Experience
Embark on an 10-day adventure on the Banda Sea and Ceram Sea, from Ambon up to Raja Ampat or vice versa, leisurely cruising all the stunning dive sites and islands. Sail through stunning dives sites and islands on the Banda Sea and Ceram Sea, from Ambon to the archipelago of Raja Ampat, whose pristine environment has been described as the last paradise on earth.
Cloaked in tropical rainforest, Ambon Island is a fertile, mountainous island that lies off the southwest coast of Seram Island on the north side of the Banda Sea and is part of a chain of volcanic islands on the northern side of the world famous Banda Islands – a region of Indonesia that is the subject of many books, stories and songs.
Spanning more than 40,000 sq km of land and sea off the northwest tip of New Guinea in Indonesia’s West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or ‘the Four Kings’, comprises the four major islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, surrounded by over 1,500 small islands. Above the water, this remote region is no less stunning with its pristine beaches, hidden coves, unique flora, birds of paradise and a landscape of profound beauty.
Sample Itinerary*:
*Reverse itinerary for journey from Raja Ampat to Ambon
Day 1: Ambon
Arrive at Ambon airport where you will be met by the Alila Purnama crew and be transferred by car and speedboat to the vessel . Following an introduction and general briefing by the Cruise Director to familiarise you with the vessel and its safety procedures, you’ll enjoy cocktails as we set sail. Once we reach the bay of Ambon, you can indulge in a swim or a dive before we raise anchor again to cruise overnight towards Nusa Laut.
Day 2: Nusa Laut
Nusa Laut has beautiful reefs with rich marine diversity. Turtles, sharks, schooling trevallies and all types of reef fish make this a fantastic dive spot. On the surface, dolphins and pilot whales can often be observed frolicking in the water.
Day 3: Koon Island
Koon Island has an incredible reef with walls, slopes, overhangs, caves, huge sponges, and countless types of fish roaming its waters. It is one of the best dive sites for fish life in Indonesia, with regular large fish sightings.
Day 4 and 5: Misool
A prime dive spot on this journey, the reef on the site is rich in soft coral and sea fans. The dive guides guide you to look for creatures like the white frogfish, a resident wobbegong shark, a school of golden spadefish and stingrays sleeping on the tip of the reef. Sites like Fiabacet Pinnacle or Yillet can keep you occupied for hours, taking photos or just swimming the open waters, looking for creatures and starving at the marine biodiversity.
Day 6: Banda Island
Banda Islands provide a unique opportunity to go lava flow diving after the last eruption in 1988. After a second dive in Batu kapal where pinnacles covered with sea fans and sponges abound, the afternoon will be dedicated to some shore visits: the Fort Belgica and some spice plantations. Following a night dive, we set sail to Koon Island.
Day 7: Dampier Strait
Sardine Reef is one of the most classic dives in the Dampier Strait. Keep your eyes peeled for redtooth triggerfish and hundreds of schooling bannerfish off the reef.
Departure: Sorong
On the last day, activities will depend on your next flight and it will be time to bid farewell to Alila Purnama and her crew who will escort you until Maumere airport and assist with your departure.