge vibrant Gorgonian fans. Also, massive barrel sponges inhabited by tiny hairy squat lobsters decorate the wall.
• Pohon: Miring Beautifully covered with colorful soft corals and gorgonian fans, a swim through will take you through to a sheer wall covered with leather corals. Numerous big Napoleon wrasses inhabit the reef and dogtooth tunas patrol the blue waters.
• Batu Kapal: This island is named for its boat-like shape and is an exhilarating dive. The walls are decorated with vibrant yellow soft corals. Curtains of redtooth triggerfish, pyramid butterflyfish, fusiliers, and surgeonfish merge into a multicolor fish soup. On the rocky and sandy bottom, you can spot large groups of long-nosed emperor fish hunting alongside bluefin trevallies and opportunistic Napoleon wrasses. Look in the blue for grey reef sharks, while blackfin barracudas hover above the reef.
• Laval Flow: In 1998, the volcano on Naira Island erupted and the lava flow destroyed the jungle and reefs in its wake. While only a few trees have grown on the basaltic rock, underwater it’s a different story. From 3 meters to 40 meters, an extensive hard coral garden completely blankets the solidified lava flow.
• Banda Jetty: Famous for the mandarin fish that can be observed at sunset, which you can see just by looking at the jetty. In many places, these fishes are elusive, small, and shy. Here, it’s the opposite. Once they have done their mating business, a wide array of critters awaits to be discovered on the black sand, including colorful nudibranchs, octopus, cockatoo waspfish, and frogfish.

Pulau Manuk

This tiny island in the middle of the Banda Sea offers a wide variety of dive topography including walls, coral slopes, and sandy areas. Famed as being a home to a multitude of sea snakes and where we can witness the snakes hunting together. Larger fish pass by on the outer walls including tunas and jacks and smaller creatures can be found amidst the pristine corals.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

• Free transportation from the airport or local hotels.
• Check-in before 3 PM.
• Meet the crew & welcome briefing.
• Check-dive in the afternoon.

Day 2 to 5

• 3-4 dives per day, including night dives if possible.

Day 6

• 2 dives in the morning and sail back.

Day 7

• Check-out before noon (12 PM).
• Free transportation to the airport or local hotels.

(*) the itinerary description provided by the boat operator.

The last dive will be on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are recommended to wait for 24hours before flying after the last dive.

Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and sites visited are subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics, and are at the Captain’s discretion.