Carpe Diem Phinisi Itinerary
Ambon, Banda, Manuk, and Triton Bay (AMQ - KNG)10 days / 9 nights
About Carpe Diem Phinisi
- Fabulous Phinisi vessel designed for intimate cruises of up to ten guests
- Adventurous trips well-suited to families and groups of like-minded friends
- Enjoy full gear rental and fabulous watersports free of charge
- Meticulously designed aesthetics for a beautiful, warm ambiance
Carpe Diem Phinisi is a well-appointed phinisi liveaboard offering year-round cruises exploring Raja Ampat, Komodo, Bali, and Lombok. Designed and operated for exciting yet intimate itineraries, Carpe Diem is a perfect choice for guests looking for personalised service and bespoke itineraries at an affordable price. This beautiful boat represents the fulfilment of long held ambitions and the start of great adventures. So hop on board and get ready to explore, dream, and discover.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 10 days / 9 nights
Number of dives 24
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 25 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- One-way trip to the best sites between the Banda Sea and Triton Bay
- Enjoy Ambon’s world-class muck diving and spot the psychedelic frogfish
- Pay a visit to the 17th-century Fort Belgica on Banda Neira
- Dive with Hatta's hammerhead sharks
- Explore the marine protected area of Triton Bay
Day 1: Ambon - Laha (1 dive)
We will pick you up from the airport or your hotel and welcome you aboard with refreshments. After the safety and boat briefings, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we begin with an extended dive briefing followed by our first dive in Laha.
Diving in Ambon - Laha:
Ambon Bay is world famous for muck diving, offering black sand slopes and rubble habitats packed with rare macro life. Rhinopias, frogfish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, harlequin shrimp, and countless nudibranchs are commonly seen. Visibility varies, but biodiversity is exceptional. After dinner, we begin motoring toward our next destination.
Day 2: Nusa Laut (3 dives)
Today we explore the pristine reefs and walls of Nusa Laut.
Diving in Nusa Laut:
This area is known for some of the healthiest hard coral gardens in Indonesia, protected for decades by the local community. Expect excellent visibility, steep walls, turtles, schooling fusiliers, and vibrant reef life. During the right season, hammerhead sharks may be spotted in deeper water. Currents are generally manageable, making for relaxed yet exciting dives. We depart for our next location before sunset.
Day 3: Banda Neira and Pulau Suanggi (3 dives + shore excursion)
We arrive at Pulau Suanggi in the morning for two exhilarating dives.
Diving at Pulau Suanggi:
Suanggi’s exposed pinnacles rise from deep blue water, attracting pelagic species such as tuna, barracuda, and seasonal hammerhead sharks. The coral formations are dramatic, with large sponges and sea fans. Currents can be strong, so this site is best suited for experienced divers.
After lunch, we head to Banda Neira for a shore excursion to Fort Belgica, the museum, and a nutmeg plantation—remnants of the islands’ pivotal role in the historic spice trade.
We finish the day with a late afternoon dive to search for the elusive Mandarin Fish during their dusk mating ritual.
Day 4: Banda Archipelago - Besar/Run/Hatta (3 dives)
We spend the day exploring several sites around the Banda Islands.
We spend the day exploring several sites around the Banda Islands.
Diving in the Banda Archipelago:
The Banda Islands offer exceptional visibility, dramatic drop-offs, and flourishing coral ecosystems. These deep-water islands attract pelagic life, including mobula rays, tuna, and seasonal hammerheads. Expect a mix of hard coral plateaus, steep walls, and vibrant soft corals. Swirling anthias, reef sharks, turtles, and large schools of fish make this region one of Indonesia’s most underrated diving treasures. We begin motoring toward Koon after the final dive.
Day 5: Koon (2 dives)
Today we dive the legendary reefs of Koon.
Diving in Koon:
Koon is home to the famous site “Too Many Fish,” named for its astonishing biomass. Nutrient-rich currents funnel through the channel, attracting huge schools of snapper, fusiliers, surgeonfish, and trevallies. Reef sharks patrol the edges, and large groupers rest on the sandy bottom. Coral cover is excellent, with both hard and soft corals thriving. Currents can be strong, so dives are carefully timed. After the dives, we begin the long crossing to Momon in Papua.
Day 6: Momon (2 dives + waterfall visit)
We enjoy two relaxed morning dives before visiting the beautiful Momon waterfall.
Diving in Momon:
Momon offers a slower pace with colourful reefs, gentle slopes, and bommies teeming with reef fish. Macro life is present, and visibility is generally good. This is a refreshing change of tempo before the rich biodiversity of Triton Bay.
Day 7: Triton Bay and Aiduma (4 dives)
We arrive in Triton Bay, one of Indonesia’s most biodiverse marine regions.
Diving in Triton Bay:
Often called the “soft coral capital of the world,” Triton Bay features lush reefs covered in soft corals, black coral bushes, and enormous sea fans. Fish life is dense, with clouds of anthias, fusiliers, and baitfish swirling around the bommies. Whale sharks, dolphins, and mobula rays are occasionally seen. Macro enthusiasts will enjoy pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and rare critters. Visibility can be lower due to nutrient rich water, but this fuels the region’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Day 8: Triton Bay (4 dives)
A second full day allows us to explore more of Triton Bay’s diverse sites.
Diving Highlights:
Expect a mix of soft coral pinnacles, sheltered bays with macro life, dramatic underwater boulders, overhangs, and swim throughs. Many species here are endemic or rarely seen elsewhere. This is one of Indonesia’s most untouched and unique diving environments.
Day 9: Bagan and Whale Sharks (2 dives + cultural visit)
In the morning, we dive beneath a traditional fishing platform (Bagan) to encounter whale sharks.
Diving with Whale Sharks:
The whale sharks of Kaimana often gather beneath bagans to feed on small fish escaping the nets. Encounters are typically calm and unhurried, offering excellent photographic opportunities. Depths are shallow and dives are relaxed, making this one of the most reliable places in Indonesia for respectful, close interactions with these gentle giants. In the afternoon, we visit the prehistoric rock paintings—an extraordinary glimpse into ancient Papuan culture. We spend the night in Kaimana Harbour.
Day 10: Kaimana
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport or your hotel according to your schedule.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.
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
11:00am
Ambon
Pattimura International Airport: AMQ
Return
12:00pm
Kaimana
Kaimana Airport: KNG
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/carpe-diem-phinisi/itn-2602090301241-ambon-banda-manuk-and-triton-bay-amq-kng-