AMBON - BANDA SEA - SORONG
12 Days 11 Nights
TRIP DETAILS
A crossing trip from Ambon to Sorong, Raja Ampat, this exhilarating trip includes breathtaking landscapes, dormant volcanoes and unusual diving that are off the beaten track. You can expect to see everything from schools of hammerhead sharks in the Banda Sea to the Ambon scorpion fish and rhinopias in the muck diving at Laha, Ambon.
This trip focuses on Ambon and the Banda Sea before continuing to the southern islands of Raja Ampat and the Dampier Straits. With breathtaking views of inactive volcanoes along the way, and shore excursions to Fort Belgica in Banda Niera (17th century), this is a trip not to be missed.
ITINERARY
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
DAY 1
Ambon
Known as one of the best dives there are for diving enthusiasts, Ambon Harbor is a long, deep harbor surrounded on both sides by steep, green volcanic slopes. A true sense of history overcomes one; Introducing the great seafarers like Magellan, Koch and others who sail the mouth of the same bay. One gets the impression that the area cannot have changed since the days of these great explorers. The first dive site is called Laha, under a pier near the Ambon airport and is one of the top macro sites in Indonesia, this is where you can get a glimpse of the rare Ambon scorpion Fish and psychedelic frogfish.
DAY 2
Nusa Laut
Nusa Laut, east of Ambon, was made famous by two of eastern Indonesia's famous diving pioneers, Larry Smith and Edi Frommenweiler. Larry had said it was his favorite reef in the entire eastern region of this great archipelago. It really is a spectacular location and all day diving is available.
DAY 3, 4 & 5
Banda Neira
Excellent reef dives are located on the east and north sides of the islands. Expect to encounter not only marine life treasures such as pipe fish of all varieties, frog fish of many varieties and color variations and an abundance of juvenile fish seeking sanctuary in the calm waters, but also the least shy and largest mandarin fish of all time! These brightly colored gemstones are out of their hiding places all day and are in such shallow water that they can be seen from the pier.
North of Gunung Api is a remote archipelagic atoll called Lucipara Islands. These atolls are surrounded by an ocean floor that is 13,000 feet below. Consisting of three large islands and a few small reefs that just break the surface, the islands offer divers vertical walls and visibility of over 120 feet with very mild currents.
Gunung Api - is a volcano, the summit breaks the ocean surface by 800 feet, but its base on the ocean floor about 13,000 feet below. The island created by the volcano is 120 miles from the closest landing and is therefore home to the reef fish that populate its steep drifts and walls, occasional viewing of pelagics, and extraordinarily a myriad population of banded and olive sea snakes. It really is a unique place that never ceases to amaze divers.
DAY 6
Koon Island
At the eastern end of Seram Island in the Moluccan Sea, a reef archipelago flows into the Banda Sea. The formation seems like a channel that is being bid farewell to every single creature that lives there. Orcas, dolphins, manta rays, sharks and mobulas are just a few to name. Visibility may not be too good because of the strong currents, but that brings in large schools of all types of fish as well as orcas, whales and sharks. Depending on the phase of the moon, the strong currents can make this a very challenging dive.
DAY 7, 8 & 9
Misool Island
The Misool Island group sits at the entrance to the Seram Sea, south of the equator. The islands or islets are innumerable. The larger ones, like Misool itself, have canyons and lagoons dotted with white sandy beaches ideal for gentle boat trips. You can spend hours exploring and will never see the same bay. It is truly a place of great beauty both above and below the water. It is rightly considered by the Indonesian government for National Park status and by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. Below the water there are over thousands of species of fish and over hundreds different types of corals, making the area one of the most diverse marine habitats in the world.
DAY 10
Wai Island
The start of this dive is on the calm shores of Wai Island. Dive in the WWII American fighter plane wreckage that fell in the 1940s. This wreck is upside down and between 24-34 m deep. Pinnacles with clouds of fusiliers & banner fish, and giant king mackerel patrol. These types of rich sites are some of the best that you can expect here.
DAY 11
Kri Island
Kri island is known for holding the world record for most fish and coral species on a single dive site by Dr Gerald Allen a world renowned icthylologist. Mike’s Point, Sardine and Chicken Reef offer an unforgettable diving experience where you can find huge schools of fish on parade, such as barracuda, blue tail surgeonfish, and redtooth trigger fish.
DAY 12
Sorong
After breakfast, we will prepare for disembarkation. Our crew will drive you to Sorong Airport where we will say our farewell. We hope you had a pleasant journey with us and we look forward to welcoming you back on board!
DETAILS
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
En-suite accommodation with air-conditioner
Full day meals (light breakfast, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner)
Free flow tea/coffee and mineral water
Sea Safari Cruises souvenir
Certified Dive Master (ratio 1 DM : 4 divers)
Compressor, regular air fills 3000 psi or 200 bar, tank, weight belt
ENOS diver emergency GPS locator
Snorkeling gear and Kayak
Jasaraharja cruise & diving accident insurance
*we can arrange DAN insurance for an additional charge
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
International/domestic airfare and airport tax
Soft drinks and alcohol beverages
Personal travel Insurance
Gratuities to guide and crew
Onboard telecommunication
Laundry service
Entrance fee
EAN 32% Nitrox
Dive gear (available for rent)