Route Description - Banda Sea
Diving the Banda Sea’s remote islands is only possible by liveaboard. The entire region stretches from Nusa Tengarra in the south to Raja Ampat in the far north with Ceram Island at the centre. Dotted in between are the tiny islands of Banda Neira, Manuk, Nil Desperandum & Serua and Nila. The Banda Sea is a diving area that offers a wide diversity of sites and sights.
Sample Interary:
Day 1: Embarkation at 13:00
Days 2-9: Up to 4 dives a day, scheduled as follows:
- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & dive 2
- Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & dive 3
- Snacks and relaxation
- Briefing for Sunset or Night dive
- Dinner
Day 10: Up to 2 dives
Day 11: Disembarkation no later than 10:00
Dive sites we visit may include but are not limited to:
Pulau Suanggi
Also known as Pulau Manukan, this small, uninhabited island lies 12 nautical miles from Banda Neira. Surrounded by open ocean, it features pristine reefs teeming with marine life such as rainbow runners, triggerfish, bannerfish, barracuda, and even endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks.
The Banda Islands
Known as the Spice Islands, the Banda Islands offer remarkable diving with visibility up to 50 metres. Highlights include the historic Fort Belgica in Banda Neira, scenic views of Gunung Api volcano, and spice plantations growing clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Dive sites boast deep walls, stunning reefs, and a variety of marine life.
Notable Dive Sites
Pohon Miring: A colourful reef with soft corals, Napoleon wrasses, and dogtooth tuna patrolling the wall.
Lava Flow: A coral garden thriving since a volcanic eruption in 1998.
Banda Jetty: Famous for mating mandarin fish and critters like nudibranchs and frogfish.
Batu Kapal: Red-tooth triggerfish and fusiliers fill this vibrant, fish-packed wall dive.
Karang Hatta: A vast coral plateau with stunning views and chances to spot hammerheads and eagle rays.
Goa Hatta: A striking "Hole in the Wall" swim-through with crabs and sea fans.
Pulau Ai: Steep limestone walls with large pelagics like tuna, trevally, and barracuda.
Pulau Run: Steep walls with sea fans, eagle rays, and an array of reef fish. It was once Britain’s first overseas colony.
Pulau Manuk: A volcanic island known for sea snakes, black sandy slopes, hammerheads, and mobula rays.