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Banda Sea Liveaboards
Top Dive Trip Options and Travel Information
The Banda Sea is located in the central region of Indonesia and was once known for its lucrative spice trade where foreigners came from all over the world to trade in that most valuable of commodities, nutmeg. The Spice islands are full of historical significance and you can visit old Dutch forts and learn all about the history of this once great trading route. Nowadays the region is attracting overseas visitors for very different reasons. The waters of Banda and Ambon promise riches beyond the wildest dreams of many 'big name' dive destinations worldwide.
Limited human impact has left the reefs in great health, and the rich waters that they lie in are home to an unbelievable array of life. There are the small and beautiful macro creatures that are more often seen around Ambon, such as the scorpionfish which carries its name. You will see big numbers of pelagic fish, most notably impressive numbers of Napoleon wrasse, dog-toothed tuna and squadrons of mobula rays at sites throughout the Banda Islands area. And the schools of fish in the Banda Sea need to be seen to be believed. If you luck is in then you can find yourself diving with schooling hammerheads - a sight not easily forgotten!
Banda Islands highlights include sites like Batu Kapal, Gunung Api and Batu Belanda. Further out into the Banda Sea you will dive in spots such as Koon Island, Nusa Laut, and the critter haven of Ambon. [More details on these dive sites: Banda Islands].
Liveaboard Diving Safari Options in the Banda Sea
• The Banda Islands Trips
Because the Banda Sea is located centrally in Indonesia’s vast diving area, it borders many other wonderful diving regions. That means that liveaboard trips to the Banda Sea often include other areas in their itinerary. Unlike other areas like Komodo and Raja Ampat where boats tend to follow 1 or 2 established routes, no two Banda Sea liveaboard trips are ever the same!
Most of these trips run for around 10 to 12 nights' duration and will allow you to sample the wonderful diving in Banda, as well as its neighbouring regions. The iIslands are popular with experienced divers looking for new, world-class locations for their next liveaboard charter. Due to its remote location, this tends to be an area favoured by higher quality boats.
You can choose from routes such as Ambon, Banda, The Forgotten Islands & Alor; Flores & Banda Islands; Banda, Flores & Alor; Banda Sea & Triton Bay; and Banda Sea & Forgotten Islands to name just a few. See our dedicated Transit Trips section for more details.
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Komodo, Trit...
- Cabins have private en-suite bat...
- ENOS diver locator devices
- Dedicated restaurant, camera & c...
- Large, spacious boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Komodo, Band...
- All cabins with private bathroom...
- 24 hour satellite Wi-Fi internet...
- Complimentary laundry service
- Designated dry camera room, came...
- Large, steel-hulled boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih,...
- All cabins have ensuite bathroom...
- Dedicated air-conditioned restau...
- Complimentary glass of wine with...
- Large boat with masseuse, video/...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- Seaview cabin options with priva...
- Scuba equipment rental included ...
- Cabins have private bathrooms
- Paddleboards onboard
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Cruises Komodo, Raja Ampat, Band...
- All cabins have en-suite private...
- Camera room, rebreather friendly...
- Individual diver locator devices...
- Free spirits and beer
- Paddleboards, waterskis and wake...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda...
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms, ...
- Cabin for single traveller
- Most cabins have seaview windows...
- Spacious, steel-hulled liveaboar...
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda...
- Komodo cruises use port in Bali
- Cabins with en-suite private bat...
- 2 saloons on board
- Steel hulled boat
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, Su...
- Complimentary nitrox for certifi...
- Cabins with ensuite bathrooms
- Air-conditioned restaurant
- Wet room with table for cameras,...
- Sea kayaks onboard
Customer rating: Excellent!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Banda Sea & K...
- All cabins have ensuite bathroom...
- Dedicated camera room with editi...
- Spacious, fast, luxury aluminium...
Customer rating: Very good!
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Halmahera, B...
- All cabins with private ensuite ...
- Dedicated camera room, table, ri...
- Sea kayaks for guest use
Customer rating: Very good!
- Maximum of 8 guests
- Year round Raja Ampat liveaboard...
- Short, affordable cruises
- Small dive groups
- Cabins with shared bathrooms
Customer rating: Very good!
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Alor,...
- Large cabins with ensuite bathro...
- Maximum capacity of only 14 gues...
- Spacious, traditional Phinisi sc...
Customer rating: Very good!
- Visits Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda...
- Cabins with en-suite bathrooms
- Small dive groups and flexible i...
- Specialist photography and explo...
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat and th...
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- Unlimited diving, day and night
- Cabins have en-suite bathroom
- Large boat with spa, camera room...
Customer rating: Good
- Cruises Raja Ampat, Komodo & Ban...
- All cabins have private bathroom...
- Cabins with seaview windows
- Spacious dining and relaxation a...
- Up to 4 guides on board
- No hidden extras
Customer rating: Good
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- Pioneer in remote regions
- Superb and spacious customised d...
- All cabins have private en-suite...
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Raja Ampat, Komodo, Banda...
- Suites with private en-suite bat...
- Dive The World Gold Range produc...
- Cameras: table, rinse tanks, air...
- 2 single bed rooms for solo trav...
- Steel hulled boat
Customer rating: Good
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Halma...
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms
- Jacuzzi, paddleboards, jetski on...
- Complimentary laundry service
- Large steel hull yacht
Customer rating: Average
- Cruises mostly Komodo, also Alor...
- Maximum of 8 guests only, with 1...
- Cabins with private bathrooms an...
- Use of Nautilus LifeLine
- Large luxury boat with 2 indoor ...
Customer rating: Average
- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat and th...
- ENOS Diver Locator System
- Cabins above the waterline with ...
- All cabins have en-suite bathroo...
- Park fees included
- Large phinisi schooner
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- Liveaboard trips throughout Indo...
- All cabins have private en-suite...
- Special menus for dietary requir...
- Onboard laundry service
- Inclusive price policy
- Large phinisi schooner
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- Specialises in Raja Ampat diving...
- Global award-winning liveaboard
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms, ...
- Open Water Diver courses availab...
- Kayaks and paddleboards
- Large phinisi with spa, camera r...
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- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda...
- Maximum of 12 guests only
- Cabins have en-suite bathroom an...
- Complimentary beer and wine
- Massage and spa treatment area
- Large boat with camera room
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- Cruises to Komodo, Raja Ampat & ...
- Classic Borneo tallship
- En-suite cabins
- Maximum of only 12 guests
- No hidden extras
- Small dive groups
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- Cruises Komodo, Raja Ampat, Band...
- All cabins have private bathroom...
- Upper deck cabins have seaviews ...
- Sea kayaks, massage and laundry ...
- Large luxurious boat
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- Maximum of only 14 guests
- Visits Komodo and Raja Ampat
- Short, affordable cruises
- Toured Komodo for over 14 years
- Small dive groups
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- Visits Komodo and Raja Ampat
- All cabins have private bathroom...
- Paddle board & Kayak activities
- Passenger substitution allowed
- Large phinisi schooner for max. ...
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- Visits Komodo, Raja Ampat and th...
- Large luxury yacht with spa and ...
- Cabins have en-suite bathrooms
- Accompanying dive boat
- Yoga classes
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- Cruises Raja Ampat, Banda Sea
- ENOS tracking devices for divers...
- All cabins have ensuite bathroom...
- Stand-up paddleboard and kayaks
- Large boat
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- Includes Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, ...
- Most cabins have ensuite bathroo...
- Dedicated camera room
- 4 dive tenders
- Satellite internet
- Large, steel-hulled boat purpose...
Key Banda Travel Facts
The Climate, Diving Season and Best Time to Visit
Liveaboard cruises in the Banda Islands and Banda Sea are usually scheduled for the calmer weather periods in March, April, and from the September to December, in order to avoid rough seas.
Water temperatures are pretty consistent at these times (26-29°C). Visibility will be at its best (15-30m) in the September-December window.
Liveaboard Ports of Departure and How to Get There
Banda Islands liveaboard cruises depart from a range of ports. Trips beginning in the Banda Islands use Ambon as the departure port. You can reach Ambon from Jakarta, Bali (often via Ujung Pandang) and Manado. Banda & Raja Ampat cruises will use Sorong to begin or end the trip. You can fly to Sorong direct from Bali, Jakarta, or via Ujung Pandang or Manado. A variety of other ports may be used, depending on the route. They include Maumere, Saumlaki, Kaimana and Kalabahi.
You can view which ports the various boats use on their trips in the 'Departures & Prices' section of each boat's web page. We will send you full departure details during the booking process. Whichever ports your boat uses, normally the boat operator provides a transfer to the boat from the local airport or hotels (if you overnight beforehand).
Most people fly into Indonesia to Jakarta (Java), Manado (Sulawesi) or Denpasar (Bali). More information on: how to get to Indonesia.
We recommend you take out insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive quotation:
Places to Stay
If you plan on staying in Indonesia before or after your Banda liveaboard diving safari, you can find a large range of accommodation options at hotelscombined.com, our affiliated hotel reservation specialists. Browse their website, use their on-line chat to ask questions, then simply use your credit card to make your booking:
All bookings carry a 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get top-dollar value for money.
Useful References
- Banda Islands dive sites
- Diving videos
- Banda Islands - a brief history
- Map of Ambon & Banda Islands
- Frequently asked questions
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS OF DIVE THE WORLD
... The website is very informative. The biggest service and help is Dive-The-World putting together all the liveaboards that meet our criteria and are available on our dates, with the costs. Also the follow-up with boats that might not be available when we first enquire but subsequently have vacancies. ... -- Beena Sorab, India. [More customer reviews]
