Ambon
Day 1
The beauty of Tulehu Harbor will be the starting point for your adventurous cruise to the beauty of the Banda Islands. Ambon is easily reached by domestic flight from Bali, and upon arrival at the airport, our crew will welcome you and accompany you to the ship. Upon boarding, you will be greeted with a welcome drink and a short tour to get to know the ship’s facilities. After a safety briefing, the scenic cruise begins, taking you through the spectacular surrounding scenery. Enjoy sensational local cuisine created by our chefs, and experience the authentic flavors of the region along the way.
Pulau Suanggi and Pulau Nailaka
Day 2
Imagine waking up in the morning amidst amazing natural beauty. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we were ready to start our first dive on Suanggi Island, where schools of large fish swim across the clear waters. Suanggi Island is a small Maluku archipelago island with dense forests that add to its charm. After this underwater exploration, we sailed to Nailaka Island for two more spectacular dives. Here, the steep slopes of the reef are filled with beautiful coral and a variety of marine life, including sharks that swim freely in the tropical waters. Nailaka Island also has white sandy beaches and stunning clear blue water. After diving, enjoy a mouth-watering lunch, a relaxing afternoon on the beach or have fun with water sports such as rowing and kayaking. We will anchor here for the night, giving you a restful night in this tropical paradise.
Pulau Run
Day 3
Our first destination today is Run Island, one of the smallest but most historic islands in the Banda Islands. In the 17th century, the island became an export center for valuable nutmeg and mace. Beneath the clear water’s surface, there is a very healthy coral reef, home to large schools of Bumphead Parrot fish that are a sight to behold. On the Princes coral reef, you’ll also find another wonder: the rare Pygmy Seahorse, hidden among hundreds of species of colorful sponges. After enjoying the dive, lunch is ready on the boat, accompanied by a calm cruise to Ai Island. We will arrive there at night and anchor for the night. Enjoy relaxing time sunbathing, reading your favorite book on the deck, or simply soaking up the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Pulau Ai
Day 4
This very relaxing island has only one village. We can visit the village, where the friendly local residents will happily show you around their nutmeg and almond plantations. There are good diving spots here which are also very suitable for snorkelling and enjoying the natural sea. We found an unspoiled coral garden with a large and beautiful fish collection here. It’s also a great place to see whales and pods of dolphins migrating across the ocean. Today we will enjoy a sunset dive at the Banda pier where we can observe the mating ritual of small colored mandarin fish, a very rare and special phenomenon. We sailed to Banana Island.
Pulau Pisang
Day 5
Now we are in the middle of the VOC’s historic spice route, where the once very valuable and global spice trade occurred. Here, fascinating traces of history await to be discovered. We’ll explore the local town, visit an ancient VOC cemetery, and see Fort Belgica—a large and majestic fortress built in the 17th century to protect the nutmeg trade. From the peak, enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Banda Islands, which are charmful. We will also see the nutmeg trees that still grow here and walk among historical relics such as well-preserved colonial houses. After returning to the ship, a delicious lunch has been prepared, and in the afternoon we will enjoy a diving session in the waters of Banda Besar with the majestic Volcano as a backdrop. It’s a journey full of memories from the past that live in every corner.
Pulau Hatta
Day 6
Today we will enjoy the beauty of Hatta Island, a charming remote island with extraordinary snorkelling and diving spots. Here, you can go on an adventure in the tropical jungle or relax on a quiet white sandy beach. This island truly gives you an authentic ‘back to basics’ experience. The coral reef is unique, with swimming lanes formed naturally through openings in the coral roof. As you pass through the hole, a short current will take you to a magnificent coral garden, full of color and marine life. Watch leaf fish hide among the soft corals and spot rare dwarf seahorses. The adventure continues to Karang Hatta, where large schools of hammerhead sharks are often seen on the outer reaches. After a day of adventure, you will be welcomed aboard a luxury ship to rest and enjoy a sumptuous dinner under a star-studded sky. In the evening, the ship sails to its next destination, Nusa Laut.
Nusa Laut
Day 7
In the morning, we arrived at Nusa Laut, a small island full of charm in the Ambon Archipelago. The island is filled with colonial-style villages that take you back in time. We will visit Fort Beverwijk, a historic fort important in the story of the Netherlands and the VOC. Our guide will show you around, revealing the interesting stories that make the history of this place so alive. Nusa Laut is also a paradise for divers, with natural coral reefs rich in marine life. Here, you can see reef sharks, turtles and large Bumphead Parrotfish. The diverse marine life makes you feel like you are in an infinite underwater world. We will do at least two dives here and probably more. The coral reefs around this island are very well maintained and protected by the people of Amet village. Meanwhile, enjoy a relaxing time on board with delicious local dishes prepared by our chefs to delight your taste buds.
Return to the harbour of Ambon
Day 8
Enjoy your last day on board, while reflecting on all the wonderful memories you have experienced along this journey. When leaving this paradise, our crew will be ready to help you pack your bags and take you to the airport for your return journey, ensuring a smooth and pleasant farewell.
