5.0 
Some trips go exactly to plan.
And sometimes the best ones don’t.
In October, Calico Jack Charters set out on an expedition into the Banda Sea, chasing one of Indonesia’s most legendary underwater events: the seasonal schooling of hammerhead sharks. It’s a phenomenon that draws explorers, scientists, and filmmakers from around the world, and one that can never be guaranteed.
When the hammerheads didn’t appear, the journey didn’t stop.
It shifted.
What followed was an unscripted expedition through Raja Ampat, revealing exactly why this region remains the benchmark for marine biodiversity on Earth.
This documentary captures that pivot, not as a backup plan, but as a reminder of what real exploration looks like.
Want to Take This Trip Yourself?
What you’re watching in the film isn’t a one-off production shoot, it’s a real expedition route we continue to run aboard Calico Jack. If the Banda Sea hammerhead hunt, Raja Ampat’s living reefs, and Ambon’s legendary critter diving spoke to you, these are the expeditions that bring that journey to life.
Sorong → Banda Sea → Ambon
A true eastbound crossing through Raja Ampat, the Banda Sea, and into Ambon Bay. Best for divers who want variety, remoteness, and a full-spectrum Indonesian dive experience.
Ambon → Banda Sea → Sorong
The same iconic regions, experienced in reverse, starting with world-class macro and ending among Raja Ampat’s legendary reefs and fish life.
👉 11 Night Sorong ↔ Ambon Dive Expedition
An Expedition Crew Built for the Unexpected
The expedition brought together a group uniquely suited to remote exploration and storytelling:
- Emmett Sparling — award-winning photographer and Sony Ambassador
- Chelsea Kauai — storyteller with a global audience
- Mikko Paasi — elite cave diver and member of the 2018 Thai Cave Rescue
- Alongside filmmakers, explorers, and the Calico Jack crew
With backgrounds spanning extreme environments, underwater photography, and expedition logistics, this wasn’t a crew chasing easy shots — it was a team comfortable operating where outcomes aren’t guaranteed.
From Hammerhead Hunts to Raja Ampat’s Living Reefs
The Banda Sea is raw, remote, and demanding. Deep water, open crossings, and unpredictable conditions are part of the deal, which is exactly why it holds such appeal for expedition-style diving.
When conditions didn’t align for hammerheads, Calico Jack rerouted north-west into Raja Ampat. What followed were days of diving that showcased the region in its purest form:
- Manta ray encounters at remote cleaning stations
- Cave and swim-through exploration
- Vibrant coral systems untouched by mass tourism
- Bioluminescent plankton lighting up night dives
- Whale sharks appearing when least expected
Rather than feeling like a compromise, Raja Ampat became the heart of the story, a reminder that Indonesia’s greatest strength is its sheer diversity.
This isn’t a highlight reel.
It’s a document of how real expeditions work.
The film shows:
- How professional crews adapt when conditions change
- Why flexibility is essential in remote diving regions
- The value of experience, planning, and local knowledge
- What makes expedition liveaboards fundamentally different from standard dive trips
It also quietly reinforces why Calico Jack has built a reputation for operating in places others simply can’t, and why their itineraries prioritise time, range, and adaptability over rigid schedules.
EXPLORING BANDA SEA & RAJA AMPAT
with Emmett Sparling, Chelsea Kauai, Mikko Paasi & Friends
This is a rare look behind the scenes of a real Indonesian dive expedition, where the ocean dictates the story.
👉 Watch the full documentary on YouTube
👉 Explore Banda Sea & Raja Ampat liveaboard expeditions
👉 Learn more about diving with Calico Jack
