Neptune One · Indonesia · 11D10N
Embark on an epic dive adventure from Sorong to Ambon, charting a course through some of Indonesia's most spectacular and remote marine ecosystems. This itinerary begins in the world-renowned Raja Ampat, exploring the legendary soft coral gardens and immense fish life of Misool. The journey then crosses the open Banda Sea to the volcanic 'Ring of Fire', an area famed for congregations of hammerhead sharks and thrilling pelagic encounters. After visiting the historic Spice Islands of Banda, the trip culminates in the critter capital of Ambon for some of the world's best muck diving. This trip is geared towards intermediate to advanced divers comfortable with potential currents and deep dives.
Guests arrive in Sorong, check-in to the vessel, and receive a briefing. If time and conditions permit, an optional check dive may be conducted near Misool. The vessel will then begin its journey.
Start your expedition with stunning coral slopes, swim-throughs, and seamounts rich with marine life. Expect reef sharks, clouds of anthias, pygmy seahorses, and manta sightings in this biodiverse region of Misool. Misool's underwater topography often features dramatic limestone karst formations, creating an intricate landscape of canyons, caves, and overhangs. Divers can expect to encounter an incredible diversity of reef fish, including schooling fusiliers and trevally, alongside a high probability of seeing reef sharks and various species of manta rays. The area is particularly famous for its abundant soft corals and a thriving macro scene, with rare critters like pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and various shrimp species.
Iconic dive sites like Magic Mountain and Boo Windows showcase abundant fish life, soft corals, and striking underwater topography. These sites are renowned for their vibrant ecosystems and dramatic formations. Magic Mountain is a submerged pinnacle known for its prolific soft corals and as a cleaning station for manta rays, while Boo Windows features unique rock formations with swim-throughs that create stunning light effects. Both sites are characterized by vibrant hard and soft coral gardens, bustling schools of fish, and offer opportunities to spot reef sharks, barracuda, and other pelagic species. The intricate topography and nutrient-rich currents contribute to an extraordinary level of biodiversity at these iconic Misool locations.
Dive sites: Magic Mountain, Boo Windows
Dive dramatic reef walls and slopes with strong currents and big-fish action at Koon Island. Sites such as 'Too Many Fish' and 'Koon Wall' often deliver surprise pelagic sightings, making for exhilarating dives. Koon Island dive sites are renowned for their steep, current-swept walls and slopes, providing a dramatic backdrop for diverse marine life. These nutrient-rich currents attract large schools of fusiliers, jacks, and barracuda, creating an exhilarating big-fish experience. Divers often encounter various species of reef sharks, tuna, and oceanic pelagics like mobula rays, making every dive a potential high-adrenaline encounter.
Dive sites: Too Many Fish, Koon Wall
Crystal clear waters and colorful coral gardens await at Hatta Island. Explore coral walls, sandy patches full of macro life, and the famous 'Hole in the Wall' dive site, offering diverse underwater experiences. Hatta Island offers a mix of sloping reefs, coral gardens, and sandy patches, providing a diverse underwater experience. The 'Hole in the Wall' site is famous for its large coral boulder with a swim-through, surrounded by vibrant reef life. Divers can expect to see an array of colorful reef fish, macro subjects like nudibranchs and crustaceans, and beautiful healthy corals.
Dive sites: Hole in the Wall
Dive the historical Lava Flow, vibrant reef walls, and a WWII wreck in Banda Neira. Enjoy views of volcanic landscapes and immerse yourself in the rich history of the Spice Islands. There is an option to visit Banda's nutmeg plantations in the afternoon.
Dive sites: Lava Flow
Explore wall dives, schooling fish, and bommies covered in barrel sponges and soft coral around Ai and Run Islands. Keep an eye out for mobulas and eagle rays, which are frequently sighted in these waters. Ai and Run Islands feature impressive wall dives and isolated bommies adorned with diverse sponge and soft coral growth. The currents in this area attract a variety of schooling fish, including fusiliers and bannerfish. Divers frequently encounter larger pelagic species such as mobula rays, eagle rays, and various reef sharks in the open water.
Strong currents bring in action-packed dives around Suanggi. Schooling barracuda, jacks, tunas, and sometimes hammerheads can be spotted, providing thrilling encounters with large pelagic species. Suanggi Island is characterized by strong currents that bring in nutrient-rich waters, attracting an abundance of pelagic life. The topography typically consists of slopes and walls, where massive schools of barracuda, jacks, and tuna congregate. This location is also known for potential sightings of hammerhead sharks and other large predators, offering thrilling encounters for experienced divers.
Calm reef dives with excellent coral cover and high fish density characterize Nusa Laut. Potential for critter sightings includes leaf scorpionfish, frogfish, and sea snakes, making it a haven for macro enthusiasts. Nusa Laut offers calmer, shallower reef dives with exceptionally healthy hard and soft coral cover, creating a vibrant ecosystem. This area is a macro photographer's paradise, renowned for its diverse critter population, including various species of nudibranchs, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and leaf scorpionfish. Divers can also expect to see a high density of reef fish and, occasionally, sea snakes gracefully navigating the corals.
This is the final day of diving, focusing on the renowned muck dives and walls of Ambon. Expect to find critters like rhinopias, ghost pipefish, and mandarin fish. The day concludes with an 18 to 24-hour surface interval before disembarkation.
Enjoy an early breakfast on board, followed by check-out and transfer to Pattimura Airport (AMQ) or your hotel. There is no diving on this day due to flight time considerations.