Undeveloped, distant from populated areas and off the beaten track, Ambon and Banda Islands have been largely isolated from the rest of Indonesia and the world. Calico Jack and Anne Bonny has a number of routes in the Banda sea diving area and includes some of these islands, in combination with Raja Ampat.
Due to the remoteness of Banda islands –and because of their exposure to waves – This area is accessible to diving liveaboards only during calm intermonsoon periods, other divers are rare and many sites are still waiting to be discovered.
South Maluku offers some of the best diving in Indonesian waters and is perfect for adventure divers and snorkelers seeking out something unique and special. You can expect to find plenty of rare and unusual critters and stunning corals, but also fantastic opportunities for pelagic sightings and schools of larger fish such as barracuda and mackerel, as well as the chance to meet an elusive whale shark and large numbers of hammerhead sharks.
The Banda Islands, Moluccas, and the Spice Islands – names from the romantic past, evoking mystery, daring and fortunes made and lost. Here the world was shaped and the great powers fought over small Islands, for the fortunes found within the once extremely valuable spices, monopolised for centuries within this small archipelago. These days you can explore, discover and dive onboard Calico Jack, safely within this unspoiled, beautiful and remote part of Indonesia.
Undeveloped, distant from populated areas and off the beaten track, Ambon and Banda Islands have been largely isolated from the rest of Indonesia and the world. Calico Jack and Anne Bonny has a number of routes in the Banda sea diving area and includes some of these islands, in combination with Raja Ampat.
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Due to the remoteness of Banda islands –and because of their exposure to waves – This area is accessible to diving liveaboards only during calm intermonsoon periods, other divers are rare and many sites are still waiting to be discovered.
South Maluku offers some of the best diving in Indonesian waters and is perfect for adventure divers and snorkelers seeking out something unique and special. You can expect to find plenty of rare and unusual critters and stunning corals, but also fantastic opportunities for pelagic sightings and schools of larger fish such as barracuda and mackerel, as well as the chance to meet an elusive whale shark and large numbers of hammerhead sharks.
The Banda Islands, Moluccas, and the Spice Islands – names from the romantic past, evoking mystery, daring and fortunes made and lost. Here the world was shaped and the great powers fought over small Islands, for the fortunes found within the once extremely valuable spices, monopolised for centuries within this small archipelago. These days you can explore, discover and dive onboard Calico Jack, safely within this unspoiled, beautiful and remote part of Indonesia.
Ambon is often the drop-off point for our Cruises here. This amazing ancient natural harbor has attracted the worlds rogues and fortune seekers for centuries. Today it is on most diver’s wishlist. Just within the bay, you can find the amazing psychedelic frogfish, critters of all sorts, mimic octopus, zebra crabs, and innumerable Nudibranch species and so many colors of Scorpionfish unique to Ambon. Also within this bay is a vibrant shipwreck the SS Aquila, this 134m long wreck is still in great condition lying 15-35m deep and is now a vibrant home to many colors of soft corals and attracted schools of fish to its bridge and holds.
Calico Jack cruising through this remote seascape takes you diving at the best sites of the region – Nusa Laut protected these days to such positive effect by the local villagers, provides pristine reefs and is a firm favourite for many diving here. Then the extraordinary Hukurila Cave – consisting of 2 submerged stone arches visible from the surface. Here you drop into a dive following through winding passages and cavernous swim through teaming with marine life.
Then there are remote Islands home to thousands of nesting seabirds at Manuk Island. Below, however, this sight is overshadowed by the myriad of Sea Snakes teaming and passing underwater! The Volcanic vents and resulting warm thermoclines here are the attraction to
these cold-blooded snakes allowing large numbers to thrive.
Banda harbor is a stunning Anchorage situated beneath a picture-perfect Volcano on one side and overlooked by the ancient fort and colonial ruins on the other. Don’t miss a chance to explore these old wharves, houses, and forts. It’s to allow your imagination to be captured with the sights and smells of the Spice Trade. Covering a large area but relatively underpopulated, it has survived the ravages and overfishing sadly seen elsewhere.
This is a blessing for divers searching pristine and healthy corals, populated by myriad species of schooling fish. You will encounter numbers of Pelagic, varied muck diving and explore healthy and vibrant reef systems. Whilst on land, you will move amongst the ruins of a colonial-era remains that time forgot. The History is as vivid as the diving, indeed it was to these waters and Islands that Christopher Columbus hoped to find a westerly route when he stumbled on the Americas!
Located in Maluku province, Banda Neira is one of ten volcanic islands in the Banda Archipelago. It is known as the famous Spice Islands of History.
Indigenous to Banda Islands, the Myristica trees, are the source of two rare and lucrative spices, nutmeg and mace. Stepping onto the shores of Banda Neira is like taking a trip back in time, strolling into a town that has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. Remnants of a once great trading centre are visible across the island. The majestic Dutch Fort, Belgica, sits in its lofty position atop the high hill overlooking Neira’s Bay, commanding the attention and recognition of all who pass.
Ancient cannons lie scattered across the island, serving as reminders of the days when the Banda’s production of one of the world’s most valuable commodities, was one that was worth fighting for. Huge colonial palaces from times of the Dutch, Portuguese and British rule, still leave their mark on Banda Neira, built by those who had been catapulted into riches after successfully completing the arduous journey across the World’s oceans for a spice once worth their own weight in gold.
The Banda Islands have been a regional trading post for thousands of years, but were first settled by European sailors in the early 16th century. Upon discovery of the island’s high production of these spices, the Bandas were instantly transformed into an international centre of trade, luring merchants from opposite ends of the globe for a chance at fortune. The spices are well-known for their preservative qualities, and were once believed to have multiple medicinal qualities, including being a cure for the bubonic plague.
Fort Belgica was originally built by the Portuguese, then conquered and reinforced by the Dutch East Trading company, VOC. It is one of the largest remaining European forts in Indonesia. A towering, stone structure, looming 10 meters into the sky, and built strategically at the peak of a high hilltop, Fort Belgica looks very much like a medieval castle, and has indeed been very well maintained over the last four centuries.
Its pentagon-shaped walls are still guarded by ancient cannons pointing out to sea. The solid, iron balls once fired from these weapons were capable of sinking ships, and posed a deadly threat to any approaching opponents. Fort Belgica is just a 15 minute walk from the port of Banda Neira, and has been nominated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another fort is Fort Nassau, a smaller, yet still impressive fort, built by the Portuguese in 1529. Nassau was the defensive structure on the island before the construction of Fort Belgica in 1611.
- Diving on the most famous dive sites of the region
- Drift diving
- Night diving
- Visit to famous Banda Niera Island
- Visit to the historical fort and trading remains
- Tracking to the Volcanic viewpoint
- Diving with Manta rays
- SUP-boarding and kayaking in the lagoons
- Beach parties and hangouts
- A famous BBQ
GETTING HERE
Anne Bonny Liveaboard cruises the waters of Banda Neira in October (Ambon to Sorong) and May (Sorong to Ambon).
Both harbours are accessible by direct domestic flights from Jakarta. If you travel from Bali, get ready for an overlay.
CLIMATE
The Moluccas is the coldest region in Indonesia, with an average high temperature of only 31°C. High humidity and hot temperatures make the weather at times pleasant but also tropical humid.
It is yearlong warm or hot. Due to the lesser rain, the best travel time is from October to November. Most precipitation decrease from May to July.
DIVING
The water temperature average is 29° C. Due to the cold water rising from the deep tranches, it might fall until 27°C.
A 5 mm long wetsuit and a hood are recommended for this destination.
The maximum dive depth is 35 m (100 Feet).
Visibility is mostly good (up to 20-30m).
