Snorkeling in Banda Neira, Central Maluku (Christmas Week!)

This adventure page is for those who want to join for snorkelling or just for leisure. For those who want to join as divers, please head on to this adventure page Diving in Banda Neira. Both are happening at the same time.

Please allow adjustment +/- one to two days from the scheduled date as we are still waiting for the official release of the ferry schedule. 


THE ROUTE
1st: Singapore – Jakarta (by air)
2nd: Jakarta – Ambon (by air)
3rd: Ambon – Banda Neira (by public boat-overnight in the cabin) 




BANDA NEIRA
Banda Neira or Banda Naira is one of ten volcanic islands in the Banda Archipelago in the Maluku province, in eastern Indonesia. The Banda Islands, probably better known as the fabled Spice Islands of ancient times, are covered with towering, aromatic, tropical-evergreens. The Myristica Trees, indigenous to the Banda Islands, are the source of two rare and lucrative spices: nutmeg and mace, once found exclusively on the Banda Islands. A sparkling, sapphire sea surrounds these already incredible islands, brimming with exquisite corals and abundant ocean life, making the Banda Islands not only a historically significant destination but also an internationally recognized diving spot.


In Banda, you will find some of the world’s best and healthiest coral reefs. With more than 300 hard coral species and more than 500 fish species, the reefs give you the impression of diving into a different world of hundreds of different colours and motions. Every season in Banda has its own appeal: the transition seasons from October till December and from February till May are spoiling you with magnificent visibilities whereas the more turbid plankton-rich times after the southeast monsoon in August and September will surprise you with incredible numbers of fish and more frequent encounters with larger pelagics. No matter whether you’re a diver or not, you will definitely find lots of different things to do on Banda.