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Overview

Banda Neira & Misool Diving Cruise (Sorong to Ambon)
Teluk Ambon, Kota Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia
Oct 18 - 29, 2026
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Java Travel USA
$5,300
Deposit: $1,590

About your trip

Cruise Highlights

  • Diving near the underwater volcano

  • Opportunity to see the migration of hammerhead sharks and other large pelagic

  • Visit to historical Spice Islands

  • Visit to the Portuguese fortress and old town

  • Opportunity to see Mandarin fish

  • Diving in remote areas / pristine reef

  • World-class diving in Misool

  • BBQ on secluded beaches

  • Kayaking in the lagoons of Raja Ampat

  • 33+ dives

Accommodation:

  • 4 double convertible to twin cabins.

  • One twin cabin.

  • Each cabin equipped with ensuite bathroom, AC, charging station, fans.

  • Daily housekeeping.

  • Towels and bedding changed 2 times a trip.

Common areas:

  • Large communal area on the main deck with comfortable sofas and dining table.

  • Sundeck (can be shaded) with sun beds and sofa for comfortable sunning and stargazing.

  • Dive deck at the back of the boat.

  • 2 speedboats for comfortable diving adventures.

Daily Routine

6 am - Light Breakfast

7 am - First Dive

8 am - Breakfast

11 am - Second Dive

1.30 pm - Lunch

4 pm - Snack

5 pm - Third Dive

7 pm - Dinner and free time or

7 pm - Night Dive

8.30 pm - Dinner

This is a sample itinerary. Each cruise is unique; navigation and dive sites may vary slightly due to weather conditions and visibility.

What's included

Accommodation

double-bed or twin-bed cabin

Full board

including all soft drinks, coffee, tea

Dives

3 daily guided dives (for diving cruises only) + night dives depending on the itinerary. All the dives are subject to weather conditions and transit time. 80 cf tank (12 liters), and weight belt.

Land excursions

depending on the safari program

Transfer

from the airport to the boat and back to the nearest airport

Standard medical supplie

Kayaks and SUB-boards

Emergency breathing O2

Daily housekeeping

Starlink Wi-Fi

What's not included

Park Fees

$250 pp

Flights

Transit hotel

Gear

Courses

Use of satellite phone

Crew Gratuities

10% of the cruise rate suggested

Cancellation fee

Dive insurance

Alcoholic beverages

Nitrox

Day 1

Day 1 image

Sorong - Pulau Matan

Diving: 2 dives

  • Matan (Check Dive): A calm, shallow site ideal for equipment checks and buoyancy control. Spot reef fish, nudibranchs, and coral bommies.

  • Matan by Night: Discover nocturnal creatures like crustaceans, hunting moray eels, and bioluminescence among coral rubble.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Welcome Briefing & Departure: Board in Sorong at 9:00 AM. Receive warm greetings, safety protocols, and get introduced to your floating home before departure.

  • Overnight Navigation: Set sail south toward Misool through glassy seas, with towering limestone islets passing by under golden hour skies.

Day 2

Day 2 image

Misool – Daram & Wayilbatan

Diving: 3 dives + night dive

  • Andiamo: A fish-covered ridge swept by currents, where barracudas and bumphead parrotfish roam. Fantastic soft coral displays.

  • Candy Store: Named for its overwhelming color and life — dense anthias clouds, vivid corals, and excellent macro sightings.

  • Anti-chovy: A lively reef with swirling baitballs, trevallies, and hunting jacks. Expect high fish density and action-packed moments.

  • Wedding Cake: Tiers of hard and soft coral rise like a layered cake. Watch for turtles and colorful reef fish gliding between layers.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Evening Chill: Unwind with fresh juice or wine on deck, soaking in panoramic sunset views and a star-strewn night sky.

Day 3

Day 3 image

Misool – Wayilbatan

Diving: 3 dives + land excursion

  • Four Kings: Four underwater pinnacles teeming with life. Giant trevallies, snappers, and batfish circle dense coral-covered spires.

  • Barracuda Rock: Excellent visibility and frequent sightings of swirling barracudas, reef sharks, and patrolling groupers.

  • Neptune Fan Sea: A dive among lush sea fans and soft coral walls. Home to pygmy seahorses, flatworms, and pipefish.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Hike to Love Lagoon Viewpoint: Short but rewarding jungle trek to a panoramic heart-shaped lagoon.

  • Barbecue: Sunset dining — grilled seafood, music, and stories under the stars.

Day 4

Day 4 image

Misool – Boo & Yilliet Besar

Diving: 3 dives + night dive

  • Yuliet: Pristine reef slope with lively fish action and hard coral gardens. Great for turtles, sweetlips, and the occasional mobula.

  • Tank Rock: A current-swept underwater ridge with big pelagic sightings and excellent coral growth.

  • Boo East: Swim through the iconic “windows” in the reef wall, surrounded by glassfish and patrolling jacks

  • Yilliet Besar: Colorful overhangs and rich macro life make this site a favorite for photographers.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Kayaking: kayak or paddleboard near the limestone karsts (optional).

Day 5

Day 5 image

Misool – Fiabacet

Diving: 3 dives

  • Magic Mountain: One of Raja Ampat’s top sites. Possible encounters with manta rays, wobbegongs, and huge schools of fish.

  • Boo Window: Swim through holes in the reef and marvel at sea fans and clouds of anthias in the current.

  • Nudi Rock: A pinnacle shaped like a nudibranch, full of macro life including nudis, pygmy seahorses, and ribbon eels.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Overnight Crossing: Rest and enjoy the overnight crossing to Pulau Koon. Stargazing on the sundeck is highly recommended.

Day 6

Day 6 image

Pulau Koon

Diving: 2 dives

  • Koon 1: A sloping reef with nutrient-rich currents drawing in snapper, emperors, and the occasional hammerhead shark.

  • Koon 2: Rich coral gardens with swirling schools of fusiliers and jacks — ideal for wide-angle photography.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Navigation to Banda: Relaxation day with optional snorkeling, birdwatching, or deck yoga during surface intervals.

Day 7

Day 7 image

Banda Neira & Pulau Hatta

Diving: 3 dives + night dive

  • Karang Hatta: Wall dive dropping into the Banda Trench. Pelagic encounters with tuna, barracuda, and reef sharks.

  • Pohon Miring: Known for beautiful overhangs and barrel sponges, often with cleaning stations.

  • Lava Flow: Unique coral growth from historic lava flows; shallow yet bursting with juvenile fish and hard corals.

  • Mandarin City: Twilight dive with mandarin fish performing elaborate mating dances among coral rubble.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Watch the Banda Islands come into view — a surreal blend of volcanic peaks and colonial architecture.

Day 8

Day 8 image

Banda Neira Exploration

Diving: 2 dives + cultural tour

  • Batu Kapal Pinnacle: A lone rock in deep water attracting big schools and pelagic visitors.

  • Batu Kapal: Steep reef walls teeming with hard corals, anthias, and occasional blacktip reef sharks.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Fort Belgica & Nutmeg Tour: Visit 17th-century Dutch forts, nutmeg plantations, and learn the region’s spice trade history.

  • Local Market Walk: A sensory experience — spices, fabrics, and warm smiles from Banda's friendly locals.

Day 9

Day 9 image

Pulau Suanggi

Diving: 3 dives

  • Suanggi 1: Pristine coral slopes with large groupers, napoleons, and schools of bumphead parrotfish.

  • Suanggi 2: A current-rich site that attracts hunting jacks and barracuda. Keep your eyes out for mobulas.

  • Suanggi 3: Colorful walls with big sponges and swirling reef fish. Ideal for drift diving enthusiasts.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Beach exploration: finding unexplored beaches in the area.

  • Scenic cruising and marine birdwatching from the bow.

Day 10

Day 10 image

Pulau Run

Diving: 3 dives + night dive

  • Tanjung Nored: Healthy reef crest with schools of snapper and resident reef sharks.

  • New Manhattan: A nod to history — coral-covered reef walls once traded by the Dutch for NYC.

  • Run Wall: Deep wall with dramatic drop-offs, sea fans, and turtle encounters.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Snorkelling: Optional visit to the beach or snorkeling over shallow reef flats.

Day 11

Day 11 image

Pulau Ai

Diving: 2 dives

  • Batu Payong: Rocky underwater formations with strong coral growth and great visibility.

  • Batu Udang: Gentle slopes with both macro and wide-angle potential; schools of snapper and fusiliers common.

Non-Diving Activities

  • Getting ready for departure: Rest, pack, and prepare for disembarkation during overnight crossing to Ambon.

Day 12

Day 12 image

Ambon – Disembarkation

  • Breakfast onboard: Say goodbye to the crew and fellow divers.

  • Disembarkation between 8:30–11:00 AM. Early disembarkation available upon request.

Location

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1. Teluk Ambon, Kota Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia

Teluk Ambon, Kota Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia

About your organizer

At Java Travel, we believe that travel should be more than just a vacation — it should be a story worth telling. We specialize in personalized, meaningful travel experiences for individuals, couples, families, and small groups. From tropical escapes in the Caribbean to faith-based itineraries, bucket-list cruises, and diving adventures, we help travelers explore the world with ease, confidence, and intention. 🌐 Explore our blog: JavaTravelUSA.com/blog 📩 Let’s plan something unforgettable: eva@javatravelusa.com

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