Dive Site: Tanjung Nore

About Tanjung Nore

The Banda Sea, home to Tanjung Nore, is a remote and pristine region within Indonesia's Maluku Province, stretching approximately 600 miles east to west and 300 miles north to south. Its isolation from heavy human activity and fishing pressure ensures healthy coral ecosystems and a rich, diverse marine life, making it an exceptional liveaboard diving destination within the Coral Triangle. The area is characterized by deep-water bathymetry, with dive sites typically rising from depths of 4,500 to 6,000 meters to within 5 to 30 meters of the surface, creating a pelagic-focused diving experience. The topography includes steep walls, pinnacles, and fringing reefs, many formed by the region's volcanic activity. These unique geological features, combined with nutrient-rich upwellings, attract a wide array of marine species from macro critters to large pelagics. Visibility is consistently excellent, often ranging from 20 to 30 meters, and can extend up to 40 meters on ideal days, providing clear views of the vibrant underwater landscape. Diving at Tanjung Nore and similar sites in the Banda Sea offers dynamic conditions, from mild to strong currents, which are dependent on lunar cycles and specific locations. These currents deliver nutrients, supporting large schools of fish and attracting apex predators, including migrating hammerhead sharks. Liveaboards are the sole means to access these remote sites, ensuring an uncrowded and immersive diving experience.

Dive site facts: Tanjung Nore

Current

Variable, mild to strong

Visibility

15–40 m

Water temperature

25–29 °C

Entry

Liveaboard / Tender

Level

AOWD recommended, drift diving experience beneficial

Dive type

Wall, drift, pelagic encounters, coral gardens

Night dive

Possible (for specific critter sites)

Region / port

Banda Sea, Maluku Province

Coordinates

4.4377° S, 129.9575° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents in the Banda Sea are notably variable, ranging from mild to strong, with their intensity influenced by the lunar cycle and specific site location. Stronger currents are typically encountered in passages between islands and around seamounts, where nutrient-rich waters upwell from the depths, attracting a wide array of marine species. These dynamic conditions often create exhilarating drift dives, presenting ample opportunities for encounters with larger pelagic life. Divers should be comfortable with current, and advanced certifications like Deep Diver and Nitrox are recommended to safely navigate these conditions and extend bottom time. While many sites are suitable for all levels, some areas require experience with stronger currents. The region's open-ocean crossings can also experience significant wave action outside of the optimal diving seasons, which is a factor for liveabo

Marine life & sighting chances

Hammerhead sharks

Sep-Nov, Apr-May · common

Mobula rays

common

Manta rays

occasional

Barracudas

common

Tuna

common

Sea snakes (kraits)

common

Dolphins

occasional

Whales

occasional

Nudibranchs

common

Scorpionfish

common

Frogfish

occasional

Seahorses

occasional

Triggerfish

common

Groupers

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Tanjung Nore typically begin with a tender entry close to a seamount or reef edge, initiating a drift along vibrant walls or sloping reefs. The profile often involves descending to depths suitable for pelagic encounters, such as 20-30 meters, to observe schooling hammerheads or other large fish drawn in by the currents. Divers maintain a relaxed buoyancy while drifting, paying attention to the reef on one side and the open blue on the other for pelagic action. The route is guided by the current, allowing divers to cover significant distances without strenuous finning. Ascent usually involves a gradual climb along the reef face, often culminating in a safety stop in shallower, sheltered areas or mid-water, depending on conditions. Surface support from tenders is essential for pick-up at the drift's conclusion.

Underwater photography

The Banda Sea's exceptional visibility and diverse marine life make it a prime location for underwater photography, particularly wide-angle shots. For capturing schooling hammerheads and expansive coral formations, a wide-angle lens is essential, ideally paired with powerful strobes to bring out the true colors of the reef. Given the potential for strong currents, maintaining precise buoyancy and mastering drift photography techniques will be beneficial. For macro subjects found in specific, often shallower, areas, a macro lens will be suitable. Patience and careful observation are key for capturing critters, while respectful distance is crucial when photographing pelagics, ensuring minimal disturbance to marine behavior. External lighting is recommended to highlight details and enrich colors.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Manuk Ridge

  Known as 'Snake Island' for its abundance of sea snakes, featuring coral-covered walls and geothermal vents.

• Nil Desperandum Atoll

  A submerged seamount often visited for schooling hammerhead sharks.

• Koon

  A wall dive site with rich fish life and gentle currents.

• Pulau Hatta

  Features sloping reefs, large sponges, and schools of fusiliers, attracting trevally and groupers.

• Soangi

  An offshore seamount attracting pelagic life.

Getting there & logistics

Access to the Banda Sea, including Tanjung Nore, is exclusively via liveaboard due to its remote location and vast distances between dive sites. Most trips depart from or arrive at airports such as Ambon or Saumlaki, which are typically reached by domestic flights from international hubs like Jakarta or Bali. Standard itineraries usually span 11 to 14 nights, though longer trips exist to cover more ground. The high-performance liveaboards can offer faster cruising speeds, allowing more time for diving across the extensive region. While specific permits or fees are often included in liveaboard packages, divers should confirm this beforehand. Itineraries are meticulously planned to maximize pelagic encounters and explore diverse reef structures, often combining multiple sub-regions like the central Banda Islands and the Forgotten Islands.

Safety & environment

Diving in the Banda Sea requires comprehensive dive accident insurance given the remote nature of the region. The nearest recompression chambers are located in more developed areas of Indonesia, which could entail significant evacuation time and logistical challenges in an emergency. Divers should be well-prepared, carrying appropriate certifications for drift diving, deep diving, and potentially using Nitrox to extend bottom time. Site-specific hazards include potentially strong and unpredictable currents, which demand good buoyancy control and an understanding of current mitigation techniques. Always follow your dive guide's instructions, maintain proper safety stops, and ensure your equipment is in excellent working order. Being in good physical condition is advisable for liveaboard trips with multiple daily dives.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Tanjung Nore FAQ

Liveaboards diving Tanjung Nore

These liveaboards may visit Tanjung Nore on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m

$427/day

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$328/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$391/day

Gaia Love

Alor

20 guests

$554/day

Emperor Raja Laut

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

12 guests31 m

$413/day

Malaillo

Indonesia

14 guests45.57 m

$348/day

Damai II

Komodo, Indonesia

14 guests

$441/day

DUNE Aurora

Indonesia

18 guests

$344/day

Calico Jack

Indonesia

10 guests30 m

$398/day

Coralia

Indonesia

16 guests48 m

$577/day

Ilike

Indonesia

16 guests40 m

$350/day