Nestled on the eastern side of Indonesia, the Banda Sea is a deep and expansive sea, with mesmerising underwater landscapes that are relatively unexplored compared to its more famous neighbours like Raja Ampat or Bali. Its unique location, which is inside the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region with high volcanic activity, makes the waters of the Banda Sea rich in biodiversity, with an abundance of unique marine life.
Are you interested in exploring the untouched beauty of this region? Read this article to learn everything you know about diving in the Banda Sea, including the diving conditions, best dive sites, as well as Banda Sea liveaboard recommendations!
Geographical Overview: Where is the Banda Sea?
The Banda Sea is located in Eastern Indonesia, specifically within the region of the Maluku Islands. The sea is close to many other islands, including Ambon to the northwest, Timor to the south, and Sulawesi to the west.
In addition, the Banda Sea is also surrounded by several other seas, including the Ceram Sea on the north, and the Halmahera Sea on the east. The close proximities to the neighbouring seas play a vital role in shaping the ocean currents and marine habitats within the Banda Sea, resulting in an intricate network of reefs and underwater formations that became home to a rich array of marine life.
Historically, the Banda Sea once held great importance as part of the “Spice Islands,”, which are known for their valuable nutmeg and cloves during the Age of Exploration. Its strategic location made it a critical hub for global trade, drawing explorers, traders, and colonial powers seeking the coveted spices.
Top Dive Sites in the Banda Sea
So, when it comes to Banda Sea diving, which dive sites should you explore? Here’s a list of the top spots for scuba diving in the Banda Sea!
1. Manuk Island (‘Snake Island’)
The first diving spot you must explore is Manuk Island, an island that is famous for its large populations of sea snakes, which earned itself the nickname ‘Snake Island’. Scuba divers flock to Manuk Island for the rare opportunity to encounter olive and banded sea kraits in their natural habitat, often coiling around coral reefs and hunting for fish. Aside from the sea snakes, the site also features thriving coral gardens, schools of barracuda, jacks, and occasional appearance from hammerhead sharks.
2. Nusa Laut
A dive in Nusa Laut is something you don’t want to miss as a diver. As you submerge yourself into the water, you’ll be greeted with pristine, healthy hard coral gardens, and excellent visibility, thanks to the local’s consistent efforts in protecting the ocean environment. This site, located southeast of Ambon Island and a part of the Lease Islands in Maluku, can only be reached by a liveaboard, but the visit will be very much worth it. Aside from the corals, you can see all sorts of marine creatures, from reef sharks to sea turtles and blue-ring octopuses.
3. Banda Neira
Offering a steep history and exceptional marine diversity, Banda Neira is another dive location within the islands of Banda that you should include on your list. Its underwater landscapes are some of the most pristine and diverse in Indonesia, with nutrient-rich waters that make it ideal for corals and marine creatures. It’s also located along the Ring of Fire, which means you get to see rare underwater features like lava flows. The region is also famous as a hammerhead shark sighting spot, but you can also find creatures like tunas and manta rays, as well as critters like pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish.
4. Hatta Reef & Hatta Island
Located on the outer edge of the Banda Islands, Hatta Reef and Hatta Island offer a pristine underwater ecosystem with unique landscapes, including coral-covered plateaus and steep drop-offs. The currents are strong, which brings in nutrient-rich waters that attract various species. You can expect encounters with schools of barracuda, giant trevally, white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, as well as green sea turtles, clownfish, and various nudibranchs. What’s more, you can also spot manta rays and migrating whales during certain seasons!
5. Serua Island
Serua Island is a dive site located near the edge of a volcanic ridge, offering unique underwater landscapes for every diver. Its healthy coral gardens and nutrient-rich waters mean this site is a hotspot for many sea animals, from Napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, as well as schools of tuna and jacks. What’s more, Serua Island is one of the best places to dive with hammerhead sharks, as these creatures are often seen cruising through the deep waters, particularly during the hammerhead season.
6. Suanggi Island
With underwater cliffs and vibrant coral walls, you wouldn’t want to miss the chance to dive in Suanggi Island. The strong currents around this island attract many large sea creatures, including hammerhead and reef sharks, as well as occasional sightings of silky sharks and manta rays. Bigeye trevallies, barracuda, and fusiliers are also commonly seen in large schools around Suanggi, often swirling around divers. Dive closer to the reefs and you can spot pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and scorpionfish frolicking between the corals and huge sea fans, making it a great destination for macro photographers!
7. Run Island
The Run Island was one of the famous “Spice Islands” in Banda Sea’s history. Below its waters, though, an underwater paradise unfolds. This island offers you the ultimate diving experience, with schools of fish floating around you and opportunities to encounter large pelagic species, like tuna, barracuda, reef sharks, or hawksbill and green turtles. Its thriving soft coral gardens are home to various macro critters, so you might want to bring your diving camera with you during your dive.
Travel Tips for Diving in Banda Sea
1. Best Time to Dive
Before booking your dive travel, make sure you’ve picked the right time. Generally, the best time to dive in Banda Sea is from March to May and September to December, which coincides with the hammerhead shark migration season. During these months, you can have a spectacular diving experience, witnessing these sharks congregating in the region. What’s more, the water temperature across the Banda Sea during this season is pleasantly warm, generally ranging from 26°C to 30°C.
2. What to Pack
Because of its unique location, you’re going to need a liveaboard to get to the Banda Sea, so you want to make sure you pack for a liveaboard trip accordingly. This includes bringing complete dive gear, from a wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, and any personal diving equipment you prefer.
You should also bring a reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun while diving, as well as lightweight, breathable clothing for warm weather. If you enjoy underwater photography, don’t forget to bring your camera and accessories to capture the stunning underwater sceneries around the Banda Sea.
3. Health and Safety
Going on liveaboard trips to remote regions like the Banda Sea requires some health preparation. Make sure that you have proper diving insurance that covers emergency evacuation and medical expenses. You should also make sure you already have the necessary vaccines and carry a basic health kit with items like motion sickness medication, first aid, and personal medication.
4. Travel Logistics: How to Get to the Badna Sea
Getting to the Banda Sea would require you to fly to Indonesia. To do that, you can fly from Jakarta or Bali to Ambon. Once in Ambon, you can continue your journey with a liveaboard, as this island is often a starting point for many Banda Sea liveaboards. It’s advisable to book your liveaboard in advance, as spaces can fill up quickly, especially during peak diving seasons.
Banda Sea Liveaboards
Ready to make an unforgettable diving experience in the Banda Sea on a liveaboard? Solitude World’s Liveaboard and Resorts can take you there! Our Solitude Adventurer Liveaboard can take you on a 9-day Banda Sea dive cruise. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive liveaboard cruise, we also offer a route for a 12-day cruise across Ambon, Banda, and Raja Ampat!
With our liveaboard dive trip, you can explore various diving sites, even remote ones, and enjoy multiple dives a day. Once you’re satisfied with your underwater adventure, hop on back to retreat into your cozy room and recharge your energy with warm, hearty meals. Our PADI-certified dive guides are always ready to give you any assistance you need during your dive!
What are you waiting for? Book your next diving adventure with us here today!