Samambaia · Indonesia · 11 nights
Explore the remote and vibrant waters of Triton Bay and the Banda Sea on this 11-night liveaboard adventure. This itinerary is custom-tailored to conditions and guest preferences, promising unique diving experiences. Encounter diverse marine ecosystems, from colorful reefs to exciting pelagic encounters. The journey offers a blend of spectacular underwater exploration and opportunities for surface activities like island treks and cultural village visits.
Guests will arrive in Kaimana and be transferred to the vessel for check-in and cabin setup. The rest of the day is dedicated to settling in and preparing for the exciting journey ahead as the boat sails towards the first dive destination, the Triton Bay area.
Today focuses on diving within the Kaimana Regency, a protected marine area known for its rich biodiversity and stunning underwater landscapes. The region is often called the 'next frontier of Indonesian diving' due to its vibrant soft coral growth and schooling fish. Initial dives will be conducted in a protected area to allow guests to check their gear and buoyancy before exploring specific local dive sites like 'Buta Jeruk', 'Tim Rock', 'Golby Guly' and '7th Heaven'.
Dive sites: Buta Jeruk, Tim Rock, Golby Guly, 7th Heaven
The day's diving centers around Ailulu Aiduma, a renowned dive spot within the region. This area is celebrated for its "Black Forest" sites, featuring abundant black coral formations and diverse marine life. Divers can expect to explore vibrant reefs with a good chance of encountering schooling pelagic fish and various reef inhabitants.
Dive sites: Larry's Heaven North, South Aiduma, Black Forest
Today's itinerary includes dives around Pulau Namatota, an area known for its fish aggregating devices, or bagans. These structures attract a rich variety of marine life, offering unique diving opportunities. A highlight of the day is a planned night dive near a bagan, providing a chance to observe nocturnal creatures and feeding activity.
Dive sites: Pulau Namatota, Pinnacle
The vessel reaches Koon Island, an isolated island known for its exceptional biodiversity and vibrant reef systems. The area is a fantastic site for drift dives along walls and slopes, often featuring strong currents that bring in pelagic species. Divers can expect to see large schools of fish, barracuda, tuna, and various reef sharks.
Dive sites: Too Many Fish
Today is dedicated to diving around Gili Manuk, often referred to as 'Snake Island' due to its population of sea snakes. The site offers unique underwater topography with dramatic drop-offs and vibrant coral gardens. Divers can anticipate encountering various macro life and a wide array of reef fish alongside the famous sea snakes.
Dive sites: Smoking Hot
The journey continues to the Banda Islands, a region steeped in history and renowned for its spectacular diving. The islands offer diverse dive sites, from vibrant reefs to deep walls, often featuring strong currents. The area is known for its volcanic activity, which has shaped the underwater terrain and created incredible reef formations.
Dive sites: Batu Kapal, Karing Hatta, Gunung Api
Exploring more of the Banda Islands, today's dives focus on areas like Gunung Api, the 'sea snake volcano', which is a highlight for its geothermal activity and abundant marine life. The region is fantastic for observing pelagic species and offers varied topographies, including coral formations and volcanic rock structures. The area is renowned for its schooling fish and the possibility of encountering hammerhead sharks.
Dive sites: Batu Kapal, Karing Hatta, Gunung Api
Dives today are centered around Suanggi Island, a beautiful and remote island in the Banda Sea accessible only by liveaboard. This pristine location is known for its untouched coral reefs and abundant pelagic life. Divers can expect to encounter huge schools of barracuda, tuna, fusiliers, and bannerfish, with past sightings of hammerhead sharks.
The vessel arrives at Nusa Laut, an island celebrated for its active local conservation efforts that have resulted in thriving marine ecosystems. The area boasts spectacular dive sites, including vibrant walls and slopes teeming with diverse marine growth and large schools of fish. Macro life is also abundant, offering opportunities for detailed observations.
The final diving day is spent in Ambon Bay, a world-renowned destination for muck diving. Two dives are offered, focusing on critter hunting in the unique sandy and silty environments. Ambon is famous for its rare and unusual macro species, including rhinopias, frogfish, ghostpipefish, and harlequin shrimps, making it a paradise for underwater photographers.
Guests will disembark in Ambon, with arrangements made for luggage check-in based on flight schedules. Transfers to the airport will be provided, concluding the liveaboard journey.