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e nearby island of Saparua have top-rate dive sites.
Highlights among reef walls here are the presence of large marine life -
sharks, enormous turtles, schools of Napoleon Wrasse, giant groupers,
tuna, rays, and huge lobsters - neighbors to generous schools of reef
fish.
The Banda Islands
are one of Indonesias top destinations for divers. Both experts and
beginners will enjoy themselves here, as the diving ranges from the
shallow lagoon between Banda Neira and Gunung Api to the vertical walls
of Hatta Island, the most easterly in the group. The Bandas offer
stunning tropical scenery, a remarkable history, friendly villages, and
some of the globe's most pristine, biologically diverse coral reefs.
Scuba is new here, but the pioneering divers didn't have to work hard
for their thrills. The undersea world around Ambon and th
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The Banda Islands, about 132 kilometers
southeast of Ambon, consists of three larger islands and seven smaller
ones, perched on the rim of Indonesia's deepest sea, the Banda Sea. Near
the island Manuk, the water reaches a depth of more than 6,500 meters.
Of the three biggest islands Banda, Banda-Neira and Gunung Api, the
first two are covered with nutmeg trees and other vegetation. The third
however, is entirely bare and highly volcanic. The seas around Banda are
the site of the famous Maluku sea gardens with their bright corals and
colorful fish darting through the crystal- clear waters and makes it
suited to dive, snorkel or even just sightseeing.
The Banda Islands Dive Sites :
Sonegat :
The nearest site for a decent dive is just five minutes by boat from
the hotels. It is in the sonegat-sea arm- between Banda Neira and Gunung
Api, just offshore from a little seaside house owned by Des Alwi, the
Bandas most famous son. The drop off here is steep and the wall extends
down 25 meters to a grey, sandy bottom. There were few fish around, but a
good sized dogtooth tuna cruised by and some beautiful blue girdled and
emperor angelfish.
Keraka Island:
Pulau Keraka or Crab Island is just a few minutes further out, and
protects the north entrance of the Neira " Gunung Api sea passage. A
nice sandy stretch on the north coast is perfect for picnic. At the
south shore, there are some 18 meters down a mini-wall covered with
hundreds of large blue-and-yellow tunicates. To the east shore, you may
see at 10 meters a good assortment of reef fish and a school of half
meter long barracudas.
Sjahrir Island and Batu Kapal:
Sjahrir Island or formerly known as Pisang Island (Banana Island) and
Batu Kapal (Boat Stone) are just 20 minutes by boat from the hotels on
Banda Neira. These two sites combine well for a morning dive, a picnic
on the beach, and an afternoon dive.
Gunung Api:
In May 1988, the explosion from this mountain has killed of most of the
off-shore coral formations around Gunung Api, but amazingly spared many
sponges. Some corals are beginning to to grow back, but by and large
the seascape remains bleak. There are no walls off Gunung Api. The
bottom slopes gradually to 30-35 meters.
Lontar Island: The outer edge of Lontar Island, which represents part of the rim of a sunken caldera, offers several good dive sites.
Batu Belanda:
On this site, you will find many barrel and tube sponges and small
caves and cracks. The fish were varied and plentiful: a school of
snappers, large emperor and blue-girdled angelfish, wrasses, a large
pinnate bat-fish and numerous bannerfish
Ai Island:
Together with Hatta Island, this island offers Bandas best diving. Both
the north coast and the south "west of Ai are ringed with flawless
coral walls, which are rugged and full of caves, the kind of habitat
that harbors fish.
Hatta Island:
Hatta Island is about 25 km by sea from Banda Neira. Skaru atoll, a
barely submerged reef a few hundred meters off the southern point of
Hatta. On a coral outcrop, watch the passing parade of Unicornfish,
Fusiliersm Jack Fish and Rainbow Runners, often seen Whitetip Sharks
(almost 2 meters) and Dogtoothed Tuna, Napolean Wrasse, and Hawksbill
Turtles.
To Ambon :usually fly from Denpasar Bali via Ujung Pandang.
To Banda Islands :fly from Ambon by small plane/Merpati Airlines. Or you could try this one :
Flying from Ujung Pandang to Ambon. Then you'd have to wait for the ferry (once every two weeks), and stay at the Bandas for 17 days until the ferry returned.
To Banda Islands :fly from Ambon by small plane/Merpati Airlines. Or you could try this one :
Flying from Ujung Pandang to Ambon. Then you'd have to wait for the ferry (once every two weeks), and stay at the Bandas for 17 days until the ferry returned.
There
are plenty of small, very inexpensive places to stay around Bandas that
you can choose to stay with varied price and facilities
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Many days can be spent
around these lush islands. Spices are still grown here and the local
people still make traditional food and snacks using these once very rare
and sought after spices. Short walks to see the forts left behind by
the Dutch, visits plantations of nutmeg. The trek up Gunung Api will
surely leave a lasting impression with amazing panoramic views if the
islands surrounding Banda Niera.
There are only a few small restaurants with varied of Indonesian foods.
Try to buy some local souvenirs here or traditional foods and snacks.
For
non divers need not worry about boredom, beside snorkeling in the
lagoon right off Banda Neira, there are tennis courts and go on a short
pleasure trip around Banda Neira. For those who bring their children,
they can swim in calm waters or watch the sharks, fish and turtles in
two enclosures in the lagoon.
- Diving is possible all year round, but the monsoon may restrict your choice of dive sites from July to September,
- Diving is usually comfortable, with good visibility and calm waters, but some of the dive sites are subject to conditions that make them suitable for experienced divers only,
- Don't forget to equipped yourself with diving equipments, surf board and snorkel,
- Try to hire equipment from larger firms as these tend to be more reliable, but remember the responsibility of checking the equipment is ultimately yours.
- Bring a bathing suit and extra clothings.