Mari Itinerary

Raja Ampat, Misool and Banda Sea

Day 1: Your flight will arrive in Sorong.

Day 2-11: If possible, we offer 3-4 dives daily. When crossing, only 1-2 dives a day can be scheduled. Some of the destinations:

Misool, formerly spelled Mysol (Dutch: Misoöl), is one of the four major islands in the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua. The inhabitants speak the Biga language and Matbat language, as well as Indonesian. The reason the reefs in the southeast of Misool are so incredibly rich is their relative location to the deep waters of the Ceram Trough and the upwelling of nutrients created as the Indonesian Throughflow makes its way south to the Banda Sea.

Koon Island: Small Island, located in the district of Southeast Seram The name of the dive site says it all: "Too many fishes." With the right current, the diving could be unforgettable, with millions of fish, schooling jacks, barracudas, and sharks.

Banda Neira: Once known as the Spice Islands, the condition and health of the coral reefs are breathtaking. Isolated from the rest of Central Maluku, the 10 little volcanic islands that make up the Banda archipelago are the most wanted tourist destination in the whole of Maluku. Fortunately, these pretty little islets remain somewhat time-consuming to reach, which keeps the crowds away. Obligated stop for a cultural tour: the fort, the governor's house, the church, nutmeg plantations, the chance to have a beer on land with the locals... Diving: both Pulau Run and Pulau Ai have pristine clear waters, lovely walls, and good fish life; we might go a bit deeper in search of more hammerheads. big fish can be seen here as well: napoleons, schools of black snappers, bumpheads, etc.

Nusa Laut: Nusa Laut is the most easterly of the Lease group and about 80 km from Ambon, so, in reality, it’s probably only possible to dive into the sites there from life aboard. The diving around Nusa Laut was pioneered by Eddie Frommenweiler and the late Larry Smith, who between them opened up much of the diving in Eastern Indonesia. The reef is as it was hundreds of years ago. The locals have protected it, and now it is an outstanding diving site, many people's favorite dive. With a bit of luck In the shallow bay of Paperu, it is possible to spot a dugong in the seagrass. On Nusa Laut, there are a few old forts and colonial buildings.

Ambon is the capital of Maluku Province, and its main town, Kota Ambon, is the largest and most developed in the region. In the 17th century, when the spice trade was at its peak and the Dutch monopoly on cloves was at its strongest, they made Kota Ambon their base in the Moluccas because of its superb natural harbor, and the town was known as the “Queen of the East.” While it is still possible to find the odd legacy of those days, most of the Dutch colonial-era buildings were destroyed during the WWII battle for Ambon between the Allied forces and the Japanese.

Day 12: Final day of diving - our trip ends at Ambon.

Day 13: Check out after breakfast or lunch, depending on your return flight time. We say goodbye to our guests and wish them farewell. The MARI crew will organize the transfer to the Airport and assist at check-in for onward flights.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.