Available

Sep 26 – Oct 7, 2027

Duration

11 days

Cabins left

6 / 6

Capacity

6 divers

Operator

Nawasena Liveaboard

What's included

Included

12 days/ 11 nights accommodation on board
10 diving days - approx 43 dives
Full board meal plan

Mandatory surcharges

Dive/Travel insurance
VAT: 11 % from guest’s booking amount, to be paid in advance

Optional extras

Full Set (incl. BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Mask, Fins, Boots): 45USD per day, to be paid on board
BCD: 15USD per day, to be paid on board
Dive Computer: 15USD per day, to be paid on board
Dive Torch: 10USD per day, to be paid on board
Fins: 10USD per day, to be paid on board
Mask: 10USD per day, to be paid on board
Reefhook: 5USD per day, to be paid on board
Regulator: 15USD per day, to be paid on board
Wet Suit: 15USD per day, to be paid on board
Nitrox 28% – 15L Tank: 20USD per day, to be paid on board
15L Tank: 20USD per day, to be paid on board
Boots: 5USD per day, to be paid on board
Snorkel: 5USD per day, to be paid on board
AWARE (Ocean Environmental Specialist): 70USD per item, to be paid in advance
AOWD (Advanced Open Water Diver): 640USD per item, to be paid in advance
AWARE Dive Against Debris Specialty Course: 135USD per item, to be paid in advance
AWARE Shark and Ray Specialty Course: 220USD per item, to be paid in advance
Boat Diver Specialty Course: 175USD per item, to be paid in advance
Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Course: 220USD per item, to be paid in advance
Deep Diver Specialty Course: 465USD per item, to be paid in advance
Dive Theory (Dry Course): 265USD per item, to be paid in advance
Drift Specialty Course: 265USD per item, to be paid in advance
EANx / Nitrox (Dry Course): 250USD per item, to be paid in advance
Fish ID Specialty Course: 265USD per item, to be paid in advance
Naturalist Specialty Course: 220USD per item, to be paid in advance
Night & Limited Visibility Specialty Course: 365USD per item, to be paid in advance
PPB (Peak Performance Buoyancy): 345USD per item, to be paid in advance
Reactivate (Refresh Dive): 100USD per item, to be paid in advance
DSD – Additional Dive (incl. full scuba rental): 100USD per item, to be paid in advance, on board
DSD – Discover Scuba Diving (1 dive, incl. full scuba rental): 150USD per item, to be paid in advance, on board
Laundry (per item): 2USD per item, to be paid on board
Massage (45 min): 30USD per item, to be paid on board

Requirements

Certification

OWD or equivalent

Min. dives

30 logged

Check-in

06:00–10:30

Check-out

06:00–12:00

Itinerary

CRUISE KEY

Embarking Port. Ambon / AMQ Disembarking Port. Ambon / AMQ The Banda Sea, the deepest of Indonesia’s many seas, lies at the heart of the archipelago’s most remote and awe-inspiring marine regions. Stretching over 1,000 km east to west and 500 km north to south, its depths typically exceed 4,500 meters, plunging to over 7,300 meters at its deepest point. Located north of Flores and south of Seram, the Banda Sea has a distinctly oceanic character, with vast expanses of deep blue water broken only by a scattering of tiny, isolated islets. These remote outcrops, rising abruptly from the abyss, serve as sanctuaries for concentrated marine life, and NAWASENA LIVEABOARD takes you right to the heart of these rarely explored dive sites. The underwater topography is a diver’s dream—vibrant coral-covered slopes and dramatic walls teeming with hard and soft corals, barrel sponges, and swarms of reef fish, set against the endless blue where pelagic species emerge from the depths. This itinerary focuses on exhilarating encounters with large marine species, including schools of tuna, jacks, barracudas, and Spanish mackerel, as well as various shark species such as grey reef, silky, silvertip, thresher, and even the occasional tiger shark. However, the true highlight of the journey is the chance to witness schooling hammerhead sharks, which frequent several known hotspots around the region’s atolls and islands. While the emphasis is on pelagic diving, there are still notable macro moments, including the mesmerizing mating dance of mandarin fish in Banda Neira and critter-rich dives in Ambon Bay. One particularly unique experience includes diving at Manoek, a remote volcanic island whose slopes are home to large populations of sea snakes. The adventure continues above water with a visit to the historic Banda Archipelago—the original Spice Islands—where guests explore colonial forts, museums, and centuries-old architecture while enjoying the exotic beauty of the surrounding landscape. Over three days, you’ll dive its thriving reefs, wander through history, and take in unforgettable scenery between dives. Altogether, this expedition offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the raw, untamed beauty of the Banda Sea—a destination rich in marine biodiversity, steeped in history, and far from the well-trodden path.

TYPICAL DIVE SITE

AMBON BAY The Intensity of marine life in this Bay is unrivalled; with a combination of nutrients pushed into this large bay with lots of small coves where critters can benefit from the passing currents but are still protected by sheltered waters. A unique combination creates conditions that nourish an incredible eco system that makes this bay one of the richest and interesting places to dive. Ambon Bay is also famous for weird species like the Psychedelic Frogfish, right here at a dive site named the twilight zone, where many different kinds of moray eel, sea moth, ribbon eel, stonefish take habitat too. The Ambon shipwreck, a Dutch cargo vessel that sunk during 1950s, is also a very photogenic site and teeming with life. PULAU SUANGGI & PULAU AI A secret place in the middle of the Banda Sea, reached by live-aboard only, makes this another unexplored reef where not many divers witness the true nature of Pulau Suanggi and Pulau Ai. This area acts like an oasis for pelagics that cruise by these pristine hard coral reefs full of fish, which they all call home. Napoleon wrasse, green & hawksbill turtle, tuna, rainbow runner, huge schools of barracuda mixing with schools of bannerfish, redtooth triggers and fusiliers that sometimes-just cloud the whole reef. BANDA ISLAND The Banda area offers a good variety of dive sites, from volcanic rock at Pohon Miring to the black sand in Banda’s harbor, muck diving with flying gurnards spreading their electric blue wings, nervously moving sea moth, nudibranchs and the mandarin fish, which are seen in many places around the harbor of Banda Neira. MANOEK Approaching Manoek Island the odor of sulfur and the sight of fumaroles escaping the steep slopes reminds us that we are definitely in a volcanic zone. Once underwater the hot rocks and ascending bubbles are another reminder of this. Manoek is also one of the largest shelters for thousands of birds. Not only birds but sea snakes, lots and lots of sea snakes. DUSBORGH REEF & NIL DESPERANDUM The volcanic islands and submerged reefs in the middle of the Banda Sea are calling out for exploration. Drop offs, drift dives, great visibility and the possibility of “pelagic action”. JACKPOT A treasure closely guarded and lost in the middle of the Banda Sea, this isolated reef runs for several kilometers and is an oasis for pelagic life. Schools of jacks patrol the edges of the reef and are joined by large numbers of hammerhead sharks on a regular basis. The coral is in good health and lovers of the macro fauna won’t be disappointed, however it is more often than not that our heads are facing into the deep blue for a special spectacle. LUCIPARA ATOLL The 5 Atolls in the middle of the Banda Sea are the tops of undersea mountains, hidden world-class sites with sheer walls surrounded by crystal clear, blue water. An amazing site with lots of barrel sponges in the deep blue which is alive with rainbow runners, schooling surgeonfish, dogtooth tunas, jacks and barracudas which occasionally fade away from sight of hammerhead sharks. The uninhabited beaches around the atolls are also ideal green turtle nesting sites.

Full charter only

$106,700

Reserved for full-boat charter — not sold per person.

DepartureSep 26, 2027

ReturnOct 7, 2027

Availability6 cabins left

Full charter only

This departure is reserved for full-boat charter and isn't sold per cabin. Save it and contact us to arrange a charter.

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