| Maumere Bay- Alor -
Islands of Gunung Api, Lucipara and Penyu - Banda Islands- Ambon.
One of the very few opportunities for a great sea
adventure yet in the world. Exploration, discovery, outstanding diving,
isolated and lush islands. Everyday a new wonder !
Real Adventure Cruise: Very, very few operators sail
through this remote waters, that is why this can still be named a real
diving adventure cruise. We have done it several times and can tell you
by heart this Cruise is really worthy!!!
Bay of Maumere: It is extremely
interesting to dive in waters that once were considered exceptional, the
headquarters of the most reputed World Championship of Underwater
Photography, until in 1992 an earthquake followed by a tsunami wave hit
with anger all the area. Ten years later the walls that surround
these islands have managed to recover in their totality from that
natural disaster to the scientists surprise and they actually offer
excellent dives in mild currents, with a healthy population of gorgonias
and sponges, with big groupers lurking in crevices, antias and butterfly
fish. In the blue big tuna and carangids patrol the depths seeking for
their prey.
Straits of Alor:
Like Komodo and Rinca, the straits between the islands of Pantar
and Alor, East of Flores, are simply superb. The currents are
not for beginners, but with good chase boats taking care and our well
trained crew, we will dive with security through these beautiful and
deep straits home of the greater biodiversity of the planet. The macro
lovers will enjoy the colourful chromodoris nudibranchs, the curious
shrimps and strange crabs, while those of you watching the blue will
frequently make out large groupers, rays, and black tip sharks, as well
as occasionally grey tips, silver tips and at times even Whale Sharks.
In the anchorages of the islands of Adonara and Lomblen
great dives at less depth and in more protected waters can be done, with
the classical exuberant coral gardens and schools of tropical fish. The
straits are also the place to see large whales in transit. In this area
we have sighted dolphins of various types, pilot whales and even killer
whales.
From Alor, we will sail Northeast through a
volcanic chain of islands situated in the middle of the Banda Sea.
These remote islands separated by some tens of miles one from the other
are surrounded by deep and vertical walls overlooking one of the biggest
depths in the Indian Ocean: 7.000 meters!.
We will say very little about Gunung Api here, but you
will spend hours talking about those dives surrounded by tens of sea
snakes and, if lucky enough, playfull Mantas jacuzzing in your bubbles,
when you arrive back home.
Banda Archipelago:
Known as one of the areas with greater potential for diving in
Indonesia, this group of islands offer dives of all types: from
"lagoons" with shallow waters, to adrenaline drift dives along deep
walls decorated with an extensive marine profusion of life and a great
abundance of fish. This is one of the regions in Indonesia with smaller
environmental impact caused by the hand of man.
Ambon: The myth, the
history, the species, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the diving, the lush
jungles.....never a place has gather so much words about itself. This is
Ambon. Far from the bitten track and close to tourists for many years,
now is open again and showing its natural wonders.
All the ingredients for a perfect adventure!
LAND EXCURSIONS:
additionally to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, in this
route the following visits are carried out:
- Climbing of the Lewotolo Volcano of 460 m of
height in whose skirt there is an abandoned village which was inhabited
by merchants who traded with the sailors of these seas. In this village
we can still find the remainders of that commerce: Chinese porcelain,
elephant ivory and old tusks, a cannon from an old Portuguese schooner,
drums and spears. The excursion takes some 3 hours, and has magnificent
views on the surrounding bay.
- Land excursions visiting fishing villages, historical portuguese and
dutch forts....etc.
By the way, Pak Ambo, the captain of the SMY Ondina, worked during 5
years in this region as captain of another Phinisi Schooner and has a
deep knowledge of the area. |