Solitude Adventurer Itinerary
Alor, Forgotten Islands and Banda Sea13 days / 12 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 13 days / 12 nights
Number of dives 32
Experience Open Water - Minimum 40 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- One-way itinerary roaming from Alor through the Banda Sea
- Dive reefs with exceptional biodiversity in the heart of the Coral Triangle
- Swim with hundreds of sea snakes of the very remote Manuk Island
- Explore the Banda Sea's swim-throughs and deep walls
- Encounter hammerheads at current-swept sites such as Nil Desperandum
- Dive the world-class muck diving sites of Ambon
- Enjoy Ambon’s world-class muck diving and spot the psychedelic frogfish
- Land visit to the 17th century Fort Belgica on Banga Neira
- Chance of hammerheads, thresher sharks, and even mola mola in Alor
Day 1:
(Embarkation Day) Our crew will be waiting to greet you at Frans Seda Airport in Maumere. After you are comfortably settled onboard and have completed registration, there will be a safety/orientation briefing. After lunch, schedule allowing, we will have a check dive at one of the dive sites in the Maumere area.
Day 2:
Today we explore the reefs along the north side of Flores Island and within Lewaling Bay. With a stunning backdrop of towering volcanoes, we explore the reefs and sandy slopes. We will do 3-4 dives today and sail over night to Alor.
Days 3-4:
We spend the next 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, currents, and abundant fish populations. We will do 3 dives today and continue east to 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 dives today, and then we 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 Nil Desperandum reef. It is an extensive submerged reef with a relatively shallow reef top and seemingly endless vertical walls. 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 north to Serua Island.
Day 9:
Today we focus on a distinct area around Serua Island. We dive here to search for hammerhead sharks. Shallow reef tops give way to sloping reef and walls that plunge into the deep. Abundant coral, giant sponges, and schooling fish such as trevally, surgeonfish, and fusiliers fill the water around the island. Always keep an eye out in the blue for a school of hammerhead sharks. Sea snakes can also be seen on most dives. The currents here can be strong and exciting. We will have 3-4 dives this day.
Day 10:
Today we're at Manuk Island. 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. When the current relaxes, you can slow down to search for interesting macro critters that hide in the coral. You will also have a chance to dive with many sea snakes today, as Manuk Island is also called “Snake Island.” If you're lucky, there's a possibility to see the elusive hammerhead shark. We sail overnight northward to the Banda Islands.
Day 11:
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 12:
Today we'll have 2 morning dives, either around Suanggi Island or the island of Nusa Laut. In the afternoon we make our way to Ambon.
Day 13:
Disembarkation (Ambon) Our crew will transport you to the airport and say goodbye. We look forward to seeing you onboard again! Thank you.
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
01:00pm
Maumere
Maumere Airport: MOF
Return
11:00am
Ambon
Pattimura International Airport: AMQ
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/solitude-adventurer/itn-2407310753321-alor-forgotten-islands-and-banda-sea