The Banda Sea surrounds the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. This volcanic archipelago is both rugged and beautiful and the dives are often wall-based sites packed with thriving marine life. The number one marine attraction here is surely the abundance of schooling Hammerhead Sharks, however the dive sites are rich with a myriad of both reef based and pelagic species.
During the trip across from Ambon to the dive sites, you may see a bait-ball being attacked by dolphins and tuna, breaching from below and by diving birds from above. We are regularly blessed with close contact with whales on this trip (incredibly including Blue Whales and Orcas), we send the drone up to help identify and film them.
The main island we visit, Banda Neira, was once the epicentre of the Spice Trade which started as far back as the 1600s. Shore visits to the villages, forts and plantations are truly memorable experiences, steeped in often turbulent history.
