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Cheng Ho

Cheng Ho Itinerary

The Banda Sea - 5N

6 days / 5 nights

About Cheng Ho

  • Outstanding facilities for divers and photographers of all skill levels
  • Spacious decks, lounge and dining areas, plus an on-deck jacuzzi
  • Spacious, teak interiors with luxurious touches and traditional design
  • Three to four dives each day focused on exceptional marine life encounters and beautiful reefs

Cheng Ho liveaboard is a traditionally constructed wooden phinisi, boasting teak interiors, spacious and comfortable cabins, and all the diver-friendly features you’ll ever need. This liveaboard offers a comprehensive selection of exciting itineraries in Komodo, and less-traveled diving destinations such as Maumere, with trips lasting between four and eight days. And, no matter which adventure you choose, you'll have a chance to dive up to four times a day at some of Indonesia's most legendary sites, joined by sharks, reef mantas, and more! Back on deck, you can expect luxurious details and highly personalised service, above and below the waves.

Learn more about Cheng Ho

Itinerary details

Length of trip 6 days / 5 nights
Number of dives 14
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 30 dives
Insurance Required

Highlights

  • Circular trip from Ambon focusing on the diverse Banda Sea
  • Search for hammerheads on current-swept dive sites in the Banda Sea
  • Explore the Banda Sea's swim-throughs and deep walls
  • Land visit to the former capital of the spice trade, Banda Neira
  • Dive the world-class muck diving sites of Ambon
  • Enjoy Ambon’s world-class muck diving and spot the psychedelic frogfish
  • Night dives included
Day 1: Ambon
Well-known as one of the best spots for dive aficionados, Ambon harbour is a long, deep harbour surrounded on both sides by steep, verdant volcanic slopes. A true sense of history overcomes one, imagining the great seafarers like Magellan, Cook, and others sailing down the same bay’s mouth. One gets the impression that the area cannot have changed much since the days of these great explorers. The first dive site is under a pier close to the Ambon airport and has the boasting rights of being able to call itself the first great muck site in the world; this is normally where one can get a glimpse of the rare Ambon scorpionfish.

Also on offer is a pristine wreck covered with hard and soft corals and lots of fish and resting upright in relatively shallow water.

Days 2-3: Banda Neira (8 dives)
Banda has an important place in Indonesian and world history. Dominated by a 2500-foot active volcano, for more than three hundred years these tiny islands were the centre of wealth for the Dutch colonies.

The diving is also well-known for its good reef dives on the east and north sides of the islands. Here not only are marine life treasures such as pipefish of all varieties, frogfish of many varieties and color variations, and a plethora of juvenile fish seeking sanctuary in the calm waters, but also the least bashful and largest mandarin fish ever! These colourful gems are out of their hiding places all day and are in such shallow water that they can be seen from the pier.

Several famous dive sites are Suangi Island, Lava Flow Banda, Batu Kapal, and Next Village, as well as dive spots next to the Banda Harbour. Besides, we have an opportunity for trekking to Gunung Api. Next, we go back to Ambon.

Day 4: Ambon/Nusa Laut (4 dives)
Nusa Laut is just east of Ambon and was made famous by two of east Indonesia’s famous diving pioneers, Larry Smith and Edi Frommenweiler. Larry had said it was his favourite reef in the entire eastern region of this great archipelago. It is truly a spectacular location, and a full day's diving will be on offer. A dive next to the harbour will also be offered.

Day 5: Ambon (2 dives)
Last two dives of the trip.

Day 6: Ambon
Disembarkation. Trip ends.

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

12:00pm

Ambon

Pattimura International Airport: AMQ

Return

12:00pm

Ambon

Pattimura International Airport: AMQ

Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/cheng-ho/itn-2507240323311-the-banda-sea-5n