Saumlaki to Ambon Banda Sea Liveaboard Expedition

• 11 days / 10 nights on board in an en-suite, air-conditioned cabin
• 3 or 4 dives a day plus land excursions
• Full board: 4 meals a day plus snacks
• Nitrox for certified divers
• Dive tanks and weights
• Kayaks, stand-up paddleboard and snorkel gear
• Non-alcoholic drinks, including espresso and cappuccino
• Starlink Wi-Fi
• Two-way airport or hotel transfer to the harbour (Saumlaki and Ambon)

Day 1: Saumlaki embarkation
Pick-up at the airport or your hotel and transfer to the harbour. Settle in, set up your dive gear and join the welcome briefing before the boat heads out into the Banda Sea. No diving today.

Day 2: Dai Islands
Three dives on dramatic walls and healthy coral in very clear water, with schooling pelagics and busy reef life. Example sites: Red Manuk, Dai wall.

Day 3: Nil Desperandum
Three dives at one of the most remote areas of the Banda Sea: steep walls, deep blue drop-offs, big schools of fish and, with luck, hammerhead sharks. Example sites: ND North wall, The Corner.

Day 4: Serua
Three dives around a remote volcanic island with steep slopes, healthy coral, dense schools of reef fish and passing pelagics, including possible hammerheads. Example sites: Serua wall, Sesi Meti.

Day 5: Manuk
Four dives at an active volcano, with black sand slopes, bubbling fumaroles, soft corals and large schools of fish hunted by predators. Example sites: Infinity, Bubble Reef, Coconut Ridge.

Day 6: Hatta Islands
Four dives on colourful reefs in clear water, ideal for wide-angle, with hammerheads possible. Example sites: Tanjung Buton, Karang Hatta, Hole in the wall.

Day 7: Banda Islands
Four dives on colourful reefs plus a visit ashore to Fort Belgica, the heritage fort overlooking Banda Neira. Example sites: Pohon Miring, Batu Kapal Pinnacle, BK ridge.

Day 8: Ai and Run Islands
Four dives on healthy reefs and dramatic underwater landscapes, with a chance of hammerheads. Example sites: Ai Wall, Drop Off, Nailaka slope.

Day 9: Suanggi
Three dives at a remote volcanic seamount with rich coral, dense fish life and often a final hammerhead opportunity. Example sites: Jakpot, Suanggi south, Suanggi north wall.

Day 10: Nusa Laut
The final diving day, with one or two dives on clear-water coral reefs. Example sites: Ameth drop off, Pulau Pombo.

Day 11: Ambon disembarkation
Breakfast, farewells to the crew and transfer to the airport or your hotel in Ambon.

• AIDA
• Apnea Academy
• Apnea Total
• CMAS
• FII
• Molchanovs
• PADI
• PFI
• RAID
• SSI
• NAUI
• SDI
• ADIP

• English

Click to view the location.

Mathilda Batlayeri Airport Saumlaki or your hotel in Saumlaki, with transfer to the harbour. Embarkation 06:00 to 12:00 on day 1. At the end of the trip, transfer from the harbour in Ambon to the airport or your hotel (disembarkation 05:00 to 09:00).

Requirements

• Advanced Open Water certification (PADI AOW, CMAS Level 2 or similar) with at least 30 logged sea dives and a dive within the last 12 months. Divers with lower certification may join only under special coaching arranged with the operator.
• Proof of certification, including Nitrox certification if you plan to dive Nitrox.
• Dive insurance is mandatory; travel insurance is strongly recommended.
• Valid passport and visa, a signed liability release and a Guest Information Form submitted at least one month before departure, including any medical conditions.

Mandatory fees

• Marine park and harbour fees: $45 (EUR 40) per person per night, $445 (EUR 400) per person for this 10-night trip, paid on board in cash, by card or by transfer in EUR, USD or IDR. Fees may change up to three months before departure.

Optional extras

• Single occupancy: 60% surcharge on the per-person rate.
• Third guest sharing a cabin: 25% of the adult rate up to 11 years, 50% for 12 to 17 years, 75% from 18 years.
• Private charter of the whole boat: from $31,164 (EUR 28,000) for up to 6 guests.
• Dive courses: PADI Advanced Open Water $362 (EUR 325), AOWD training $334 (EUR 300), PADI Open Water (online theory) $345 (EUR 310), PADI Open Water (with theory) $434 (EUR 390), Discover Dive $78 (EUR 70), Nitrox certification $167 (EUR 150). Subject to instructor availability; request at booking.
• Equipment rental: BCD $11 (EUR 10) per diving day, regulator $11 (EUR 10) per diving day, dive computer $11 (EUR 10) per day, wetsuit $6 (EUR 5) per diving day, dive torch $6 (EUR 5) per diving day, 15 L tank $6 (EUR 5) per diving day, fins $6 (EUR 5) per day. Rental is available in limited quantities and must be requested at booking.
• Crew gratuities: about 10% of the cruise rate is suggested.
• Alcoholic drinks are sold on board.

Not included

Domestic and international flights; marine park and harbour fees; dive insurance (mandatory); travel insurance; crew gratuities; dive equipment rental; dive courses; private dive guide; snorkeling guide; alcoholic beverages.

Life happens, so we keep cancellations simple. Enjoy free cancellation for 14 days from the time of booking, or find an equally qualified replacement up to 30 days before your departure.