Alor - Ring - Banda - Ambon (Alor - Ambon)

About this route

Embark on an extraordinary voyage through the remote waters of Indonesia, starting in the macro-heavy reefs of Alor before venturing into the legendary Ring of Fire. This expedition explores untouched volcanic islands and dramatic seamounts where pelagic encounters are a frequent highlight. The journey concludes in the historic Banda Islands and the critter-rich waters of Ambon, offering a perfect blend of high-energy diving and unique marine biodiversity.

Regions on this route

Highlights

Requirements

• CertificationAdvanced-Open-Water
• Minimum logged dives30
• ExperienceA minimum of 30 logged dives and an Advanced Open Water certification are required.

Shore excursions

• Visit one of the historic Spice Islands to explore the local culture and colonial history.

Good to know

• Three dives are typically scheduled per day due to the depth of sites and long sailing distances.
• Bonus night dives may be offered at the discretion of the Cruise Leader when conditions permit.
• Advanced Open Water certification with at least 30 logged dives is mandatory for this route.

Day-by-day plan

1. Day 1: Embarkation – Alor, Kalabahi Port

   After a greeting at Mali Airport or your local hotel, you will be transferred to the vessel at Kalabahi Port. Depending on arrival schedules, the afternoon may include an introductory check dive followed by a nocturnal exploration of the local reef.

2. Day 2: Alor – Pristine Coral Gardens

   Spend the day exploring the renowned reefs of Alor, including famous spots like Karl's Dream. The area is celebrated for its exceptional visibility and vibrant coral health, though divers should be prepared for cooler water temperatures. These sites commonly feature a mix of impressive macro subjects and dense schooling fish populations.

   Dive sites: Karl's Dream, Critters diving

3. Day 3: Palau Wetar – Dramatic Drop-offs

   The vessel arrives at Palau Wetar, an area known for its breathtaking vertical walls and deep oceanic drop-offs. The underwater topography here often attracts larger pelagic species cruising along the currents. Dives typically focus on the impressive scale of the reef structures and the blue-water encounters they facilitate.

4. Day 4: Ring of Fire – Volcanic Seamounts

   Explore the remote volcanic islands and submerged seamounts that define the legendary Ring of Fire. This region is famous for its rugged underwater terrain and the potential for spectacular hammerhead sightings. The area often features strong currents that bring in massive schools of predatory fish and various pelagic superstars.

5. Day 5: Ring of Fire – Volcanic Seamounts

   Explore the remote volcanic islands and submerged seamounts that define the legendary Ring of Fire. This region is famous for its rugged underwater terrain and the potential for spectacular hammerhead sightings. The area often features strong currents that bring in massive schools of predatory fish and various pelagic superstars.

6. Day 6: Ring of Fire – Volcanic Seamounts

   Explore the remote volcanic islands and submerged seamounts that define the legendary Ring of Fire. This region is famous for its rugged underwater terrain and the potential for spectacular hammerhead sightings. The area often features strong currents that bring in massive schools of predatory fish and various pelagic superstars.

7. Day 7: Ring of Fire – Volcanic Seamounts

   Explore the remote volcanic islands and submerged seamounts that define the legendary Ring of Fire. This region is famous for its rugged underwater terrain and the potential for spectacular hammerhead sightings. The area often features strong currents that bring in massive schools of predatory fish and various pelagic superstars.

8. Day 8: Banda Islands – Heritage Reefs

   Arrival at the historic Banda Islands offers a mix of cultural exploration and world-class diving. The reefs here are known for their immense coral coverage and incredible underwater visibility, often exceeding thirty meters. Divers commonly encounter large numbers of reef fish and have another opportunity for hammerhead sightings in the deep blue.

9. Day 9: Banda Islands – Heritage Reefs

   Arrival at the historic Banda Islands offers a mix of cultural exploration and world-class diving. The reefs here are known for their immense coral coverage and incredible underwater visibility, often exceeding thirty meters. Divers commonly encounter large numbers of reef fish and have another opportunity for hammerhead sightings in the deep blue.

10. Day 10: Ambon Bay – Muck Diving Capital

    Today focuses on the unique biodiversity of Ambon Bay or the lush reefs of Nusa Laut. The area is globally famous for muck diving, where strange and rare critters live on the sandy slopes. After the final dives, the afternoon is reserved for equipment cleaning and relaxation as the boat sails into Ambon for the final evening.

    Dive sites: Ambon Bay, Nusa Laut

11. Day 11: Disembarkation – Ambon

    Following a light breakfast, guests will check out and bid farewell to the crew. Transfers are provided to local hotels or the airport in time for scheduled flights to major hubs like Jakarta or Singapore.

Upcoming departures

• 2028-09-24 – 2028-10-04from 6,700 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

• Raja Ampat-Misool (7N) · 8 Days / 7 Nights
• Raja Ampat-Misool (8N) · 9 Days / 8 Nights
• Komodo - North & South (Labuan Bajo - Labuan Bajo) · 7N
• Komodo - North & South (Labuan Bajo - Labuan Bajo) · 6N
• Raja Ampat-Misool (10N) · 11 Days / 10 Nights
• Ambon-Banda-Ambon (Ambon (AMQ) → Ambon (AMQ)) · 9D8N
• Ambon-Banda-Raja Ampat (Ambon (AMQ) → Sorong (SOQ)) · 10D9N
• Alor (Alor - Alor) · 8 Days / 7 Nights
• Komodo - Maumere - Alor (Labuan Bajo - Alor) · 11 Days / 10 Nights
• Alor - Banda - Ambon (Alor - Ambon) · 11 Days / 10 Nights
• Ambon - Banda - Ambon · 8 Days / 7 Nights
• Ambon - Banda - Ambon (Ambon - Ambon) · 6 nights
• Ambon - Banda - Raja Ampat (Ambon - Sorong) · 10 nights
• Alor - Maumere - Komodo (Alor - Labuan Bajo) · 10 nights

About the vessel

Blue MantaIndonesia