Solitude Adventurer · Indonesia · 15 Days / 14 Nights
A long crossing-itinerary that links three of Indonesia's most iconic dive regions in a single trip. Starting in Sorong, the catamaran works its way south through Central Raja Ampat and Misool, then crosses the open Banda Sea via Koon, Kurkap and the volcanic Manuk Island, before reaching the spice islands of Banda. From there the route continues south through the Banda Sea to Alor and the Pantar Strait, finishing with a relaxed run back to Maumere in eastern Flores. Day-by-day plans for the open-water crossings are kept flexible and weather-dependent.
Pick-up at Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong and transfer to the catamaran. Cabin assignment, safety and orientation briefings, and a relaxed first evening on board as the boat positions for the first dive day in Raja Ampat.
The first full diving day in central Raja Ampat, with up to four dives on reefs, pinnacles and sloping walls. Expect schooling fish, wobbegong and bamboo sharks on the bottom and the chance of passing reef sharks in the blue.
Dive sites: Central Raja Ampat reefs, Dampier Strait pinnacles
Diving around the Fam, Gam and Mansuar islands, mixing classic Raja Ampat current dives with shallower mangrove and reef-top sites. Possible land excursion to a viewpoint between dives. Up to four dives planned.
Dive sites: Fam Islands, Gam Island, Mansuar
A final day in the central archipelago before turning south, with three to four dives chosen by the cruise director based on current and visibility. Wobbegong, walking shark sightings and Napoleon wrasse are all possible.
Dive sites: Central Raja Ampat (cruise director's choice)
Entering the southern reaches of Raja Ampat around the limestone islands of Misool. Soft-coral covered seamounts, pygmy seahorse country and shoaling fusiliers and trevally on most dives.
Dive sites: Misool north reefs, Soft-coral seamounts
A second day in Misool exploring the more exposed southern sites, with chances of manta encounters at cleaning stations and richly decorated walls. Up to four dives.
Dive sites: Misool south walls, Manta cleaning stations
Crossing east to Koon Island, famous for nutrient-rich drift dives over sloping sand and patch reef. Big schools of trevally, snapper and sweetlips are typical, with white-tip and grey reef sharks patrolling the deeper reef edge.
Dive sites: Koon Island drift sites
A full day around the reefs of Kurkap, with healthy shallow coral on top of the reef and dramatic walls dropping into the blue. Tornadoes of big-eye trevally and barracuda are a frequent highlight.
Dive sites: Kurkap Island walls, Reef-top coral gardens
A full day at the volcanic island known as 'Snake Island' for its resident sea snakes. Three to four dives on coral-rich slopes alive with reef fish, with the chance of hammerheads passing in the blue.
Dive sites: Manuk Island (Snake Island)
Arrival in the Banda Islands. Diving around Suanggi and the reefs off Banda Neira, with healthy hard corals, giant sponges and the possibility of schooling hammerheads. An optional shore excursion to the old Dutch fort may be offered.
Dive sites: Suanggi, Banda Neira reefs
A full day around Hatta and the outer Banda reefs, with sloping walls, pristine coral and pelagic action in the channels. Up to four dives before the long southern crossing begins overnight.
Dive sites: Hatta Island, Outer Banda reefs
An open-water transition day heading south toward the Alor region. The cruise director will schedule one or two opportunistic dives if conditions and a suitable site allow — otherwise the day is used to rest, log dives and watch for cetaceans on this notoriously productive stretch of the Banda Sea.
Dive sites: Opportunistic crossing site (weather permitting)
Arrival in Alor and a full day on some of Indonesia's most current-swept reefs. Three to four dives across pinnacles, channel walls and reef tops, with strong pelagic potential.
Dive sites: Pantar Strait pinnacles, Alor channel reefs
A second Alor day combining vibrant reef dives with the famous black-sand muck slopes of Kalabahi Bay — a contrasting end to the trip and a critter-hunter's playground.
Dive sites: Kalabahi Bay black sand, Alor muck sites
Morning arrival in Maumere. After a light breakfast, the closing briefing and check-out at 11:00, the crew arranges the transfer to the airport. Please book flights for the afternoon or later.