EcoXplorer Itinerary
Raja Ampat and Banda Marine Biodiversity Expedition: Misool - Banda (SOQ - AMQ)12 days / 11 nights
About EcoXplorer
- Accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in eastern Indonesia
- Itineraries in Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay, Triton Bay, Halmahera and Banda Sea
- Cultural visits, snorkelling, fishing and island exploration between dives
- All profits support EcoNusa’s conservation and community initiatives
EcoXplorer is a 28m expedition liveaboard operating across the remote waters of eastern Indonesia, from Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay, to Triton Bay, Halmahera and the Banda Sea. Rebuilt in the style of a traditional Indonesian phinisi, the vessel accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in ensuite cabins and combines dedicated diving facilities with cultural visits, wildlife encounters and island exploration. Highlights of the itineraries can include spectacular reefs, manta rays, whale sharks, wrecks, schooling fish and unusual macro life, depending on the itinerary. And with all profits supporting EcoNusa’s conservation and community programmes, EcoXplorer is particularly well suited to divers seeking small-group expeditions with a more meaningful local connection.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 12 days / 11 nights
Number of dives 28
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 50 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- Dive into the high-voltage currents of Suanggi Seamount and Hammer Point
- Immerse yourself in a vibrant underwater palette at Nudi Rock
- Experience the sheer awe of the "fish city" at Koon-Wall
- The "Candy Store," a breathtaking wall saturated with massive sea fans and radiant orange and pink soft corals.
- Witness the grace of manta rays at the famous Magic Mountain cleaning station
- Keep a sharp eye out for hidden treasures like delicate pygmy seahorses tucked away in sea fan walls
- Wander through the enchanting colonial spice history of Banda Neira and explore the storied grounds of Fort Belgica
- Enjoy a peaceful, authentic escape with a local island visit to the tranquil shores of Pulau Hatta
Day 1 - Sorong
Morning: Arrive at Dominique Edward Osok Airport (SOQ) in Sorong. Group pickup and immediate air-conditioned speedboat transfer to the liveaboard vessel.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch: Welcome briefing and crew introductions while the vessel moves to the outskirts of the harbor. Depart to Matan Island (1 hour)
14:30 – 15:30: Check Dive: Matan Island (weight checks, equipment testing, and easy reef dive).
16:00 – 17:00: Snack: Served on deck as the captain lifted anchor for a 10-hour southbound overnight navigation crossing the Dampier Strait to Southern Misool (Balbulol).
19:00: Dinner: The first formal dinner is served underway in open water.
Day 2 - Balbulol
06:00 – 07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 01: No Contest (Stunning pinnacles covered in soft corals and schools of sweetlips).
09:00 – 10:00: Main breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Tree Top Island (drop-offs and overhangs under towering karst cliffs).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Balbulol (shallow swim-throughs and vibrant macro life).
16:00: Transit: Anchor up. Begin a scenic 4-hour evening navigation through the inner channels toward the Fiabacet island chain.
19:00: Dinner: Served onboard as the vessel drops anchor in the calm lagoons of Fiabacet.
Day 3 - Daram
06:00 – 07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 01: Andiamo (twin submerged islets linked by a pristine fan-covered ridge).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Vibrant Color (Massive canvas of neon purple and pink soft corals).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch: Fuel up before the afternoon dive.
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Candy Store (Vertical wall choked with immense sea fans and sponges).
16:00 – 17:00: Snack: High-energy treats served on deck.
19:00: Dinner: Dinner served onboard as the vessel moves overnight down to Fiacabet (4 hours)
Day 4 - Fiabacet
06:00 – 07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 01: Anchovies (High-energy site packed with hunting trevally and clouds of baitfish).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast: Hearty morning buffet.
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Yeliet Kecil (sloping wall with excellent shark action and macro life hidden in cracks).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch: Midday meal served on deck.
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Romeo (Beautiful ridge line with heavy currents and massive schools of fusiliers).
16:00 – 17:00: Excursion: Tender boat cruise around the iconic karst structures of Yeliet.
19:00: Dinner at anchor.
21:00 : sail to Wayilbatan (1-2 hours)
Day 5 - Wayilbatan
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
07.30-09.00 : Dive 1, Four King
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2, Barracuda Rock
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2, Barracuda Rock
12.00-13.30 : Lunch
14.00-15.00 : Dive 3, Wedding Cake / Neptune
16.00 : Tracking Puncak Love
19.00 : Dinner
21.00 : sail to Warakaraket (2-3 hours)
Day 6 - Warakaraket
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
07.30-09.00 : Dive 1, Karang Bayangan
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2, Tank Rock
12.00-13.30 : Lunch
14.00-15.00 : Dive 3, Nudi Rock
16.00 : sail to Koon Island (21 hours)
19.00 : Dinner
Day 7 - Koon Island
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
12.00-13.30 : Lunch
14.00-15.00 : One Dive: Too Many Fish / Koon Wall
16.00 : sail to Hatta (16 hours)
19.00 : Dinner
Day 8 - Hatta Island
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
08.00-09.00 : Dive 1: Hammer Point (Skaru Reef)
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2: Hatta Arch
12.00-13.30 : Lunch
14.00-15.00 : Dive 3: Skaru Wall
16.00 : island visit
19.00 : Dinner
21.00 : Sail to Banda Neira (1-2 hours)
Day 9 - Banda Neira
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
07.30-09.00 : Dive 1: Lava Flow
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2: Batu Kapal
12.00-13.30 : Lunch
14.00-15.00 : Dive 3: Mandarin Hotel
17.00-18.00: Island Visit
19.00 : Dinner
21.00 : depart to Run Island (2.5 - 3 hours)
Day 10 - Run & Suanggi Islands
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
07.30-09.00 : Dive 1: Hammer Time
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2: Lailaka wall
12.00-13.30 : Lunch and sail to Suanggi Island (2-3 hours)
14.00-15.00 : Dive 3: Suanggi Seamount
17.00: sail to Nusa Laut (13 hours)
19.00 : Dinner
Day 11 - Nusa Laut & Molana
6.00-06.30 : Light breakfast
07.00-08.00 : Dive 1: Ameth Sloop
08.30 : start sailing to Molana (2 hours)
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2: Molana Wall
12.00-13.30 : Lunch
16.00-20.00: Island Visit, Snorkeling & BBQ
21.00 : sail to Tulehu (3-4 hours)
Day 12 - Tulehu, Ambon Departure
07:30 – 08:30: Breakfast: Last
08:30 – 09:00: Luggage handling, settling final bills, and crew farewells.
09:00: Official checkout. Private vehicle transfer to Pattimura Airport (AMQ) in Ambon for your onward domestic flights safely past the no-fly clock! Recommend taking afternoon flights
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
09:00am
Sorong
Sorong Airport: SOQ
Return
09:00am
Tulehu
Pattimura International Airport; AMQ
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/ecoxplorer/itn-2608030851131-raja-ampat-and-banda-marine-biodiversity-expedition-misool-banda-soq-amq-