Neomi · Indonesia · 8D7N
This liveaboard itinerary connects Ambon, the Banda Sea, and Raja Ampat's Misool, showcasing some of Earth's richest marine biodiversity. From hammerhead encounters and vibrant coral reefs to volcanic islands, this journey delivers world-class diving from start to finish. Divers will explore Ambon's renowned muck diving, transition to the pelagic-rich waters of the Banda Sea, and conclude with the pristine soft corals and abundant reef life of Misool. The route involves strategic overnight passages to maximize dive time in these diverse regions.
Upon arrival in Ambon, guests will be transferred to the vessel. The crew will provide a safety briefing and boat introduction, followed by a room allocation and gear setup. The remainder of the day is dedicated to settling in as the boat prepares for the overnight journey towards Nusa Laut.
After an overnight cruise, the vessel arrives at Nusa Laut, an island known for its stunning hard coral seascapes. This reef is a diverse habitat, teeming with a myriad of reef fish and a few reef sharks. The area often features vibrant soft corals and hidden lagoons. Divers can expect to see various species including butterflyfish and angelfish amongst the healthy coral.
Today's dives are centered around Suanggi, located in the northern outer reefs of Banda Neira. The underwater terrain here is abundant with fish, such as fusiliers, snappers, butterflyfish, cardinalfish, angelfish, grouper, damselfish, anthias, batfish, wrasse, parrotfish, and surgeonfish. This area is particularly known for its schooling hammerhead sharks, which divers will actively look for. Three daily dives are offered, including a night dive, to maximize the chances for pelagic encounters.
Banda Neira offers beautiful coral dive sites adorned with hard coral reefs, thriving with sponges and seafans. The area is home to diverse marine life, including uncornfish, fusiliers, jacks, rainbow runners, and white-tip sharks. Divers may also encounter Napoleon wrasse and dogtooth tuna. Beyond diving, the day includes a land tour to explore historical sites like Benteng Belgica and the Old Dutch "Hollandische Kerk", both built in the 1600s, offering a glimpse into the island's rich past.
The vessel arrives in the unique Misool area of Raja Ampat, a region renowned for its abundant marine life and world-class diving. This area is characterized by vibrant soft corals and giant sea fans, offering spectacular underwater scenery. Key sites often include Koon Island, Boo Island, and Fiabecet, which are celebrated for their pristine biodiversity. Divers can expect to explore vibrant reefs and potentially encounter a variety of pelagic and reef species.
Dive sites: Koon Island, Boo Island, Fiabecet
Continuing to explore the Misool region, divers will immerse themselves in the breathtaking soft coral gardens and rich biodiversity that define this part of Raja Ampat. Sites in this area are known for their dense schools of reef fish and the potential for encounters with iconic species like manta rays and pygmy seahorses. Expect to find pristine reefs and abundant macro life. Four dives are planned for the day, allowing extensive exploration of these vibrant underwater ecosystems.
Dive sites: Koon Island, Boo Island, Fiabecet
Today offers the final opportunity to dive the extraordinary reefs of Misool, focusing on two last dives before the vessel begins its overnight journey to Sorong. This area is characterized by its explosive biodiversity, featuring stunning soft corals, giant sea fans, and schools of reef fish. Divers should make the most of these last dives to experience the unparalleled beauty of Raja Ampat. After diving, the boat will depart for Sorong, marking the end of the diving portion of the trip.
Dive sites: Koon Island, Boo Island, Fiabecet
After a final breakfast on board, the crew will assist with transfers to the airport in Sorong for onward journeys. Guests will disembark, concluding the liveaboard adventure through Ambon, the Banda Sea, and Misool.