Most people who make the decision to come to Indonesia, to do a liveaboard at the epicentre of the world marine biodiversity, have a specific destination in mind. Some come for Komodo, others Raja Ampat or the Banda Islands. Many of the liveaboard cruises that focus on these areas deliver a stunning experience and are undoubtedly the best way to see the whole of that region. However, there are other options…
When seasonal changes make it wise for a liveaboard to relocate between 2 of the bigger regions, unique ‘transit trips’ arise. The port of departure and the port of arrival may be in completely different parts of Indonesia. This means that the line-up of dive sites in between promises a very unusual and interesting combination of scuba diving. This may include some sites that are seldom, or possibly never before, dived. For example, between Raja Ampat and Komodo seasons, you might find an unusual itinerary like Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & Alor or Banda Islands & Flores.
Some liveaboards prefer to move around the archipelago more than others. These boats do not stay put in any given region for months on end. Instead their schedule is full of interesting trips that sample the delights of several different sub-destinations and cover a huge area of water between ports. A few of the more eye-catching routes out there include Ambon, Banda Islands, The Forgotten Islands & Alor; Ternate, Lembeh & Manado, Raja Ampat & Halmahera; and even Raja Ampat & Lembeh Strait. [More details on these dive sites: Indonesia].
The classic transit trips in Indonesia include trips that allow liveaboards to relocate seasonally between Raja Ampat and Komodo, such as Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, the Forgotten Islands & Alor. These trips can be found by looking through the liveaboard schedules during the change of seasons. In April and May several boats relocate from Raja Ampat to Komodo, and they relocate again in the opposite direction in October and November.
Another common route between top spots is Raja Ampat to Ambon. These liveaboard trips can take place any time during the main Raja Ampat season. For some boats this means all year long, for others it means November to April. Other more unusual trips undertaken by Indonesian liveaboards that have a varied and far-reaching span of destinations can be found by browsing through the schedules, looking for the most exciting combination of regions.
Transit trips tend to be favoured by experienced and adventurous divers looking for something a little bit different. They often cover large areas so can be longer in terms of duration. It is not unusual for a transit trip to last anywhere between 9 and 14 nights.
> [More details: Transit Trips]
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Indonesia's climate is quite even throughout the year. Much of the country is covered in tropical rainforest so unsurprisingly heat, high humidity and rainfall are all likely to be experienced. Dry season is May to September and wet season October to April. Around the coastal areas you can expect even temperatures of around 28°C or 29°C.
You can find more specific regional conditions and seasonal information throughout our website on destination-specific pages.
Transit trips for Raja Ampat to Flores or Alor normally use ports in Sorong in West Papua, and Maumere on Flores or Kalabahi Bay on Alor. You can fly to Sorong direct from Bali, Jakarta, or via Ujung Pandang or Manado, and to Maumere or Alor direct from Surabaya, Bali and Kupang.
Transit trips involving Raja Ampat, Ambon & the Banda Islands use the ports of Sorong and Ambon. You can reach Ambon from Jakarta, Bali (often via Ujung Pandang) and Manado.
There are many other variations of transit trips. Check each boat's 'Departure Schedule & Prices' for port information - we'll provide full details after booking, and transfers from airports or hotels are typically included. Most visitors arrive in Indonesia through Jakarta (Java), Manado (Sulawesi) or Denpasar (Bali). More information on: how to get to Indonesia.
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