Ambon to Banda Sea and back. Twelve guests. Historian + marine biologist aboard.
Our flagship Maluku voyage. Three Banda Islands, Saparua land excursion, fifteen dive sites, four cultural days. Phinisi schooner with ensuite cabins. (See Maluku Islands for context.)
Why this voyage exists
Most Maluku itineraries are rushed. They fly into Ambon, drop you on a 3-day Banda extension, and call it done. The result is jet-lagged tourists who barely understand what they saw. Our 12-day voyage solves that. We move slowly. We anchor at islands for two nights, not one. We pair every cultural day with a marine biologist briefing the next morning. The result: divers leave understanding what they swam through; history travelers leave understanding what they saw.
The route
Day 1-2: Ambon city + Saparua land excursion. Day 3-4: sail to Banda Sea, Pulau Hatta dives. Day 5-7: Banda Neira (Fort Belgica, nutmeg plantations, four dive sites). Day 8: Pulau Run + Pulau Ai (the Manhattan-trade island). Day 9: sail back via Pulau Lonthor. Day 10-11: Saparua + Ambon Bay critter dives. Day 12: return Ambon. Total: 800 nautical miles, twelve dive sites, four cultural anchorages, two land excursions.
Day-by-day
| Day 1 | Ambon arrival + city orientation Pattimura Airport pickup, Cathedral walk, evening welcome dinner at the historian’s home. |
| Day 2 | Saparua land excursion Speedboat to Saparua, Fort Duurstede, sago village lunch, snorkel at Itawaka. |
| Day 3 | Sail to Banda Sea Overnight passage, briefing on Banda history with the historian, sunset on deck. |
| Day 4 | Pulau Hatta dive day Two dives — soft coral wall in morning, blue-water drift in afternoon. Naturalist talk on Banda Sea ecology. |
| Day 5 | Banda Neira town Fort Belgica walking tour, nutmeg plantation visit, Banda massacre memorial. |
| Day 6 | Banda Neira diving Two dives — Sonegat House Reef morning, Lava Flow afternoon. |
| Day 7 | Pulau Lonthor + Banda Besar Hike to colonial mansion ruins, lunch at village homestay, snorkel reef. |
| Day 8 | Pulau Run + Pulau Ai Morning dive at Run (advanced — strong current, possible hammerheads). Afternoon at Ai house reef + bioluminescent night dive. |
| Day 9 | Sail back northwest Open-ocean passage, marine biologist seabird talk, sunset BBQ on deck. |
| Day 10 | Saparua return Two cultural anchorages, Banda massacre history walk, traditional dance performance. |
| Day 11 | Ambon Bay critter day Twin Bridges dive site, Laha jetty muck dive, frogfish + ghost pipefish + mandarinfish. |
| Day 12 | Departure Breakfast aboard, transfer to Pattimura Airport, departure flights. |
What’s included
All accommodation aboard the phinisi schooner (twin-share ensuite cabins). Three meals daily prepared by onboard chef (vegetarian and dietary-restriction options). All scheduled dives with tanks, weights, and divemaster guide. Land excursions on Saparua and Banda. Historian and marine biologist as onboard interpretive guides. Airport transfers from Pattimura International Airport. National park fees and conservation contributions.
What’s not included
International flights to Ambon (we recommend Garuda Indonesia or Lion Air via Jakarta or Makassar). Travel insurance (mandatory — must include diving coverage). Personal dive equipment beyond mask, snorkel, and fins. Alcoholic beverages. Tips for crew (suggested $25-40 per guest per day). Optional spa or massage services.
Cabin pricing 2026 (per person, twin-share)
| Tier | Includes | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Premium ocean cabin | Upper deck, panoramic windows, king bed, ensuite | $8,800 |
| Deluxe cabin | Main deck, twin or double, ensuite, ocean view | $7,400 |
| Standard cabin | Lower deck, twin, ensuite, porthole | $6,200 |
Comparison vs other Maluku tours
Most Banda tours are 3-4 day fly-in extensions tacked onto an Ambon liveaboard. They average $1,800 per person and visit two islands. Our 12-day voyage covers six anchorages, includes Saparua and Ambon Bay, and provides interpretive expert briefings. Per-day cost is comparable ($517-733/day vs $450-600/day for short tours), but the depth and authority of the experience are not comparable. We recommend our voyage for travelers who value cultural context as much as scenic photography.
Itinerary customization options
Private charters (full vessel exclusive) available October and April for $84,000 with a customizable 12-day route. Family departures (children 12+) accepted on standard voyages with advance notice. Photo-focused departures pair with a guest underwater photographer for an additional $2,200/voyage. Spice plantation extensions (3 extra nights on Banda Neira) available for $1,400/person.
Departure calendar 2026
October 8-19, October 22 to November 2, November 5-16, November 19-30, December 3-14 (full), December 17-28 (full), January 7-18, January 21 to February 1, February 4-15, February 18 to March 1, March 4-15, March 18-29, April 1-12, April 15-26. May through September: voyages paused for southeast monsoon.
Booking process
Inquiry by email or WhatsApp. We respond within 4 hours during Indonesia business hours. After cabin selection, a 25% deposit secures your booking; balance due 60 days before sailing. Free cancellation up to 90 days before. Deposit transferable to alternative dates within 12 months if cancelled inside 90 days. Travel insurance with diving coverage is mandatory and must be confirmed before sailing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a certified diver?
Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI/NAUI) minimum, with at least 25 logged dives. Advanced Open Water recommended for Pulau Run and pelagic-action sites. Non-divers are welcome — we have a full snorkel program and cultural-only options for non-diving partners.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderate fitness. The Banda Neira fort walks involve 30-45 minutes of moderate hill climbing. Cabin moves on the phinisi require navigating narrow stairs. Diving from a tender boat requires you to enter and exit unassisted. We do not accept guests with mobility limitations that prevent independent boarding.
Is Maluku safe to visit?
Yes. Ambon, Banda, and Saparua are politically stable since 2003 (post-conflict). The Indonesian government and international travel advisories rate Maluku as safe for tourism. Our crew is local Ambonese with deep family networks across all anchorages — we are guests of the islands, not strangers.
What about malaria?
Banda Islands are malaria-free. Ambon city is low risk. Halmahera and outer islands carry malaria risk during rainy season. Consult your travel doctor — most guests take prophylaxis if doing the optional Halmahera extension.
Can I extend the trip?
Yes. We offer a 7-day Halmahera and Ternate extension for $3,200. We also recommend pairing with our partner site indonesiahoneymoon.com for a 3-day Bali extension before or after.
Reserve your cabin
Two departures per month, October to April. Twelve guests max — most voyages sell out 4 months in advance.