Eastern Banda Sea

Dive this remote and spectacular area of Indonesia, only accessible by liveaboard at certain times of year!

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

• Abundant marine life
• Possible big fish encounters
• Spectacular coral reefs

Areas visited on this liveaboard itinerary include:

Banda Islands

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

Dai & Dawera

These two islands have lots to offer from pristine shallow hard coral gardens, deep walls to rocky slopes covered with massive sponges. The seamounts are swarming with curtains of pyramid butterflyfishes and the friendliest longfin batfishes you may ever find.

Spiny lobsters hide in the numerous cracks and overhangs in Dai, while shoals of snappers, unicorn fishes and rivers of fusiliers inhabit the pristine reefs.

Nil Desperandum & Serua

Upwelling and currents around these islands bring nutrient rich waters and with them an abundance of marine life. Many larger fish species can be seen in these little visited waters. Hammerhead sharks, tunas, napoleon wrasse and groupers are amongst the most common sightings, while schooling surgeonfish, bannerfish and barracuda give divers a spectacular display.

Manoek Island

Located in the middle of the Banda Sea, this tiny island offers a wide variety of dive topography including walls, coral slopes and sandy areas. The areas is famed as the home of a multitude of sea snakes which can often be seen hunting together. Larger fish pass by on the outer walls, including tunas and jacks, as well as smaller creatures that can be found amidst the pristine corals.

EXPERIENCE REQURED: PADI Open Water or equivalent with a minimum of 50 dives.