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Pindito

Pindito Itinerary

Biodiversity Cruise (MOF - SOQ) 16N

17 days / 16 nights

About Pindito

  • Sublime service with a nearly 1:1 crew to guest ratio
  • Outstanding facilities for divers, plus a dedicated camera room and support for rebreathers
  • Unique themed itineraries for citizen scientists and families with children
  • Smooth and stable sailing with a traditional Phinisi design

MV Pindito liveaboard has been exploring Indonesia’s remote islands for over 25 years, pioneering much of the now-famous diving in Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea and Alor. The recently refurbished vessel features updated amenities inside and out, as well as professional diving facilities, a modern camera room and technical diving support. Choose from a stunning variety of scheduled itineraries or create your own custom charter. The Pindito offers some of Indonesia’s most exciting voyages, including citizen science-themed trips, family-friendly cruises, and other unique expeditions focused on whales, macro, and more!

Learn more about Pindito

Itinerary details

Length of trip 17 days / 16 nights
Number of dives 42
Experience Open Water - Minimum 10 dives
Insurance Required

Highlights

  • One way trip from Flores to Raja Ampat, through the Banda Sea
  • Log dives in the rarely visited Lembata
  • Enjoy excellent visibility in the Pantar Strait due to consistent currents
  • Dive with hundreds of sea snakes of Gunung Api
  • Schooling hammerheads off the steep slopes of Nil Desperandum atoll
  • Sink beneath the surface at the foot of an active volcano
  • Search for hammerheads on current-swept dive sites in the Banda Sea
  • Visit lush walls surrounded by masses of fish 
  • Another chance to encounter hammerheads at Hatta
  • Koon Island, where the currents of Seram and the Banda Sea converge
  • Discover dramatic underwater landscapes and stunning reefs in Misool
  • Land visit to the 17th century Fort Belgica on Banda Neira
  • Share a sunset dive with colourful, mating  mandarinfish
  • Night dives included in the schedule
Starting off in Maumere on Flores Island, the trip goes to Sorong, West Papua (or vice versa). From Flores we travel to East Timor, past the islands of Alor and Wetar. If the weather cooperates, the route continues towards the Banda Islands, past the famous Snake Island Gunung Api. In rough weather, the alternative route is via Romang, Termang, Seroea, and Manuk. Koon and Misool are the last stops before we travel through the Dampier Strait to Sorong.

Travel over 1,100 nautical miles of the biodiverse Banda Sea!
This trip takes you through the various geological formations of Indonesia. Visit volcanic islands and islands that are derived from coral reefs, but also the fantastic "Raja Ampat", which is an absolute highlight for every diver. Along different evolutionary lineages and major migration routes of large mammals such as whales and dolphins, this trip guarantees diversity and variety above and below water.

The region of West Papua is also called "Raja Ampat", which literally means "united kingdom". The area has over 1,500 islands. The four main islands are Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo. Pindito has traveled this region since 1992. In fact, she was the only liveaboard dive cruise in “Raja Ampat” until 2001. Nobody knows the underwater world as well as our crew. Even many caves above water have been discovered by the crew of Pindito.

Typically, we schedule four dives a day depending on weather conditions. (More dives per day are available when Pindito is anchored or moored safely over a calm reef.). Inquire with your divemaster about when you can expect additional dive availability.

Dive 1: Early morning (around 7:30 AM)
Dive 2: Late morning
Dive 3: Afternoon (around 2:30 PM)
Dive 4: After dinner – an exciting dusk or nighttime dive

Marine Life: various pipefish and seahorses, frogfish, scorpion fish, countless colourful nudibranchs, as well as barracuda, batfish, sea snakes, mackerel, dolphins, whales, Napoleons, reef sharks, and tuna.

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

10:00am

Maumere

Maumere Airport: MOF

Return

11:00am

Sorong

Sorong Airport: SOQ

Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/pindito/itn-2012030727241-biodiversity-cruise-mof-soq-16n