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Accessible only by liveaboard, the Banda Sea offers one of Indonesia’s most remote, untouched, and exhilarating scuba diving adventures. This extraordinary expedition sails from Ambon through the legendary Banda Islands and onward to the isolated outposts of Nil Desperandum and Serua — a region of towering volcanic islands, vast open ocean, and world-class diving.
Beneath the surface, divers are rewarded with pristine hard coral reefs, dramatic walls, submerged seamounts, and crystal-clear visibility. Nutrient-rich waters attract an abundance of marine life, including vast schools of fish, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, dogtooth tuna, barracuda, and other pelagic species.
Far from the crowds and deep in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, the Banda Sea delivers a true sense of exploration and discovery. For adventurous divers seeking untouched reefs, thrilling big-fish encounters, and one of the last great frontiers of diving, this is an unforgettable journey.
At Scuba Dive Adventures we offer a unique and personalised travel service that sets us apart in the diving industry. Our bespoke adventures are carefully crafted to cater to your individual preferences and desires taking you on exhilarating journeys to the all corners of the world. Our passion for creating unforgettable experiences is evident in every trip we plan. Our commitment to excellence ensures that your adventure is truly unique and unforgettable.
At Scuba Dive Adventures we have created a unique brand and culture that permeates every aspect of our business. We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience for our clients from our unparalleled customer service and top quality liveaboards, to our carefully selected global destinations. Our focus on safety, agility and adventure allows us to push boundaries and set high standards in the diving industry. Join us for an unforgettable journey that exceeds your expectations at every turn.
At Scuba Dive Adventures we are committed to sustainable travel, wildlife conservation and supporting local communities. We believe that responsible exploration of the oceans is crucial and strive to promote and preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of the underwater world. Our passion for the ocean is reflected in our core values, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and the communities we visit. Join us in our mission to protect our oceans for generations to come.
Discover One of Indonesia’s Most Remote Diving Destinations
Embark on an unforgettable Banda Sea liveaboard adventure aboard Indo Master, exploring one of the most spectacular and least-visited diving regions in Indonesia. This expedition combines dramatic volcanic islands, pristine coral reefs, exhilarating pelagic encounters and fascinating maritime history, creating one of the finest liveaboard diving experiences in the world.
Your journey begins in Ambon, where you’ll board Indo Master and complete a relaxed check dive before setting sail into the remote Banda Sea.
Spectacular Reefs & World-Class Marine Life
Our first destination is Pulau Suanggi, where colourful hard and soft coral gardens, dramatic walls and swim-throughs provide the perfect introduction to the Banda Sea. Expect exceptional visibility, thriving reef ecosystems and an abundance of tropical marine life at every dive site.
From here we continue to the volcanic island of Manuk, one of Indonesia’s most iconic dive destinations. Famous for its resident populations of olive sea snakes and banded sea snakes, Manuk also offers outstanding opportunities to encounter manta rays, schooling fish and, with a little luck, magnificent scalloped hammerhead sharks cruising through the deep blue.
Legendary Hammerhead Shark Diving
Guests joining the 7-night and 10-night Banda Sea itineraries will also visit the remote islands of Nil Desperandum and Serua. These isolated volcanic islands are renowned for their thrilling pelagic action, particularly at Serua’s legendary Jackpot dive site, where schooling hammerhead sharks are frequently encountered during the season.
Exceptional Macro Diving
Returning to Manuk Island, the focus shifts from pelagics to the smaller wonders of the reef. Macro photographers and keen muck divers will discover an incredible variety of nudibranchs, crustaceans and rare reef creatures, with the chance to witness the spectacular Mandarin fish during their mesmerising courtship displays.
Explore the Historic Banda Islands
No Banda Sea liveaboard would be complete without exploring the legendary Banda Islands. Once the centre of the global spice trade, these beautiful islands combine centuries of fascinating history with some of Indonesia’s healthiest coral reefs. Dive vibrant walls, colourful coral gardens and thriving reefs alive with reef fish, turtles and schooling pelagic species before exploring the historic towns ashore.
The Ultimate Banda Sea Diving Adventure
Your expedition concludes back in Ambon, leaving you with unforgettable memories of one of Indonesia’s last true frontier diving destinations. Combining pristine reefs, remote volcanic islands, thrilling shark encounters and rich cultural heritage, the Banda Sea offers an extraordinary liveaboard experience for adventurous divers seeking world-class diving far from the crowds.
Built in 2022, the 47m Indo Master liveaboard was built on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and is handcrafted from ironwood and teak (traditional to the area). You will find no other diving liveaboard as beautiful in Indonesian waters and, being built by divers for divers, you can be rest assured that every need has been thought of and addressed.
Welcoming a maximum of 18 guests per cruise ensures that there is ample space to relax. The 9 guest cabins consist of 4 fixed doubles, 4 fixed twins and 1 family suite (2 double beds), all with air-conditioning and private ensuite bathrooms with hot water.
The spacious air-conditioned saloon offers a great setting for your meals and dive briefings, a cocktail bar, comfortable seating, a charging station and a large flat-screen TV.
The dive deck has personal storage space for masks and other small equipment items and is likely to be one of the most spacious and comfortable you will have come across. Designated areas for charging and preparing camera and video equipment, as well as separate rinse tanks, make Indo Master a top choice for underwater photographers and videographers.
The vessel also benefits from 2 high-powered Zodiacs, kayaks, laundry and massage services.
Experience the adventure of a lifetime with Scuba Dive Adventures — where world-class diving, luxury liveaboards, and unforgettable marine encounters come together to create the ultimate scuba holiday.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy in a standard cabin. Cabin upgrades are available upon request.
Your exclusive scuba adventure includes:
10 nights full-board accommodation onboard the vessel
All internal transfersDaily guided divingSingle 12L cylinder and lead weights
Complimentary tea, coffee, and drinking water
Please note that international flights, optional activities, and tips/gratuities are not included.
Marine Park and Port Fees are payable onboard and are subject to change in line with local government regulations. Single supplements are available at an additional cost. Fuel surcharges may apply depending on operational conditions.
Please be advised that diving schedules, activity timings, and itineraries may change due to weather, sea conditions, and local environmental factors. The order of activities may also vary to ensure the best possible experience and safety for all guests.
For further information or to book this extraordinary scuba diving adventure, please contact the Scuba Dive Adventures team:
sales@scubadiveadventures.co.uk
Liveaboard diving is widely regarded as the ultimate way to experience an unforgettable diving vacation. For many seasoned divers, this type of adventure is essential for exploring remote destinations, such as Costa Rica’s Cocos Islands or The Galapagos Islands. Liveaboard charters offer the unique opportunity to explore vast areas and dive different parts of a country, such as the Maldives or Raja Ampat.
A liveaboard is a purpose-built scuba diving vessel or an existing boat that has been adapted to cater to divers. These trips typically last longer than one night, with the average duration being 7 nights. Liveaboard boats can host between 12 and 30 divers, although smaller and larger vessels are also available. Most liveaboard packages include diving, food, and drinks.
The “Forgotten Islands” are a remote, 1,000 km chain of islands and atolls in the southeastern corner of the Banda Sea, Indonesia, known for their pristine, untouched coral reefs, exceptional marine biodiversity, and world-class diving. This isolated region, also known as the Southeast Moluccas (Maluku Tenggara), is off the mainstream tourist radar and primarily accessible by liveaboard diving vessels during specific seasonal windows.
