Ondina · Indonesia · 10 Days / 9 Nights
This 10-day voyage travels from Ambon to Tual, exploring the rich biodiversity of the Banda Sea and Kai Islands. The journey combines muck diving for unique critters, vibrant reef walls, and opportunities for pelagic encounters. Highlights include the historic Spice Islands, the stunning coral gardens of Gunung Api, the fish-filled waters of Triton Bay, and a chance to find whale sharks. Max guests on this trip: 16.
Ambon
The trip begins with two muck dives in Ambon's Twilight Zone, an area renowned for its wide variety of strange and wonderful macro life. These dives serve as a check-dive and a night dive. Afterwards, the vessel sails overnight towards Nusa Laut.
Nusa Laut
Diving continues at Nusa Laut with two dives at the celebrated Ameth's Knoll. This reef has been protected by local villagers for generations, resulting in a healthy fish population. An afternoon and a night dive are conducted at a nearby village before the ship proceeds to the Banda Islands.
Dive sites: Ameth s Knoll
Banda Islands
The day is spent exploring the waters around the Banda Islands, with dives at Pulau Soangi and along the walls of Pulau Ai. A dusk dive offers a chance to see mandarin fish. The boat anchors for the night in the beautiful natural harbor of Banda Neira.
Banda Neira
A cultural tour of Banda Neira, the historic heart of the Spice Islands, occupies the morning with visits to Fort Rotterdam and a nutmeg plantation. In the afternoon, diving resumes at Batu Kapal and the Lava Flows, a site known for its remarkable hard coral garden that grew rapidly after the 1988 eruption of Gunung Api.
Dive sites: Batu Kapal, Lava Flows
Good to know: cultural visit around Banda Neira|Fort Rotterdam visit|Governor's House visit|nutmeg plantation visit
Pulau Koon
Three dives are scheduled around the eastern tip of Pulau Koon. This strategic location, where walls meet a plateau facing a deep trench, aggregates large schools of fish and provides opportunities for exciting pelagic sightings.
Watubela
The journey continues to the Watubela island group. Dives for the day will explore the local reefs, including the walls surrounding Kurkap and the waters around the small islands of Baam.
Tanjung Papisoi & Pulau Mommon
Diving focuses on the area around Tanjung Papisoi, including a site famous for its record-breaking biodiversity, and Pulau Mommon, home to the fish-packed seamount Karang Pata. The day also includes a visit to the unique Tiki Tiki waterfall, which cascades directly into the sea.
Dive sites: 335 Species record site, Karang Pata
Good to know: Visit the Tiki Tiki waterfall
Triton Bay
Explore the signature sites of Triton Bay, such as Larry's Heaven, Caldera, and Orembai, which boast spectacular coral growth and dense fish populations. The day also features muck diving and a tender boat tour through the island maze to spot hornbills and other birds.
Dive sites: Larry s Heaven, Caldera, Orembai
Good to know: Tender boat tour|bird watching
Namatote Strait
The day begins with a dive near the 'Bagans' (traditional fishing platforms) in search of whale sharks. In the afternoon, the boat sails through the Namatote strait to view ancient rock paintings before starting the return journey to Tual at sunset.
Good to know: whale shark search|see ancient rock paintings
Tual
Following a final breakfast on board, guests will be transferred to the airport in Tual for their departure.