Apr 16 – Apr 24, 2027

Banda - Alor

BANDA SEA – ALOR / RING OF FIRE 9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS - ITINERARY The Banda arc is famous for its 180° curvature and is, in Timor, generally agreed to be the product of collision between a volcanic arc and the Australian continental margin. The Banda Sea is a marine ecoregion, as defined by the World Wildlife Fund. It is defined as within the Central Indo-Pacific region, which due in part to its central location at the meeting of two oceans, has the greatest richness and diversity of marine organisms, specifically located within the Coral Triangle, which contains 76% of all known coral species in the world. The Banda Sea is part of the Coral Triangle region. Various cetacean species have been recorded including either or both blue and pygmy blue whales and omura's whales. ALOR ACHIPELAGO Alor is of volcanic origin & has very rugged terrain. Kalabahi is the only town & flat area on the island of Alor, with an estimated population of about 50,000. The variety of goods obtainable in Kalabahi is surprising considering its size & location. The island's infrastructure is only weakly built. The inhabitants practice mainly subsistence agriculture. In the villages, vanilla, tamarind, Canarium almonds & other nuts are cultivated. In the forests sandalwood is cut down for trade. Alor is inhabited by a number of Flores sub-ethnic groups who still preserve their traditional ways of life. It is also known as the island of a Thousand Moko's. Moko is a small bronze kettledrum which is believed to have originated from the Dong Son culture of Vietnam. To observe these unique artifacts, one can visit the Museum of a Thousand Mokos located in the main town of Kalabahi, on Alor Island. The Museum also showcases a collection of distinct Alor hand-woven clothing called Kawate. Alor is defined by its strait – between the islands of Alor & Pantar. The divesites are mostly in this strait, the Pantar Strait (Selat Pantar), & around the islands of Buaya, Reta & Pura. Buaya, is the northernmost & smallest of these 3 islands (Buaya means crocodile in Indonesian). Reta also known as Ternate is famed for its woven fabric, Kain Tenun. Alor’s Pura Island is the largest & southernmost of the mentioned islands & sits in the centre of the strait. This island is alive with commerce. Coconuts, cashew nuts, corn, cassava & rice are the main crops. The shores are often heralded by dozens of young villagers paddling out in dugout canoes. Intrigued by divers, the children strap on their homemade goggles - constructed from bamboo & glass bottles—& freedive down. The youngsters’ energy is incredibly contagious & photogenic. As are the traditional fishermen if you catch them attending to their hand-made traps that they lead down to the reefs. Some dive sites have sandy bottoms, most are covered in corals & sponges & colourful fishes dance about as though in an underwater disco. There are walls & overhangs, a cave, a jetty, but one area in Alor is carpeted from end to end with a rainbow of anemones. Situated in front of the village of Apuri & further to the south. In the depths, watch out for wobbegongs & passing schools of tuna, maybe even thresher shark. The shallows are resplendent in the early morning, as sun rays shine through as a backdrop to highlight massive sea fans adorned with anemones. DAY 1 - Our staff will meet you at Pattimura Airport and take you to Aruna Odyssey anchored close-by the jetty at Laha village. Taxi ride is about 10mins from the Airport. Arrivals are usually in the afternoon, if you arrive in the morning & others in the afternoon; we wait for other guests to arrive. Check-out dive DAY 2 - PULAU SUANGGI DAY 3 - PALAU MANUK DAY 4 - TEUN & DAMAR DAY 5 - ROMANG ISLANDS DAY 6 - WETAR DAY 7 - ALOR DAY 8 - ALOR DAY 9 - Farewell to Aruna Odyssey – see you next time at one of our other exciting destinations! NOTES: • Itinerary is sample only. • The schedule for this region is not fixed, as we like to evaluate the conditions and the divers and what is ‘hot’ at the moment. The phase of the moon and ensuing currents also factor highly in dive site selection. Lots or little experience, Aruna Fleet will ensure we provide dives to suit all levels and ensure all have a brilliant dive holiday. Therefore, the actual itinerary is at our Cruise Director’s discretion. • Sea condition is a BIG factor in the Banda Sea, both sailing & diving. • Depth is also a big factor & needs to be maintained in disciplined approach. Divers need to adhere to limits understanding that the location is remote & very far to emergency medical & recompression facilities.