Master Suite

Staterooms 2/3

Stateroom 4

Route Description - Banda Sea - Ring of Fire (Ambon - Ambon)

Embark on an unforgettable adventure starting from Ambon as you cruise into the heart of the Banda Sea. Dive the steep walls of Ai, encounter hammerhead sharks, and explore the unique reefs formed from Gunung Api's 1988 eruption. Visit historic Banda Neira, dive the pinnacle of Banda Besar, and drift along Sjahrir. Experience the schooling hammerhead sharks off Hatta, and dive Manuk's sea snake-inhabited waters. Sarua’s hammerhead sites offer awe-inspiring dives, necessitating two full days of exploration. Conclude with dives around the historically significant Run and the haunting volcanic outcrop of Manukang before returning to Ambon. This journey promises diverse marine life, rich history, and breathtaking underwater landscapes.

DAY 1 AMBON
After boarding Adelaar in Ambon, you will enjoy your first day on board whilst cruising straight into the heart of the blue Banda Sea.

DAY 2 AI & GUNUNG API
Our first day of diving is along the steep walls surrounding the whole island of Ai. From a plateau with pretty hard coral gardens, these walls, beautifully decorated in yellow soft corals, plunge deep into the dark blue clear Banda Sea. With a bit of luck we might already meet the first hammerhead shark of the trip. In the late afternoon everybody will be on deck to witness the goose bump moment of the arrival into one of the most spectacular and beautiful natural harbours in the world between the islands of Banda Neira, Gunung Api and Lonthor (Banda Besar).

DAY 3 BANDA NEIRA
After a guided visit to the historic town of Banda Neira, the fort, museum and spice plantations, we have traditional Bandanes breakfast before strolling back to port through the bustling market of this lovely town. One of today's dives is on a new reef that has been growing naturally on the spur of the lava from Gunung Apis 1988 eruption - it is a fantastic example of nature's ability to recover from natural disaster. In the evening we will dive at dusk to try and spot some romantic mandarin fish.

DAY 4 BANDA BESAR & SJAHRIR
On today's menu is a spectacular submerged pinnacle covered in dense schools of fish and a couple of drift dives. The unique location of the Banda archipelago enhances chances of close encounters with pelagics such as big tunas, Spanish mackerels, giant jacks or even thresher sharks. In the evening we have a farewell dinner from Banda Neira in the tropical garden of a beautiful house from the colonial period.

DAY 5 HATTA
The diving off Hatta, the easternmost Island of the Banda archipelago, named after Indonesia's first vice-president, is our first day of diving dedicated to seeing schooling hammerhead sharks. The sight of groups ranging from a handful to literally hundreds of those majestic animals is an unforgettable experience - and one of the main reasons diving in the Banda Sea is so special.

DAY 6 MANUK
Manuk - "bird" in javanese - is an old, lonely volcano that arises from the depth of the Banda sea. It attracts a huge colony of resident seabirds above the waves, while under water the island is home to schools of jacks, surgeonfish, tunas, barracudas and other pelagic fish species - as well as a lot of sea snakes. These venomous but absolutely unaggressive reptiles can be encountered on each dive around Manuk, sometimes in great numbers, which makes these dives absolutely unique.

DAY 7 SARUA
There are no words that can do justice to the sheer awesomeness of the hammerhead site of Sarua. So we do not even try

DAY 8 SARUA
As mentioned above. That's why one day is not enough.

DAY 9 RUN & NAILAKKA
Back in the Banda archipelago we dive around Run, an island that used to be the most desirable piece of real estate in the whole world. Apart from its history, Run is beautiful - on the surface covered in nutmeg trees and under the water the steep slopes are studded with huge gorgonian sea fans. It is yet another place that attracts schooling hammerhead sharks and other pelagics. We finish the day with a few drinks on the beach of Nailakka, the beautiful, but tiny island that was home to the English for several years after they lost Run to the Dutch.

DAY 10 MANUKANG
On the way between Run and Ambon we stop for a couple of dives on a volcanic outcrop that is according to Moluccan lore known to be haunted - this we cannot judge, but what we do know, is that it attracts its fair share of pelagic visitors that swim along its underwater ridges that are covered in huge barrel sponges. After the last dive we set sails and start our trip back to reality.

DAY 11 AMBON
After a last delicious breakfast it is time to say goodbye and disembark - until the next time.

(Itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)

Booking Conditions / Additional Costs / Marine Park Fees

Cancellations for Individual and Group Bookings: All cancellations must be made by fax or e-mail. The date that ADELAAR receives the cancellation of the booking by e-mail or fax is the date used to determine the cancellation penalty.

Cancellation penalties for individual bookings:
More than 61 days prior to departure: forfeit of deposit. Less than 60 days prior to departure: 100% of the individual cruise price.

Cancellation penalties for group bookings:
More than 91 days prior to departure: forfeit of deposit.
Less than 90 days prior to departure: 100% of the group charter price.
Once an add-in Diving Komodo Itinerary becomes fully booked and closed for further bookings, no refunds will be given for cancellations. This information will be posted on our webpage schedule, as fully booked. Individual guests are responsible for checking the website prior to any cancellation.
A passenger who has booked into a scheduled Bali to Komodo trip, and who wishes to cancel, has the option to substitute another person (not already scheduled on the trip) into his space to avoid the cancellation penalty. Passenger substitution will be allowed up to three days prior to departure.
ADELAAR will not refund any money to passengers who fail to show for boarding on the trip departure date, whether this is due to missed airline connections or from the lack of proper paperwork required to enter the country, or any other reason. If an airline connection is missed, ADELAAR will make all efforts to arrange that the passenger can join the ADELAAR at some point in the itinerary. However, the cost to do so (airfare, small boat transport to ADELAAR, or any other cost involved) is solely the responsibility of the client.
If the customer interrupts or cuts short a trip for any reason, ADELAAR is not liable to refund any money to the customer. In cases of emergency such as personal illness or accident, ADELAAR will assist in all necessary arrangements for the passenger’s return travel. However, the cost of this is to be borne solely by the passenger.
For these reasons we strongly recommend the purchase of trip interruption insurance and/or trip cancellation insurance.

Please note: Marine park fees, surcharges etc can change and we cannot be held liable for differences in on-board surcharges. These will be confirmed at the time of booking