EcoXplorer Itinerary
Raja Ampat and Banda Marine Biodiversity Expedition: Banda - Misool12 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 26
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 - Tulehu
07:00 - 09:00: Group pickup at Pattimura Airport (AMQ) or your hotel. Private air-conditioned transfer across Ambon Island to Tulehu Harbor for immediate boarding.
09:30 – 13:30: Welcome briefing and crew introductions. Lunch while the vessel departs Tulehu toward the Lease Islands. Prepare gear for the check dive.
14:30 – 15:30: Check Dive: Batu Hitam (Easy reef and slope check dive for weight and equipment adjustments).
16:00 – 17:00: Snack: Served on deck while the vessel moves a short distance to anchor in the calm shallows of Nusa Laut. (6 hours sailing)
19:00: Dinner: The first formal dinner onboard at a peaceful anchor.
Day 2 - Nusa Laut
06:00 – 06:30: Light Breakfast
07:00 – 08:00: Dive 01: Ameth Slope (Pristine, village-protected marine sanctuary with ancient hard coral gardens and resident reef sharks).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Akon Arch (Beautiful topography featuring an underwater archway covered in soft corals).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Nahalia Slope (A fantastic third dive boasting deep drops, massive schools of surgeonfish, and excellent visibility).
16:00 – 17:00: Snack: Afternoon treats and hot drinks served on deck while relaxing onboard (departing to Suanggi Island for 13 hours)
19:00: Dinner: Formal dinner served onboard at a peaceful anchor.
Day 3 - Suanggi & Run Islands
06:00 – 06:40: Light Breakfast
07:00 – 08:00: Dive 01: Suanggi Seamount (High-voltage morning dive targeting hammerheads, barracudas, and sea snakes).
08.30 : the vessel sails to Pulau Run (2-to-3 hour transit).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Lailaka Wall (a stunning vertical wall near the Nailaka sandspit).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Hammer Time (Deep wall drift targeting open-ocean pelagics).
16:00: Transit: A 2.5-to-3 hour evening run into the protected inner harbor of Banda Neira.
19:00: Dinner: At anchor in the calm volcanic lagoon.
Day 4 - Banda Neira
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 01: Lava Flow (Diving over the 1988 volcanic eruption zone; lush field of fast-growing table corals).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Batu Kapal (advanced, deep offshore pinnacle with excellent visibility).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Mandarin Hotel (shallow dusk/macro dive in the harbor to spot colorful mandarin fish).
16:30 – 18:00: Excursion: Spice and history tour of colonial Banda Neira and Fort Belgica.
19:00: Dinner
Day 5 - Hatta Island
04:00 – 06:00: Transit: Morning hop from Banda Neira out to Pulau Hatta. (1-2 hours)
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
08:00 – 09:00: Dive 1: Hammer Point (Skaru Reef) (deep current wall famous for hammerhead sightings).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Hatta Arch (Beautiful topography with a large coral-lined swim-through).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 3: Skaru Wall (Vertical wall with heavy pelagic action and passing reef sharks).
16:00: Excursion: Relaxing local island visit on Pulau Hatta.
19:00: Dinner
21:00: Transit: Lift anchor for the 16-hour crossing east toward Koon Island.
Day 6 - Koon Island
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast enjoyed underway.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch as the vessel arrives at the eastern tip of Ceram.
14:00 – 15:00: One dive: Too Many Fish / Koon Wall (The ultimate fish metropolis; massive schools of groupers, snapper, and jacks).
16:00: Transit: Secure all gear for the long 21-hour crossing north across the Ceram Sea to Southern Misool.
19:00: Dinner: Served underway.
Day 7 - Warakaraket
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast during the final stretch of the crossing as the karst peaks appear.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch as the vessel anchors in Warakaraket.
14:00 – 15:00: One Dive: Karang Bayangan / Magic Mountain (world-famous seamount and manta ray cleaning station).
16:00: Snack: Relaxing on deck in the shelter of the islands.
19:00: Dinner at anchor.
Day 8 - Fiabacet, Boo & Yeliet
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: Nudi Rock / Fiabacet — A quick 10-minute speedboat ride to this neon soft coral pinnacle.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Boo Windows — Exploring the famous eroded coral swim-throughs under ideal mid-morning sunlight.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:30: Dive 3: Yeliet Kecil — Dropping along sea fan walls to look for pygmy seahorses and reef sharks.
16:00 – 17:00: Snack Time: Unwind on deck while dive gear gets a fresh-water rinse.
21:00: Dinner: Relaxing dinner at anchor, followed by a short night hop over to the Wayalibit area. (2 hours sailing)
Day 9 - Wayilbatan
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast served on deck inside the calm inner bays of Wayalibit.
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: Wayalibit Channel—An early morning drift along dramatic, soft-coral-covered walls hidden within Misool's interior channels.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast — Fresh hot breakfast back on the boat.
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Wayalibit Outer Wall — Exploring deep overhangs, macro life, and vibrant sea fans flanking the channel mouth.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch served at a peaceful anchorage.
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 3: Wedding Cake (Karawapop) — A stunning tiered underwater pinnacle shaped like a cake, completely covered in colorful tunicates and teeming with schools of yellowtail fusiliers.
16:00 – 17:30: Trek to Karawapop Love Lagoon: Head ashore in the tenders. The late afternoon temperature is perfect for the short wooden stairway hike up to the summit to witness the iconic heart-shaped lagoon.
17:45 – 18:30: Snacks & Sunsets: Fresh snacks and hot tea waiting on deck as the sun begins to set.
19:00: Dinner: Enjoy a quiet evening meal while the vessel begins a gentle 4-hour night transit to the remote eastern reefs of Daram.
Day 10 - Daram
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: Candy Store — Aptly named for its mind-blowing color palette. Massive sea fans and vibrant orange and pink soft corals coat the entire wall.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Andiamo — A large submerged reef system featuring two small islets, famous for sweeping schools of batfish, surgeonfish, and blacktip reef sharks.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:30: Dive 3: Sea Fan Ridge — A gorgeous underwater ridge completely choked out by giant gorgonian fans stretching into the blue.
16:00 – 17:00: Snacks: The boat pulls anchor for a short evening cruise back to the Balbulol cluster to set up for the final day.
19:00: Dinner at a sheltered anchorage inside Balbulol.
Day 11 - Bal Bulol
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast surrounded by iconic "sugarloaf" karst peaks.
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: No Contest — Dramatic underwater pinnacles, vertical drop-offs, and dense columns of hunting barracuda.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Keruo Channel (The Finale) — A spectacular, scenic drift through a narrow karst corridor over pristine hard coral gardens
Safety Check: Diving strictly concludes by 11:30 AM. With an 08:30 AM checkout/flight schedule on Day 12, this locks in a highly conservative 21-hour no-fly buffer.
12:00: Lunch & Final Departure: As lunch is served, Ship heads. At 6 knots, this final crossing takes roughly 15 hours, ensuring the vessel arrives at port in the dead of night while everyone sleeps.
19:00: Dinner served onboard in calm coastal waters.
Day 12 - Sorong Departure
05:30 - 06:15: Light Breakfast & Checkout
06:30: Disembarkation & Airport Shuttle (Sorong Airport is only 15–20 minutes from the harbor).
07:00: Arrive at the airport for check-in.
08:00 - 08:15: Flight Departures. Recommend taking afternoon flights
07:00 - 09:00: Group pickup at Pattimura Airport (AMQ) or your hotel. Private air-conditioned transfer across Ambon Island to Tulehu Harbor for immediate boarding.
09:30 – 13:30: Welcome briefing and crew introductions. Lunch while the vessel departs Tulehu toward the Lease Islands. Prepare gear for the check dive.
14:30 – 15:30: Check Dive: Batu Hitam (Easy reef and slope check dive for weight and equipment adjustments).
16:00 – 17:00: Snack: Served on deck while the vessel moves a short distance to anchor in the calm shallows of Nusa Laut. (6 hours sailing)
19:00: Dinner: The first formal dinner onboard at a peaceful anchor.
Day 2 - Nusa Laut
06:00 – 06:30: Light Breakfast
07:00 – 08:00: Dive 01: Ameth Slope (Pristine, village-protected marine sanctuary with ancient hard coral gardens and resident reef sharks).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Akon Arch (Beautiful topography featuring an underwater archway covered in soft corals).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Nahalia Slope (A fantastic third dive boasting deep drops, massive schools of surgeonfish, and excellent visibility).
16:00 – 17:00: Snack: Afternoon treats and hot drinks served on deck while relaxing onboard (departing to Suanggi Island for 13 hours)
19:00: Dinner: Formal dinner served onboard at a peaceful anchor.
Day 3 - Suanggi & Run Islands
06:00 – 06:40: Light Breakfast
07:00 – 08:00: Dive 01: Suanggi Seamount (High-voltage morning dive targeting hammerheads, barracudas, and sea snakes).
08.30 : the vessel sails to Pulau Run (2-to-3 hour transit).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Lailaka Wall (a stunning vertical wall near the Nailaka sandspit).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Hammer Time (Deep wall drift targeting open-ocean pelagics).
16:00: Transit: A 2.5-to-3 hour evening run into the protected inner harbor of Banda Neira.
19:00: Dinner: At anchor in the calm volcanic lagoon.
Day 4 - Banda Neira
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 09:00: Dive 01: Lava Flow (Diving over the 1988 volcanic eruption zone; lush field of fast-growing table corals).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 02: Batu Kapal (advanced, deep offshore pinnacle with excellent visibility).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 03: Mandarin Hotel (shallow dusk/macro dive in the harbor to spot colorful mandarin fish).
16:30 – 18:00: Excursion: Spice and history tour of colonial Banda Neira and Fort Belgica.
19:00: Dinner
Day 5 - Hatta Island
04:00 – 06:00: Transit: Morning hop from Banda Neira out to Pulau Hatta. (1-2 hours)
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
08:00 – 09:00: Dive 1: Hammer Point (Skaru Reef) (deep current wall famous for hammerhead sightings).
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00: Dive 2: Hatta Arch (Beautiful topography with a large coral-lined swim-through).
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 3: Skaru Wall (Vertical wall with heavy pelagic action and passing reef sharks).
16:00: Excursion: Relaxing local island visit on Pulau Hatta.
19:00: Dinner
21:00: Transit: Lift anchor for the 16-hour crossing east toward Koon Island.
Day 6 - Koon Island
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast enjoyed underway.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch as the vessel arrives at the eastern tip of Ceram.
14:00 – 15:00: One dive: Too Many Fish / Koon Wall (The ultimate fish metropolis; massive schools of groupers, snapper, and jacks).
16:00: Transit: Secure all gear for the long 21-hour crossing north across the Ceram Sea to Southern Misool.
19:00: Dinner: Served underway.
Day 7 - Warakaraket
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast during the final stretch of the crossing as the karst peaks appear.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch as the vessel anchors in Warakaraket.
14:00 – 15:00: One Dive: Karang Bayangan / Magic Mountain (world-famous seamount and manta ray cleaning station).
16:00: Snack: Relaxing on deck in the shelter of the islands.
19:00: Dinner at anchor.
Day 8 - Fiabacet, Boo & Yeliet
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: Nudi Rock / Fiabacet — A quick 10-minute speedboat ride to this neon soft coral pinnacle.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Boo Windows — Exploring the famous eroded coral swim-throughs under ideal mid-morning sunlight.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:30: Dive 3: Yeliet Kecil — Dropping along sea fan walls to look for pygmy seahorses and reef sharks.
16:00 – 17:00: Snack Time: Unwind on deck while dive gear gets a fresh-water rinse.
21:00: Dinner: Relaxing dinner at anchor, followed by a short night hop over to the Wayalibit area. (2 hours sailing)
Day 9 - Wayilbatan
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast served on deck inside the calm inner bays of Wayalibit.
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: Wayalibit Channel—An early morning drift along dramatic, soft-coral-covered walls hidden within Misool's interior channels.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast — Fresh hot breakfast back on the boat.
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Wayalibit Outer Wall — Exploring deep overhangs, macro life, and vibrant sea fans flanking the channel mouth.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch served at a peaceful anchorage.
14:00 – 15:00: Dive 3: Wedding Cake (Karawapop) — A stunning tiered underwater pinnacle shaped like a cake, completely covered in colorful tunicates and teeming with schools of yellowtail fusiliers.
16:00 – 17:30: Trek to Karawapop Love Lagoon: Head ashore in the tenders. The late afternoon temperature is perfect for the short wooden stairway hike up to the summit to witness the iconic heart-shaped lagoon.
17:45 – 18:30: Snacks & Sunsets: Fresh snacks and hot tea waiting on deck as the sun begins to set.
19:00: Dinner: Enjoy a quiet evening meal while the vessel begins a gentle 4-hour night transit to the remote eastern reefs of Daram.
Day 10 - Daram
06:00–07:00: Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: Candy Store — Aptly named for its mind-blowing color palette. Massive sea fans and vibrant orange and pink soft corals coat the entire wall.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Andiamo — A large submerged reef system featuring two small islets, famous for sweeping schools of batfish, surgeonfish, and blacktip reef sharks.
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch
14:00 – 15:30: Dive 3: Sea Fan Ridge — A gorgeous underwater ridge completely choked out by giant gorgonian fans stretching into the blue.
16:00 – 17:00: Snacks: The boat pulls anchor for a short evening cruise back to the Balbulol cluster to set up for the final day.
19:00: Dinner at a sheltered anchorage inside Balbulol.
Day 11 - Bal Bulol
06:00 – 07:00: Light breakfast surrounded by iconic "sugarloaf" karst peaks.
07:30 – 08:30: Dive 1: No Contest — Dramatic underwater pinnacles, vertical drop-offs, and dense columns of hunting barracuda.
09:00 – 10:00: Main Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30: Dive 2: Keruo Channel (The Finale) — A spectacular, scenic drift through a narrow karst corridor over pristine hard coral gardens
Safety Check: Diving strictly concludes by 11:30 AM. With an 08:30 AM checkout/flight schedule on Day 12, this locks in a highly conservative 21-hour no-fly buffer.
12:00: Lunch & Final Departure: As lunch is served, Ship heads. At 6 knots, this final crossing takes roughly 15 hours, ensuring the vessel arrives at port in the dead of night while everyone sleeps.
19:00: Dinner served onboard in calm coastal waters.
Day 12 - Sorong Departure
05:30 - 06:15: Light Breakfast & Checkout
06:30: Disembarkation & Airport Shuttle (Sorong Airport is only 15–20 minutes from the harbor).
07:00: Arrive at the airport for check-in.
08:00 - 08:15: Flight Departures. 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
Tulehu
Patimura International Airport: AMQ
Return
01:00pm
Sorong
Sorong Airport: SOQ
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/ecoxplorer/itn-2608030902081-raja-ampat-and-banda-marine-biodiversity-expedition-banda-misool