Dive in Banda Islands

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 the 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, 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.

Getting There
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.

Where to Stay
There are plenty of small, very inexpensive places to stay around Bandas that you can choose to stay with varied price and facilities

Moving Around
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.
Dining Guide
There are only a few small restaurants with varied of Indonesian foods.
Souvenir Tips
Try to buy some local souvenirs here or traditional foods and snacks.
Other Things to See or Do
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.

Travel Tips
-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.