Aurora Itinerary
Banda Sea - 9N10 days / 9 nights
About Aurora
- Eight to 12-day adventures in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat, Komodo, and other remote regions
- Spacious solid teak cabins complete with all the comforts of home
- Intimate and adventurous voyages with 18 guests onboard
- Outstanding facilities for photographers with a dedicated indoor camera room
Operated by the experienced Dune Fleet, Aurora liveaboard offers intimate, adventurous voyages to some of Indonesia’s most exceptional diving destinations, home to pristine coral reefs, mighty mantas, minuscule macro, and everything in between. This sailing phinisi features a passionate and professional crew, outstanding diver and photographer-friendly facilities, and all the comforts of a modern boat - without losing its traditional charm. And, with a nearly 1:1 staff to guest ratio and less than 20 explorers onboard, you’re guaranteed highly personal experiences at sea - both above and below the waterline.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 10 days / 9 nights
Number of dives 20
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 50 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- Circular itinerary around the must-see dive sites of the region
- Dive the world-famous ‘muck’ sites of Ambon
- Visit the pristine coral colonies of Nusa Laut
- Descend amongst hundreds of sea snakes at Pulau Manuk
- Search for hammerheads on current-swept dive sites in the Banda Sea
- Explore the Banda Sea's swim-throughs and deep walls
- Share a sunset dive with colourful, mating mandarinfish
- Land visit to the former capital of the global spice trade, Banda Neira
- Seek the elusive psychedelic frogfish - found only in Ambon Bay
Day 1: Ambon
The Aurora team will welcome you at the airport for immediate boarding. Depending on the arrival time, we might do the check dive around Laha or Tulehu Bay. Laha or Tuleu Bay: This area is known for its fabulous muck dives, probably among the best in the world for the macro dive. Only the Lembeh Strait in Indonesia can compete.
Day 2: Nusa Laut
South of Seram, fantastic diving experiences on the reefs of Nusa Laut. These rather picturesque islands of Maluku are popular dive destinations due to their diversity in reef fish species, ghost pipefish, frogfish, and a variety of well-preserved hard corals.
Day 3: Suanggi
We will now arrive at the northern end of the outer reefs of the Banda Sea: Pulau Suanggi. The waters here are full of fish, reef sharks, and tuna. As a small bonus for bird lovers, many species can be observed around the island: brown boobies, red-footed boobies, and frigate birds.
Day 4: Manuk Island
Manuk, the ‘Snake Island’, a volcanic island with lower interest on land. It takes its nickname from the large number of sea snakes found there. You will surely see a lot! The drop-offs here are amazing and sharks, mackerels, tunas, and barracudas are often observed.
Day 5: Serua
Serua offers great slopes and walls full of soft and hard coral full of colour and life. The big prize here is the schooling Hammerhead often spotted cruising along the reefs.
Day 6: Pulau Hatta & Banda Neira
We will dive both sloping reefs and vertical walls. The current attracts many fish: fusiliers, dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, barracuda, and sometimes sharks. On the reef: soft corals, leather corals, bigeye trevallies, and turtles. The picturesque Banda Neira Harbour is also home to the Mandarin Fish, a very colourful fish that every single night comes out to perform their mating ritual.
Day 7: Banda Neira (Trek & Dive)
Time for some land and cultural excursions. We will visit Fort Belgica, the main feature that dominates the Island view. Also, we will have the chance to visit the Maritime Museum and a nutmeg and vanilla plantation to taste some aromatic tea and cakes. Of course, this location also offers beautiful dive spots, including Lava Flow: after a volcano eruption in 1988, the existing coral got destroyed, but after 10 years new coral grew and created this now beautiful dive spot.
Day 8: Ambon
We will enjoy some wall dives in the outside of the bay to enjoy some more clear water and pelagics passing by around the reefs, before we head inside to enjoy the spectacular macro dive sites that this huge bay has to offer.
Day 9: Ambon
We will dive 2 times more in Laha or Tuleu Bay, an area known for its fabulous muck dives, probably among the best in the world for macro diving: only the Lembeh Strait in Indonesia can compete.
Day 10: Ambon
After a tasty breakfast it is time to say goodbye. We will organise your transfer to the airport.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
06:00am
Ambon
Pattimura International Airport: AMQ
Return
12:00pm
Ambon
Pattimura International Airport: AMQ
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/aurora/itn-2104210145201-banda-sea-9n