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Maluku Islands (Moluccas)

The Maluku Islands (or Moluccas) are also commonly referred to as the Spice Islands. These mainly verdant, forested and mountainous islands sit in the magnificent Maluku sea, home to vast and remotely scattered coral reefs in deep seas.

Aerial of an island in Maluku, in the Banda Sea, Indonesia

These mainly verdant, forested and mountainous islands sit in the magnificent Maluku sea, home to vast and remotely scattered coral reefs in deep seas.

The Maluku Islands (or Moluccas) are also commonly referred to as the Spice Islands. They encompass many islands, estimated at over 1,000, of which the better known are Halamahera, Ambon, and the Banda Islands. 

These mainly verdant, forested and mountainous islands sit in the magnificent Maluku Sea, home to vast and remotely scattered coral reefs in deep seas. They sit between two lines of flora and fauna designation, Asian and Australasian, and are host to a vast array of species. As well as being home to the famous spices of clove, nutmeg and mace, the cultivation of coffee, cocoa and fruit generates further income on the fertile slopes fed over the years by ash deposits from the many active volcanoes. 

Maluku Islands (Moluccas)

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Highlights

  • Thrilling atolls and seldom visited dive sites in the Banda Sea 
  • Seasonal liveaboard adventures 
  • Muck diving and underwater photography in Ambon 

Maluku Islands (Moluccas) Resorts & Hotels

Jetty at Spice Island Divers Resort in Ambon, Indonesia

Spice Island Divers Resort

Enjoy some of the finest critter and muck diving in Indonesia at this intimate and friendly dive resort in Ambon Bay. 

11 days from £2,985

Maluku Islands (Moluccas) Liveaboards

External image of Emperor Harmoni, Indonesia

Emperor Harmoni

The beautiful Emperor Harmoni takes liveaboard diving in Indonesia to a new level. Itineraries will vary from 7 to 12 nights.

From £3,221

Solitude Adventurer liveaboard in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Solitude Adventurer

Solitude Adventurer is a spacious catamaran with a contemporary interior. Cabins have unparalleled light from large windows, and…

From £2,060

External image of Dewi Nusantara, Indonesia

Dewi Nusantara

Dewi Nusantara is a majestic 58-metre, triple masted schooner offering 9 beautifully appointed cabins & superb comfort. Its…

From £5,282

External Image of Emperor Raja Laut, Indonesia

Emperor Raja Laut

Dutch Schooner style sailing yacht Emperor Raja Laut began operating in September 2017. Her itineraries vary from 7 to 12…

From £2,628

Exterior of Indo Master Liveaboard, Indonesia

Indo Master

Renovated in 2024, this stunning Indonesian ‘Phinisi’ styled motor yacht provides the optimum in on-board diving services.

From £2,885

Upcoming departures

Upcoming departures for Maluku Islands (Moluccas) are listed below or view all departures on our Holiday Search where you can also sort/filter.

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MV Mermaid II

£6,637

  • Departure Date: 19 Apr 26
  • Country / Itinerary: Indonesia, Biodiversity Super Special Raja Ampat - Banda Sea - Alor - Maumere (16days)
  • Nights: 15
  • Embark Disembark: Sorong Maumere
  • Spaces Available: 1

Additional information

  • Dive areas visited: Indonesia: Raja Ampat & West Papua, Indonesia: Banda Sea, Indonesia: Alor
  • Typical number of dives on trip: 48 dives
  • Minimum dive experience: Please enquire
  • Required certification: Please enquire

Cabins.

Deluxe Cabin Main Deck

£6,637
  • Bed Type: Twin / Double (2 singles can convert to double)
  • Location: Main deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 1
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes
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Dewi Nusantara

£6,456

  • Departure Date: 23 Apr 26
  • Country / Itinerary: Indonesia, Ambon, Central Maluku & the Banda Islands
  • Nights: 11
  • Embark Disembark: Ambon Ambon
  • Spaces Available: 2

Additional information

  • Dive areas visited: Indonesia: Banda Sea, Indonesia: Ambon
  • Typical number of dives on trip: Please enquire
  • Minimum dive experience: Please enquire
  • Required certification: Please enquire
  • Additional costs to be aware of: Long-Distance Fee: $360
    Fuel Surcharge: $330
    Port & Park Fees: $390

Cabins.

Deluxe Stateroom Lower Deck

£6,456
  • Bed Type: Twin / Double (2 singles can convert to double)
  • Location: Lower deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 2
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes
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Dewi Nusantara

£6,456

  • Departure Date: 06 May 26
  • Country / Itinerary: Indonesia, Ambon, the Banda Islands, Misool, South & Central Raja Ampat
  • Nights: 11
  • Embark Disembark: Ambon Sorong
  • Spaces Available: 6

Additional information

  • Dive areas visited: Indonesia: Ambon, Indonesia: Banda Sea, Indonesia: Raja Ampat & West Papua
  • Typical number of dives on trip: Please enquire
  • Minimum dive experience: Please enquire
  • Required certification: Please enquire
  • Additional costs to be aware of: Long-Distance Fee: $360
    Fuel Surcharge: $330
    Port & Park Fees: $390

Cabins.

Deluxe Stateroom Lower Deck

£6,456
  • Bed Type: Twin / Double (2 singles can convert to double)
  • Location: Lower deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 6
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes
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Raja Ampat Aggressor

Offer £4,503 5266.00

  • Departure Date: 04 Jun 26
  • Country / Itinerary: Indonesia, Raja Ampat, Halmahera & Lembeh
  • Nights: 12
  • Embark Disembark: Sorong Bitung
  • Spaces Available: 9

Additional information

  • Dive areas visited: Indonesia: Raja Ampat & West Papua, Indonesia: Halmahera, Indonesia: North Sulawesi
  • Typical number of dives on trip: Please enquire
  • Minimum dive experience: Please enquire
  • Required certification: Please enquire

Cabins.

Offer

Master

£4,869 £5,633
  • Bed Type: Queen
  • Location: Upper deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 6
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes
Offer

Deluxe

£4,503 £5,266
  • Bed Type: Bunk
  • Location: Main deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 3
  • Last Shared Space: Male
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes
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Emperor Harmoni

£6,301

  • Departure Date: 10 Sep 26
  • Country / Itinerary: Indonesia, Raja Ampat & Banda Islands
  • Nights: 12
  • Embark Disembark: Sorong Ambon
  • Spaces Available: 17

Additional information

Cabins.

Lower Deck Twin

£6,460
  • Bed Type: Twin (2 singles)
  • Location: Lower deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 5
  • Last Shared Space: Male & Female
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes

Lower Deck Double

£6,301
  • Bed Type: Double
  • Location: Lower deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 4
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes

Upper Deck Twin

£6,991
  • Bed Type: Twin / Double (2 singles can convert to double)
  • Location: Upper deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 4
  • Last Shared Space: Male & Female
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes

Upper Deck Double

£7,336
  • Bed Type: Double
  • Location: Upper deck
  • Avble. Spaces: 4
  • Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
  • Ensuite: Yes
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Maluku Islands (Moluccas) Itineraries

Moray eel in the Banda Sea, Indonesia

Banda Sea

Well off the beaten track, steeped in history and promising breath-taking diving, the Banda Sea cruise takes you a step back in…

Bird's-eye view of divers & a dive boat in Indonesia

Halmahera - Raja Ampat

Embark on a thrilling liveaboard adventure exploring the remote sites of Halmahera and the world-class diving in Raja Ampat.

Diver & coral reef in the Banda Sea, Indonesia

Raja Ampat - Banda Sea - Ambon

Embark on an epic diving journey through some of Indonesia's most biodiverse regions: Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, and Ambon on this…

Maluku Islands (Moluccas)

Aerial of the Banda Islands in Maluku, Inconesia
Diver & sponge corals in Ambon, Indonesia
Coleman shrimp in Ambon, Indonesia
Coral reef & diver in Ambon, Indonesia
Aerial of Pintu Kota beach in Ambon, Indonesia
Diver & barrel sponge in the Banda Sea, Maluku, Indonesia
Hairy frogfish in Maluku, Indonesia
Scalloped hammerhead shark in Maluku, Indonesia
Ornate reef sea snake in Maluku, Indonesia
Laguna Lake in Maluku, Indonesia

Maluku Islands (Moluccas) Information

Diving Ambon Bay

Spice Island Divers are ideally placed to explore the excellent muck diving sites of Ambon Bay, a large, deep bay on the southern reaches of Ambon Island. What this region lacks in tropical beaches and holiday charm, it more than makes up for in uncrowded dive sites and rare, magical marine life. This spot will be particularly appealing for budding underwater photographers or those searching for critters such as frogfish, lacy scorpionfish and mimic octopus. 

The resort house reef is on one of the area’s most renowned dive sites, while a range of other dive sites can be reached within a few minutes. A little farther away, wrecks and some coral reefs dives can provide balance. 

Liveaboard Diving in the Banda Sea

Ambon Island is also the starting point for liveaboards that venture into the Banda Sea in two periods of the year when conditions allow. The remote and deep sea offers thrilling atolls and dive sites that are seldom visited, with the opportunity for big fish encounters and pristine coral reefs. Certain liveaboards tend to focus on this region between April and May, and then between September and early November each year. For more information and to check liveaboard schedules, visit our Indonesian liveaboards section.

Banda Sea liveaboards can be combined with resort based diving in Ambon Bay for a varied and enjoyable combined itinerary. Contact us to find out more.

How do I get there?

It is recommended to fly into Jakarta on Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) or Emirates (via Dubai), with a further domestic return flight from Jakarta to Ambon. Overnights on the way out and back are likely to be required due to flight schedules, as well as allowing for some slack in the itinerary to absorb any potential flight delays.

Dive Centre

The intimate Spice Island Divers Resort offers daily diving to all local dive sites, many of which are just a few minutes from the resort. Groups are limited to a maximum of just 4 divers per guide. Smaller groups may be possible upon request locally. 

In addition to daily boat diving, the house reef offers further diving opportunities, while night dives are popular due to the plethora of unusual marine life found in this area. Blackwater or ‘Bonfire’ diving is also available, but needs to be pre-arranged. 

Dive Packs

Diving and accommodation packages can be arranged starting from just 3 nights and 8 boat dives, also with unlimited house reef diving in daylight hours. Nitrox is complimentary when booking a package of diving and accommodation. 

Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs. 

Extras in Resort

Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change. 

  • Fuel surcharge for faraway dive sites
  • Dive equipment rental: Full equipment is available to hire, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, dive computers, full set excl. computer, dive light, fins, masks & snorkels

Resort Info

Climate

The Maluku Islands have an equatorial tropical climate, with day-time temperatures averaging 30°C (mid-80s°F) throughout the year.

Central and southern Maluku Islands experience the dry monsoon between October to March and the wet monsoon from May to August, which is the reverse of the rest of Indonesia. The dry monsoon's average maximum temperature is 30°C while the wet's average is 23°C.

Ambon is in the central and southern group.

Northern Maluku has its wet monsoon from December to March in line with the rest of Indonesia.

Each island group have their own climatic variations, and the larger islands tend to have drier coastal lowlands and their mountainous hinterlands are wetter.

Water Temperature

Average water temperature is 27 - 30°C year round.

Time

GMT +8 to 9 hours.

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

Cash payments only at present - Euro and US Dollars

It is recommended to change a small amount of IDR before you travel, then you can draw cash from the ATMs or exchange bureau in Jakarta.

Tipping

Although it is entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff may look to guests for personal recognition of particular services offered.

Planning your Holiday

Flight Information

Flights are with Singapore airlines, via Singapore or Emirates via Dubai, into Jakarta.

A return internal flight from Jakarta to Ambon is then required. Overnights in Jakarta may be required subject to flight times.

Stopovers in Singapore or Dubai can be arranged.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination AdviceMasta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.

Location Map

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Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999 Send Enquiry