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Indonesia’s “Forgotten Islands” — known as the Southeast Moluccas (Maluku Tenggara) — are not a single destination, but a vast and remote chain of archipelagos stretching over 1,000 kilometres from Timor to West Papua on the island of New Guinea.
Wild, untouched, and far removed from the modern world, these isolated islands remain one of Indonesia’s last true frontiers. Distant from major population centres and well beyond the traditional tourist trail, the Forgotten Islands have preserved a sense of authenticity and raw natural beauty rarely found elsewhere in the world.
The landscapes across the region are remarkably diverse. The Inner Banda Arc islands — including Wetar, Roma, Damar, and Nila — rise dramatically from the sea with rugged volcanic peaks cloaked in dense tropical forest, reaching elevations of up to 868 metres on Damar Island. In contrast, the easternmost island groups of Aru and Kei offer a completely different scenery, where vast savannahs, mangrove systems, pristine white-sand beaches, and broadleaf forests create an extraordinary and untouched wilderness.
For adventurous travellers and divers alike, the Forgotten Islands offer a rare opportunity to explore one of the most remote and spectacular regions on Earth.
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.
The Forgotten Islands offer some of the finest and most untouched diving in all of Indonesia. Beneath the surface lies a spectacular underwater world of crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral bommies, pristine patch reefs, dramatic wall dives, and breathtaking drop-offs disappearing into the deep blue.
These remote seas are alive with pelagic action and extraordinary marine biodiversity. During our inaugural expeditions to the Forgotten Islands in 2010, guests were treated to unforgettable encounters with enormous schools of Bumphead Parrotfish, swirling tornadoes of Big-eye Trevallies, Giant Trevallies hunting in the current, Spanish Mackerel, vast schools of Barracuda, graceful Hammerhead Sharks, and even the awe-inspiring sight of a Whale Shark cruising through the blue.
Far removed from the crowds and rarely explored, the Forgotten Islands deliver a truly world-class diving experience — combining pristine reefs, thrilling big-fish encounters, and the sense of discovery that only genuine expedition diving can offer.
Expedition Highlights | The Forgotten Islands
Days 2–3 | Pantar Strait & Alor
Dive nutrient-rich waters alive with marine life, from rare macro critters to passing pelagics. Expect dramatic walls, coral gardens, pinnacles, caverns, cooler waters, and exhilarating currents.
Day 4 | Wetar & Roeng
Explore spectacular walls draped in giant sea fans and colourful sponges, where manta rays, reef sharks, barracuda, and schooling trevallies patrol the blue.
Day 5 | Gunung Api
One of Indonesia’s most legendary dives. Descend into volcanic reefs surrounded by extraordinary numbers of sea snakes, with the chance of hammerhead sharks cruising past dramatic lava formations.
Day 6 | Nyata & Romang
Discover volcanic islands rising from the Banda Sea, featuring sponge-covered walls, vibrant gorgonians, schooling snappers, reef sharks, tuna, and Napoleon wrasse.
Days 7–8 | Nus Leur & Terbang
The highlight of the expedition. Powerful currents attract manta rays, dogtooth tuna, barracuda, giant trevallies, eagle rays, and bumphead parrotfish across breathtaking walls and pristine coral reefs.
Day 9 | Nil Desperandum
A remote and rarely explored atoll famous for dramatic drop-offs, untouched reefs, and thrilling encounters with scalloped hammerhead sharks.
Day 10 | Serua
Dive nutrient-rich volcanic reefs packed with barracuda, turtles, tuna, Napoleon wrasse, and schooling jacks — another renowned hammerhead hotspot.
Days 11–12 | Dai & Dawera
Experience some of the most pristine reefs in the Forgotten Islands, bursting with life. Huge schools of barracuda, big-eye trevallies, fusiliers, butterflyfish, and surgeonfish dominate these untouched waters, while visits to remote island villages offer an authentic glimpse into traditional island life.
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:
12 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.
