Ambon to Banda Islands Sailing and Diving Cruises

This voyage we explore the southern part of the The Maluku archipelago,a large group of in total almost a thousand islands that straddle the equator between Sulawesi to the west, Papua to the east and Timor to the south. Formerly known as the Moluccas or the Spice Islands they have been a magic destination for over ten centuries.

The first seafarers from faraway countries to explore the region, as early as the 8th century, were Chinese, later followed by the Arabs in the 1200s. In fact, the name Maluku is thought to have been derived from the Arab trader’s term for the region, Jazirat al-Muluk ”the island of the kings” and an ancient Arab text places the islands rather precisely “fifteen days sailing east of Jaba”. What the Arab traders brought back to their home ports, were exotic spices: nutmeg, mace and cloves.

These were sold to Venetian merchants and became known in Europe as “the nuts from Muscat”. Because of the high value of these spices in Europe and the large profits they generated, many adventurers followed in the wake of the Chinese and the Arabs, first Portuguese and later Dutch and British.

For two centuries the latter two nations fought naval battles over control of the Banda Islands, principal centre of the nutmeg trade*) These tumultuous events also explain how several islands in the Maluku archipelago came to harbour cosmopolitan societies where spice traders from different backgrounds established settlements and enclaves.

It can easily be understood that these outposts far from the mother countries often attracted rather desperate and avaricious characters and it was this special mix that created a fascinating history. What makes our Seatrek sailing adventures through Maluku so interesting is that traces of this colorful past can still be found everywhere ….

AMBON TO BANDA ISLANDS SAILING AND DIVING CRUISES WITH MATAHARIKU LUXURY SAILING PHINISI BOAT

Itinerary:
Day 1 : Transfer on the boat where the crew and a welcome drink are waiting for you. After getting accustomed to the boat and depending on the arrival time, we will dive Twilight Zone, amazing place that will surprise you with its endemic fauna, wonderpuss, sea horses, star gazer, frog fish… Coffee, tea and biscuits will wait for us before sunset drinks and dinner are served.

Day 2 : A light breakfast will be served before our first dive, Ship Wreck, Dutch cargo, schooling fishes and scorpion fish family guaranteed. Back on board, a real breakfast awaits us. The second dive will take place in Twilight Zone to enjoy again this particular fauna. After lunch and a nap, the third dive will take us to Aviation Jetty, frog fish, demon scorpion fish, Xeno crab, Coleman shrimp… We will then sail to Nusa Laut.

Day 3 : Same program. We will do our three dives on the incredible reef in front of the village of Ameth, Nusa Laut. The coral garden is beautiful and spectacular, huge acropora tables, schooling fishes and the opportunity to see big fishes such as Spanish mackerels, marbled rays or hammerhead sharks. Very nice!!! We will sail overnight to Pulau Suangi.

Day 4 : Same program. We will dive twice on Pulau Suangi, full of life with the opportunity to see big fishes again such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays, barracudas, dog tooth tunas… At the surface, the island shelters hundreds of birds. We will then sail to the Banda Islands where we do our third dive at sunset in the harbor of Banda Neira to see mandarin fishs, Spanish dancers, pipe fishs…

Day 5 : We will stay around Banda Neira; the first dive is planned in Lava Flow, Gunung Api. After the 1988 eruption of the volcano Gunung Api, the coral garden has recovered at an incredible pace. Then, we will go on land to visit a spice plantation, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemongrass… The second dive will take us to Batu Kapal and its pinnacles recovered with gorgonian fans and barrel sponges.

Day 6: After a light breakfast, we will be back to Batu Kapal to dive the other side of the reef then Pohon Miring to see the underwater window and Hole in the Wall in Hatta Island. We will navigate overnight to Koon Island.

Day 7: We will dive three times Koon, walls, overhangs, caves, coral bommies, huge barrel sponges… The underwater life attached to the reef has given the name of Too Many Fishes to the dive site : we will see big fishs such as Queensland groupers, tiger sharks, dolphins, schooling fishes everywhere, sail fin and yellow snappers, fusiliers, big eye trevallies… And also macro life : leaf scorpion fish, ribbon eel, ghost pipe fish… This place is simply magic!

Day 8: Nagivation to Ambon Island

Day 9: Arrive in Ambon Island by lat afternoon and overnight onboard.

Day 10: Transfer from Matahariku Boat to Ambon airport and fly back to Bali or your next destination.

Rates :
Cruising
Normal Cabin : USD 250/person/day twin share
Master Cabin : USD 290/person/day twin share

Diving
Normal Cabin : USD 350/person/day twin share
Master Cabin : USD 390person/day twin share

Rates included:
- All airport pick up and transfer
- English, German and Dutch Speaking Cruise Director
- All Meals onboard
- Entrance Fees in the Park
- Refreshments ( Aqua, Coffee, Tea and Soft Drinks )
- All Land Tours and Trekking
- Diving for Diving Rates ( Max 04 Dives a day )
- All Snorkeling Equipments

Rates Excluded :
- Return air tickets
- Airport Porters and Airport Taxes
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Tipping for Crews, Cruise Director and Skipper
- Komodo Conservation Fees @USD 30/person
- Laundry, Phone Call, Internet and any personal expenses

For Cruises Schedule, please contact us!