This trip covers 1100 nautical miles starting from Flores, (Nusa Tengara) crossing the Banda Sea to Irian Jaya (West Papua). This journey passes through a wide range of geological landscapes and formations of Indonesia. We will cruise past volcanic islands to limestone pinnacles developed from ancient coral reefs. The fantastic Raja Ampat Marine Park off the west coast of Papua is our ultimate destination and will provide unrivalled diving highlights. As we cruise along the natural migratory paths and playgrounds of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, this cruise is guaranteed to provide amazing diversity and beauty both above and below the water.

This harbor offers some of the most amazing and diverse dive locations in the world. Under the pier we can find razorfish, different species of pipefishes, seahorses, frogfishes, scorpion fishes, a wealth of colourful nudibranches, plus schools of barracuda and batfish. This area provides the perfect fanfare to start or end your memorable journey. In “Pindito-slang” we call Maumere harbor Blue Water Muckdiving!

Whereas Kawula offers crystal blue water diving and spectacular overgrown drop-offs, the island of Pantar shows its best side for the night dive. In between the dives there is the opportunity to visit a local village.

Here we have many different diving options. Whether you prefer drifting along coral encrusted walls, sloping reefs in crystal clear water or hunting for nudibranchs and ghost pipefish, there really is something for everyone.

On the north coast of Alor we have a divesite where you will be completely surrounded by fish life. Steep slopes and drift diving on the current bring in the big fish on to this beautiful reef. Certainly good enough for a second look!

The west coast of Wetar boasts amazing dive sites with Drop-Offs, colourful reefs and abundant fish life. Here there is a good chance to see some pelagics. Mind your depth as you swim over the edge in deep blue water as we are many miles away from civilization!

Along the north coast we have regular sightings of dolphins and whales, often just a few meters away from the divesite!

The terrain slopes into the blue Banda Sea inviting you to swim amongst gorgonian fans, huge sponges and rainbow coloured soft corals. Keep your eyes out in the blue for tuna, Napoleon wrasse and sharks. Some of the spots around Romang are influenced by volcanic activity and provide great night diving where we can see Spanish Dancers and fascinating Bobtail-Squits.

This island group was first dived on a Biodiversity tour in November 2003. Starting from the shallow reef top to the deep here is amazing coral growth and diversity. As you take in this natural wonders the diver will be watched by the inhabitants of the reef and passing pelagics. The fish are still curious here because it is so rarely dived – just by Pindito since 2003!

Here we dive another volcanic island which rises out of the deep Banda Sea, far out in the open ocean. Darwin could have studied his evolution theory here. Life is sparse on the island but underwater the steep walls are covered in corals you will experience a wonderful dive. On the night dive we have a good chance to see the shy Saron Shrimps.

Is it the island of sea snakes or the island of birds? This island has two unique things to offer. Thousands of seabirds inhabit the island, from frigate birds to boobies, it’s a spectacle you will enjoy. Underwater Seasnakes are present by the dozen and if we are lucky we’ll see them hunting in a pack. But also the reefs along this island are beautiful, a mix of walls and slopes with corals in all colours and sizes. In between you always will spot some sharks, tuna and jacks.

At the eastern side of Seram in the Molucca Sea stretches a long reef chain separated from the Banda Sea by a deep channel. Everything you want to see passes through this channel. From dolphins to manta rays, sharks to mobulas. The frequent strong currents guarantee good fish action. This is a divesite with giant groupers, schools of barracuda, red snappers and bigeye trevally. The safety stop affords time to take in the beautiful reeftop. Esteemed to be one of the top ten divesites in the world this spot will not disappoint.

In the south-east of Misool begins the next chapter of our diving trip. As the visibility decreases the biodiversity and numbers of species explodes. Amongst the strange scenery of limestone pinnacles clad in green vegetation are hundreds of unexplored pristine divesites. The reefs are home to Pygmy seahorses living in the gorgonian fans and the most beautiful, colourful soft coral reef tops. The situation in Misool is such that we will dive the spots we know and love, but the reef a few hundred metres away is just as beautiful. This gives us the option to try out somewhere new!

In the Raja Ampat Marine Park there are countless divesites, all with a different character. For those with keen eyes all kinds of macro life can be found in cracks, under overhangs and in the corals. At other places we can offer amazing fishlife along submerged reefs and ridges. Don’t forget to take your eyes off the reef from time to time, or you will miss Napoleon wrasse, mobulas, reef sharks and big schools of fish. This area is also suitable for exploring the island labyrinth by speedboat and close to the shore we can see parrots, eagles and orchids.

In places it is hard to see the reef for the fish, but there you will be surprised by the variety of nudibranches, and macro life. In the limestone underwater scenery you can explore caves and arches, covered in colour and life. Investigate the seafans to find more pygmi seahorses and spindle cowries. Swim slowly and look out for the soft coral crabs. The reef provides so many cracks and caves for the animals to hide in we try to cover a smaller area in more detail as we dive.

A trip through the bays and channels of Misool is a real adventure. Rich equatorial tropical vegetation hides large caves in the limestone of different size and history. Beautiful light patterns, roosting bats and the air of tropical rainforest gives this remote area a real “Indiana Jones” feeling.

Here we will dive along stunning reefs that show off the astonishing richness of fish life of Raja Ampat. We can see big schools of snapper and mackerel, and grouping or solitary barracuda. Manta Rays can be seen at a cleaning station, while batfish and sharks cruise past. At the end of the dive you make a safety stop on the beautiful reef top.

Close by to Sorong is an airplane wreck from the Second World War, which we will dive if the group dynamic and the schedule allow. All through this trip we have the chance to explore and discover something new.