Dive in the Banda Sea Biodiversity and Its Forgotten Islands!

Why We Love It

The Banda Sea is teeming with underwater biodiversity. At the heart of the Coral Triangle, this very remote area, also called "Ring of Fire", is only accessible with a liveaboard, twice a year. It is home to magnificent dive sites with varied topography - drop-offs, coral gardens, pinnacles. Expect very fishy and colorful sites, beautiful macro, and also.. some schools of hammerhead sharks! There will some stops to explore the islands, which were once at the heart of the spice trade. Embark for a total change of scenery, far from the crowds, with only 16 divers on board!

Conservation

The founders have created the Tompotika Foundation to support the creation of a Marine Protected Area in North Sulawesi. Marine biologists are often invited on board. Usage of plastics is reduced as much as possible.

Who Is It For?

For passionate divers with lots of experience - take note of the medium to strong currents! Advanced Open Water or level 2 required. Kayaks and Paddle boards available. Several land excursions. Snorkellers are welcome.

Prices and Dates

Dive Briefing!

Marine Life

• The Banda Islands, sometimes called Forgotten islands, Spice Islands, and even the Ring of Fire, have some of the most spectacular and resilient to climate change reefs.
• There are over 397 species of coral, and 683 species of fish.
• The Banda Islands have a strategic role in connectivity in migration patterns of several species, including schooling hammerhead sharks, sunfish (mola mola), dogtooth tuna, reef sharks, sailfish, blue whales, and more.

Dive Conditions

• Season: due to monsoon patterns, liveaboards can only make the crossing twice a year, in April-May and from the end of September to the beginning of December.
• Currents: strong and changing - some dive sites are not suitable for beginners or anyone that doesn’t feel comfortable in currents.
• Visibility: 20 to 30 m (66 to 98 ft)
• Water Temperature: 27° to 30°C (81° to 86°F)
• Depth: deep and shallow dives

Dive Sites

• Surrounding Nila Island there are two atolls, Dusborgh and Nil Desperandum. There's a good chance of seeing hammerhead sharks around, and also around Suanggi, Hatta, Run, Ai, and Banda Neira islands.
• Manuk is an active volcano south of the Banda Islands, and one of two places in Indonesia where there are huge aggregations of sea snakes.
• Some very interesting swim-throughs, immaculate pinnacles with enormous groups of schooling butterflyfish and pelagic fish such as tunas.
• You'll dive along beautiful walls, massive gorgonians, colorful soft corals, and barrel sponges.
• There are great muck dives too with lots of mandarin fish.
• If going all the way to Raja Ampat, you get to dive in Dampier Strait and Misool, where some of the prettiest soft coral reefs in the world are located.

The Team

• Operation in the area since 2001. Liveaboard renovated in 2018.
• PADI Courses available on board: Nitrox and Advanced Open Water.
• Languages spoken: English, French, Indonesian on all trips
• Maximum divers per guide: 4

Safety Information

• Equipment Recommended: 3 to 5 mm long wetsuit, dive computer, surface marker buoy (SMB), whistle, and a 'reef hook' (to use on rocks only!)
• Insurance: Both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe which has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote.
• Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Darwin, Australia or Manado, Sulawesi - note that there is a chamber in Raja Ampat, but it is not certified or compliant with international standards

Visas, Flights, and More!

Visa Requirements

• Many nationalities are eligible to enter and remain in Indonesia without a visa for 30 days. Others need to obtain a Visa on Arrival for 30 days at the major entry points to Indonesia. Visa on Arrival costs $37 (about ... EUR) and usually can be extended for another 30 days.
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and have one full blank page
• Must be able to show an onward ticket that departs before your visa expires
• For official entry requirements for your nationality, consult Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration

How to Get There

• As there are different departure and arrival points depending on the date chosen, ask us for the detailed itinerary before buying any flights:
• Some trips are between Ambon (AMQ) and Saumlaki (SXK)
• Others are between Ambon (AMQ) and Sorong (SOQ)
• Transfers from/to the airport or hotels to the boat are included:
• Boarding time is before noon.
• Last day: disembarkation before noon.
• Plan to stay overnight before or after your cruise. These are small cities so most of the hotels are located within 10 – 20 minutes of the harbor and airport.

More...

• The area is subject to malaria. Take necessary precautions to avoid it.
• Don't forget to bring your walking shoes.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent, a rash guard for sun protection.