Banda Sea - Raja Ampat (Ambon | AMQ - Sorong | SOQ)

Pindito · Indonesia · 11 nights

Duration
11 nights
Embarkation
Ambon, Indonesia
Disembarkation
Sorong, Indonesia
Dives
Approximately 38 dives in total

About this route

This captivating 11-night dive cruise navigates the vibrant waters between Ambon and Sorong, or vice versa. The journey explores the diverse marine ecosystems of the Moluccas and West Papua, including the renowned Raja Ampat archipelago. Divers will encounter a vast array of marine life and stunning underwater topography, from macro-rich walls to pelagic-filled currents. The itinerary is designed to showcase the best of this unique and biodiverse region.

Regions on this route

Raja Ampat, IndonesiaBanda SeaWaigeoMisoolDampier StraitBatantaSalawatiPapua

Highlights

Banda Sea

The Banda Sea is a deep oceanic basin in Eastern Indonesia, known for its pristine waters and rich pelagic encounters. It serves as a migratory route for large marine animals and features dramatic underwater topography, including volcanic islands and deep-sea trenches. The area offers a mix of vibrant reef diving and opportunities to spot larger fish schools.

  • Pristine waters
  • Pelagic encounters
  • Volcanic islands

Batanta

Batanta, another of Raja Ampat's 'Four Kings', is known for its unique dive sites, particularly its muck diving opportunities and encounters with rare marine critters. The area's sheltered bays and volcanic black sands create a perfect habitat for unusual macro life, complementing the vibrant reef dives found elsewhere in Raja Ampat.

  • Unique muck diving
  • Rare marine critters
  • Volcanic black sands

Dampier Strait

The Dampier Strait is a globally recognized dive area within Raja Ampat, famed for its strong, nutrient-rich currents. These currents attract massive schools of fish, pelagics, and often provide opportunities for thrilling drift dives. It's a hotspot for sightings of manta rays, sharks, and large aggregations of jacks and barracudas.

  • Strong currents
  • Massive fish schools
  • Manta ray encounters

Irian Jaya

Irian Jaya is the local name for West Papua, a region synonymous with extraordinary marine biodiversity and pristine coral reefs. It forms part of the global epicenter of marine life, offering divers a chance to explore vibrant ecosystems, encounter diverse fish species, and witness the stunning beauty of its underwater landscapes.

  • Extraordinary biodiversity
  • Pristine coral reefs
  • Global marine life epicenter

Misool

Misool is a jewel in Raja Ampat, characterized by its dramatic limestone karsts, crystal-clear waters, and astounding soft coral gardens. The region is a haven for macro photographers, hosting a remarkable variety of small critters. Its rich ecosystem supports dense schools of fish and a healthy population of reef sharks and manta rays.

  • Limestone karsts
  • Soft coral gardens
  • Macro photography haven

Moluccas

The Moluccas, also known as the Spice Islands, are an Indonesian archipelago renowned for their historical significance and rich marine environments. The waters around the Moluccas are part of the Coral Triangle, featuring healthy coral reefs, diverse fish populations, and opportunities for pelagic sightings. Ambon, a key port, is located within this region.

  • Historical significance
  • Rich marine environments
  • Coral Triangle location

Papua

Papua, specifically West Papua, encompasses the Raja Ampat region and is a unique dive destination in Indonesia. Known as Irian Jaya, this area boasts over 1,500 islands and an unparalleled marine environment. It is a 'united kingdom' of biodiversity, offering diverse dive experiences from vibrant reefs to rich pelagic zones.

  • Unique dive destination
  • Unparalleled marine environment
  • Diverse dive experiences

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat, meaning 'Four Kings', is an archipelago in West Papua, Indonesia, famous for its unparalleled marine biodiversity. Comprising over 1,500 islands, it is considered one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions. The area offers incredible opportunities for both macro and wide-angle photography, with its rich reef life and diverse underwater landscapes.

  • Unparalleled biodiversity
  • Macro and wide-angle
  • Over 1,500 islands

Salawati

Salawati is one of Raja Ampat's major islands, offering a variety of dive sites with healthy coral reefs and diverse marine ecosystems. Its waters provide excellent conditions for both wide-angle and macro photography. Divers can expect a mix of reef slopes, walls, and potential encounters with pelagic life depending on current conditions.

  • Healthy coral reefs
  • Diverse ecosystems
  • Wide-angle and macro

Waigeo

As one of Raja Ampat's 'Four Kings', Waigeo offers diverse diving experiences, from sheltered bays to exposed reefs. Its waters are teeming with vibrant coral formations and a multitude of reef fish. Dive sites around Waigeo are suitable for exploring both intricate macro life and larger pelagic species.

  • Diverse dive experiences
  • Vibrant coral formations
  • Intricate macro life

Requirements

  • CertificationOpen Water
  • ExperienceNo minimum logged dives required.

Good to know

  • The Pindito prioritizes guest experience and may alter routes or itineraries at short notice due to weather conditions or other factors.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Ambon

    Guests are welcomed aboard the Pindito in Ambon, the capital of the Moluccas, for check-in starting at 4pm. Settle into your cabins and enjoy a comprehensive briefing about the upcoming adventure and safety procedures. The evening offers a chance to meet fellow divers and prepare for the incredible journey ahead.

  2. Day 2: Banda Sea – Nusa Laut & Saparua

    The expedition begins by heading towards the Banda Islands, exploring dive sites around Nusa Laut and Saparua. This region is known for its clear waters, impressive coral formations, and abundant reef fish. Divers can expect a mix of vibrant coral gardens and potential pelagic encounters as the Pindito makes its way deeper into the Banda Sea's rich environment.

    Dive sites: Nusa Laut

  3. Day 3: Banda Sea – Banda Neira

    Today focuses on the historical and underwater wonders of Banda Neira, a key location in the Banda Sea. The dive sites here often feature dramatic volcanic topography and healthy coral reefs. Currents can bring in pelagic species, adding excitement to the dives, while macro life thrives among the coral formations.

    Dive sites: Banda Neira

  4. Day 4: Banda Sea – Koon Island

    The journey continues towards Koon Island, celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity and pristine reef systems. Dives around Koon are often characterized by strong currents that attract schooling fish and larger pelagics. The underwater landscape includes dramatic walls and reef slopes, teeming with colorful soft and hard corals.

    Dive sites: Koon

  5. Day 5: Raja Ampat – Misool

    Today marks the arrival in the Misool region of Raja Ampat, a world-renowned diving destination. The area is famous for its breathtaking limestone karsts, vibrant soft coral gardens, and incredible macro life. Divers can explore dramatic walls, pinnacles, and hidden caverns, often encountering a high density of fish species.

    Dive sites: Misool

  6. Day 6: Raja Ampat – Misool Exploration

    A full day dedicated to exploring more of Misool's spectacular dive sites. This region is a photographer's paradise, offering both wide-angle opportunities with schooling fish and intricate macro subjects like pygmy seahorses. The diverse underwater terrain includes nutrient-rich channels and protected bays, supporting an unparalleled variety of marine species.

    Dive sites: Misool

  7. Day 7: Raja Ampat – Jef Fam

    The journey continues north through Raja Ampat to the Jef Fam island group. This area is known for its pristine reefs and diverse habitats, often featuring vibrant hard coral gardens and impressive fish aggregations. Divers can anticipate exhilarating drift dives along reef edges and encounters with various pelagic species in the nutrient-rich currents.

    Dive sites: Jef Fam

  8. Day 8: Raja Ampat – Dampier Strait

    Today is dedicated to diving the iconic Dampier Strait, renowned for its strong currents and massive schools of fish. This area is a hotspot for pelagic action, with regular sightings of manta rays, sharks, and large schools of jacks and barracuda. The dive sites typically feature nutrient-rich pinnacles and reef passages, offering exhilarating drift dives.

    Dive sites: Dampier Strait

  9. Day 9: Raja Ampat – Waigeo & Batanta

    Exploration continues around the larger islands of Waigeo and Batanta, part of Raja Ampat's 'Four Kings'. The dive sites here are incredibly varied, from sheltered bays perfect for macro photography to exposed reefs with strong currents. Expect stunning coral formations, diverse reef fish, and potential encounters with larger marine life attracted to the rich waters.

    Dive sites: Waigeo, Batanta

  10. Day 10: Raja Ampat – Salawati Area

    Diving today focuses on the areas surrounding Salawati, another of Raja Ampat's major islands. This region often provides excellent conditions for both wide-angle and macro photography, with healthy reefs and diverse ecosystems. Currents can vary, offering a mix of gentle drifts over coral gardens and more dynamic dives around nutrient-rich points.

    Dive sites: Salawati

  11. Day 11: Raja Ampat – Final Dives & Journey to Sorong

    Enjoy the final dives of the trip in the Raja Ampat region, savoring the last moments in these pristine waters. The Pindito will then begin its journey towards Sorong, allowing guests to relax and reflect on the incredible underwater experiences. An evening gathering provides a chance to share memories and enjoy the last night aboard.

  12. Day 12: Disembarkation – Sorong

    After a final breakfast on board, guests will disembark in Sorong, West Papua, around 7:00 AM. Transfers to the airport will be arranged for departing flights, concluding a memorable diving expedition through the Banda Sea and Raja Ampat.

Upcoming departures

  • 2026-11-16 – 2026-11-27from 6,400 USDBook
  • 2027-11-08 – 2027-11-19from 6,500 USDBook
  • 2028-11-27 – 2028-12-08from 6,500 USDBook
  • 2029-11-12 – 2029-11-23from 7,200 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

PinditoPinditoIndonesia
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