Banda Sea: Into the Blue
Remote Indonesia Liveaboard Expedition
Maumere to Ambon, Indonesia
Trip Details
This is not a traditional dive trip. This is a remote, expedition-style experience where conditions, wildlife, and the ocean guide our days.
When:
September 20 – October 1, 2027
11 nights aboard
Experience:
Scuba Diving:
-
Advanced Open Water
-
This route may include strong currents and remote sites.
Snorkelers are also welcome!
Where:
Maumere, Alor, Wetar, Manuk,
Banda Neira, Koon, Nusa Laut, Ambon
2027 Rate:
$7,775 USD per person
All cabins same price
Fees included
Group Size:
15 guests & trip leader
Length:
12 days / 11 nights
The Expedition
Far from the crowds, in the wild heart of Indonesia, this expedition explores one of the most remote and biodiverse marine corridors on Earth.
The Banda Sea is where volcanic islands rise out of deep ocean, reefs are full of color, and the unexpected is always possible. One dive may be filled with tiny rare macro life like seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, rhinopias, and ghost pipefish. The next may bring barracuda, tuna, sharks, mobulas, mantas, hammerheads, or massive schools of fish.
And then there is the real magic: the possibility of whales.
Blue whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and other cetaceans are known to pass through these waters during this season. As always with wildlife, nothing is guaranteed, but this route gives us the rare chance to be in the right place, at the right time, in one of the most powerful ocean migration corridors in the world.
This is not a resort trip. This is a remote expedition for ocean lovers, experienced divers, photographers, and people who want to go somewhere that still feels wild.
The Route
The Liveaboard: Pindito
Pindito is one of Indonesia’s iconic liveaboards, operating remote dive expeditions throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
This is a true liveaboard experience designed for divers who want access to remote reefs, big marine life potential, and wild places that are difficult to reach any other way.
INCLUDED
-
11 nights onboard Pindito
-
All meals and snacks
-
1-4 guided dives per day, conditions permitting & depends on whale sightings
-
Nitrox
-
Beer, spirits, soft drinks, juices
-
Premium coffee, espresso & selected tea
-
Tanks: 12 liter
-
Weights and belts
-
Paddleboards when possible
-
Round-trip airport/harbor transfers
-
Fuel surcharge fee
-
Harbor fee
-
National park fee
-
Digital copies of professional photos & videos from the trip
NOT INCLUDED
-
International or domestic flights
-
Hotels before or after the trip
-
Dive gear rental
-
15 liter tanks
-
Wine
-
Laundry
-
Travel insurance
-
Dive insurance
-
Crew gratuities
-
Personal expenses
GEAR RENTAL
Available onboard for an additional cost:
-
Mask, fins, snorkel package: $30 per cruise
-
BCD: $100 per cruise
-
Regulator set: $100 per cruise
-
Dive computer: $60 per cruise
The CABINS
All cabins are shared. There is no single occupancy on this trip unless you pay for two people. Solo travelers will be thoughtfully paired with another guest of the same gender whenever possible.
All eight cabins were fully upgraded in 2017 and received another refresh in 2025 to keep them modern and welcoming. Each cabin features a full ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water, a separate shower, toilet, and vanity. A brand-new toilet and shower have also been added on the outside deck for extra convenience.
Every room comes with its own air-conditioning unit, ample storage, and electric outlets for charging your devices. The double cabins include an upper bunk that was redesigned in 2025 to be a fixed option, making them more versatile for different guest needs.
There are no single cabins available on this trip unless you pay for two spots. Your cabin will be attended to daily, and if there’s anything more you need, the crew will be happy to assist.
Diving:
-
1-3 dives/day average
-
Flexible based on whale activity
-
Snorkelers only are also welcome as there are also great places to snorkel!
Whale:
-
Possible blue whales, sperm whales, pilot whales
-
Opportunistic encounters
-
Flexible schedule to prioritize sightings
Who This Trip Is For?!
This trip is best for:
-
Experienced scuba divers
-
Underwater photographers
-
Ocean lovers who want remote, wild places
-
Guests comfortable on a liveaboard
-
Travelers who understand wildlife is never guaranteed
-
Divers comfortable with currents or willing to be honest about their experience level
-
Snorkelers who are comfortable with open ocean swimming
This may not be the right trip for beginner divers or anyone looking for calm, easy resort-style diving every day.
Important Note on Wildlife
The Banda Sea is wild. That is the entire point.
Whales, hammerheads, mantas, mobulas, sharks, and other large marine life are possible on this route, but never guaranteed. Conditions, currents, visibility, and wildlife movement can change daily.
We will follow the ocean’s lead.
