Experience
Leisurely cruise the seas and islands from Maumere, located on the eastern coast of Flores Island, to Ambon, a fertile, mountainous island that lies off the southwest coast of Seram Island on the north side of the Banda Sea. Cloaked in tropical rainforest, Ambon Island is part of a chain of volcanic islands on the northern side of the world famous Banda Islands – a region of Indonesia that is the subject of many books, stories and songs. Today they are well known not only for their history but also for their breathtaking landscape, incredible marine life and astonishing coral reef.
Itinerary
Day 1 and 2: Ambon to Nusa Laut
Arrive in Ambon where you will be met by the Alila Purnama crew and be transferred by car and speedboat to the vessel. Following a general briefing by the Cruise Director to familiarise you with the vessel and its safety procedures, we cast off and cruise towards Nusa Laut Island.
Day 3 and 4: Banda Neira
Banda Neira, once the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, is now a colourful town facing the still smoking Gunung Api volcano. Here you will have the chance to visit an old and still operational nutmeg plantation; walk around colonial buildings, Banda Fortress and rusting cannons; and go for an incredible mug dive in the bay or Batu Kapal, a submerged rock, or just outside the bay to see the corals, gorgonian fields, marbled rays and groupers that populate this area. You’ll also have the opportunity not only to dive and snorkel in the beautiful water, but also to take a walk into the village to experience the magic of this archipelago and the small islands of Suanggi where thousands of sea birds nest. Alila Purnama will sail through a stunning passage of green trees, rocks, white beaches, volcanos, colourful local boats and houses – a truly spectacular panorama.
Day 5: Nil Desperandum
Nil Desperandum, meaning “don’t despair”, possibly referring to a ship wrecked here centuries ago. It is a big atoll with very deep drop-offs where schooling sharks, hammerheads and silky and grey reef sharks can be spotted in the deep waters.
Day 6 and 7: Romang & Terbang
Romang and Terbang Islands offer unspoiled reefs for a great diving experience. At Romang, rainbow-coloured soft corals and a myriad of hard corals dominate the landscape, while sandy slopes feature soft corals and plenty of tiny creatures such as ghost pipe and bumphead parrotfish.
Day 8: Wetar
Perfect visibility makes diving around the Wetar islands and Ring of Fire an absolutely amazing experience. Meet big Napoleon wrasse and hammerhead sharks, and at around 10 metres, the sea is covered entirely with table coral gardens.
Day 9: Alor Strait
The straits of Alor are rated by all divers to be amongst the best dive destinations in the world. All the dive sites in the area have outstanding underwater biodiversity with a number of different coral species and strong currents that attract big fish like white tips, huge grey reef sharks, tuna, grouper, sunfish, manta rays, and whale sharks.
Day 10: Lembata
Lembata Island is known throughout the world as the home of traditional whaling but lesser known is the rich culture of the local people. The scenery throughout the island is breathtaking, from the imposing Ile Ape volcano and the palm-fringed bays to the colourful, bustling local markets that sell traditional ikat weavings made entirely from homegrown cotton that’s spun and dyed by the weaver.
Day 11: Komba
Komba Island is a small isolated and completely uninhabited island located in the Banda Sea, home to the Batu Tara volcano. Clear water, fish-filled walls and diving beneath Komba’s active volcano round out this great dive spot.
Day 12: Maumere
Maumere diving has many interesting topographical formations like gorgonian fans and swarming fish make this a really unique dive. On the last day, activities will depend on your flight time. Alila Purnama and her crew who will escort you until Maumere airport and assist with your departure.