Last Updated on December 14, 2023 by kuncumi
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Embarking on a 12-day, 11-night journey with Samambaia Liveaboard unveils a mesmerizing odyssey through the breathtaking underwater wonders of the Banda Sea. The adventure commences in Ambon, a gateway to an aquatic paradise, where you’re warmly greeted by the attentive crew. The Samambaia team ensures a seamless experience from the very first step, whisking you away to the port of Ambon for an enlightening orientation.
Your journey plunges into the wonders of Ambon, renowned for its muck diving haven. Days are spent in underwater exploration, encountering elusive creatures like Rhinopias, Frogfish, and the recently rediscovered Psychedelic Frogfish. Samambaia’s commitment to safety and excellence is evident in the check dive, ensuring your gear is pristine and your buoyancy optimal for an unforgettable dive experience.
Nusa Laut emerges as a testament to the power of local conservation, showcasing vibrant reefs teeming with marine life. Four remarkable dive sites await, offering a spectacular ballet of reef fish and large schools of jacks. Witness the success of community-led conservation efforts as you delve into these biodiverse waters.
The Banda Islands, steeped in history and natural splendor, unfold before you. Trek through time in Banda Neira, exploring forts and museums, and challenge yourself with a volcanic ascent. Below the surface, dive into the remnants of the Lava Flow, a testament to nature’s resilience. The Mandarin Fish dive in Banda Neira’s harbor adds a touch of enchantment to this historical odyssey.
More about Samambaia LiveaboardDives: Approximately 34 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – 50 minimum logged dives required.
Critters: Rhinopias, Ghostpipefish, Pipefish, Pipehorses, Seahorses, Pygmy Seahorses, all sorts of Crustaceans, many different species of Cephalopods, Frogfish, Nudibranchs, Pegasus, Ambon Scorpionfish
Big Stuff: Sharks, Tunas, Jacks, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Napoleon Wrasses and surprises
The chances to have close encounters with whales (Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales and others) are very good whilst cruising the Banda Sea.
Arrival with plane to Ambon. You will be picked up by crew members at the airport. Embarkation in the port of Ambon. A general orientation follows.
After an initial general dive briefing, we will do our check dive with you at an easy and protected dive site. Check dive in the sense of you checking your gear and weights, making sure the camera housings are proper sealed and our guides checking your buoyancy. No skill demonstrations are required. We will thereafter offer two more dives in the bay of Ambon. One in the afternoon and one for sunset. All of these days will be muck dives. World class critter hunting. That’s what Ambon is famous for. Rhinopias, Frogfish, Ghostpipefish, Harlequin Shrimps and if you are really lucky: the Psychedelic Frogfish that has been very recently found here again.
In the early morning we will arrive at the island of Nusa Laut, which is a great example for how active conservation by the local community can not only preserve the reefs but actually make them even better. We see here for many years a proper growth in biomass.
We have four spectacular dive sites here, either wall or slope diving.
Great variety of reef fish as well as large schools of jacks. Bumphead Parrotfish like to pass by here also. A lot of macro life can be found in the wall as well.
The famous Spice Islands, the island group around Banda Neira, which is also historically very interesting. Wars were fought over these islands by colonial powers as these islands used to be the only islands in the world were nutmeg grew. A historical walk through the town of Banda Neira with it’s museum and two forts is a must. An interesting option for ambitious challenge seekers is to climb the vulcano Gunung Api, which raises ‘only’ 600 m above sea level. Which in the tropics however turns into a strenuous climb.
The diving here is very diverse and spectacular. As these volcanic islands raise up to the surface surrounded by deep sea water, the chances for sightings of large pelagics are very good. In the past we’ve often encountered schooling hammerheads here. A dive site called ‘Lava Flow’ is one of the most pristine hard coral reefs you will ever see. After the last eruption of Gunung Api in 1988 a flow of lava made it’s way down into the ocean and destroyed the whole reef. What has grown back ever since will boggle your mind. In the harbour of Banda Neira we’ve got a beautiful Mandarin Fish dive waiting for you. Other highlights include: ‘The Cathedral’, ‘Batu Kapal’ and ‘Karang Hatta’.
This place is also known by the name ‘Snake Island’. If you’ve got a phobia of snakes you should definitely go diving here to face your fear and thereby cure it. You may encounter dozens of sea snakes in one single dive. These graceful creatures, though highly venomous, are very peaceful, sometimes even curious. Despite these reptiles there is plenty of reef fish but also pelagics around. On top of all thousands and thousands of seabirds are nesting here.
A very unique and spectacular place.
Our favourite dive site is called: ‘Smoking Hot’.
An atoll with steep walls rising from the deep. Weather conditions permitting we will spend a whole day here. Mainly steep walls all around and some sloppy parts. Very nice growth of sea fans and sponges. But we are in for the big pelagic stuff. Schooling sharks have been often seen here in the past.
Five miles from the small island of Nila we find another atoll and even prettier coral growth along the walls. Again the focus lies here on large pelagic fish passing by out in the blue.
The close by island of Nila offers us protection for the night’s anchorage and gives us the possibility for a night dive.
Very remote and untouched by commercial fishing the reefs of these islands are in pristine conditions. Schooling Barracudas, Jacks on the hunt and large Tunas passing by whilst well disguised critters are blending into the reefs. Our skilled dive guides will find and show them to you.
There are two snake islands in the Banda Sea and on this special itinerary you will get to see both of them. Besides snakes we have seen Silvertip Sharks and Hammerheads here. Usually the waters around here are gin clear so make sure you look out into the blue not to miss something big passing by.
A group of seven paradise islands in the middle of the Banda Sea. All dives are steep wall dives. The Dutch seafarers named this island group the Schildpad Islands as we have not only find nesting grounds but also a healthy population of sea turtles here.
For those who are flying out the next day, we offer two dives in the morning and some relaxing time on a perfect beach in the afternoon. If you have planned a land based extension in Ambon after the cruise, our dive guides will happily go diving again with you in the afternoon.
Depending on your flight schedule, our crew will check your luggage in for you in advance so you can rest on board and let us shuttle you to the airport when your plane is ready to leave.
Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Nitrox Course, Scuba Diving Courses, Kayaks, Land Excursions, Snorkeling Guide, Wakeboarding, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, WiFi internet.
Required Extras: Fuel Surcharge (150-250 USD per trip), National Park Fees (100-150 USD per trip), Port Fees (75 USD per trip).
Optional Extras: Gratuities (20 USD per day), Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages, Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Snorkel Gear, Laundry / Pressing Services, Massage (500,000 IDR).
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Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required
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Certificate: Open Water
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Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required
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Certificate: Open Water
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Certificate: Advanced Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required