Ring of Fire - Forgotten Islands

This 13 days / 12 nights multi destination trip runs along the so called “ring of Fire” and visits the best dive sites of the Banda Sea. It offers outstanding diving and is a perfect itinerary for encounters with the Schooling hammerhead sharks that roam the Banda Sea during this season.

Our adventure begins in Ambon and ends in Saumlaki.
We organize your pick and drop off at the airport or at your hotel in those cities.

THE DIVING

The Banda Sea is one of the best Indonesian dive destinations. It offers a great variety of dive sites among beautiful tiny islands and large reefs. Many of the dive sites are steep drops off with impressive hard corals, huge sponges of all kinds, pastel black coral bushes and an intense fish life. Tunas, Spanish mackerel, giant trevallies schools of treval- lies and barracudas and other pelagic fish are part of the show, together with the occurrence of the hammerheads, either in small groups or in big shoals. Other types of dive sites include great critters, especially in the Bay of Ambon and beautiful fringing reefs.

The hammerheads

The hammerheads are in the Banda Sea from September to the end of November. Their presence is related to the upwellings that cool the upper layers of the Banda Sea. Those upwellings themselves depend on the SE winds that occur in Indonesia from June to September. Therefore the best chances to see the Hammerheads is when the water is the coolest, mid-September to mid-October. But the September rich nutrients cold waters also mean more turbid waters due to plankton, and eventually remaining winds for the S.E.monsoon creating a choppy sea. The more we get off September, the more chances to get a flat sea and good visibility are high, but also the chances to see the schooling hammerheads diminish.

A minimum of 36 dives (3 dives per day) is offered during the trip, including at least 6 night dives. The last dive is the Penultimate day at 8 am.

SNORKELING

Our trips are open to snorkelers. Most of the dive sites offer great snorkeling opportunities with a lot to see in shallow waters, and we offer specific guidance for snorkelers.

ACTIVITIES

Banda islands were at the centre of the spices trades during the XVI century. They were the original Spice Islands and the most coveted destination on earth, particularly by the Dutch and Portuguese who colonized the islands and exported the indigenous nutmeg and cloves. We will stop on the island of Banda Neira and visit the village, the fort and the museum for a glimpse of the Banda history.

We will also visit some other small villages on the islands. The guests are always welcome to use the dinghies (with a boatman) to go on shore at any time, as long as the schedule allows it.

Our four complementary kayaks and paddles are also available to go on shore or in the lagoons whenever the boat is anchored. All these activities are subject to weather conditions as well as the planned daily schedule and itinerary.

WEATHER

End September marks the end of the South east monsoon, but we may experience some remaining SE winds. As we are very close to the equator, a few showers are always probable.

VISIBILITY

Banda Sea: Average to good

TEMPERATURE

The sea temperature will be 26° to 28°C (80 to 84°F) in the Band Sea.

CURRENTS

On this itinerary the currents are generally moderate on most of the dive sites, but yes there will be some consistent currents in some occasions. Wallacea Dive Cruises has a long experience diving these dive sites and always pays attention to dive in the right places at the right time to avoid difficult or dangerous currents.

Before each dive, our guides conduct current checks so that our briefings will always inform you about the up-to-the-minute diving conditions.

ITINERARY & NAVIGATION :

On the arrival day, we will have a check dive in the bay of Ambon.

Our first destination are the Banda islands. The diving around those islands is very rewarding. One of the highlight is a dive along the lava flow of the “Gunung Api” (the fire mountain); the last eruption was in 1988 and we can see how the corals and huge sponges did grow back since then. We will stop in Banda Neira, for a land visit.

The island of Suanggi, about 20 NM from Banda, is another hot spot for hammerheads schools.

Overnight navigation to Manuk island, a small volcanic island, where a lot of seabirds comes for nesting. Under- water the sulphur traces of volcanic activity can be seen. The diving signature is the abundance of sea snakes, both Aipysurus spand Laticauda. Hammerheads are also roaming around, but generally only individuals or small groups.

Going South we will reach Serua, which consists in two small islands. Two days of fabulous diving around those islands lost in the middle of the Banda Sea. One drop off offers high chances to find the schooling hammerheads. In order to maximise the chances of encounter, we dive very early in the morning and a bit late in the afternoon.

At the West of Serua lays a big reef without any land, with the attractive name of “Nil desperandum”. This is another spot for hammerheads and a fantastic drop off.

Our last day of diving is on Dai island. This granite island, part of the Babar island group, offers fantastic dive sites with great fish life.

DIVE ORGANISATION ON MV AMBAI

• Due to the large number of dives performed during the trip and the remoteness of the location, we urge divers to stay within no-deco limits, to not exceed a maximum depth of 35 meters, and to perform a safety stop at the end of every dive.
• Depending on the guests’ dive experience, interests (photography, macro, etc), and use of Nitrox (free for certified divers), the Cruise Director will arrange the diving groups. These groups are made of up to four divers maximum and a dive guide. The dive guides are rotating on a daily basis. Each diver is given a dive tank (DIN & INT available, no need for adapters) and their own dive station for the duration of the cruise.
• A briefing will be conducted by the Cruise Director or one of the guides before each dive. It will describe the site topography, depths, currents, and potential hazards, as well as the marine life we expect to encounter.
• The staff carries your tank between the MV Ambai and the dinghies. Onboard the dinghies, the tanks are placed into slots and the guide will help you to gear up just before you back-roll into the water.
• Identification books of flora and local fauna are available on board, and the dive guides will always help you identify the animals you have seen during the dives.
• Some dive equipment are available for rent on board. However, all sizes are not necessarily available, so please book it prior to the cruise.
  * Our cruises are open to divers with a Padi Advanced Open Water or equivalent with at least 30 logged dives. Less experienced divers can also participate
  with special supervision that needs to be arranged before the cruise.
  * Insurance covering medical evacuation and diving accidents is highly recommended. Divers will be filling out a statement of medical fitness for dive activities onboard.
• THE BOAT:
  MV ambai is an ironwood boat of 32m x 7.5m custom-built in 2012, for smooth navigation with focus on spaciousness and convenience for diving activities. With its 3 fiberglass dinghies, confortable dive deck and camera room, the boat is suitable for avid and pro divers, UW photographers & videographers. Kayaks, paddle board and waterski are also available onboard.
  THE CABINS:
  There are 8 comfortable cabins onboard, all equipped with individually-controlled air-conditioning. Each cabin has a private bathroom with hot shower and ample storage for personal belongings. Every bathroom has a separate toilet and shower, with ample water pressure for everyone!
  There are 2 sea view cabins with double bed (upper deck 10 m2), 4 cabins with double bed and a single bunk bed (double/ twin bed, lower deck 12 m2), and 2 cabins with twin bunk beds (lower deck, 10 m2).
  COMMON AREAS:
  MV Ambai is designed to make guests comfortable during long trips with 2 outdoor lounges, one on the main deck and one on the upper deck. There is plenty of space where guests can mingle and socialize under the shade, but also enough space for them to relax on their own to read their books or take a nap outdoor.
  There is a smoking area at the back of the upper deck where guests can also get to know the crew.
  The air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck also serves as the place to brief divers before each dive and is equipped with a TV in the middle of the room. The restaurant includes a bar.
• SERVICE:
  Behind the MV Ambai’s success, there is a professional, discreet, smiling, and very friendly crew. Our team will treat you with special attention, assist you with whatever you need, and of course carry your tank & gear. Most of our crew have been working with us for many years.
  THE CUISINE:
  Mixing eastern and western specialties, our cuisine is a “fusion" of the best of both that will never let you go hungry.
  Should you have specific requests, or a particular dietary need, (vegetarian or allergy, for example), our chefs will adapt the meals for your greatest pleasure.
  THE TEAM AT YOUR SERVICE:
  • 1 cruise director / diving instructor
  • 17 crew members including 4 dive guides