Solitude Adventurer Itinerary
Maumere and Ambon12 days / 11 nights
About Solitude Adventurer
- Cruise Indonesia’s top dive destinations onboard a recently-refurbished catamaran
- Salubrious above-deck cabins with ensuite bathrooms and ocean views
- Casual yet stylish lounges, complete with details such as massage chairs
- Superb photography facilities, including rinse tanks, air gun, editing station and towels
Solitude Adventurer liveaboard is an expertly-renovated 36-metre catamaran offering exceptional diving itineraries throughout Indonesia’s best dive destinations, including Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the Banda Sea. The vessel’s spacious design, sumptuous furnishings, and first-class facilities ensure maximum comfort as you sail some of the country’s most remote regions, while little details such as complimentary Nautilus Lifelines will put your mind at ease as you descend beneath the waves. Trust in Solitude Adventurer’s passionate and well-trained staff to help you create incredible underwater experiences in a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 12 days / 11 nights
Number of dives 30
Experience Open Water - Minimum 40 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- One-way itinerary diving along age-old spice trade routes
- Explore the rarely visited Forgotten Islands, north of East Timor
- Discover exceptional biodiversity in the heart of the Coral Triangle
- Seek hammerheads, threshers and mola mola in Alor's cold upwellings
- Search for the rare Rhinopias scorpionfish in the waters of Alor
- Visit a traditional Alor village to view local dances and handicrafts
- Enjoy the excellent visibility in Pantar Strait due to consistent currents
- Photograph Maumere's macro critters against a black sand backdrop
- Swim with hundreds of sea snakes of the very remote Manuk Island
- Schooling hammerheads off the steep slopes of Nil Desperandum atoll
- Land visit to the 17th-century Fort Belgica on Banda Neira
- Explore the rarely visited Forgotten Islands, north of East Timor
- Search for hammerheads on current-swept pinnacles & reefs of the Banda Sea
- Seek the elusive psychedelic frogfish—found only in Ambon Bay
- Night dives included in the itinerary
Day 1:
Our crew will be waiting to greet you at the airport in Maumere. After you are comfortably settled onboard and have completed registration, we will have the safety/orientation briefing. After lunch, schedule allowing, we will have a check dive. Overnight we sail east along Flores Island.
Day 2:
Today we explore the reefs along the northern coast of Flores Island. We will have 3-4 dives today. Overnight we sail further east to Alor.
Days 3-4:
We spend the next 1 or 2 days in the area known as Alor, exploring the many dive sites within the Pantar Strait and Kalabahi Bay. Beautiful reefs, abundant coral, and black sand muck diving await. The Alor area is known for very clear water, colorful coral, extremely healthy fish populations, and sometimes cold upwellings with strong currents. We will do 3-4 dives each day.
Day 5:
We move from East Nusa Tenggara into the area known as the Forgotten Islands. Our first stop is Reong & Wetar Islands. In the Forgotten Islands, the underwater landscape consists mostly of wall diving, with pristine coral, clear water, currents, and abundant fish populations. Will do 3 dives and continue on towards Nyata Island.
Day 6:
Today we explore the walls and reefs surrounding the small island of Nyata. More beautiful corals and abundant marine life await. There's also plenty of macro to find amongst the beautiful coral as well. The island has a white sand beach that you may have a chance to visit depending on the tide. We have 3 dives today, and then we sail overnight to the Terbang Islands.
Day 7:
We spend the day diving in the area of Terbang North and South Islands. Characterized by steep walls, abundant coral, clear water, and plenty of fish. Currents can be strong, and most dives are wall drift dives. We have 3-4 dives today and then sail overnight to the reefs of Dos Borgh and Nil Desperandum.
Day 8:
Today we enter the Banda Sea and have the pleasure of diving at 2 separate locations: Nil Desperandum reef and Serua Island. Nil Desperandum is an extensive submerged reef with a relatively shallow reef top and walls that drop to the depths. Serua is an island to the north of Nil Desperandum that has one famous dive site where we search for hammerhead sharks. In both locations there are impressive schools of fish, predatory action, and the chance to encounter hammerhead sharks. We have 3-4 dives today. Depending on the weather and sea conditions, there is an option to dive at Dusborgh reef as well. Overnight we sail to Manuk Island.
Day 9:
We wake up to the sight of a volcano in the middle of nowhere! Several species of seabirds circle overhead. We have 3-4 dives around Manuk Island today. Beautiful corals and a multitude of fish species call this place home. You will have a chance to dive with many sea snakes today, as Manuk Island is also called "Snake Island." The occasional smell of sulfur and sight of smoke rising from this active volcano gives you a sense that you are in the land of the lost. Keep your fingers crossed for hammerhead sharks.
Day 10:
Today we dive around the group of islands known as the Banda Islands. There are a few islands to choose from, and it will be dependent on the weather and cruise schedule: This day is flexible. Wherever the dives will be, there'll always be plenty of beautiful coral and schools of fish. Pulau Run has dramatic walls and a white sand beach, Pulau Hatta has great wall diving, pristine coral, and schooling fish, Banda Neira has abundant reefs and also the possibility of a historical land tour, and Pulau Suanggi has an extensive underwater reef structure and dramatic walls full of life.
Day 11:
On our last day of diving, we will have 2 morning dives around Suanggi Island or the island of Nusa Laut. After our dives are finished, we will sail to Ambon, arriving at night.
Day 12:
After enjoying a small breakfast, our crew will transport you to the airport.
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
02:00pm
Maumere
Maumere Airport: MOF
Return
11:00am
Ambon
Pattimura International Airport: AMQ
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/solitude-adventurer/itn-2202160810391-maumere-and-ambon