Banda Sea Liveaboard with Adelaar: Dive With Hammerhead Sharks
Unveiling the Banda Sea: A Diver’s Sanctuary
Set off on an extraordinary journey with Adelaar, your luxury liveaboard gateway to the Banda Sea’s untouched splendor. Known as the ‘Forgotten Paradise,’ this remote gem offers a dive into history and biodiversity, surrounded by volcanic islands and an array of marine life. Explore vibrant coral gardens and rich historical sites in these pristine Indonesian waters.
Banda Sea Hammerhead Sharks Season
The Banda Sea’s unique location means it’s influenced by two main monsoon seasons. During the Northwest Monsoon (December to March), the region experiences the wet season with winds from the northwest, leading to increased rainfall. Conversely, the Southeast Monsoon (June to September) brings drier conditions with southeast winds. Consequently, the best times for diving in the Banda Sea are the intermonsoon periods (April to May and mid September to November). These transitional times offer calmer seas and clearer skies, making them ideal for exploring this marine paradise.
Encounter the Rich Marine Life
The Banda Sea’s dive sites are renowned for their unspoiled beauty and biodiversity. Encounter everything from majestic pelagic fish to schools of hammerhead sharks. Historical dive sites add a unique dimension, allowing you to explore relics from the past. Highlights include Gunung Api, known for its active underwater volcano, and the richly populated reefs around Ai and Hatta Islands. Each dive in the Banda Sea is a step into a vibrant underwater world, teeming with life and history.
Alor & The Banda Sea (Maumere – Ambon)
Day 1: Maumere
After boarding Adelaar in Maumere in the North of Flores, you will enjoy your first day on board whilst cruising eastwards along the Flores coast.
Day 2: Adonara
The submerged seamounts off Adonara are covered by a diverse mix of hard and soft corals. They provide shelter for a variety of reef fish and attract bigger predators such as jacks, tunas, and black tip and grey reef sharks. Juvenile silvertip sharks are often seen patrolling the typically clear blue water. (3 day dives)
Day 3: Pantar
We start the day with an adrenalin filled dive with the objective to see schooling hammerhead sharks, followed by a second morning dive on a stunning wall that is covered so completely in soft corals that we might get a sensory overload. The afternoon and night dive take place on a patch reef that is well known for harboring rhinopias. After the afternoon dive, we let the locals show us around their picturesque village. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 4: Pura
Today’s diving takes us on a unique site that is dominated by sheer endless carpets of anemones and regularly visited by thresher sharks and mola molas, a spectacularly beautiful hard coral reef, where one of the attractions is observing local freediving fishermen. The impressive big overhang hosts critters: clown frogfish, Pontoh’s pygmy seahorse or halimeda ghost pipefish can be found. Very likely Adelaar will be boarded in between dives by a group of local ikat weavers that offer their beautiful fabrics for purchase. (3 day dives)
Day 5: Wetar
After a night’s crossing we arrive in the morning in the Moluccas! Where we dive the walls and slopes of Reong and Wetar. Depending on the prevailing current they can be very rich in fish. Grey reef sharks, bamboo sharks, giant trevally, schooling big eyed jacks, rainbow runners and tunas are often seen here. On the quieter dives there are areas completely covered in zebra anemones. Looking closely, we may spot the beautiful but rare leopard shrimp that lives in symbiosis with them. We will set the sails as we start our journey into the heart of the Banda Sea. With a bit of luck, we may see some of the whales that migrate through these waters during this time of the year. (3 day dives)
Day 6: Gunung Api
Gunung Api simply means volcano in Indonesian. It is an old, lonely volcano that arises from the depth of the Banda Sea. It attracts a huge colony of resident seabirds above the waves, while under water the island is home to schools of jacks, surgeonfish, tunas, barracudas, and other pelagic fish species – as well as a lot of sea snakes. These venomous but unaggressive reptiles can be encountered on each dive around Gunung Api, sometimes in great numbers, which makes these dives absolutely unique. (4 day dives)
Day 7: Lucipara Maisel Archipelago
The Lucipara archipelago consists of several uninhabited low profile sandy islands with lush tropical vegetation. The islands themselves are inaccessible, protected by very shallow fringing reefs that extend several hundred meters from the shore line. At the edge these huge coral shallows plunge steeply into the typically crystal-clear abyss of the Banda Sea. Diving these remote locations has by definition an exploratory character – their location in the middle of the deep sea with no other islands around is very inviting for passing pelagics to hang around, thus increasing chances of close encounters between divers and bigger species such as tunas, rainbow runners, thresher sharks, silky sharks or hammerhead sharks. 4 day dives)
Day 8: Lucipara Penyu Archipelago
Another day just like the day before. Apart from the chances to see pelagics other strong points of these dives are the general healthiness and sheer vastness of the reefs. Some of the walls and steep slopes are studded with luxuriant soft coral growth, in other parts the landscape is dominated by huge barrel sponger or immense sea fans. The shallows are mainly intact hard coral gardens inhabited by myriads of different species of reef fish. (4 day dives)
Day 9: South Ambon
After two morning dives on the exposed south coast of Ambon Island that are both stunning from a topographical and coral cover point of view, we enter Ambon Bay where we will go hunting for critters. Thorny seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, rhinopias, frogfish and ribbon eels are just a few examples to illustrate the extraordinarily rich muck diving of Ambon Bay. (3 day dives. 1 night dive)
Day 10: Laha
Laha’s muck diving sites are world renowned. Apart from a plethora of nudibranchs, cephalopods, ambon scorpionfish and different species of leaf scorpionfish, Laha is also famously the only place in the world where – with some luck! – the beautifully weird psychedelic frogfish may be spotted. (2 day dives)
Day 11: Ambon
After a last delicious breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and disembark – until the next time.
(Actual itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
Alor (Maumere – Maumere)
Day 1: Maumere
After boarding Adelaar there is time to settle in, get to know the boat, crew and fellow passengers. So relax and enjoy your first day of living aboard Adelaar. Depending on boarding time there might be time to do a first check dive in the afternoon.
Day 2 Komba
Komba is a unique place, the tip of Batu Tara, a volcano rising from the depths and piercing the blue waters of the Flores Sea. Occasionally still visibly and audibly active, diving the stark underwater landscape on the flanks is unique. The dark grey substrate gives a beautiful contrast to the colours of the hard and soft coral formations and big barrel sponges towering over the underwater ridges. Thanks to the volcanic nature of the island, and its remote location, sitting alone in the middle of the sea, this typically guarantees excellent visibility and may attract pelagic predators. 3-day dives, 1-night dive
Day 3 Pantar Strait
The scenically beautiful Pantar straight offers many dive sites that are distinctly different from one another. The stunning walls and slopes, covered so completely in soft corals, are almost a sensory overload. Explore macro havens in the different coloured sands, overhangs draped with coral gardens, eery jetty pillars, and drift dives with pelagics. Observe traditional fishermen going about their trade by free diving and spear fishing. A visit by the local ikat weavers who present their beautiful hand woven, and hand died fabrics, is a definite highlight. 3-day dives, 1-night dive
Day 4 Pura
Pura Island, nestled between Alor and Pantar, is a diver’s playground. Discover unique sites covered in endless carpets of anemones, which regularly attract pelagic visitors. Steep slopes of pristine soft coral growth offer a virtual explosion of colours, mini walls, and patch reefs for a chance to stumble over some rhinopias. Before the night dive, the local children show us around their village. 3-day dives, 1-night dive
Day 5 South East Pantar
The world class black sand macro dive sites of Southeast Pantar offer the perfect opportunity to meet hairy frogfish, mimic octopus, rhinopias, ambon scorpion fish, hairy octopus, thorny seahorse, hairy shrimp, halimeda ghost pipe fish and other critters. The enthusiastic welcome we get from the village children when we go on shore is an additional highlight. 3-day dives, 1 night dive
Day 6 South West Pantar
The exposed sites of the barren, dry southern area of the Alor archipelago is simply unique in every way. Dive among the iconic huge soft coral ‘trees’ growing along the seafloor which also offers expansive profuse coral growth. The topography features caves, pinnacles and swim-throughs, home to clouds of anthias and an abundance of fish. Out in the deep, check for passing pelagics, Mola Molas and thresher sharks, everything a diver could ever wish for. 3-day dives, 1 night dive
Day 7 Alor Strait
The Alor Strait between Pantar and Lembata separates the entirely different cultural groups of the Alor and the Solor archipelagos. According to Alor folklore, the islands in between possess magical powers, hence they are uninhabited, keeping the fish completely undisturbed and helping them to thrive in the surrounding reefs. Coral growth on some sites rival the top sites of West Papua in terms of colour and density. 3-day dives
Day 8 North Lembata
The north coast of Lembata is completely dominated by the volcano Ili Ape, while the two bays to its east and west respectively, offer two completely different dive destinations. The eastern bay features dramatic wall dives that attract large fish, and the western bay offers sandy patch reefs excellent for macro diving for unique critters. 3-day dives, 1-night dive
Day 9 Solor
There is a distinct ‘Jurassic’ feeling here, with impressive volcanic peaks rising from the ocean and towering above the landscape. Submerging below the surface is equally spectacular. The sites off Solor might indeed be Indonesia’s best kept secret for divers, and we cannot wait to share and explore it with you. 3-day dives, 1 night dive
Day 10 South West Lembata
We finish on an absolute high by diving on a site known for pumping fish action and visiting pelagics! After the last dive, we will set the sails and navigate through the Solor archipelago and into the narrow straight of Larantuka with a direct view of the iconic western sunset. 2-day dives
Day 11 Maumere
After breakfast, it is time to disembark and say goodbye – until the next time.
(Iitinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
The Banda Sea (Ambon – Ambon)
Day 1: Ambon
After boarding Adelaar in Ambon, you will enjoy your first day on board whilst cruising straight into the heart of the blue Banda Sea.
Day 2: Ai & Gunung Api
Our first day of diving is along the steep walls surrounding the whole island of Ai. From a plateau with pretty hard coral gardens, these walls, beautifully decorated in yellow soft corals, plunge deep into the dark blue clear Banda Sea. With a bit of luck we might already meet the first hammerhead shark of the trip. In the late afternoon everybody will be on deck to witness the goose bump moment of the arrival into one of the most spectacular and beautiful natural harbours in the world between the islands of Banda Neira, Gunung Api and Lonthor (Banda Besar). (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 3: Banda Neira
After a guided visit to the historic town of Banda Neira, the fort, museum and spice plantations, we have traditional Bandanes breakfast before strolling back to port through the bustling market of this lovely town. One of today’s dives is on a new reef that has been growing naturally on the spur of the lava from Gunung Apis 1988 eruption – it is a fantastic example of nature’s ability to recover from natural disaster. In the evening we will dive at dusk to try and spot some romantic mandarin fish. (2 day dives, 1 dusk dive)
Day 4: Banda Besar & Sjahrir
On today’s menu is a spectacular submerged pinnacle covered in dense schools of fish and a couple of drift dives. The unique location of the Banda archipelago enhances chances of close encounters with pelagics such as big tunas, Spanish mackerels, giant jacks or even thresher sharks. In the evening we have a farewell dinner from Banda Neira in the tropical garden of a beautiful house from the colonial period. (3 day dives)
Day 5: Hatta
The diving off Hatta, the easternmost Island of the Banda archipelago, named after Indonesia’s first vice-president, is our first day of diving dedicated to seeing schooling hammerhead sharks.
The sight of groups ranging from a handful to literally hundreds of those majestic animals is an unforgettable experience – and one of the main reasons diving in the Banda Sea is so special. (4 day dives)
Day 6: Manuk
Manuk – “bird” in javanese – is an old, lonely volcano that arises from the depth of the Banda sea. It attracts a huge colony of resident seabirds above the waves, while under water the island is home to schools of jacks, surgeonfish, tunas, barracudas and other pelagic fish species – as well as a lot of sea snakes. These venomous but absolutely unaggressive reptiles can be encountered on each dive around Manuk, sometimes in great numbers, which makes these dives absolutely unique. (4 day dives)
Day 7: Sarua
There are no words that can do justice to the sheer awesomeness of the hammerhead site of Sarua. So we do not even try. (4 day dives)
Day 8: Sarua
As mentioned above. That’s why one day is not enough. (3 day dives)
Day 9: Run & Nailakka
Back in the Banda archipelago we dive around Run, an island that used to be the most desirable piece of real estate in the whole world. So desirable that it was reluctantly and under a lot of pressure traded by the English to the Dutch against an undesirable piece of land on the other side of the world called Manhattan. Apart from its history, Run is beautiful – on the surface covered in nutmeg trees and under the water the steep slopes are studded with huge gorgonian sea fans. It is yet another place that attracts schooling hammerhead sharks and other pelagics. We finish the day with a few drinks on the beach of Nailakka, the beautiful, but tiny island that was home to the English for several years after they lost Run to the Dutch. (3 day dives)
Day 10: Manukang
On the way between Run and Ambon we stop for a couple of dives on a volcanic outcrop that is according to Moluccan lore known to be haunted – this we cannot judge, but what we do know, is that it attracts its fair share of pelagic visitors that swim along its underwater ridges that are covered in huge barrel sponges. After the last dive we set sails and start our trip back to reality. (2 day dives)
Day 11: Ambon
After a last delicious breakfast it is time to say goodbye and disembark – until the next time.
(Actual itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
The Banda Sea & Triton Bay (Ambon – Kaimana)
Day 1: Ambon
After boarding Adelaar in Ambon, you will enjoy your first day on board whilst cruising straight into the heart of the blue Banda Sea.
Day 2 Manukang
Our first stop is Manukang, a volcanic outcrop that according to Moluccan lore, is known to be haunted. This we cannot judge, but what we do know, is that it attracts its fair share of pelagic visitors. Schooling hammerhead sharks swim along the underwater ridges that are covered in huge barrel sponges. 4-day dives
Day 3 Hatta
Hatta, the easternmost Island of the Banda archipelago, is named after In- donesia’s first vice-president who spent time here in exile. The diving off Hatta is dedicated solely to seeing schooling hammerhead sharks. The sight of groups ranging from a handful to literally hundreds of those majestic an- imals is an unforgettable experience, and one of the main reasons the diving in the Banda Sea is so special. 4-day dives
Day 4 Watubela
The Watubela archipelago is also regularly visited by schooling hammer- head sharks. However, this is not the only charm of these remote islands located at the border between the Banda and Seram Sea. Spectacular white sandy beaches offer perfect locations for those postcard sunset drinks after a day’s diving surrounded by schooling fish. 3-day dives
Day 5 Koon
Do you like diving with a lot of fish? In that case Koon is the place for you. Apart from having too many fish to list, there is also a spectacular land – or rather surface – activity nearby. Depending on the tide we can enter a hid- den system of marine lakes and canals for a snorkel and swim trek unlike any other! Typically, at the end of the trail you will be greeted by enthusi- astic local village children. 3-day dives
Day 6 Momon
The Momon Area of New Guinea is without a doubt one of the highlights for photographers. The very photogenic Kiti Kiti waterfall falls directly out of the vibrant jungle and into a turquoise sea. For those who are up for a land excursion, there are opportunities to venture into the forest a jungle trek. But first, there will be dives along the seamounts off the coast, known for their big schools of big eye trevallies, sharks, pelagic fish and oceanic manta rays. 3-day dives
Day 7 Aiduma
Along the coast of the karst island of Aiduma in the Aru Sea there are nu- merous little coves, islets and underwater formations with unique topogra- phy that are covered in dense soft coral growth. Fish life is profuse and fea- tures schools of snappers, sweetlips and fusiliers as well as napoleon wrasses, large groupers and wobbegong sharks. 3-Day Dives, 1 Night Dive
Day 8 Dramai
The eastern most point of our voyage is the island of Dramai. The waters surrounding this island are a sheer fish lover’s paradise. Reminiscent of rush hours in a big city, schools of different species of snappers, sweetlips, sur- geonfish, batfish, fusiliers, jacks and other species make it so dense, it is difficult for divers to get a glimpse of the unique topography. The coral stud- ded underwater formations include massive overhangs and swim throughs. With a bit of luck, we may even encounter oceanic manta rays.3-Day Dives, 1 Night Dive
Day 9 Iris Strait
There is a regular through-flow of water in the Iris Strait between mainland New Guinea and Aiduma Island. This steady supply of nutrients triggers a veritable explosion of coral growth. Healthy areas dominated by enormous hard coral formations are interchanged with slopes covered in immense black coral bushes. The surrounding area is literally invaded by the largest and most colourful soft coral gardens that exist. All of this benthic life at- tracts schools of fish and squadrons of mobula rays. 3-Day Dives, 1-Night Dive
Day 10 Triton Bay
The diving in Triton Bay is unique, as the small islands act as fish magnets and feature exquisite coral growth of both hard and soft corals. The bay is home to a plethora of critters such as pygmy seahorses, leopard and tiger shrimps, endemic flasher wrasses or rare cephalopods. On night dives in this bay, be on the lookout for Triton Bay’s endemic walking shark. A structure resembling a huge underwater coral caldera is one of the topographic fea- tures of this area. Another topside highlight is our speedboat tour through the maze of the large Triton Bay lagoon with its countless hidden bays and channels surrounded by unique karst rock formations. 3 -Day dives, 1-Night dive
Day 11 Namatote
If your trip happens to fall around a new moon, we will spend the day in the north of the island of Namatote. There we visit the traditional outrigger fish- ing platforms that are regularly visited by what the fishermen refer to as ‘mothers of fish’, i.e. the world’s largest fish, the majestic whale sharks. Closer to full moon there are no fishermen and whale shark sightings are rare. During such times we will concentrate on the dive sites south of Nama- tote with their pinnacles, caverns, swim-throughs, and black coral forests. On one special rock cliff only visible by boat we can see prehistoric rock art, evidence of the culture of the region’s earlier human inhabitants. After Namatote we start the final passage of the trip in style – by hoisting Ade- laar’s set of sails! 2-Day dives
Day 12 Kaimana
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and disembark – until the next time.
(Actual itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
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