Calico Jack · Indonesia · 12D/11N
Embark on an immersive journey through Indonesia's vibrant underwater realm, navigating dynamic currents that unveil teeming reefs and dramatic walls. Each day offers a unique aquatic rhythm, from exhilarating drift dives teeming with pelagic life to meticulous explorations of intricate pinnacles adorned with kaleidoscopic corals. Discover diverse marine ecosystems where schools of fish shimmer against an ever-changing seabed, with moments to observe cryptic creatures in muck diving environments. This route is meticulously crafted to showcase the region's rich biodiversity and varied topography, promising extraordinary encounters with every descent.
Guests are picked up at Ambon airport and transferred to the Calico Jack. After a welcome briefing and cabin setup, a check dive is conducted in the afternoon. The vessel then navigates towards Nusa Laut during the early morning.
The vessel arrives at Amet Reef early in the morning, a testament to successful grassroots conservation, featuring outstanding corals. This site is known for potential sightings of hammerhead sharks and dugongs. In the afternoon, diving near Molana Wall reveals shallow breaks in the wall, with sandy slopes often hosting ribbon eels, small pipefish, and moray eels. Later, the vessel sails to Pulau Suanggi (Banda Islands).
Dive sites: Amet Reef, Molana Wall
Today's dives begin at Pulau Ai, featuring the 'Umbrella Rock' site with its many overhangs along the walls, allowing divers to drift and observe reef fish. The second dive is at Little Manhattan, near Pulau Run, a historical site traded for Manhattan in 1667. This area showcases white sandy slopes, vibrant coral heads, and a healthy reef, often with resident bumphead parrotfish and passing eagle rays. An exploratory third dive off Pulau Run offers a chance to discover new underwater treasures in this less-explored region.
Dive sites: Pulau Ai, Little Manhattan, Pulau Run
The morning is dedicated to exploring Banda Neira, a town steeped in spice trade history, with Dutch colonial architecture and Fort Belgica offering panoramic views. Before lunch, a dive at Batu Kapal reveals a submerged pinnacle resembling a boat, rich with diverse fish and monumental gorgonian fans. Another dive at Pohon Miring features a large crack in the reef, creating a deep swim-through where divers can admire sponge-covered walls and spot moray eels and bumphead parrotfish. The day concludes with a sunset dive at Banda’s jetty, renowned for mandarin fish congregations.
Dive sites: Batu Kapal, Pohon Miring, Banda’s jetty
Explore Karang Hatta, a reef situated southeast of Pulau Hatta and close to the 6,000-meter-deep Banda trench. This region is renowned for potential encounters with large pelagic species, including schooling trevallies, barracudas, tuna, turtles, hammerheads, and grey reef sharks. Two dives are planned here before sailing to Pulau Hatta for a third dive in front of West Shore beach. This site features a unique 5-meter hole in the reef that opens to the sea, offering a 'bridge' covered with soft corals and gorgonian fans, home to various pygmy seahorses.
Dive sites: Karang Hatta, West Shore beach
Pulau Koon, a small island southeast of Ceram, serves as a transition point between Raja Ampat and the Banda Islands. Its underwater environment is characterized by soft corals and sandy slopes with hard coral bommies. This island is particularly noted for large aggregations of schooling fish and pelagic species, including barracudas, bigeye trevallies, red snappers, pompanos, batfish, and giant groupers. Three excellent dives are scheduled in this area before the vessel sets sail towards Misool Raja Ampat.
Located south of Raja Ampat, Misool is renowned for its dramatic steep rocks, vertical walls, and a proliferation of soft corals and sea fans, supporting abundant fish life. Today begins the exploration of various dive areas and popular sites around East Misool, conditions permitting. The region offers a chance to experience the most popular dive sites in this biodiverse marine wonderland.
Continue exploring the East Misool region, known for its steep rocks, vertical walls, and abundant soft corals and sea fans. Dive sites are selected daily based on currents and weather from a pool of renowned locations. Options include Balbulol (No Contest, Dangerous Kayak, Love Potion, Number 9, Pet Rock), Daram (Candy Store, Warna Berwana, Andiamo), and Warakaraket/Boo Island (Shadow Reef/Magic Mountain, Jamur Boo, Yellit Kecil/Besar). These sites offer breathtaking marine diversity and colorful reefscapes.
Dive sites: Balbulol, Daram, Boo Island (Shadow Reef), Fiabacet, Wayilbatan, Whale Rock, Nudi Rock
Further exploration of East Misool's rich dive landscape continues, focusing on its iconic vertical walls, soft corals, and teeming fish life. Dive sites are chosen daily to maximize conditions, drawing from areas such as Balbulol, Daram, Fiabacet (Nudi Rock, Tank Rock, Whale Rock), and Warakaraket/Boo Island. These locations are celebrated for their vibrant reefs, pinnacles, and the chance to encounter diverse marine species. The day includes three day dives and an exciting night dive.
Dive sites: Balbulol, Daram, Boo Island (Shadow Reef), Fiabacet, Wayilbatan, Whale Rock, Nudi Rock
The journey through Southern Raja Ampat's Misool area proceeds, allowing more time to discover its pristine coral gardens, steep walls, and abundant marine biodiversity. The exact dive sites, including those in the Wayilbatan/Wedding Cake area, are carefully selected each day to ensure optimal conditions. This region is famous for its vibrant soft corals and the opportunity to spot various pygmy seahorses and other macro life. Plans include three day dives and a night dive.
Dive sites: Balbulol, Daram, Boo Island (Shadow Reef), Fiabacet, Wayilbatan, Whale Rock, Nudi Rock
Enjoy the last full day of diving in the stunning Misool region, with opportunities to revisit favorite sites or explore new ones, all chosen for the best conditions. The area's rich currents and diverse topography continue to offer encounters with schooling fish, reef sharks, and an array of macro subjects. After the final dives, the vessel begins its navigation towards Sorong, preparing for disembarkation. Three day dives and a night dive are usually scheduled.
Dive sites: Balbulol, Daram, Boo Island (Shadow Reef), Fiabacet, Wayilbatan, Whale Rock, Nudi Rock
After breakfast, guests disembark from the Calico Jack in Sorong. The crew provides transfers to hotels or the airport, concluding the trip.