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Banda Sea, 10nts Onboard Damai 2, October 24-November 3 2022 Group Trip

Escorted by: Cindi LaRaia

COST:

Master cabins $7,250 per person
Single cabins $8,750
Double/twin share cabins $6,750 per person

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A journey along the eastern Banda Sea, through a chain of, until recently, unexplored islands that offer some of the most pristine existing diving of Indonesia, finalizing in the very heart of the spice trade: Ambon and the Maluku.

Itinerary

Day 1: Saumlaki

Guests will arrive in Saumlaki and have time to get comfortable on the boat. Once we have all burocracy sorted out we will depart sometime on the afternoon.

Depart around: 4 pm

Day 2: Dawera

An underwater pinnacle will be the highlight of the day. A world class dive site, where schooling fusiliers, and snappers take shelter from the numerous sharks that patrol it. Mostly grey reefs and white tips, and occasionally silver tips. Interesting hard coral gardens and walls can also be explored.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 3: Dai

The south tip of the island has two large coral formation, coming put from the island where life accumulates, A superb large school of Barracudas and jacks are hanging there. The hard corals in the shallows count among the best ones in the area and the whole island is pristine, well balance with healthy abundant life.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 4 and 5: Nils Desperandum and Sika

The best place in Indonesia to have a chance to spot school of Hammerheads. An atoll with walls all around it, large pelagic patrol the reefs, and the ridges in the corners are timing with life, schooling fish, large barrel sponges and fans. Great diving experience.

No. of Dives: 4 per day

Day 6: Manuk

We start heading into the Forgotten Islands and the first stop is the small volcano that has been home for a large population of Sea Snakes: the banded Sea Snakes and the green olive one.

Not every day divers can dive among literally hundreds of these rather timid animals, time to observe them hunting, resting or interacting among them.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 7 and 8: Banda Neira

Spend some quality time around the Spice Islands in the shadow of Gunung Api volcano. There are a selection of unique dive sites including the hard coral at Lava Flow and the very fishy underwater pinnacles at Batu Kapal.

Tour the island in the afternoon, visit its historical buildings, Banda was the center of the spice trade and of capital importance at the time. Late in the afternoon, we will go back in the water for a world class mandarin dive experience. Around the island, there are several walls with good chances to see “big staff” and we will try our luck the following day.

No. of Dives: 4 per day

Day 9: Nusa Laut

There are two distinct dive sites at Nusa Laut. Akon Wall is beautiful drop off with a natural limestone swim through in the wall. There are clouds of colorful Anthias and Damselfish hanging off the wall.

Amed Slope is a sloping reef with excellent hard corals and schooling fish.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 10: Ambon

Time to change lenses and focus on Macro dives in the mucky Bay of Ambon, a heaven for critter- hunters: Rhinopias, Frog fish. Gosts pipe fish, Seahorses, pretty much the whole collection can be found in these waters.

No. of Dives: 2

Day 11: Departure

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to their hotels or airport.

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DISCLAIMERS

• The trip will be weather dependent and there might be long crossing required throughout. We will, try to adjust the best we can to the conditions and fulfil all itinerary briefed when you’re on the boat.

• Due to the need to report to the local village, divers will need to be flexible with the start time of the first dive at some of the dive sites. We will ensure that you’re given timely update on this during the trip, however your understanding on last minute changes would be appreciate. This is because divers are only allowed in the water once permission is granted by the local villages and officers.

• Damai are flexible to change itinerary suggested based on customer’s preference in the event that weather and time allow us to do so and if changes is agreeable by all participants on board.

Damai II

COST:

Master cabins $7,250 per person
Single cabins $8,750
Double/twin share cabins $6,750 per person

INCLUSIONS:

• Return transfers to the vessel from/to airport or hotel on the day of embarkation and disembarkation, within the 20km distance
• Accommodation with air-conditioning and en-suite showers and toilet
• All meals & drinks while on board (excluding wine & spirits). One complimentary glass of wine per guest during dinner
• Air tanks, weight belt and weight
• 3 Dive Guides + 1 Cruise Director (Dive Instructor)
• Unlimited dives (if schedule permit)
• Land tours & other group activities
• First massage on board per guest

EXCLUSIONS:

• All vessel port & harbor fees between US$5 and US$25/night depending on destination
• Enriched air Nitrox: US$10/day
• Dive/snorkel gear: US$3/item or US$10/day (Full Set)
• Laundry: US$1/item
• Massage on Board after the first complimentary session: US$10/session (45 minutes/session)
  **For those with an “All Inclusive Package”, the 5 items above would be included. Please refer to your invoice for more details.
• National Park Fees / Maritime Areas Entrance Fee
• Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
• Dive Insurance (Compulsory for All Divers to buy their own: Damai can assist to buy the insurance and will charge the cost of purchasing on board)
• Tips / Crew Gratuities
• International & Domestic air, land, sea transportation and its excess baggage charges
• Visa, hotels and food ashore before or after the cruise
• VIP services opted with any other operators before and after the cruise

 

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
or
Request Info