Jelajahi Laut · Indonesia · 14D/13N
This trip is a deep dive into the heart of the "Coral Triangle." It begins in the historically rich volcanic islands of Ternate, transitions through the pristine reefs of the Halmahera Sea, crosses the deep, pelagic-filled waters of the Banda Sea, and concludes with the world-famous macro diving of Ambon. Trip Highlights: • Halmahera's Pristine Reefs: Exploring diverse and untouched coral ecosystems, with a chance for pelagic encounters. • Banda Sea's Pelagic Action: Diving on remote seamounts and pinnacles known for schooling hammerhead sharks and other large marine life. • Ambon's Muck Diving: Hunting for rare and unusual critters on the famous black and white sand slopes. • Historical Context: Ternate and Ambon are both integral to the history of the spice trade, adding a unique cultural element to the trip. Sample Itinerary:
• A taxi is organized to collect guests from either Ternate Airport (TTE) or their hotel to transport them to the meeting point. • Guests are then transferred to Jelajahi Laut. • A welcome briefing and a tour around the boat are provided, followed by a first check dive to acquaint guests with the gear and local conditions. • Possible Dive Sites: The adventure may begin at a site like Jikomalamo, an iconic spot with schooling mackerel, or one of the local wrecks.
• Jelajahi Laut will cruise south into the Halmahera Sea. This region is known for its healthy reefs and strong currents. • Possible Dive Sites: o Patintie Strait: Experience exhilarating drift dives in this narrow passage, with a chance to encounter reef sharks, tunas, and manta rays. o Pulau Tifore: A submerged reef famous for its schooling barracudas and pristine hard corals. o Goraici Islands: A group of islands with diverse dive sites, including submerged pinnacles and sloping reefs teeming with life.
Today, Jelajahi Laut explores the Central Halmahera region. Divers enjoy exceptional diving in The Strait and Patintie Area.
This day explores Central Halmahera, focusing on The Strait and Patintie Area with multiple dives. Divers enjoy the opportunity to encounter the vibrant underwater world.
• Jelajahi Laut makes its long journey across the deep waters of the Banda Sea, which is part of the "Ring of Fire." This area is known for big animal action. • Possible Dive Sites: o Nil Desperandum & Serua: These are remote seamounts and pinnacles in the middle of the sea. They are famous as seasonal hotspots for schools of scalloped and great hammerhead sharks, offering a chance to see them. o Manuk Island: An active volcanic island known for its large population of sea snakes. They are often seen swimming around the reef. o Nusa Laut: An island known for its beautiful walls and rich marine life, with excellent visibility.
This day explores the Pelagic Highway of the Banda Sea on the scuba diving trip.
Today, day 7 of the trip, consisted of more scuba diving in the Banda Sea, often called "The Pelagic Highway.
• The vessel arrives at the historic Banda Islands, the heart of the original spice trade. Here, a blend of stunning diving and topside cultural experiences is found. • Possible Dive Sites: o Gunung Api: Diving occurs on the slopes of an active volcanic island, where a unique combination of black sand and vibrant reefs that have rapidly regrown after an eruption is seen. o Pulai Ai: Known for its spectacular walls and pristine coral gardens. o Sjahrir (Snelgroen): A site with an incredible density of schooling fish, including fusiliers, snappers, and trevally. • Topside Excursion: A tour on Banda Neira visits historic Fort Belgica, the nutmeg plantations, and the old colonial town.
Day nine focuses on both history and diving around the Banda Islands. Divers enjoy exploring the marine environment throughout the day.
Day 10 focuses on the historic Banda Islands, offering more excellent diving opportunities. Divers explore the incredible underwater world surrounding this famous location.
Today explored the historic Banda Islands with more great diving. Divers immersed themselves in the captivating history and underwater beauty of the region.
• The final leg of the journey takes the vessel into Ambon Bay, a world-class destination for macro photography. • Possible Dive Sites: o Laha: A series of sites (Laha I, II, and III) that are famous for their unique critters, including the psychedelic frogfish, mimic octopus, and a wide variety of nudibranchs. o Rhino City: Named for the rare rhinopias scorpionfish that are often found here. o Pintu Kota: A scenic dive site outside the bay with a natural rock arch, offering both great reef diving and macro life. Important Weather and tides play a significant role in safety and planning, which is why the Cruise Director and Captain plan every day accordingly. For any special requests, guests are advised to contact the organizers 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 Ambon Harbour around 3-4pm – 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 depart from Ambon Airport (AMQ).
On Day 13, the focus shifts to Ambon Bay for muck diving. Divers enjoy their last dives of the trip in this unique environment.
On this final day in Ambon Bay, the focus is on muck diving. Divers enjoy their last dives of the trip.