Jelajahi Laut · Indonesia · 15D/14N
This expedition offers an unparalleled journey through the heart of the "Coral Triangle." You will start with Ambon's unique muck diving, travel across the deep, pelagic-filled waters of the Banda Sea, experience the stunning, healthy reefs and iconic karst formations of Misool and then finish off in central Raja Ampat. Trip Highlights: • Ambon Bay: World-class muck diving with rare and unusual critters. • Banda Sea: Diving on remote seamounts and pinnacles known for schooling hammerhead sharks and other large marine life. • Banda Islands: A blend of spectacular diving and fascinating historical topside excursions related to the spice trade. • Misool, Raja Ampat: Pristine soft coral reefs, stunning sea fans, and dramatic limestone formations. Sample Itinerary
• A taxi collects guests from either Ambon Airport (AMQ) or their hotel to the meeting point. • Guests are then transferred to Jelajahi Laut. • A welcome briefing and boat tour are provided. Guests prepare for their first check dive to become acquainted with the gear and local conditions, specifically the famous muck diving sites of Ambon Bay. • Possible Dive Sites: Start with a site like Laha, a series of sites excellent for finding frogfish, Ambon scorpionfish, and nudibranchs. o Rhino City: Named for the rare rhinopias scorpionfish often found here. o Twilight Zone: A great site for night diving to find bizarre nocturnal creatures.
• The vessel makes a long journey across the deep waters of the Banda Sea, part of the "Ring of Fire." This area is known for big animal action. • Possible Dive Sites: o Suanggi: This remote and uninhabited island is known for its pristine coral reefs and encounters with large pelagic marine life. o Nusa Laut: An island known for its beautiful walls and rich marine life, with excellent visibility.
The vessel is in the Banda Sea, often called "The Pelagic Highway," for more diving adventures.
• The vessel arrives at the historic Banda Islands, the heart of the original spice trade. Here, guests find a blend of stunning diving and topside cultural experiences. • Possible Dive Sites: o Gunung Api: Divers explore the slopes of an active volcanic island, observing a unique combination of black sand and vibrant reefs that have rapidly regrown after an eruption. o Run Island: This untouched underwater world is a hidden gem away from more crowded destinations. Wall diving is conducted with an abundance of colourful reef fish, and pelagics are sought in the blue. o Ai Island: Due to strong currents, the area is known for encounters with large pelagic fish, such as large schools of chevron barracuda and giant trevally. It is also a good spot for shark encounters, including hammerheads, threshers, and silvertip sharks. o Batu Kapal: This dome-like reef is home to diverse critters, including nudibranchs, flatworms, shrimps, crabs, and even blue-ringed octopuses. o Mandarin Fish Hotel: An opportunity to observe mandarin fish up close. • Topside Excursion: Guests take a tour on Banda Neira to visit historic sites like Fort Belgica, the nutmeg plantations, and the old colonial town.
Day five of the trip involves diving in the historic Banda Islands.
The vessel explores the Banda Islands, focusing on both history and diving. Divers enjoy the underwater world around these historic islands.
The vessel explores the Banda Islands, combining scuba-diving with local history.
• This leg of the journey takes the vessel north to the spectacular Misool region of Raja Ampat. Here, guests explore some of the world's most pristine reefs. • Possible Dive Sites: o Fiabacet, Nudi Rock, and Whale Rock: A series of interconnected dive sites known for their vibrant soft corals, large schools of fish, and stunning underwater topography. o Boo Window: Famous for a distinctive swim-through in the reef that looks out to the blue water. o 4 Kings: Rocky pinnacles rising to just beneath the surface, excellent for big fish encounters and macro life. o Daram Islands: Home to unique sites like Andiamo and Candy Store, offering an explosion of colour and macro life. • Topside Excursion: Guests visit the famous viewpoint to see the iconic limestone karst islands and jellyfish lake that Misool is known for.
Day 9 brings the liveaboard to Misool, Raja Ampat. Divers will explore this Coral Kingdom.
The vessel journeys to Misool, Raja Ampat, often called The Coral Kingdom.
Day eleven brings a journey to Misool, Raja Ampat, often referred to as the Coral Kingdom.
Day 12 sees the journey continue towards Misool, recognized as The Coral Kingdom.
The journey to Misool, Raja Ampat, often called The Coral Kingdom, begins today.
• The vessel begins its journey back north towards Sorong via Central Raja Ampat. Guests have a chance for a few final dives along the way, with these last two days dedicated to exploring the most famous and fish-dense sites of Central Raja Ampat. • Possible Dive Sites: o Cape Kri: Holds the world record for the most fish species on a single dive. Barracudas, jacks, and various reef sharks are expected. o Sardine Reef: Another fish-packed site, with schooling fusiliers, snappers, and mobula rays. o Blue Magic: A submerged pinnacle known for attracting reef mantas, schooling barracudas, and sometimes the rare wobbegong shark. Important This is a sample itinerary only; the final route may vary. For the last 2 days, the itinerary remains flexible. If conditions in Misool are amazing, the vessel may remain there, with guest input considered. Weather and tides play a significant role in safety and planning, which is why the Cruise Director and Captain plan each day accordingly. For any special requests, guests are advised to contact the operator beforehand or chat with the Cruise Director on the boat. *Please note: Before booking a return flight, the last dive occurs on the final day of the trip, and the vessel arrives back at Sorong Harbour around 4pm. Guests must observe the 24-hour no-fly surface interval. Upon arrival at the harbour, a transfer is organized for guests to their hotel. Return flights should depart from Sorong Airport (SOQ).
Today marks the northbound journey.